Dead by Daylight’s next chapter, Doomed Course, is right around the corner, bringing a chilling new killer, a unique survivor, and some thrilling new gameplay mechanics. Every three months, Behaviour Interactive introduces fresh characters, maps, and updates to keep the Fog full of surprises, and Chapter 34 is no different. Let’s dive into what makes this chapter special with The Houndmaster, her fierce dog companion Snug, and Taurie Cain, the game’s first Scottish survivor.
The Houndmaster and Snug
Portia Maye, better known as The Houndmaster, is a haunting figure from the 19th century, forever scarred by the murder of her father by pirates. Isolated on an island in the Bermuda Triangle, she grew up with Snug, a Cane Corso her father gifted her, and frequently encountered eerie “Bleeds” between realms, further fracturing her mind. These supernatural experiences eventually led her and Snug to The Fog, where their combined brutality makes them formidable foes.
Taurie Cain: The First Scottish Survivor
Taurie Cain arrives in Dead by Daylight as a survivor from the Black Talon cabal, an Entity-worshipping group. She lost her family in a Bleed and sees herself as a vessel destined to serve the Entity, only to awaken on the survivor’s side. Dressed in a sleeveless cardigan with a shaved head, she’s as bold as she is battle-hardened.
PTB and Release Date Details
The PTB for Doomed Course is live and expected to close on November 22, 2024, allowing players to test new perks, killers, and changes to existing characters. Fans can look forward to the official release on November 28, 2024, at 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 4pm GMT.
The PTB also brings buffs for killers like Demogorgon, Ghost Face, and Mastermind, while balancing out Chucky and Dracula with increased cooldowns. These changes are outlined in the official PTB patch notes for more details.
The Houndmaster’s Powers and Perks
The Houndmaster which is the new dbd killer has a chilling set of abilities that combine her bond with Snug with brutal efficiency:
- Power – Scent of Blood:
- Chase: Sends Snug charging toward a target. If Snug catches a survivor, he attempts to grab and hinder them, allowing The Houndmaster to close in.
- Search: Directs Snug to a target location. Survivors entering his “Houndsense” radius are revealed and face deep wounds if injured.
- Houndsense Effect: Healthy survivors hit by Houndsense suffer immediate deep wounds, while injured survivors are louder and leave more blood if they go down.
- Perks:
- All-Shaking Thunder: Extends lunge range by 75% for a brief time after a fall.
- Scourge Hook: Jagged Compass: Turns a standard hook into a scourge hook and reveals the generator with the most progress.
- No Quarter: Forces repeated skill checks on survivors at 75% of a self-heal; failure results in the broken status.
Taurie Cain’s Survivor Perks
Taurie Cain arrives with three unique perks that boost her survival instincts:
- Invocation: Treacherous Crows: Reveals the killer’s aura to all survivors when the killer disturbs a crow.
- Clean Break: Allows Taurie to heal fully within 60-80 seconds after assisting another survivor, though she remains broken until healed.
- Shoulder the Burden: Absorbs a hook state from a nearby survivor at the cost of becoming exposed temporarily.
New Map: Ormond Lake Mine
Chapter 34 will eventually introduce the Ormond Lake Mine, a rugged winter map expanding DBD’s lore-rich Ormond Realm. Though not part of the chapter’s initial release, fans are eager to explore this hauntingly cold landscape by December.
The Future of Dead by Daylight
As the current DBD year rolls on, exciting new content awaits fans. The anniversary livestream teased an upcoming licensed chapter, slated for March 2025, alongside more game modes and character updates.
