Windows
Windows are a type of obstacle in Dead by Daylight
and have been in the Game since release.
Overview
Windows are featured on every Map and allow Players to vault through certain sections of walls.
Since Killers generally vault Windows slower than Survivors, they are an essential tool for Survivors to gain distance on the Killer and prolong a chase.
While some Vault locations do not necessarily look like a Window as such, like sections of the fallen tree trunks around the outskirts of the Backwater Swamp Maps or the railing lining the corridors along the Main Hall of the Raccoon City Maps, they are still considered Windows from a technical POV and usually draped with a yellow cloth to identify them as such from a distance.
Vaulting
In order to vault over a Window, both Killers
and Survivors
must walk up to it and press the Interaction button.
While Killers have a default Vaulting time of 1.7 seconds, Survivors have 3 different types of vaulting available to them, with varying times:
Fast Vault
- Also known as a Rushed Vault.
If a Survivor runs straight towards a Window for at least 2.5 metres and initiates a vault, they will swiftly, but noisily vault over the Window.
- Takes 0.5 seconds to complete.
- Allows Survivors to retain their momentum after vaulting.
- Is considered a Rushed action and triggers a Loud Noise Notification.
Medium Vault
If a Survivor attempts to quickly climb through a Window, but they do not have enough momentum or do it at an angle, and initiates a vault, they will quickly, but noisily climb over the Window but with more of their body exposed, making it easier for the Killer to hit them from a distance.
- Takes 0.9 seconds to complete.
- Does not allow Survivors to retain their momentum after vaulting, resetting it instead.
- Is considered a Rushed action and triggers a Loud Noise Notification.
Slow Vault
If a Survivor walks up to a Window and initiates a vault, they slowly, but quietly climb through it.
- Takes 1.5 seconds to complete.
- Does not allow Survivors to retain their momentum after vaulting, resetting it instead.
- Is not considered a Rushed action and does not trigger a Loud Noise Notification.
Window Grab
Any injured Survivor can be grabbed mid-vault by the Killer and hoisted directly onto their shoulder by tapping the attack button (default: M1, R2, or RT), putting them instantly into the Dying State
upon a drop. Survivors cannot be grabbed when performing a Fast Vault.
Window Blocker
If a Survivor vaults the same Window multiple times in the same Chase sequence, The Entity will block it after the third vault and leave it blocked to that particular Survivor for the next 30 seconds.
Other Survivors, as well as the Killer, can still vault that Window, as the block does not extend to them.
After the timer elapses, the Window and its vault counter reset and it can be vaulted again.
However, should that same Survivor vault that Window again within the first 30 seconds of it becoming unblocked, it will immediately become blocked again after just that one vault.
There is also a brief buffer window of 5 seconds after losing the Killer in a Chase during which the vault counter will still be increased.
Twisted Skill
Survivors can block the Window for the Killer by using the Twisted Skill special ability on their next vault location, which spawns a special Window-Blocker just for the Killer right after the Survivor vaults.
This blocker lasts for 4 seconds and is only available during the Twisted Masquerade Events.
History
This mechanic was originally introduced to counter so-called "Infinites", which were vault locations that would allow Survivors to evade the Killer for an indefinite amount of time, as due to their location, the Killer's slower vaulting speed at the time, and the lack of catch-up mechanics such as Bloodlust
, it was impossible for the Killer to catch a Survivor there.
Unlockables
Add-ons
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"Shadow Dance" - Soot | THIS ADD-ON IS UNUSED (This Unlockable is not used in the current Game, but exists in the Game Code.)
The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is finger-drawn out of soot on the body of the Bell.
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Doll Eyes | One of the advantages of possessing a mass-produced doll is easy access to replacement parts.
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Ring of Telekinesis | Its arcane energy crackles to life when its user manipulates objects from afar.
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"Shadow Dance" - White | The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is stamped in white ink on the body of the Bell.
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Wooden Oni Mask | A mask that a young Kazan bought to celebrate Setsubun, its repulsively fanged mouth began haunting his nightmares.
"It is no coincidence that man is so familiar with demons." — Renjiro's Doctrine 3:8 |
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"Shadow Dance" - Blood | The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is stamped in blood on the body of the Bell.
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CCG ID Card | A card carried by every ghoul investigator.
Performing a Kagune Leap Vault action triggers the following effect:
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Geographical Readout | The Drones generate and communicate a detailed three-dimensional map of the terrain, making traversal easier.
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Self-Destruct Bolt | They needed to be removed to start, and replaced to end, the self-destruct sequence. Just seeing them evokes a sense of urgency.
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Splintered Hull | Fragments of a ship that carried Renjiro Yamaoka. Against all odds, the legendary samurai seemed to survive.
"To plan subterfuge, begin with a counsel of none." — Renjiro's Doctrine 7:9 |
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Sacrificial Knife | When a journalist attempted to warn the Ottomarians of Stamper's true task, he slit her throat as a warning to any dissenters.
"There are imposters amongst you! They intend to destroy our perfect home with dark thoughts. Find them and bring them to me!" — Otto Stamper |
Perks
Survivor Perks
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Cut Loose | You get in enough trouble, you know how to get out of it.
After performing a Rush Vault action in a Chase, Cut Loose activates for the next 4/5/6 seconds:
Cut Loose has a cool-down of 45 seconds. "I know how we can get out of here! Quick, this way!" — Thalita Lyra |
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Dance With Me | When performing a Rushed action to vault a Window   or exit a Locker   , Dance With Me triggers its effect:
Dance With Me has a cool-down of 20/20/15 seconds. "Another show's off and runnin', |
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Finesse | The threat of danger can motivate any creature to strengthen its resolve.
Whenever you are healthy, Finesse activates:
"Just need to push myself a bit further." — Lara Croft |
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Lithe | Whenever you perform a Rushed Vault action, Lithe triggers its effect:
Lithe causes the Exhausted "U mad?" — Feng Min |
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Quick & Quiet | "You do not make as much noise as others when quickly vaulting over obstacles or hiding in Lockers."
When performing a Rushed action to vault across Pallets
"They will never catch me!" — Meg Thomas |
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Resilience | You are motivated in dire situations.
"Focus, even in these desperate times." |
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Windows of Opportunity | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability.
The Auras "Rise and shine, work hard, carve out your name, |
Killer Perks
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Bamboozle | After vaulting a Window, Bamboozle calls upon The Entity   to block that Window for the next 8/12/16 seconds.
Bamboozle only blocks one Window at a time and does not apply either of its effects to vaulting Pallets |
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Cruel Limits | Your ties to the otherworldly manifest when your prey attempts to get away.
Whenever a Generator
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Dark Arrogance | When everything is going right, you are an inescapable inevitability.
Increases your Vaulting speed in exchange for increased vulnerability to being blinded and stunned:
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Dissolution | Everything turns to dust. It is as inescapable as the coming of the night.
After 3 seconds of injuring a Survivor by any means, Dissolution activates for 12/16/20 seconds:
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Fire Up | The increased pressure of losing your preys fills you with anger and gives you unsuspected motivation.
For each completed Generator, Fire Up gains +1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens:
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Hex: Crowd Control | A Hex that ensures those lesser than you are properly herded.
Whenever any Survivor performs a Rushed action to vault a Window
All effects of the Hex Perk persist until its Hex Totem "You have no control. People like you never did." — Ji-Woon Hak |
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I'm All Ears | "You sharpen your keen senses in the dark Realm of The Entity."
Whenever a Survivor performs a Rushed Vault action within 48 metres of your location, you benefit from the following effect:
"There is no need to worry. I've been preparing my whole life for this." — The Ghost Face |
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Superior Anatomy | "Decades of research have culminated in you: something faster, stronger, and more dangerous than any human."
Whenever a Survivor performs a Rush Vault action within 8 metres of your location, Superior Anatomy activates:
Superior Anatomy has a cool-down of 30 seconds. |
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Unbound | "Pain lingers in the air, an alluring aroma that excites the impulses."
When a Survivor becomes injured by any means, Unbound activates for 24/27/30 seconds:
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Zanshin Tactics | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability:
You are mentally alert and aware of key points on the battlefield and nearby enemies in retreat.
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Change Log
Patch 1.1.2
- Survivor Nerf: added the Entity-Blocker mechanic, which blocks Survivors from vaulting the same Window mid-chase more than 3 times.
Patch 1.7.0
- Killer Buff: reduced the Vaulting duration from 2.666 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
- Survivor Nerf: increased the Vaulting duration of Medium Vaults from 0.8 seconds to 1 second.
Patch 2.0.0
- Killer Nerf: increased the Vaulting duration from 1.5 seconds to 1.7 seconds.
Patch 2.3.0
- Survivor Nerf: Survivors must now run straight at a Window with at least 2.5 metres of clearance in order to fast-vault.
Patch 2.5.0
- Survivor Buff: reduced the Vaulting duration of Medium Vaults from 1 second to 0.9 seconds.
- Survivor Quality of Life: Survivors now retain their momentum after Vaulting, instead of it being reset to 0 as previously.
- Change: Medium Vaults now feature a unique animation to distinguish them better from Fast Vaults.
Trivia
- Killers generally vault Windows at a comparatively slow pace, with only a handful of Killers having the ability to vault them faster using their Powers or special Add-ons, to the point that some of them are about as fast as medium-vaulting Survivors.
Gallery
A window in a segment of wall.
