In 2026, Dead by Daylight has evolved into a massive horror crossover with dozens of killers and survivors. But looking back, Chapter 21.5, Hour of the Witch, remains a notable mid-chapter update. It introduced Mikaela Reid, a new survivor with a witchy aesthetic and boon perks. When it first launched, the developers confirmed an official release time: Tuesday, October 19 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST. The chapter had already appeared on the PC-only Player Test Build on September 28, giving players an early taste of what was coming.

Why Hour of the Witch Still Matters in 2026

For longtime players, Hour of the Witch was more than just another survivor. It marked a shift in how totems and boons interacted with trials. Mikaela Reid brought a fresh playstyle that encouraged teamwork, map awareness, and clever totem placement. Even years later, her influence can be seen in how survivors approach boon perks and hex defenses.

The full release was not identical to the PTB. The developers made several adjustments based on feedback. These changes included:

• Boon effects no longer stack

• Blessing a hex now takes 24 seconds

• Boon radius reduced to 24m

• Hex: Blood Favor now activates on damage states

• Hex: Blood Favor is now based on the Survivor's position

These tweaks were designed to keep matches balanced. They also showed that the team was listening to the community. Players who tested the PTB version noticed that stacking boons could become overwhelming, so the final version pulled back some of that power.

Release Time and Countdown

When the chapter was about to launch, fans could visit the official Dead by Daylight website to check a countdown timer and set a reminder. The confirmed release window was:

Region	Time
PT	9 AM
ET	12 PM
BST	5 PM

That timing gave players across North America and Europe a clear window to jump in. For many, it was a reason to plan their day around the fog.

Balance Changes Beyond the New Survivor

Hour of the Witch was not only about Mikaela. The mid-chapter update also brought balancing changes to existing killers such as The Wraith, The Nurse, The Pig, and others. These adjustments aimed to smooth out frustrating mechanics and keep the meta from growing stale.

In 2026, Dead by Daylight has many more killers and survivors, but the lessons from Chapter 21.5 still resonate. Boon totems, hex perks, and killer tuning are all part of the game's ongoing conversation. The developers have continued to refine these systems, but Hour of the Witch was an important stepping stone.

What Players Remember Most

Players often remember the atmosphere of Hour of the Witch. Mikaela Reid's arrival added a touch of Halloween magic to the fog. Her perks encouraged survivors to seek out totems and create safe zones. At the same time, killers had to adapt to a new layer of strategy.

The PTB patch notes for Chapter 21.5 were detailed, and the full release patch notes differed from that early version. That is a common pattern for Dead by Daylight updates. The developers use the PTB to gather data, then make final changes before launch. For anyone who missed the original release, the chapter remains part of the game's history. In 2026, it is still possible to play as Mikaela Reid and experiment with boon builds.

Final Thoughts

Hour of the Witch may not be the newest chapter in 2026, but it is a memorable one. It combined a new survivor, meaningful balance changes, and a clear release schedule. The official time of Tuesday, October 19 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST gave fans something to count down to. Whether players are revisiting the chapter or learning about it for the first time, its impact on Dead by Daylight is hard to ignore. The fog keeps changing, but some chapters leave a lasting mark.