The fog is ever-changing, and 2026 is no exception. Behaviour Interactive has just rolled out Dead by Daylight's Update 7.5.1, bringing a fresh wave of adjustments, fixes, and a look back at a revolutionary game mode that shook the community. This patch continues the game's legacy of constant evolution, fine-tuning the delicate balance between Killer and Survivor while polishing the overall experience. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of what this update entails, from specific Killer add-on reworks to sweeping quality-of-life improvements.

🔪 Killer Adjustments: Blight, Hillbilly & Onyro

The heart of Update 7.5.1 lies in its targeted changes to several Killers, aiming to refine their power and add-on viability.

The Blight:

Two of his infamous add-ons received significant reworks to promote healthier gameplay.

• Adrenaline Vial: This add-on now has a more complex effect profile. It grants +2 maximum Rush tokens and increases the maximum Rush look angle by 20 degrees. However, it comes with a hefty 55% decrease to the Rush turn rate, though it also provides a 5% Rush speed increase. It's a classic high-risk, high-reward trade-off.

• Compound Thirty-Three: This add-on was completely overhauled! It now limits Rushes to a maximum of 2 per power activation, but increases the Rush turn rate by 33% and extends the Rush duration by 33%. This changes its playstyle from relentless pressure to precise, controlled engagements.

The Hillbilly:

His add-ons, Greased Throttle and Thompson's Mix, received a crucial clarification. Their effects, which decrease Chainsaw recovery time by 8% and 12% respectively, now explicitly do not apply while the Chainsaw is in Overdrive. This ensures his power has clear counterplay windows.

The Onryō (Sadako):

Her core power received several buffs to make her condemned playstyle more threatening:

• The condemned cooldown after hooking a Survivor has been removed.

• Hooking a Survivor now locks in 3 condemned stacks (up from 2).

• The movement speed boost after projecting through a TV lasts 2 seconds (up from 1.5).

• Her movement speed while manifesting is now 4 m/s (up from 3.68).

These changes make her passive condemnation pressure far more lethal and her map mobility smoother.

🐛 Comprehensive Bug Fixes

A massive list of bug fixes was deployed to clean up the trial grounds. Here are some of the most notable corrections:

Audio & Visual Glitches:

• Fixed overlapping audio for The Good Guy's (Chucky) laugh and Slice & Dice.

• Resolved issues with muted Killer sounds in the options menu and missing End Game Collapse bell sounds.

• Corrected visual stretching on The Good Guy's "Wedding Dress" torso icon.

Killer & Power Issues:

• The Hag can now move properly after attacking while carrying a Survivor.

• The Plague no longer has a 1-second cooldown after using Vile Purge before she can attack.

• The Singularity's Biopods now properly stick to walls in the Underground Complex.

• The Nurse can once again blink through specific railings on Mother's Dwelling.

Map & Navigation Problems:

• Fixed navigation blockers on Shattered Square and Dead Dawg Saloon.

• Resolved issues where items could be hidden under rubble in Midwich Elementary School.

• Corrected collision on a maze tile in Pale Rose and an invisible blocker in Shattered Square.

• Fixed spots where The Demogorgon could Shred through unintended obstacles on Eyrie of Crows.

Perk & Gameplay Mechanics:

• Save the Best for Last now correctly grants a 4% decreased attack cooldown (was incorrectly applying 5%).

• Champion of Light properly applies the Hindered effect when blinding a Killer carrying a Survivor.

• The Healing speed buff from Circle of Healing now correctly persists if a med-kit runs out of charges during the heal.

• Bots have been improved: they no longer flee from Killers on different floors and won't get stuck in specific locations like the crashed Bus or the Harvester.

UI & Miscellaneous:

• Fixed unresponsive Daily Rituals button after returning from a Killer Lobby.

• Resolved an issue where an unready Survivor could accidentally switch to the Killer role in Custom Games.

• The cursor should no longer be visible during the intro cinematic.

🌑 A Look Back at the 'Lights Out' Modifier

While not part of the 7.5.1 patch, no discussion of Dead by Daylight's evolution is complete without mentioning the groundbreaking Lights Out modifier. Active for a limited time, this mode stripped away core mechanics for a terrifyingly pure experience.

The Rules of Darkness:

• Pitch-Black Maps: The trial grounds were plunged into deep darkness, reducing visibility to almost zero.

• No Perks, No Items: Survivors and Killers entered the trial with only their base abilities.

• Silenced Terror: The Killer's terror radius and Survivor scratch marks were completely removed.

This created an intensely atmospheric and unpredictable game mode that many players adored for its horror-centric focus, though it sparked debates about balance. It set a precedent for future limited-time modifiers, proving the developers' willingness to experiment with the game's core formula.

🛒 New In-Store Cosmetics

Update 7.5.1 also added two stylish new outfits to the store, continuing the tradition of seasonal celebrations:

• Yun-Jin Lee's 'Evening of Honor' Outfit

• Kate Denson's 'In the Crowd' Outfit

Both outfits were themed around festive celebrations, offering players new ways to customize their favorite Survivors.

💡 The Legacy of Update 7.5.1 & Beyond

Looking back from 2026, Update 7.5.1 represents a key moment in Dead by Daylight's ongoing development. It showcased Behaviour Interactive's commitment to:

1. Precision Balancing: Carefully adjusting specific add-ons and powers rather than implementing broad, sweeping nerfs.

2. Technical Polish: Dedicating resources to fixing a wide array of bugs across maps, audio, and gameplay mechanics.

3. Experimental Gameplay: Building on the success of modes like Lights Out, which paved the way for the varied and creative modifiers we enjoy today.

This patch, combined with the earlier addition of Survivors like Alan Wake with his flashlight-centric perks, reinforced the game's dynamic nature. It's a testament to a live-service game that isn't afraid to tweak, test, and transform itself year after year, ensuring the fog never grows stale for those who dare to step into it. The constant cycle of updates, killer tweaks, and new content is what keeps the Entity's realm thriving even now.