Killer Instinct is a Game Mechanic in Dead by Daylight that was introduced with Patch 2.4.0 alongside The Legion.
Overview
Killer Instinct is a mechanic that for its entire duration will reveal the location of Survivors via a pulsating orange spiderweb overlay, that will follow the Survivor if they are moving.
Additionally, the Survivor's outline is highlighted in orange.
Unlike Aura-reading, this effect is not blocked by Lockers or any Perks that hide one's Aura.
Add-ons
The following Killer Add-ons make use of Killer Instinct:
- Cat Block & "Z" Block: causes Killer Instinct to trigger on Survivors close to the Generator The Nightmare teleports to using Dream Projection.
- Dried Cherry Blossom & Mother's Glasses: causes Killer Instinct to trigger on Survivors coming too close to The Spirit while she is phase-walking.
- Follower's Cowl: causes Killer Instinct to trigger on nearby Survivors upon returning to the Remnant during Daytime as well, not just during Nightfall.
- Victim's Map: causes Killer Instinct to trigger on Survivors that successfully Stare Down The Unknown.
Powers
The following Killer Powers make use of Killer Instinct:
- Feral Frenzy after hitting at least one Survivor not yet affected by Deep Wound: Killer Instinct will reveal all other Survivors not yet affected by the Status Effect who are within their Terror Radius.
- Night Shroud after getting revealed: Killer Instinct will reveal the Survivor who revealed him.
- Of the Abyss while using it: Killer Instinct will reveal all Survivors in close-proximity to an active Portal.
- Rites of Judgement: Killer Instinct will reveal all Survivors walking or running on top of the Torment Trail.
- Blood Bond: Killer Instinct will reveal all Survivors walking, running, or in the Dying State within Victor's Shriek range.
- T-Virus: Killer Instinct will reveal all Survivors who use a Vaccine.
- Summons of Pain: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor who is attempting to solve the Lament Configuration.
- Birds of Torment: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivors in the vicinity of a Dire Crow that has left its Flight Path.
- Deluge of Fear: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor who is fully Condemned.
- Reign of Darkness: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor close to a Locker if The Dredge is hiding within it during Nightfall.
It will also trigger on any nearby Survivor when returning to the Remnant during Nightfall. - Virulent Bound: Killer Instinct will reveal all Survivors who use a First Aid Spray.
- Guardia Compagnia: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor who is put into the Dying State by a Guard.
- Eyes in the Sky: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor who is detected by a Drone's Scan Line while they have a Claw Trap attached.
- Hidden Pursuit: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor near the Tunnel that the Xenomorph emerges from.
- UVX: Killer Instinct will reveal any Survivor who fails to dispel a Hallucination.
Trivia
- In case of Feral Frenzy, Killer Instinct will not trigger on Survivors who suffer from the Oblivious Status Effect, as they are technically no longer considered to be in The Legion's Terror Radius.
- In case of Rites of Judgement and Blood Bond, Killer Instinct can be prevented from triggering by crouching.