Dead by Daylight Wiki
The Entity worked to keep me on my toes, or at least, keep me distracted. Either way, I was given the opportunity to avoid disaster. Indeed, if my timing was precise, I found that my actions were much more effective!
~ Mysterious Note
SkillChecks

A Skill Check

Skill Checks are a Game Mechanic of Quick Time Events (QTE) in Dead by Daylight, that have a chance of appearing while performing various interactions.


Overview

Skill Checks have a chance of triggering whenever a Survivor is performing specific interactions.

In order to succeed a Skill Check, Survivors must press the Secondary Action button once the pointer is inside the highlighted area, also called the Success Zone.
The Skill Check pointer always moves clockwise on a dial, with the only exception being Madness Skill Checks, which have a chance to rotate counter-clockwise.
The Success Zone is placed in a random location on the dial, with some restriction as to the earliest possible location (see Statistics Table below).

If the game decides to trigger a Skill Check, it will briefly announce it with a gong-like sound, shortly before displaying the Skill Check.
However, that buffer can be shortened or even omitted with the use of Hex: Huntress Lullaby.


Types

There are several types of Skill Checks.
Succeeding them will generally award the Survivor with some Bloodpoints:

Good Skill Check

Succeed a Skill Check in the transparent section of the Success Zone:

  • Grants 50 Bloodpoints.

Great Skill Check

Succeed a Skill Check in the white section of the Success Zone:

  • Grants 300 Bloodpoints and a +1 % Progression bonus for Repair actions.
  • Grants 150 Bloodpoints and a +3 % Progression bonus for Healing actions.

Hex Skill Check

This Skill Check was part of the original version of Hex: Ruin and can no longer be triggered.

Succeeded a Skill Check in the transparent section:

  • Granted no Bloodpoints and applied a 3/4/5 % Regression penalty.

Succeeded a Skill Check in the white section of the Success Zone:

  • Granted 150 Bloodpoints and no Progression bonus for Repair actions.

Madness Skill Checks

These Skill Checks only occur when playing against The Doctor and while suffering from Madness.

Succeed a Skill Check that has an equal chance to be placed off-centre (not in the middle of the screen), be reversed (turns counter-clockwise) or be both of these at the same time.

Failed Skill Check

Failing to succeed a Skill Check in any of the aforementioned sections:

  • Will pause the interaction for 3 seconds and incur a -10 % Progression penalty for all actions.

Dream World

Survivors can be woken up from the Dream World by failing various Skill Checks:

  • Failing a Generator Skill Check.
  • Failing a Healing Skill Check.


Statistics

While performing any interaction that can spawn a Skill Check, Dead by Daylight will check whether or not to trigger one once every second, with the chances to trigger a Skill Check being as follows:

Interaction Trigger Chance Great Success
Zone Length
Good Success
Zone Length
Duration Great Success Reward
(Progression)
Fail Penalty
(Regression)
Fail Cool-down Earliest Success Zone Position*
Decisive Strike Always 7 % - 1.1 s - - - 8 o'clock
Altruistic Healing 15 % 3 % 15 % 1.2 s +3 % -10 % 3 seconds 4 o'clock
Personal Healing with a Med-Kit 12.5 % 3 % 15 % 1.2 s +3 % -10 %
Personal Healing with a Perk 10.5 % 3 % 15 % 1.2 s +3 % -10 %
Installing a Brand New Part Always (1x) 7 % - 1.1 s - -10 %
Oppression Always 5 % - 1 s - -10 %
Overcharge Tier I Always 7 % - 1.2 s - -13 %
Overcharge Tier II Always 6 % - 1.1 s - -14 %
Overcharge Tier III Always 5 % - 1 s - -15 %
Repairing a Generator 8 % 3 % 13 % 1.1 s +1 % -10 %
Repairing a Generator with a Toolbox 40 % 3 % 13 % 1.1 s +1 % -10 %
Sabotaging a Bear Trap (obsolete) Disabled 3 % 13 % 1.1 s +3 % -25 %
Sabotaging a Hook (obsolete) Disabled 3 % 13 % 1.1 s +3 % -10 %
Snapping Out of It 80 % 12 % - 1.2 s - -25 % 2 seconds

*Using a clock for reference, this refers to the earliest position (hour) the beginning of a Skill Check Success zone can be placed at.
The Skill Check indicator always starts rotating from 12 o'clock onwards.

Skill Checks cannot be placed at an earlier position.
The latest position is generally set at 11 o'clock.


Unlockables

Add-ons

Adi Valente Issue 1
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.6.0
An original copy of the first issue of Adi Valente, the comic her father made while Adriana was a child.
  • Reduces the Success Zone size of Skill Checks for Claw-Trapped Survivors by -20 %.
Instructions Someone quickly painted what seems to be repair instructions on this piece of bark.


Interlocking Razor A modification to the Reverse Bear Trap:
The addition of interlocking razor blades makes it impossible to move suddenly in the Jigsaw Box without slitting one's wrists.
  • While injured, Survivors failing a Skill Check at a Jigsaw Box become afflicted by the Deep Wound Status Effect.


Rubber Gloves Disposable medical gloves to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Increases the Great Success zone of Healing Skill Checks by +10 %.


Green Dress A little girl's green dress with a silky white ribbon.

Survivors inside the Dream World suffer from the following effects:

  • The Auras of Survivors failing Repairing or Healing Skill Checks are revealed to you for 3 seconds.
  • Increases the Penalty for failing those Skill Checks by -4 %.
Needle & Thread Not exactly a medical device.
However, it can be used to quickly and painfully close up a wound.
  • Increases the Odds of triggering Healing Skill Checks by +10 %.
  • Increases the Progression bonus for succeeding at Great Healing Skill Checks by +5 %.


Razor Wires A modification to the Reverse Bear Trap:
The addition of razor sharp wires makes it extra difficult and potentially painful to search them.
  • While healthy, Survivors failing a Skill Check at a Jigsaw Box become injured.
  • Increases the Skill Check difficulty by +20 %.


Shotgun Speakers
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.6.0
Capable of directing high-frequency noises in a single direction over great distances, the Drones can focus in on one individual and distract them from danger for some time.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors no longer receive a warning sound of impending Skill Checks.
Sponge A mundane sponge used to soak up extra blood, providing easier access to wounds.
  • Increases the Great Success zone of Healing Skill Checks by +20 %.


Blue Dress A little girl's pale blue dress with white lace which's front is ruined by large cuts.

Survivors inside the Dream World suffer from the following effects:

  • The Auras of Survivors failing Repairing or Healing Skill Checks are revealed to you for 4 seconds.
  • Increases the Penalty for failing those Skill Checks by -4 %.
Surgical Suture A medical device used to close and hold body tissue.
Even though it is very effective, the surgical suture is challenging to use.
  • Increases the Odds of triggering Healing Skill Checks by +15 %.
  • Increases the Progression bonus for succeeding at Great Healing Skill Checks by +10 %.


Wooden Oni Mask A mask that a young Kazan bought to celebrate Setsubun, its repulsively fanged mouth began haunting his nightmares.
  • Increases the Spawn frequency of Blood Orbs from injured Survivors by +14 %.
  • Increases the number of Blood Orbs spawned when Survivors perform specific interactions by +1.

"It is no coincidence that man is so familiar with demons." — Renjiro's Doctrine 3:8

Splintered Hull Fragments of a ship that carried Renjiro Yamaoka.
Against all odds, the legendary samurai seemed to survive.
  • Increases the Spawn frequency of Blood Orbs from injured Survivors by +33 %.
  • Increases the number of Blood Orbs spawned when Survivors perform specific interactions by +1.

"To plan subterfuge, begin with a counsel of none." — Renjiro's Doctrine 7:9

Brand New Part
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 7.1.0
This intricate mechanical part feels oddly out of place.
It is clean and shiny as if straight out of the factory.

Press the Use Item button while standing next to a Generator to perform the Install Brand New Part action:

  • Triggers a difficult Skill Check.
  • Permanently reduces the Repair requirement by -10 Charges for that Generator upon succeeding the Skill Check.
Brand New Part is consumed on use.
Red Paint Brush A large paint brush, wet with crimson paint.
  • All Survivors start the Trial asleep.
  • Survivors can no longer wake up by failing Skill Checks.


Items

false

Perks

Autodidact Autodidact
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.1.0
Succeeding a Skill Check while healing another Survivor grants +1 Token, up to a maximum of 3/4/5 Tokens:
  • Suppresses Great Healing Skill Checks.
  • Causes Good Healing Skill Checks to grant Healing progress based on the number of accumulated Tokens:
    • 0 Tokens: -15 %.
    • 1 Token: +0 %.
    • 2 Tokens: +15 %.
    • 3 Tokens: +30 % (limit of Tier I).
    • 4 Tokens: +45 % (limit of Tier II).
    • 5 Tokens: +60 % (limit of Tier III).

Autodidact is inactive when healing using a Med-Kit.

"There's no limit to what you can achieve, as long as you back with hard work." — Adam Francis

Bardic Inspiration Bardic Inspiration
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.0.0
It's time to give your audience a show.
Will you bring the house down or will you choke?

Press the Active Ability button while standing and motionless to enter the Performance interaction that lasts up to 15 seconds and empowers other Survivors within 16 metres of your location.

The empowering effect depends on the result of you rolling a d20 and lasts for 90 seconds after completing the Performance:

  • 1: You scream, but without notifying the Killer.
  • 2 - 10: Skill Checks grant +1 % Progression.
  • 11 - 19: Skill Checks grant +2 % Progression.
  • 20: Skill Checks grant +3 % Progression.
Bardic Inspiration has a cool-down of 110/100/90 seconds after completing the Performance or cancelling it.

"Listen closely! I'm about to save your life!" — Aestri

Bite the Bullet Bite the Bullet Pain hurts you as much as anyone, but you would prefer others do not know that.

When healing yourself or another Survivor, you benefit from the following effects:

  • Suppresses all noises related to Healing and Grunts of Pain.
  • Failed Healing Skill Checks do not trigger a Loud Noise Notification.
    • Reduces the Penalty to 3/2/1 % of the total Progression.
"I can do this." — Leon Scott Kennedy
Call of Brine Call of Brine
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.7.0
Your psychic abilities influence technology in devastating ways.

After performing the Damage Generator action on a Generator, Call of Brine activates for 60 seconds.

  • The damaged Generator regresses at 115/120/125 % of the normal Regression speed and its Aura is highlighted to you in yellow.
  • Receive a Loud Noise Notification each time a Survivor hits a Good Skill Check on the affected Generator.
Corrective Action Corrective Action
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.3.0
You quickly analyse problems and correct others' work when they make a mistake.

You start the Trial with 1/2/3 Token(s).
Whenever you succeed a Great Skill Check, Corrective Action gains +1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens:

  • Converts any Failed Skill Check of another Survivor into a Good Skill Check instead and consumes -1 Token.
  • The Aura of that Survivor is revealed to you for 6 seconds.
Corrective Action does not apply to any special Skill Checks.

"Cannot hurt to have another set of eyes on the problem." — Jonah Vasquez

Coulrophobia Coulrophobia
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.1.0
Even those without a fear of clowns know to be terrified of you.

For all Survivors within your Terror Radius, the following effects apply:

  • Reduces their Healing speed by 30/40/50 %.
  • Increases the Rotation speed of Healing Skill Checks by +50 %.
Deadline Deadline
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 7.5.0
Desperation creeps in, and you push yourself to work harder.

Whenever you are in the Injured State, Deadline activates:

  • Increases the Odds of triggering Skill Checks by 6/8/10 % while repairing or healing.
    • Causes Skill Checks to appear in random places.
  • Reduces the penalty for missed Skill Checks by -50 %.

"The night had been one desperate situation after another." — Departure

Decisive Strike Decisive Strike
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.0.0
Using whatever is at hand, you stab your aggressor in an ultimate attempt to escape.

After being unhooked or unhooking yourself, Decisive Strike activates for the next 40/50/60 seconds:

  • When grabbed or picked up by the Killer, succeed a Skill Check to stab the Killer and escape from their grasp.
    • Stuns the Killer for 4 seconds.
  • Causes you to become the next Obsession.
Decisive Strike is deactivated once the Exit Gates are powered.
Decisive Strike is disabled for the remainder of the Trial after use.

Decisive Strike is deactivated prematurely when performing a Conspicuous Action and remains disabled for the remainder of the Trial.

Increases your chance of becoming the initial Obsession by increasing the default value by +100 %.
The Killer can only be obsessed with one Survivor at a time.

"There is nothing to be scared of." — Laurie Strode

Fast Track Fast Track Sometimes the sacrifice of others is necessary to get ahead.

Whenever a Survivor other than yourself is hooked, Fast Track is granted 1/2/3 Token(s), up to a maximum of 9/18/27 Tokens.

  • Succeeding a Great Repair Skill Check consumes all accumulated Tokens.
  • Increases the bonus Progression awarded for succeeding that Skill Check by a stack-able +1 % per Token.
"The weak are sacrificed first. It's nature, it's business... it's the truth most refuse to face." — Yun-Jin Lee
Fogwise Fogwise
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.4.0
In your countless years in The Fog, you have seen it all, and when you are focused, you can remember most of it too. "I have seen great cruelty... and I have also seen another way." — Vittorio Toscano
Gearhead Gearhead
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.7.0
You have got an ear for well-oiled gears.

After a Survivor loses a Health State, Gearhead activates for 30 seconds:

"Sometimes a man's best work is what puts him in the grave." — The Prison Warden

Hex: Huntress Lullaby Hex: Huntress Lullaby A Hex rooting its power in despair.

Your hunt is an irresistible song of dread which muddles your prey's attention.

  • Survivors failing a Repair Skill Checkinstantly regress the Generator by 2/4/6 % of its maximum possible Progression in addition to the default Progression penalty.
  • Survivors failing a Healing Skill Check instantly regress the Healing Action by 2/4/6 % of its maximum possible Progression in addition to the default Progression penalty.

Each time a Survivor is hooked, Hex: Huntress Lullaby grows in power and gains 1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens.
Each Token reduces the timer between the Skill Check Warning cue and the Skill Check appearing for both Repair and Healing Skill Checks:

  • 1 Token: reduction of -14 %.
  • 2 Tokens: reduction of -28 %.
  • 3 Tokens: reduction of -42 %.
  • 4 Tokens: reduction of -56 %.
  • 5 Tokens: complete suppression of the Warning cue.

All effects of the Hex Perk persist until its Hex Totem is cleansed or blessed.

"That song, it drives me crazy!"

Hyperfocus Hyperfocus
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.2.0
You throw yourself entirely into your tasks and find ways to be more efficient than anyone else.

Succeeding a Great Skill Check while repairing or healing grants +1 Token, up to a maximum of 6 Tokens:

  • Increases the Skill Check Trigger odds and Pointer Rotation speed by +4 % per Token each, up to a maximum of +24 %.
  • Increases the Skill Check Bonus progression by 10/20/30 % of its base value per Token, up to a maximum of 60/120/180 %.
Hyperfocus loses all Tokens after succeeding just a Good Skill Check, failing one, or if the action is interrupted by any means.
Merciless Storm Merciless Storm Your horrible trauma is felt by everyone.Whenever a Generator reaches 90 % of Repair progression, Merciless Storm triggers its effect:
  • All Survivors repairing that Generator are faced with a continuous stream of Skill Checks until the Generator is completed.
  • If any contributing Survivor fails a Skill Check or interrupts the action by any means, The Entity blocks the Generator for 16/18/20 seconds.

Merciless Storm can only trigger once per Generator per Trial.

No Quarter No Quarter
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.4.0
Every skirmish ended with a relentless volley of cannon fire, leaving no doubt who was superior.

Whenever a Survivor healing themselves by any means reaches 75 % Healing Progress, No Quarter triggers its effect:

  • The Survivor is faced with a continuous stream of Skill Checks until the Self-Heal is completed.
  • If they fail a Skill Check or interrupt the action by any means, they suffer from the Broken Status Effect for 20/25/30 seconds.

"Fire another broadside! Don't stop until the sea takes them!" — Portia Maye

Oppression Oppression
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.1.0
Life has been difficult for you, so you will make it difficult for others.

Performing the Damage Generator action on a Generator activates Oppression:

  • Causes up to 3 additional Generators to also start regressing.
  • Triggers a difficult Skill Check for all Survivors currently repairing an affected Generator.
Oppression has a cool-down of 60/50/40 seconds.

"Damn them as they would damn us." — Charlotte Deshayes

Overcharge Overcharge
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.7.0
You are fuelled by your hate for progress.

Performing the Damage Generator action on a Generator applies Overcharge:

  • The next Survivor interacting with that Generator is faced with a difficult Skill Check.
    • Failing that Skill Check instantly regresses the Generator by 2/3/4 % of its maximum possible Progression in addition to the default Progression penalty.
After Overcharge is applied to a Generator, the following effect also applies:
  • Increases the Regression speed from 85 % to 130 % over the next 30 seconds.
"It is a trap, But a trap one must step in..." — Herman Carter
Potential Energy Potential Energy
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 6.4.0
Your arcane abilities have adapted to The Entity's Realm after centuries of wandering, granting you unprecedented control over its many devices.

After uninterruptedly repairing Generators for a total of 12/10/8 seconds, press the Active Ability button to activate Potential Energy:

  • Continuing to repair the Generator will charge Potential Energy instead of progressing the Generator.
  • Converts 1.5 % of Repair progression into 1 Token, up to a maximum of 20 Tokens.
  • Missing Skill Checks results in losing some Tokens.

When Potential Energy has at least 1 Token, press the Active Ability button while repairing a Generator to instantly progress it by +1 % per accumulated Token, deactivating Potential Energy.

Potential Energy loses all Tokens and deactivates upon losing a Health State.

"When you look a layer deeper, you realise... everything is connected." — Vittorio Toscano

Rookie Spirit Rookie Spirit You keep a careful eye on objectives when they are slipping away.

While repairing Generators, succeed 5/4/3 Good or Great Skill Checks to activate Rookie Spirit for the remainder of the Trial:

  • The Auras of any regressing Generators are revealed to you until they stop regressing by any means.
"I'll stop this, lieutenant. I promise." — Leon Scott Kennedy
Scavenger Scavenger
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 7.0.0
Where others see junk, you see valuable improvised tools.

While holding a depleted Toolbox, Scavenger activates:

  • Succeeding at Great Repairing Skill Checks grants 1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens.
  • Reaching the maximum number of Tokens automatically consumes them and fully recharges the Toolbox.
  • Recharging a Toolbox will reduce your Repair speed by -50 % for the next 40/35/30 seconds.

Scavenger grants the ability to rummage through an opened Chest once per Trial and will guarantee a basic Toolbox.

"It's amazing what people will throw away around here." — Gabriel Soma

Specialist Specialist
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 8.1.0
Adventure. Exploration. Excavation.
You are in your element.

Whenever you unlock or rummage through a Chest, Specialist gains +1 Token, up to a maximum of 6 Tokens:

  • Succeeding a Great Repair Skill Check while repairing a Generator consumes all Tokens.
  • Permanently reduces the Repair Charges requirement of that Generator by 2/3/4 Charges per Token, up to a maximum of 12/18/24 Charges.
"Well, then. Doesn't this feel familiar?" — Lara Croft
Stake Out Stake Out Getting close to the Killer fills you with determination.

Every 15 seconds you are within the Killer's Terror Radius, while not being chased, Stake Out gains 1 Token, up to a maximum of 2/3/4 Tokens.

  • When Stake Out has at least 1 Token, Good Skill Checks consume 1 Token and are considered Great Skill Checks, granting an additional Progression bonus of +1 %.
  • Great Skill Checks do not consume any Tokens.

"I had you, I had you on your knees. You're runnin' scared because we had you. We're gonna close this case!" — Detective David Tapp

Technician Technician You are apt at handling machinery with the greatest care and precision.

When repairing a Generator, the following effects apply:

  • Reduces the audible range of your Repair noises by -8 metres.
  • Suppresses the explosion and accompanying Loud Noise Notification when failing a Skill Check.
  • Failing a Skill Check instantly regresses the Generator by 5/4/3 % of its maximum possible Progression in addition to the default Progression penalty.
"I am gonna stealth this one." — Feng Min
This Is Not Happening This Is Not Happening You perform at your best when you are under extreme stress.
Undone Undone
This description is based on the changes announced for or featured in the upcoming Patch 7.6.0
Hope is the delusion that keeps its victims alive.

Whenever a Survivor fails a Skill Check while repairing or healing, Undone gains +3 Tokens, up to a maximum of 18/24/30 Tokens.
Performing the Damage Generator action on a Generator consumes all accumulated Tokens and applies the following effects:

  • Instantly regresses the damaged Generator by -1 % per Token of its total Progression.
  • Blocks the damaged Generator for 1 second per Token.
  • Causes the damaged Generator to start regressing once it becomes unblocked.
Undone has a cool-down of 60 seconds.

"Erratic behavior in machinery could be related to [REDACTED], further testing required." — OSS Report, 12/02/1943

Unnerving Presence Unnerving Presence Your presence alone instils great fear.

Survivors repairing or healing within your Terror Radius suffer from the following effects:

  • Increases the Trigger odds of Skill Check by 10 %.
  • Decreases the Success zone of Skill Checks by 40/50/60 %.

"Its presence befalls us."


History

Sabotage Skill Checks

  • Up to Patch 3.6.0, the Sabotage action took considerably longer and had a chance to trigger Skill Checks, which would grant 3 % Progression bonus when succeeding a Great Skill Check.
  • Failing a Sabotage Skill Check used to also be one possible way to wake oneself up from the Dream World.


Change Log

Unknown Patch

  • QoL: removed 3 o'clock Skill Checks.
    • Skill Check success zones will not be placed earlier than 4 o'clock.

Patch 1.2.0

  • Nerf: removed the bonus Progression for succeeding at Good Repairing Skill Checks, which was +1 %.
  • Nerf: reduced the Success zone sizes for all Skill Checks, making them more difficult.

Patch 1.5.0

  • Buff: reduced the Progression penalty for failed Sabotage Skill Checks from -25 % to -10 %.

Patch 1.8.0

  • Nerf: removed the bonus Progression for succeeding at Good Healing Skill Checks, which was +1 %.
  • Balance:
    • reduced the Odds of triggering Skill Checks during Personal Healing with a Med-Kit from 15 % to 12.5 %.
    • reduced the Odds of triggering Skill Checks during Personal Healing with a Perk from 15 % to 10.5 %.
    • increased the Odds of triggering Skill Checks while repairing with a Toolbox from 8 % to 10.5 %.
    • reduced the Odds of triggering Skill Checks while sabotaging with a Perk from 15 % to 10.5 %.

Patch 3.6.0

  • QoL: sabotaging no longer triggers Skill Checks.

Patch 3.7.0

  • Nerf: reduced the bonus Progression awarded for succeeding at Great Repairing Skill Checks from +2 % to +1 %.

Patch 4.7.0

  • Balance:
    • increased the multiplier affecting the odds of triggering Skill Checks while repairing with a Toolbox from x2 to x5.

Patch 6.7.0

  • Nerf: reduced the bonus Progression awarded for succeeding at Great Healing Skill Checks from +5 % to +3 %.