Dead by Daylight Introduces Castlevania’s Dracula with Revolutionary Shapeshifting Abilities
In recent years, the Killer Design team of Dead by Daylight has been pushing the boundaries of horror gaming by introducing groundbreaking features. From integrating a third-person camera for a smaller Killer to developing a Killer with AI-controlled guards, the team continually finds innovative ways to inflict terror. Their latest venture brings another level of excitement to the game: the introduction of Castlevania’s Dracula, complete with shapeshifting abilities.
Dracula, the Dark Lord, brings a unique set of capabilities to Dead by Daylight, allowing players to switch between three distinct forms: Vampire, Bat, and Wolf. Each form excels in different roles, adding a new layer of strategy and excitement to the game.
Dracula’s Shapeshifting Forms
Vampire Form
The Vampire form is Dracula’s base state and is designed for direct confrontation. In this form, Dracula has access to the Flaming Pillar, his primary attack mechanism. This powerful ability can traverse obstacles, including pallets and windows, making it particularly effective for surprising and damaging survivors.
Wolf Form
The Wolf form offers a third-person perspective, enhancing Dracula’s hunting and tracking capabilities. Although this form has reduced mobility, it compensates by providing increased efficacy in locating survivors. The Wolf form is designed to simulate a hunt, where survivors leave behind Scent Orbs when they sprint. Collecting these Orbs grants Dracula a small speed boost and reveals the direction the survivors are heading, making it easier to catch them.
Bat Form
The Bat form is Dracula’s most stealthy and agile transformation. In this form, Dracula has no Terror Radius, making it difficult for survivors to detect him. The Bat form also features a quick teleport ability, allowing Dracula to traverse the map swiftly. However, this form comes with limitations: Dracula cannot attack or see survivors, Scratch Marks, or Pools of Blood while in Bat form. This balance ensures that the Bat form is not overpowered, particularly in the endgame where covering both Exit Gates could easily become unfair.
The Design Process
Jason Guzzo, the Game Designer tasked with bringing Dracula into Dead by Daylight, aimed to honor the character’s otherworldly abilities. The Castlevania team at Konami Japan collaborated closely with Guzzo, offering their expertise and ensuring the character stayed true to its roots.
"Shapeshifting is a vital and unique part of the Dracula experience," explains Guzzo. "It’s part of who he is, and it’s not necessarily something people focus on."
The design team faced several challenges, particularly with the animal forms. For instance, while a bat can naturally fly, allowing it to fly over low obstacles would disrupt the game’s balance. Therefore, the team had to make concessions to maintain fair gameplay.
"There are limitations while designing animal characters," says Guzzo. "A bat can fly, but due to the balance of Dead by Daylight, it can’t fly over low obstacles. Unfortunately, that’s a concession we had to make. It takes some getting used to, but we must abide by our internal rules. Having a character that can fly over any obstacle would be entirely game-breaking."
Building on Previous Innovations
Dracula’s introduction builds upon the foundation laid by previous Chapters, which featured the arrival of a quadruped character (Alien) and a third-person Killer camera (Chucky). Each of Dracula’s forms functions as a micro-killer, allowing players to use them however they like without needing to switch if they don’t want to.
"We wanted players to use them however they liked, without needing to change if they don’t want to," continues Guzzo. "On the Survivor side, we wanted facing Dracula to feel like a boss fight, where he can be anywhere at any moment with a tool to use against you."
The Dark Lord’s Forms in Detail
Guzzo provides a detailed breakdown of Dracula’s forms:
- Vampire Form: "He moves at 4.6 meters per second, making him effective at loops and chases. He’s also got the Flame Pillar, which is one of my favorite Killer abilities to use in the game."
- Wolf Form: "This form moves a little slower, but you have enhanced senses and a pounce attack. When Survivors are sprinting, they’ll drop a Scent Orb. Those Orbs give you information on the direction they’re going, and collecting them grants you a small speed boost. The idea is to simulate a hunt, where a wolf picks up a trail and quickens its pace."
- Bat Form: "This form moves very fast – 6 meters a second, with extra stealth on top of that. To compensate, the Bat can’t attack or see Survivors, Scratch Marks, and Pools of Blood. The main reason we did this was to balance the endgame, where Bat form was extremely potent at covering both Exit Gates."
The Bat form also features a short-distance teleport ability, including through Vault points and Pallets. This adds a strategic element for both Dracula players and survivors, as downing a pallet could provide Dracula with a new teleport spot.
Accessibility and Depth
The design team aimed to make Dracula accessible to new players while still offering depth for experienced players. "When we’re working with a beloved licensed character like Castlevania’s Dracula, we want the skill floor to be relatively accessible," reveals Guzzo. "That way, fans of the franchise can use the Chapter as an entry point to Dead by Daylight and have a fun experience off the bat. We do aim to keep the skill ceiling high, so players who connect with the character can build their skill and find exciting ways to develop it even further."
Launch Details
Dead by Daylight: Castlevania is set to launch on August 27. The Chapter includes not only the new Killer, Dracula – The Dark Lord, but also a new Survivor, Trevor Belmont. This addition is sure to excite both Dead by Daylight and Castlevania fans alike, offering a fresh and thrilling gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
Dracula’s introduction to Dead by Daylight is a testament to the game’s ongoing innovation and commitment to providing unique and immersive experiences for its players. The collaboration with the Castlevania team ensures that Dracula remains true to his legendary status, while the new shapeshifting abilities add a dynamic and strategic element to the game.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Dead by Daylight or new to the series, the addition of Dracula promises to deliver an exciting and challenging gameplay experience. So mark your calendars for August 27 and prepare to face the Dark Lord in the Fog.
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