To counter perks like Dead Hard in Dead by Daylight, you can anticipate survivors using it and try to bait them into using it prematurely or use killer abilities that can counter it, such as Nurse's Calling or Spirits' phase walk.
Understanding Dead Hard
Dead Hard is a popular exhaustion perk in Dead by Daylight that allows survivors to quickly dash forward in an attempt to avoid getting hit by the Killer. When activated, the survivor gets a brief burst of increased movement speed and becomes immune to damage during the dash animation, making it a powerful tool to evade certain death situations.
Countering Dead Hard
Countering Dead Hard effectively requires both anticipation and adaptation in your gameplay strategy. One common mistake made by Killers is to swing prematurely when chasing a survivor who has Dead Hard, as this can often lead to the survivor safely dashing through the attack. To counter this, it's important to wait for the survivor to fully commit to their Dead Hard dash before initiating your attack. This requires patience and good timing on the part of the Killer.
Another key tactic to counter Dead Hard is to try and predict when survivors are likely to use the perk. Experienced survivors will often save Dead Hard for critical moments, such as when they are about to be hit or when they are close to a pallet or window. By paying attention to survivor behavior and patterns, you can anticipate when they are likely to activate Dead Hard and adjust your chase accordingly.
Mind Games and Juking
Engaging in mind games and juking maneuvers can also be effective in countering Dead Hard. By pretending to lunge or swing at a survivor, you may force them to prematurely trigger their Dead Hard, allowing you to then adjust your attack to catch them during the vulnerability period after the dash. Likewise, varying your approach during a chase, such as changing directions or using obstacles to your advantage, can help you outmaneuver survivors relying on Dead Hard to escape.
Perk Synergies and Combos
As a Killer, you can also consider using perks and add-ons that complement your playstyle and help counter Dead Hard more effectively. For example, perks like Enduring, which reduce the duration of stun effects from pallets, can make it easier to deal with survivors using Dead Hard near structures. Additionally, certain Killer abilities, such as the Nurse's Blink or the Hillbilly's Chainsaw dash, can quickly close the distance and catch survivors even after they use Dead Hard.
Practice and Adaptation
Ultimately, countering perks like Dead Hard in Dead by Daylight requires practice, experience, and a willingness to adapt your playstyle based on the specific situation. By learning from each chase and analyzing what works best against survivors using Dead Hard, you can improve your skill as a Killer and increase your chances of successfully catching and eliminating escaping survivors in the game.