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Castlevaniajoins a long line of licensed properties to come toDead by Daylightin 2024 with the introduction ofThe Dark Lord, Dracula. This unrelenting, shapeshifting Killer can choose a variety of forms to hunt his prey, tracking them down as a Bat or snapping at their heels as a Wolf. In order to best keep Survivors on their toes,certain powerful perkscan help tip the balance of a match in your favor.
The following guide will highlightthe best builds for DraculainDead by Daylight, featuring perks and add-ons that help veterans and newcomers alike. With these loadouts, The Dark Lord can assert his vampiric dominance across the realm.
The Dark Lord: Best Beginner Build (2024)
For players without access toDLC Killers, this build usesonly The Dark Lord’s perks— and those included in the base game.
Using Dracula’s Hex: Wretched Fate, you may significantly impede the Obsession’s ability to complete generators whileslowing Survivor’s healingwith Sloppy Butcher; Hex: No One Escapes Death will also activate in the endgame tosecure more kills. Finally, Spies from the Shadows will allow you to track the movements ofnearby Survivorswhen they disturb crows — a perk that triggers even in Bat Form.
The Dark Lord: Best Build (2024)
Though Dracula’s Hellfire can pass through windows and effectively zone Survivors, the real strength of The Dark Lord comes through in his other forms. With Corrupt Intervention, you’re able to passivelyslow down the early gameand stall progress on cross-map generators. UsingThe Artist’s Scourge Hook: Pain Resonanceand The Clown’s Pop Goes the Weasel, you can furtherslow progresswith powerful regression. Finally, The Clown’s Bamboozle will increase your ability tozone Survivors and land hitsin Wolf Form.
The Dark Lord: Best Add-Ons Tier List
The rest of this guide is dedicated to theCastlevaniaantagonist’sstrongest add-ons, ordered from worst to best. With these power modifiers, you’re able to maximize Dracula’s potential and claw your way to becominga Merciless Killer inDead by Daylight.
Reduced post-Shapeshift attack cooldown
Survivors' auras revealed after grabbing their Scent Orbs
Reduced Hellfire cooldown with each pallet break
Exit gates consumed by pillars of flame
C
Cube of Zoe
Surrounded by pillars of flame each time a generator is finished
Windows Teleported to are blocked
Survivors close to a Teleport are Hindered
Reduced Terror Radius in Vampire and Wolf Form
Increased Killer Instinct on nearby fast vaults in Wolf Form
Reset Teleport cooldown after pallet/wall break
Scent Orbs seen from twice the distance
Homing effect on Hellfire at a reduced distance
Increased Hellfire distance at an increased charge time
20. Sunglasses (F Tier)
These Sunglasses are rather detrimental. The extra meter of Hellfire distance isn’t worth the25% increased charge time, which can cause you to miss shots.
Another disappointing add-on, the Iridescent Ring of Vlad providestoo subtle a homing effectfor reduced Hellfire distance.
18. Cerberus Talon (D Tier)
The Common Cerberus Talon is almost useless. In Wolf Form, you collect Scent Orbs whilechasing Survivorsandshouldn’t veer too far off courseto get them — lest you lose distance.
17. Magical Ticket (D Tier)
LikeThe Demogorgon’s Rat Tail, this add-on is pretty bad. Outclassed by the Winged Boots, the extra teleport speed offered by the Magical Ticketdoesn’t save much time.
16. Pocket Watch (D Tier)
As Dracula, you should be teleporting to reach distant places and potentially cut off Survivors. Youwon’t likely be breaking palletsmuch in Bat Form and the cooldown reduction isn’t significant enough to justify this add-on.
15. White Wolf Medallion (D Tier)
This add-on, while better than nothing, still isn’t great. The extra Killer Instinct in Wolf Form canhelp with tracking, but the value is too inconsistent.The Ghost Face’s perk, I’m All Ears, offers far better value and tracking.
14. Moonstone Necklace (C Tier)
This Uncommon Vampiric Shift add-on isvery niche. Unless paired withTerror Radius reducing perkslike Monitor and Abuse, you’re unlikely to get much value from this. Furthermore, you should generally approach distant Survivors in Bat Form as it’s quicker.
13. Medusa’s Hair (C Tier)
This add-on provides a not insignificant effect and can land you hits when you teleport on top of Survivors around hooks and generators. However, since you can’t quickly shapeshift out of Bat Form, it’snot very useful in chase.
12. Lapis Lazuli (C Tier)
Acting similarly to The Clown’s Bamboozle, the Lapis Lazuli can similarly get you free hits if Survivors aren’t expecting it. Like Medusa’s Hair, though, it’s very situational andhard to get value from in chase.
11. Cube Of Zoe (C Tier)
The Cube of Zoe is tantalizing but inconsistent. Since you can’t control when a generator is finished, this ability isunlikely to proc at a useful time,and the pillars of flame can be dodged. Still, if you’re lucky, this add-on can get you otherwise unobtainable injuries.
10. Alucard’s Shield (B Tier)
Like the Cube of Zoe, this Ultra Rare add-on is chaotic and fun but not very powerful. While it can secure you a down at the exit gates, and it pairs well with endgame perks likeBlood Warden, average gameswon’t get much mileagefrom Alucard’s Shield.
9. Winged Boots (B Tier)
To assist in getting cross-map distance, The Dark Lord’s Bat Form is unparalleled. With the Winged Boots, the extra Teleport distance can help inreaching distant generatorsa little more quickly.
8. Ruby Circlet (B Tier)
The Ruby Circlet isn’t bad for its common rarity, though it’s outclassed by the Sylph Feather. Nevertheless, thereduced Hellfire cooldowncan be helpful.
7. Sylph Feather (B Tier)
Synergizing best with apallet-breaking buildand the Ruby Circlet, the Sylph Feather maximizes Dracula’s ability to zone and injure Survivors with Hellfire bymassively reducing its cooldown. While decent, this add-on is limited by Hellfire’s weaknesses; having fast cooldowns can only go so far in helping you down Survivors, so switch to Wolf Form often in places where Hellfire is less helpful.
6. Blood-Filled Goblet (B Tier)
Scent Orbs should generally be picked up mid-chase, but the Blood-Filled Goblet isn’t a bad way toget more Pounces in Wolf Form,even if it isn’t as strong as its Rare counterparts.
5. Warg’s Fang (B Tier)
The Warg’s Fang add-on can be quite useful if you primarily stay in Wolf Form during chase.Aura reading is always usefuland canhelp mindgame Survivorsat loops, although generally it’s a little inconsistent.
4. Clock Tower Gear (A Tier)
Being able to switch faster between Forms is a massive bonus whenjuggling cooldownsand getting used to The Dark Lord’s differentloop-based abilities.
3. Traveler’s Hat (A Tier)
One of The Dark Lord’s very best add-ons; the Traveler’s Hat allows you toattack 10% soonerafter coming out of shapeshift. This is hugely important for obtaining quick injuries when switching Forms, and it offers great value for its Common rarity.
2. Force Of Echo (S Tier)
Wolf Form is The Dark Lord’s most versatile and powerful shape, allowing you to Pounce on Survivors from great distances, zoning and injuring them. The Force of Echo makes Survivors drop Scent Orbs 17% sooner, meaning you get yourPounces back quicker. More Scent Orbs also meansmore Haste buffsas you run down your prey.
1. Killer Doll (S Tier)
The Killer Doll is Dracula’s best in slot add-on, especially when paired with the Force of Echo. By obtaining 50% more Pounce charge whenever you pick up a Scent Orb, youget your power back incredibly quickly, putting even more pressure on Survivors in chase. Having more frequent Pounces makes missed attacks less punishing and enables you to zone and injure Survivors more often.
