The Dredge is Dead by Daylight’s darkness-wielding killer who teleports through lockers and plunges the map into complete darkness. It leaves Remnants to teleport back to, travels instantly through lockers, and activates Nightfall to blind survivors. The Dredge excels at map pressure, stealth, and creating chaos in darkness.
Dredge rewards strategic locker usage, Remnant placement, and capitalizing on Nightfall. Let’s break down how to master it.
The Dredge’s Power: Reign of Darkness
Ability: The Dredge has three main mechanics - Remnant teleportation, Locker teleportation, and Nightfall.
Remnant (M2)
How it works:
- Press M2 to leave a Remnant (a shadowy form) at your current location
- You can teleport back to the Remnant at any time
- Remnant lasts ~60 seconds
- Press M2 again to teleport back to the Remnant
- After teleporting, Remnant disappears
Remnant details:
- Only one Remnant active at a time
- Placing a new Remnant destroys the old one
- Survivors can see the Remnant (it’s visible)
- Teleporting to Remnant is instant
Key concept: Leave Remnant at strategic locations, chase survivors, then teleport back. Surprise attacks and map pressure.
Locker Teleportation (Hold M2)
How it works:
- Hold M2 to enter Locker Teleportation Mode
- All lockers on the map are highlighted
- Select a locker and release M2 to teleport there
- Teleportation takes ~2 seconds
- You emerge from the selected locker
Locker mechanics:
- You can teleport to ANY locker on the map
- If a survivor is in the locker, you automatically grab them
- Survivors can lock lockers to prevent teleportation (takes 1.5 seconds)
- Locked lockers take longer to teleport to (~4 seconds)
Key concept: Locker teleportation is your map pressure tool. Teleport across the map instantly.
Nightfall (Darkness Mode)
How Nightfall works:
- You have a Nightfall meter that fills over time
- Meter fills by:
- Hitting survivors (+10%)
- Teleporting to lockers (+3%)
- Survivors repairing gens (passive over time)
- Once the meter is full, Nightfall activates automatically
- Nightfall lasts ~60 seconds
Nightfall effects:
- The ENTIRE MAP becomes DARK (survivors’ vision is severely reduced)
- Survivors’ auras are hidden from each other (can’t see teammate locations)
- You become Undetectable (no Terror Radius, no red stain)
- Survivors’ hearing is muffled (harder to hear)
- You move slightly faster during Nightfall
Key concept: Nightfall is your power spike. Survivors can barely see, can’t hear you, and are isolated.
Playing Dredge: The Strategy
Dredge’s gameplay loop is:
- Leave Remnant at a strategic location
- Chase survivors normally
- Teleport back to Remnant for surprise attacks or pressure
- Teleport through lockers for map pressure
- Build Nightfall meter by hitting survivors and teleporting
- Activate Nightfall - dominate in darkness
- Repeat
Key concept: You’re teleporting constantly (Remnant and lockers) and working toward Nightfall.
Remnant Strategy
Remnant is Dredge’s chase and pressure tool.
How to Use Remnant
At loops:
- Leave Remnant at one side of a loop
- Chase survivor around the loop
- Teleport back to Remnant
- You’re now on the other side (cutting them off)
At generators:
- Leave Remnant at a gen
- Chase survivors away from the gen
- Teleport back to Remnant
- You’re back at the gen instantly (check progress)
Map pressure:
- Leave Remnant at an important gen
- Patrol other areas
- Teleport back to Remnant if survivors work on that gen
Mind games:
- Leave Remnant in obvious locations
- Survivors expect teleport and make mistakes
- Sometimes DON’T teleport (fake them out)
Remnant Placement Tips
Leave at gens with progress:
- Remnant at 50%+ gens
- Patrol other areas, teleport back if needed
Leave at hook areas:
- Remnant near hooks
- Patrol away, teleport back for unhook attempts
Leave at strong loops:
- Remnant at shack or main building
- Chase survivors there, teleport for cuts
Don’t leave in dead zones:
- Remnant should be at important locations
- Don’t place randomly
Locker Teleportation Strategy
Locker teleportation is Dredge’s map pressure tool.
When to Teleport to Lockers
To pressure distant gens:
- Teleport to lockers near gens with progress
- Interrupt repairs instantly
After hooking:
- Hook someone, teleport to opposite side of map
- Pressure distant gens while someone unhooks
To grab survivors from lockers:
- If you see a survivor enter a locker, teleport to it
- Automatic grab
To cut off survivors:
- Survivors running toward an area
- Teleport to a locker in their path
- Intercept them
To build Nightfall:
- Each teleport adds 3% to Nightfall meter
- Teleport frequently to build Nightfall faster
When NOT to Teleport
Mid-chase when you’re about to hit:
- Don’t teleport if you’re about to down someone
- Finish the chase first
To locked lockers unless necessary:
- Locked lockers take 4 seconds to teleport to
- Only teleport to locked lockers if critically important
When Remnant is better:
- If Remnant is already at your destination, use that instead
- Remnant teleport is instant, locker teleport takes 2 seconds
Nightfall Strategy
Nightfall is Dredge’s power spike.
When Nightfall is Active
Survivors are blind:
- They can barely see (vision reduced to ~10 meters)
- They don’t know where you are
- Easy hits
You’re Undetectable:
- No Terror Radius
- No red stain
- Survivors can’t hear you coming
Survivors are isolated:
- They can’t see teammate auras
- They don’t know where each other are
- Communication breaks down
How to Capitalize on Nightfall
Chase aggressively:
- Survivors can’t see you coming
- Get hits easily
Teleport constantly:
- Teleport through lockers while survivors are blind
- They don’t know where you are
Down multiple survivors:
- Nightfall lasts 60 seconds
- Get 2-3 downs during Nightfall
- Snowball hard
Don’t waste Nightfall:
- Use Nightfall efficiently
- Don’t walk around aimlessly
- Chase and down survivors
Early Game Strategy
Dredge’s early game is about building Nightfall.
Opening sequence:
- Leave Remnant at a central gen
- Patrol other gens - Find survivors
- Hit survivors - Build Nightfall meter (+10% per hit)
- Teleport through lockers - Build Nightfall meter (+3% per teleport)
- Reach Nightfall - Activate darkness
- Dominate in darkness - Get multiple downs
Goal: Activate first Nightfall within 2-3 minutes. Snowball from there.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Dredge dominates with Nightfall cycles.
Nightfall cycling:
- Activate Nightfall
- Get 2-3 downs during darkness
- Nightfall ends
- Build meter again
- Activate Nightfall again
- Repeat
Remnant pressure:
- Leave Remnant at important gens
- Teleport back to check on them
Locker spam:
- Teleport through lockers constantly
- Builds Nightfall meter
- Keeps pressure everywhere
Endgame Strategy
Dredge is strong endgame with Nightfall and teleportation.
Nightfall at exit gates:
- If you have Nightfall active endgame, survivors are blind
- They struggle to find and open gates
- Easy downs in darkness
Locker teleportation to gates:
- Teleport to lockers near exit gates
- Check both gates instantly
Remnant at gates:
- Leave Remnant at one gate
- Check other gate, teleport back to Remnant
Best Perks for Dredge
Dredge wants perks that help capitalize on Nightfall and teleportation.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Dredge applies massive pressure with teleportation, so Ruin gets insane value.
Dissolution - After hooking, pallets broken by survivors within 32 meters are destroyed. Pairs well with Nightfall chases. This is Dredge’s teachable perk.
Darkness Revealed - After opening a locker, see survivors’ auras within 8 meters of lockers for 8 seconds. Dredge teleports through lockers constantly, so this triggers often. This is Dredge’s teachable perk.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find your first chase quickly and build Nightfall.
Strong Perks
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to build Nightfall.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time.
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Dredge can teleport to gens and kick them.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you where to teleport next.
Thrilling Tremors - When you pick up a survivor, gens not being worked on are blocked. Shows you which gens have survivors.
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for Dredge):
- Hex: Ruin
- Dissolution
- Darkness Revealed
- Corrupt Intervention
Information Build:
- Darkness Revealed
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
- Thrilling Tremors
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Darkness Revealed
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Dredge’s add-ons modify Nightfall duration, locker teleportation, and Remnant.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Wooden Plank (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Nightfall lasts until 1 generator is completed. Nightfall can last MUCH longer (potentially entire match). VERY strong.
Boat Key (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Nightfall duration (from 60 seconds to ~90 seconds). More time in darkness.
Fallen Doll (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably reduces locker teleportation time (from 2 seconds to ~1 second). Extremely fast map mobility.
Iridescent Wooden Plank is considered one of the strongest add-ons in the game for extended Nightfall.
Strong Add-Ons
Follower’s Cowl (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Nightfall duration. Budget version of Boat Key.
Lavalier Microphone (Green - Rare) - Moderately reduces locker teleportation time. Budget version of Fallen Doll.
War Helmet (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Nightfall duration.
Broken Doll (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly reduces locker teleportation time.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Caffeine Tablets - Slightly increases movement speed during Nightfall. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Infinite Nightfall Build: Iridescent Wooden Plank + Boat Key (extremely long Nightfall)
Fast Teleport Build: Fallen Doll + Lavalier Microphone (very fast locker teleports)
Long Nightfall Build: Boat Key + Follower’s Cowl (very long darkness)
Budget Build: Follower’s Cowl + Lavalier Microphone (decent duration + decent teleport speed)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Dredge work harder.
They lock lockers: Locked lockers take 4 seconds to teleport to. Counter by teleporting to unlocked lockers nearby.
They don’t panic in Nightfall: Good survivors stay calm in darkness. Counter by capitalizing on their reduced vision and isolation.
They split on gens: Dredge has excellent mobility. Teleport between gens constantly.
They avoid Remnant areas: Survivors see Remnant and avoid it. Counter by leaving Remnant at key locations they MUST visit.
They’re in a SWF: Comms help in darkness. Counter by applying constant pressure and using Nightfall efficiently.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not using Remnant: Leave Remnant at strategic locations. Don’t forget to use it.
Not teleporting through lockers enough: Teleport constantly. It’s your map pressure.
Wasting Nightfall: Don’t walk around aimlessly during Nightfall. Chase and down survivors.
Teleporting to locked lockers unnecessarily: Locked lockers take 4 seconds. Teleport to unlocked lockers unless critical.
Not building Nightfall fast enough: Hit survivors and teleport frequently to build Nightfall meter.
Leaving Remnant in bad locations: Remnant should be at gens, hooks, or loops. Not random spots.
Not capitalizing on darkness: Nightfall is your power spike. Get 2-3 downs during each Nightfall.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Dredge. Many lockers for teleportation. Nightfall is even darker indoors. Dredge dominates indoor maps.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for Dredge. Locker teleportation is strong. Nightfall is slightly weaker in open areas (but still very dark).
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Still strong for Dredge. Locker teleportation covers huge maps. Nightfall works everywhere.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Great for Dredge. Lockers on all floors. Nightfall affects all levels.
Why Play Dredge?
Pros:
- Excellent map pressure (locker teleportation)
- Nightfall is extremely oppressive (darkness)
- Undetectable during Nightfall (stealth)
- Remnant provides tactical options
- Strong on all maps
- Unique darkness gameplay
Cons:
- Survivors can lock lockers
- Nightfall requires building meter
- Remnant can be predictable
- Requires good locker knowledge
- Some survivors find darkness frustrating
Advanced Tips
Remnant mind games: Leave Remnant, DON’T teleport. Survivors panic and make mistakes.
Locker spam: Teleport constantly to build Nightfall faster (+3% per teleport).
Nightfall timing: Try to activate Nightfall when multiple survivors are grouped (maximum chaos).
Darkness Revealed synergy: Teleport through lockers constantly with Darkness Revealed. Always know where survivors are.
Iridescent Wooden Plank dominance: With Iri Plank, Nightfall can last 5+ minutes. Entire match in darkness.
Remnant at hooks: Leave Remnant at hooks, patrol away, teleport back for unhooks.
Locker grabs: If survivors hide in lockers, teleport to those lockers for free grabs.
Nightfall snowball: Get 2-3 downs during each Nightfall. Massive pressure.
Track locker locations: Know where all lockers are on each map. Plan teleports strategically.
Learning Curve and Practice
Dredge has a moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning Remnant and locker mechanics. Understanding Nightfall.
Hours 10-30: Using Remnant effectively. Teleporting efficiently. Capitalizing on Nightfall.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with Dredge. Nightfall pressure is strong. Winning matches.
Hours 60+: Dredge main. Perfect locker knowledge. Dominating with darkness.
Practice tips:
- Leave Remnant at strategic locations (gens, hooks)
- Teleport through lockers constantly (map pressure + Nightfall building)
- Capitalize on Nightfall (get 2-3 downs per Nightfall)
- Learn locker locations on each map
- Watch Dredge streamers (Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Dredge is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique and oppressive killers. It rewards strategic teleportation, Remnant placement, and capitalizing on Nightfall darkness.
Dredge dominates with locker mobility and plunging the map into darkness. Master Remnant, teleport constantly, and embrace the Nightfall chaos.
Practice your teleports, use Remnant strategically, and dominate in darkness.
Good luck, and may Nightfall always bring terror.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025