The Trickster is Dead by Daylight’s K-pop star turned killer who throws blades at survivors to injure and down them. He throws multiple blades rapidly, building up Laceration damage until survivors are injured or downed. After landing enough blades, he activates Main Event - an automatic blade barrage that shreds through survivors.
Trickster is a ranged killer who excels in the open and struggles at tight loops. He rewards good aim, tracking, and knowing when to throw blades vs when to M1. Let’s break down how to master him.
The Trickster’s Power: Showstopper
Ability: The Trickster throws blades rapidly at survivors. Landing multiple blades builds Laceration, eventually injuring or downing them.
Blade Throwing (M2)
How it works:
- Hold M2 to enter blade throwing mode
- While holding M2, you move at 92% speed (slower than survivors)
- Tap left click to throw individual blades
- Hold left click to throw blades rapidly (machine gun style)
- You have 44 blades by default
- Blades recharge at lockers (takes ~3 seconds)
Blade stats:
- Each blade deals 1 Laceration damage
- You need 8 blades to injure a healthy survivor
- You need 6 blades to down an injured survivor
- Blades travel in a straight line with slight spread
- Blades have travel time (not hitscan)
Key concept: You’re spamming blades at survivors until they accumulate enough Laceration to be injured/downed. Think of it like a damage-over-time ranged killer.
Laceration Mechanic
How Laceration works:
- Each blade hit adds 1 Laceration
- Healthy survivors need 8 Laceration to be injured
- Injured survivors need 6 Laceration to be downed
- Laceration meter appears above injured survivors’ heads (yellow meter)
Laceration decay:
- If you stop hitting a survivor with blades, their Laceration decays after 20 seconds
- Decay is FAST (full meter decays in ~10 seconds)
- Once decay starts, survivor’s Laceration drops to 0 quickly
- You must keep pressure on survivors to prevent decay
Key detail: You MUST commit to blade spam once you start. If you let Laceration decay, you wasted all those blades.
Main Event (Ultimate)
How it works:
- After landing enough blades, you fill your Main Event meter
- Once full, press M2 (while not throwing) to activate Main Event
- Main Event lasts 30 seconds
- During Main Event:
- You throw blades AUTOMATICALLY (no clicking)
- Unlimited blades (no reload needed)
- Throw speed is FASTER (machine gun rate)
- You move at normal speed while throwing
Main Event meter:
- Fills by landing blades on survivors
- Takes ~30-40 blade hits to fill
- Once filled, you have 30 seconds to activate it
- If you don’t activate within 30 seconds, it expires (wasted)
When to use Main Event:
- At medium-short loops where survivors can’t avoid blades
- When multiple survivors are grouped
- When chasing an injured survivor (down them quickly)
- When survivors are in the open
Key concept: Main Event is your power spike. Save it for moments when you can guarantee downs, not waste it shooting at nothing.
Movement Speed
Trickster is a 110% movement speed killer (4.4 m/s). This makes him SLOWER than standard 115% killers.
What this means:
- You CANNOT chase survivors normally without your power
- You MUST use blades to injure and down survivors
- Holding W in a straight line is strong against Trickster (but you can throw blades)
- You need to use blade spam and zoning to force hits
Blade Throwing Strategy
When to Throw Blades
In the open:
- Survivors running in straight lines are EASY targets
- Spam blades until they’re injured/downed
- Trickster dominates open areas
At medium-short loops:
- Jungle gyms, short LT-walls, unsafe pallets
- Throw blades over the loop
- Survivors can’t avoid blades easily
At pallets:
- Survivors at dropped pallets are EASY targets
- Throw blades over/around the pallet
- They have limited movement
At windows:
- Survivors vaulting windows are locked in animations
- Easy blade hits
When survivors are injured:
- Injured survivors only need 6 blades to down
- Spam blades aggressively
When NOT to Throw Blades
At tall loops:
- Shack, main buildings, tall jungle gyms
- Survivors can break line of sight easily
- Blades miss and Laceration decays
- M1 chase instead
In tight corridors (indoor maps):
- Lery’s, Midwich, RPD have tight corners
- Survivors break line of sight constantly
- Hard to land consecutive blades
When survivors are behind solid cover:
- Blades can’t go through walls
- Don’t waste blades shooting at walls
When survivors are RIGHT next to you:
- M1 is faster than throwing blades at melee range
- Don’t pull out blades when survivor is touching you
Reloading Strategy
Trickster has 44 blades and must reload at lockers.
Reload timing:
- You reload at lockers (like Huntress)
- Reload takes ~3 seconds
- You’re vulnerable while reloading
When to reload:
- After downing a survivor (reload before hooking)
- When you’re low on blades (~10 or fewer)
- When no survivors are nearby
When NOT to reload:
- Mid-chase (finish the chase first)
- When a survivor is RIGHT there (they get distance)
Blade management:
- Don’t spam all 44 blades at once
- Use ~20-30 blades per chase
- Save some for emergencies
Main Event Strategy
Main Event is Trickster’s strongest tool when used correctly.
When to Activate Main Event
At short loops:
- Survivors can’t avoid blade spam at short loops
- Activate and machine gun them down
Multiple survivors grouped:
- Unhook scenarios, gen repairs, healing
- Activate and hit EVERYONE
- Build Laceration on multiple survivors
Injured survivors in the open:
- 6 blades to down
- Main Event guarantees the down
After breaking a pallet:
- Survivor has limited options
- Activate and spam blades
When NOT to Activate Main Event
At tall loops:
- Survivors break line of sight easily
- You waste Main Event shooting at nothing
When survivors are far away:
- Main Event only lasts 30 seconds
- Don’t waste it chasing
When you have 1 blade worth of Laceration left:
- You’re about to down them anyway
- Save Main Event for later
Key principle: Main Event is LIMITED (30 seconds to activate, 30 seconds duration). Use it when you can guarantee value, not randomly.
Early Game Strategy
Trickster’s early game is about finding survivors and building Laceration.
Opening sequence:
- Patrol gens - Check 3-4 gens quickly
- Find a survivor - Spot someone on a gen
- Throw blades - Spam blades until they’re injured
- Build Main Event meter - Land blades to charge Main Event
- Hook and patrol - Hook them, patrol gens
Goal: Injure survivors with blades and build your Main Event meter. Injured survivors are easier to down later.
Common mistake: Wasting blades on survivors at tall loops. If you can’t land consecutive blades, M1 chase instead.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Trickster shines with blade spam and Main Event.
Blade pressure:
- Spam blades at survivors in the open
- Force them into unsafe areas
- Down them with blade spam or Main Event
Main Event usage:
- Activate at short loops
- Down survivors quickly
- Chain multiple downs if survivors are grouped
Reload management:
- Keep blades topped up
- Don’t run out mid-chase
- Reload after downs
Snowball potential:
- Trickster can down multiple survivors with Main Event
- If survivors group up, activate Main Event and hit everyone
Endgame Strategy
Trickster is decent endgame with blade spam.
Blade spam at exit gates:
- Survivors opening gates are stationary
- Easy blade hits
- Down them before they escape
Main Event at gates:
- Activate Main Event at exit gates
- Machine gun survivors trying to open gates
- Very oppressive
Patrol between gates:
- Trickster is slow (110% speed)
- Hard to patrol both gates quickly
- Focus on defending one gate with blades
NOED synergy:
- If you run NOED, Trickster becomes strong endgame
- Blade hits are easier with NOED speed boost
Best Perks for Trickster
Trickster wants perks that help him in chases and slow gens.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Trickster applies pressure in chases with blades, so Ruin helps slow gens while you focus on downs.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to find survivors and build Laceration without losing gens.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time to down survivors with blades.
No Way Out - After hooking all survivors once, exit gates are blocked for 12-60 seconds. Trickster benefits from endgame slowdown since he’s strong at exit gates with blade spam.
Strong Perks
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Reliable slowdown for Trickster.
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance - Hooking on scourge hooks regresses the gen with most progress. Automatic slowdown.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find your first chase quickly and start building Laceration.
I’m All Ears - See survivors’ auras for 6 seconds when they fast vault. Helps you track survivors and line up blade throws.
Starstruck - Survivors within your Terror Radius while you’re carrying someone are Exposed for 30 seconds. Pairs with Main Event for instant downs.
Sloppy Butcher - Survivors heal slower. Keeps survivors injured longer, making blade spam more lethal (only 6 blades to down injured survivors).
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for Trickster):
- Hex: Ruin
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Pop Goes the Weasel
Endgame Build:
- No Way Out
- Hex: Ruin
- Deadlock
- NOED
Information Build:
- Lethal Pursuer
- I’m All Ears
- Barbecue & Chili
- Corrupt Intervention
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Sloppy Butcher
- Starstruck
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Trickster’s add-ons modify his blade count, throw speed, Laceration decay, and Main Event.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Photocard (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Main Event activates automatically when the meter is full and lasts until you run out of blade charges. You don’t have to manually activate it, and it lasts much longer. VERY strong.
Death Throes Compilation (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases blade throw rate. You throw blades MUCH faster. Easier to build Laceration.
Fizz-Spin Soda (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably reduces Laceration decay time (survivors lose Laceration faster after 20 seconds). Punishes survivors who try to wait out decay.
Trick Blades (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Blades ricochet off walls once. Lets you hit survivors around corners. Very strong on indoor maps but requires skill to use.
Strong Add-Ons
Ji-Woon’s Autograph (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases blade throw rate. Budget version of Death Throes Compilation.
Memento Blades (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases movement speed while throwing blades (from 92% to 96%). Easier to land blades while moving.
Lucky Blade (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases blade count (from 44 to 48). More blades before reloading.
Melodious Murder (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases blade throw rate. Budget throw rate add-on.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Inferno Wires - Slightly increases Laceration decay time. You WANT decay to be SLOWER, not faster. This add-on is actively bad.
Caged Heart Shoes - Slightly increases movement speed while throwing. Effect is too minor to matter.
Sample Add-On Combos
Throw Speed Build: Death Throes Compilation + Ji-Woon’s Autograph (insane throw rate, machine gun blades)
Auto Main Event Build: Iridescent Photocard + Death Throes Compilation (auto-activate + fast throws)
Decay Build: Fizz-Spin Soda + Death Throes Compilation (fast decay + fast throws)
Ricochet Build: Trick Blades + Ji-Woon’s Autograph (ricochet shots + fast throws)
Budget Build: Ji-Woon’s Autograph + Memento Blades (decent throw rate + better movement)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Trickster work harder, especially at tall loops.
They break line of sight constantly: Survivors use tall loops and walls to break line of sight. Counter by herding them toward short loops or open areas.
They wait out Laceration decay: Some survivors hide for 20 seconds to let Laceration decay. Counter by applying pressure quickly or using Fizz-Spin Soda add-on.
They predrop pallets at tall loops: Good. Break the pallet and force them into shorter loops where you can land blades.
They hold W: Survivors running in straight lines are strong against 110% killers, but you can throw blades at them. Spam blades until they’re downed.
They split on gens: Trickster has no mobility. Counter by running slowdown perks and committing to chases you can win with blades.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them call out your position. Counter by landing blades quickly and activating Main Event at optimal times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Throwing blades at tall loops: Don’t waste blades when survivors break line of sight easily. M1 chase instead.
Not reloading: Some Trickster players forget to reload. Always keep blades topped up.
Wasting Main Event: Don’t activate Main Event randomly. Use it at short loops or when multiple survivors are grouped.
Letting Laceration decay: If you build 7 Laceration and then chase someone else, the first survivor’s Laceration decays to 0. Commit to downing survivors once you start building Laceration.
Not using M1: Trickster has a basic attack. If a survivor is right next to you, M1 them instead of pulling out blades.
Throwing blades at walls: Blades can’t go through walls. Don’t waste ammo shooting at solid objects.
Over-committing at bad loops: If you can’t land blades, break off the chase. Don’t tunnel vision.
Map-Specific Tips
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - VERY strong for Trickster. Open areas mean easy blade spam. Survivors have nowhere to hide. Trickster dominates open maps.
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - WEAK for Trickster. Tight corridors and tall walls let survivors break line of sight easily. Blade spam is hard to land. Trickster struggles indoors.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for Trickster. Huge maps + 110% speed = hard to patrol. Run slowdown perks to compensate.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Weak for Trickster. Survivors can break line of sight easily on multiple floors. Hard to land consecutive blades.
Short Loop Maps - ANY map with mostly short loops (unsafe jungle gyms, short tiles) is strong for Trickster. You can spam blades over loops easily.
Why Play Trickster?
Pros:
- Rapid blade spam is satisfying
- Dominates open areas
- Main Event is incredibly strong when used well
- Fun K-pop aesthetic and music
- Good at exit gates (blade spam)
- Strong against survivors in the open
Cons:
- 110% movement speed (slow)
- VERY weak at tall loops
- Weak on indoor maps
- Laceration decay punishes you for switching targets
- Requires good aim
- No map mobility
- Weak against hold W + tall loops
Advanced Tips
Blade leading: Blades have travel time. Aim where survivors are GOING, not where they ARE. Lead your shots.
Spam at short loops: Don’t hesitate. Spam blades over short loops. Survivors can’t avoid them.
Reload after every down: Down a survivor, reload BEFORE hooking them. This way you’re always ready for the next chase.
Use Main Event at unhooks: Activate Main Event when survivors are unhoking. You can hit the unhooker AND the unhooked person.
Fake blade throws: Hold M2 to enter throw mode, then cancel. Survivors panic and make mistakes.
Zoning with blades: Throw blades to force survivors into bad positions. Even if you don’t hit them, you control where they run.
Blade spam at vaults: Survivors locked in vault animations can’t dodge. Easy blade hits.
M1 at tall loops: Don’t waste blades at shack or main buildings. M1 chase normally.
Track Laceration meters: Watch the yellow meter above survivors’ heads. If it’s almost full, commit to the down. If it’s low, consider switching targets.
Main Event timing: Don’t save Main Event forever. Use it when you have good opportunities. It expires if you wait too long.
Learning Curve and Practice
Trickster has a moderate learning curve due to aim requirements.
Hours 0-10: You’ll miss blades constantly. Laceration decays often. Main Event feels awkward.
Hours 10-30: You’re landing blades more consistently. Understanding when to throw vs when to M1. Main Event usage improving.
Hours 30-60: You’re landing blades reliably. Laceration management is better. Winning matches on favorable maps.
Hours 60-100: You’re a strong Trickster. Blade spam is consistent. Main Event is used optimally. Dominating open maps.
Hours 100+: You’re a Trickster main. Every blade lands. Main Event is devastating. You understand your map strengths/weaknesses.
Practice tips:
- Practice blade aim in custom matches
- Learn to lead shots (blades have travel time)
- Focus on short loop blade spam (not tall loops)
- Watch Trickster streamers (Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Trickster is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique killers with a love-it-or-hate-it playstyle. He’s incredibly strong in open areas and at short loops but struggles at tall loops and on indoor maps.
Trickster rewards good aim, target selection, and knowing when to use blades vs M1. Master blade spam, use Main Event strategically, and dominate survivors in the open. Accept that you’ll struggle on indoor maps and at tall loops - that’s part of playing Trickster.
Practice your aim, manage Laceration decay, and use Main Event wisely. Trickster is incredibly satisfying when played well on favorable maps.
Good luck, and may your blades always hit their mark.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025