Sprint Burst is one of Dead by Daylight’s most powerful and popular survivor perks. When you start running, you gain a massive speed boost for 3 seconds, letting you create distance from the killer or reach safety quickly. Sprint Burst is the most versatile Exhaustion perk in the game and has been meta since DBD’s launch.
Sprint Burst rewards smart management, good positioning, and understanding when to walk vs when to run. Let’s break down how to master it.
What Does Sprint Burst Do?
Effect: When you start running, break into a sprint at 150% your normal running speed for 3 seconds. Causes Exhaustion for 60/50/40 seconds (depending on tier).
Teachable Perk: Unlocked from Meg Thomas at level 35.
How it works:
- You start running (hold Shift to sprint)
- Sprint Burst activates IMMEDIATELY
- You move at 150% speed for 3 seconds
- You become Exhausted for 40 seconds (Tier 3)
- Sprint Burst recharges after Exhaustion ends
Key detail: Sprint Burst activates the MOMENT you start running. You can’t control when it activates - it triggers automatically when you sprint.
Why Sprint Burst is Strong
Instant activation: Unlike other Exhaustion perks that require specific conditions (vaulting for Lithe, falling for Balanced Landing), Sprint Burst activates whenever you sprint. This makes it the most FLEXIBLE Exhaustion perk.
Creates huge distance: 3 seconds at 150% speed is ~18 meters of distance. This is enough to reach the next loop, pallet, or window.
Versatile usage: Sprint Burst works:
- At the start of a chase (to reach safety)
- Mid-chase (to extend loops)
- To get to gens quickly
- To escape danger zones
- To make saves
Always available: As long as you’re not Exhausted, Sprint Burst is ready. No need for windows, falls, or specific conditions.
The Sprint Burst Problem: Walking
Sprint Burst’s biggest downside is that it activates when you START running. This means:
If you run normally, Sprint Burst is WASTED: If you’re running around the map doing gens, Sprint Burst activates randomly and goes on cooldown. You won’t have it when the killer finds you.
Solution: Walk everywhere: To save Sprint Burst for chases, you WALK (don’t sprint) when moving around the map. This way, Sprint Burst is available when the killer finds you.
The trade-off: Walking is SLOWER than running. You spend more time moving between gens and objectives. Sprint Burst requires patience.
99% Walking Strategy
The key to using Sprint Burst effectively is “99% walking” - walking everywhere until you need Sprint Burst, then sprinting when the killer finds you.
How to 99% Walk
While doing gens/objectives:
- WALK everywhere (don’t hold Shift)
- Only sprint when:
- The killer finds you
- You need to reach a gen quickly
- You need to make a save
When the killer finds you:
- START SPRINTING (hold Shift)
- Sprint Burst activates automatically
- You gain 3 seconds of 150% speed
- Use the distance to reach safety
After Sprint Burst activates:
- You’re Exhausted for 40 seconds
- You can now run freely (Sprint Burst is on cooldown anyway)
- Walk again once Exhaustion ends to save Sprint Burst
Why 99% Walking Works
You control when Sprint Burst activates: By walking, you ensure Sprint Burst is available when you NEED it (during chases).
You don’t waste Sprint Burst: Running randomly wastes Sprint Burst. Walking saves it for important moments.
You maximize value: Sprint Burst is MUCH more valuable in a chase than traveling between gens.
When to Use Sprint Burst
Sprint Burst is most effective in these situations:
1. Killer Finds You
Scenario: You’re on a gen and the killer approaches.
What to do:
- Keep working on the gen until the killer is close
- START SPRINTING toward the nearest loop
- Sprint Burst activates, giving you 3 seconds of speed
- You reach the loop before the killer catches up
This is the BEST use of Sprint Burst - avoiding the first hit.
2. Mid-Chase to Extend Distance
Scenario: You’re injured and being chased. You need to reach the next loop.
What to do:
- Walk/run toward the next loop
- When Exhaustion ends, START SPRINTING
- Sprint Burst activates, giving you distance
- You reach safety before the killer downs you
This is a CLUTCH use of Sprint Burst - extending a chase to escape.
3. Endgame Escapes
Scenario: Exit gates are open and you need to reach the exit.
What to do:
- START SPRINTING toward the exit
- Sprint Burst activates
- You reach the exit before the killer catches you
This is a GAME-WINNING use of Sprint Burst.
4. Unhook Saves
Scenario: You need to unhook a teammate and the killer is nearby.
What to do:
- Walk to the hook
- Unhook your teammate
- START SPRINTING away
- Sprint Burst activates, you escape
- Teammate might have Borrowed Time or other protection
This is a SAFE PLAY with Sprint Burst.
5. Getting to Gens Quickly
Scenario: A gen is almost done and you need to finish it.
What to do:
- START SPRINTING toward the gen
- Sprint Burst activates
- You reach the gen quickly
- Worth “wasting” Sprint Burst if the gen is critical
This is a STRATEGIC use of Sprint Burst.
Sprint Burst Synergies
Sprint Burst works well with perks that help you recover Exhaustion or capitalize on speed.
Strong Synergies
Vigil - Reduces Exhaustion recovery time by 20%. Lets you use Sprint Burst more frequently. VERY strong with Sprint Burst - you get Sprint Burst back ~8 seconds faster.
Windows of Opportunity - Shows aura of pallets and windows. Helps you plan where to Sprint Burst toward. You know exactly which loop to run to.
Resilience - Grants 9% faster action speed while injured. Pairs with Sprint Burst for faster vaults and gen repairs after using Sprint Burst in a chase.
Iron Will - Silences your breathing and grunts while injured. After using Sprint Burst to escape, Iron Will helps you stay hidden while healing.
Adrenaline - When the last gen is completed, you heal one health state and get a speed boost. If you’re Exhausted from Sprint Burst, Adrenaline STILL works (ignores Exhaustion). You can chain Sprint Burst + Adrenaline.
Hope - Gain 7% movement speed for 120 seconds after the last gen is completed. Stacks with Sprint Burst. You’re EXTREMELY fast endgame.
Sample Builds
Meta Sprint Burst Build:
- Sprint Burst
- Windows of Opportunity
- Resilience
- Iron Will
Exhaustion Recovery Build:
- Sprint Burst
- Vigil
- Windows of Opportunity
- Kindred
Endgame Build:
- Sprint Burst
- Adrenaline
- Hope
- Windows of Opportunity
Beginner Build:
- Sprint Burst
- Windows of Opportunity
- Kindred
- We’ll Make It
Sprint Burst vs Other Exhaustion Perks
How does Sprint Burst compare to other Exhaustion perks?
Sprint Burst vs Lithe:
- Sprint Burst activates on sprinting, Lithe activates on vaults
- Sprint Burst is MORE FLEXIBLE (works anywhere)
- Lithe is MORE CONTROLLED (you choose when to vault)
- Verdict: Sprint Burst is stronger in most situations
Sprint Burst vs Dead Hard:
- Sprint Burst gives distance, Dead Hard gives Endurance (avoids a hit)
- Sprint Burst is PROACTIVE, Dead Hard is REACTIVE
- Dead Hard is stronger for avoiding downs, Sprint Burst is stronger for creating distance
- Verdict: Both are top-tier, depends on playstyle
Sprint Burst vs Balanced Landing:
- Sprint Burst works anywhere, Balanced Landing requires falling
- Sprint Burst is MORE UNIVERSAL
- Balanced Landing is stronger on maps with lots of drops (Midwich, The Game)
- Verdict: Sprint Burst is more consistent
Sprint Burst vs Adrenaline:
- Sprint Burst is REPEATABLE, Adrenaline is ONE-TIME per match
- Sprint Burst is better for chases, Adrenaline is better for endgame
- Verdict: You can run BOTH (Adrenaline ignores Exhaustion)
Key point: Sprint Burst is considered the BEST all-around Exhaustion perk because it works in ANY situation.
Common Mistakes with Sprint Burst
Running everywhere and wasting Sprint Burst: Don’t sprint randomly around the map. WALK to save Sprint Burst for chases.
Not using Sprint Burst when needed: Some players walk TOO MUCH and forget to sprint when the killer finds them. Sprint when you’re in danger!
Sprinting to save teammates without thinking: Don’t waste Sprint Burst running to unhook someone if the killer isn’t nearby. Walk and save Sprint Burst for the chase after unhooking.
Not pairing with Vigil: If you use Sprint Burst, Vigil is EXTREMELY strong. It reduces your Exhaustion cooldown significantly.
Running Sprint Burst with another Exhaustion perk: You can only use ONE Exhaustion perk at a time. Running two is usually redundant (though some people do it for variety).
Advanced Sprint Burst Strategies
99% Walking
Definition: Walking everywhere to save Sprint Burst for chases.
How to do it: Hold W (walk) instead of Shift+W (sprint). Only sprint when the killer finds you.
Why it works: Sprint Burst is available when you need it most - during chases.
Exhaustion Management
Track your Exhaustion timer: Know when Sprint Burst is ready. Count to 40 seconds or watch the Exhaustion icon.
Walk while Exhausted: After using Sprint Burst, walk while recovering Exhaustion. Once it ends, continue walking to save Sprint Burst.
Plan your sprints: Think “When will I need Sprint Burst next?” and walk accordingly.
Sprint Burst at Unhooks
Strategy: Walk to the hook, unhook, then Sprint Burst away. The killer can’t catch you easily.
Why it works: You save Sprint Burst for the MOST DANGEROUS moment (right after unhooking).
Sprint Burst to Safety
Strategy: When injured and being chased, Sprint Burst to the next loop. Extend the chase.
Why it works: Injured survivors are one hit from being downed. Sprint Burst gives you the distance to reach safety.
Is Sprint Burst Worth Running?
Yes, absolutely. Sprint Burst is one of the strongest survivor perks in the game.
When Sprint Burst is Worth Running
You want a reliable Exhaustion perk: Sprint Burst ALWAYS works. No conditions needed.
You’re good at managing Exhaustion: If you can walk to save Sprint Burst, it’s EXTREMELY strong.
You want versatility: Sprint Burst works in ANY situation - chases, saves, endgame, etc.
You play solo queue: Sprint Burst is strong in solo queue because it doesn’t require team coordination.
When Sprint Burst is NOT Worth Running
You hate walking: If walking everywhere frustrates you, Sprint Burst might not be fun.
You prefer reactive perks: If you want a perk that REACTS to danger (like Dead Hard), Sprint Burst is proactive instead.
You want a different Exhaustion perk: If you prefer Lithe, Balanced Landing, or Dead Hard, that’s fine. Sprint Burst isn’t mandatory.
Final Thoughts
Sprint Burst is one of Dead by Daylight’s best survivor perks. It’s flexible, powerful, and reliable. When used correctly (99% walking to save it for chases), Sprint Burst is EXTREMELY strong.
Sprint Burst rewards patience and discipline. Walk to save it, sprint when you need it, and dominate chases. Pair it with Vigil to reduce cooldown, and pair it with Windows of Opportunity to plan where to sprint.
Master Sprint Burst, and you’ll extend chases, make saves, and escape danger like a pro.
Good luck, and may your sprints always carry you to safety.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025