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Currently killers have too much control.

I’ve been playing this game for nearly two years. I took a few months break towards the end of 2019(Games and Girlfriends don’t mix). I came back to find the mechanics of this game totally changed. The new timer at the end was unexpected but it didn’t bother me at all. However, the fact that the killer now has the ability to close the hatch and initiate the timer is unbalanced.

The reason why I believe it is unbalanced is because more often than not, the killer locates the hatch first. Killers also no longer has to account for the hatch whenever finding the last survivor. The exit gates are the only exits, and in some maps, they are in close proximity of each other. Maps will have to be reworked, and I believe tweaked if this new mechanic is to become permanent.

In my opinion, I believe killers would want more of a challenged than to close the hatch, receive the notification of the last survivor opening the gate and sentencing him to death. Or, just merely waiting until the timer runs out.

I have read a few forums regarding survivors holding a game hostage, resulting in unnecessary long games. Well I agree that excessive hiding should be addressed, survivors in general are suppose to hide. I would like to offer a few solutions to this issue in hopes that the killers closing the hatch will be removed.

1.) Crows will initiate one alert to the killer if the survivor has not moved at all for a certain amount of time. If a survivor is constantly moving( like I am) this should not be an issue. This will also give killers a chance at finding the last survivor. The survivor has to keep moving.(this is void if survivor is on a generator)

2.) The entity will become “restless” and initiate the timer after a certain time has elapsed. This will force the game to conclusion without killers controlling the hatch.

3.) Killer perk,”Crow’s Eye” that reveals the aura of the survivor if the crows are initiated or disturbed. However, aura is only revealed for a few seconds at most.

4.) Killer perk,”Acute Hearing” receive a notification for soft vaults, opening cabinets and chest.(I believe killers only receive notification if the items are picked up currently)

These are only a few solutions to excessively long games. Now, if closing the hatch mechanic remains in the game, these are the potential tweaks I’d like to see in the future.

1.) Killer cannot hear the hatch. This will at least give the survivor a chance at locating it and make it more difficult for the killer to find it first.

2.) Hatch does not spawn until two survivors have died. It’s far too easy for the killer to stumble upon the hatch. Majority of games I play now, Killer always finds the hatch.

3.) It takes time for the killer to close the hatch, however the gates are powered on while the killer is closing the hatch. I’m not talking about an excessive amount of time but it needs to be substantial enough for the killer to hesitate to make that decision. There has to be a price. The gate locks will still give off a notification.

4.) Increase the opening speed of the gates. The gates are “Energized by the entity” therefore more efficient.

5.) Remove the notification of the gate opening. This will give the survivor a 50/50 chance at winning. A seasoned killer should be able to easily look at the light bulbs above the switch to determine if the survivor is nearby and has made progress on the gate. The audible alarm sound will still be present if the killer is within reasonable hearing distance.

My goal is not to hinder killers, it’s just to make this game more enjoyable for everyone. I would like to receive some feedback in regards to refining these ideas and hopefully make this game even better than before! Thank you for your time, and look forward to having constructive conversations towards this issue!

Comments

  • Milo
    Milo Member Posts: 7,383

    1) this is already a thing.

    2) a hard limit on a match is a good idea

    3) Why aura?

    4) I literally have no idea which perk this is.

    ---

    1) No

    2) ... No

    3) There should be also time to jump into a hatch/open the hatch with a key then. Remember, hatch is a "2nd chance" for last survivor. When they basically lost, it shouldn't be easy.

    4) I doubt entity would want to help survivors in such a task.

    5) Again, survivors shouldn't be in a winning situation. They already lost twice (let 3 other survivors die and the hatch was closed). Your chances of escaping now should be close to non.

  • Cheers
    Cheers Member Posts: 3,426

    Before I start, the option to close the hatch was added back around April/May of 2019, maybe even earlier. If you left at the end of 2019 then I'm very confused. Additionally, if it comes to a 1 v 1 for the hatch, the killer is meant to have the advantage because he's played better (90% of the time).

    Anyways onto your points.


    1: This is a thing, but if you're moving and want to deny it, use the emotes (come here and point)

    2: Ending a game for survivors hiding I'm fine with, but it would have to be complex so it would work.

    3 and 4: I'm confused...


    Part 2

    1: The Killer is meant to have an advantage if they get to a hatch 1 v 1.

    2: If it happens before two survivors have died than that means either all gens have been done or there is only one gen left. Again, killer plays well, they have the advantage.

    3: Refer to point 1

    4: Here is what you need to do in this situation. Power it just before it turns on one red light, hide, and as soon as the killer turns, finish it.

    5: This alarm only happens at the end, and to me it doesn't make a difference. On most killers I run Whispers so I know where the survivor ism

  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    I guess I took a longer break than I thought 😂, I’m genuinely serious. This is just my honest opinion! Not trolling!

    What could y’all guys recommend to make the experience more balanced?

  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    part 1, suggestions 3 and 4 are just Killer perk ideas I came up with to try to make it easier to find the last survivor. My bad for not clarifying.

  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    Thanks for the feedback and info! Sorry 😂 I mainly play as survivor! So the killer experience is not my forte!

    Thats probably the biggest issue for me is definitely the gate locations. If that could be resolved I do feel like we’d have a more balanced experienced. I guess I took a substantial break and a lot has changed. I didn’t think I was gone that long but I guess so.

  • norbie0
    norbie0 Member Posts: 6

    I'm all for the exit gates to be spawned farther apart. But that's really the only change I can see making that would be balanced. I mean think about it like this both the killer and survivor have a chance to stumble upon the hatch during the game. So you as a killer should be on the lookout for it, it's an instant escape for the last survivor, if either side never saw it then it's their own fault.

    As a survivor it shouldn't be a surprise the killer will go for hatch so go for the furthest exit gate and wait for it to close. In all my time if playing killer I've never heard a gate opening so far away that I can get to the survivor and stop them from opening it in time.

  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    That’s an awesome strategy. I never thought about it like that. I will definitely try that out as I play and try to incorporate it. Thanks!


  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    Hey guys! If y’all have more strategies on how to counter these mechanics that would be awesome to hear as well!

  • Lexilogo
    Lexilogo Member Posts: 587

    I understand how the hatch changes might be jarring to someone coming back, but you should understand that the reason why it was changed is because the Hatch escape is supposed to be a somewhat rare streak of mercy for a final Survivor, NOT something the last Survivor is entitled to if they play well.


    I generally much prefer being able to close the hatch speaking as a Killer main. Previously the hatch endgame was extremely awkward, grabbing Survivors mid-escape was really not a reliable defense mechanism and it often resulted in a lot of Mexican standoffs to say nothing of the rare but problematic instances where Survivors took games hostage. If both the Killer and Survivor found the hatch, the Survivor pretty much wins.


    It's true hatch closing puts the Killer in control of the endgame, but... That's how the game is supposed to be. The Killer exerts control over the match, it's the Survivor's job(s) to slip through the cracks of that control and work around it.


    One thing I can agree on in this thread is that Exit Gates appearing next to each other is indeed wack. Another change I wouldn't be against is adding a thick fog nearby the Exit Gates that dissipates when you're close to it (eg. within 20 meters), so a Killer can't position themselves to watch both Exit Gates at once and actually need to patrol between both, giving Survivors a window to try and open them. I think that would be a reasonable change, too.

  • xXAceVelocityXx
    xXAceVelocityXx Member Posts: 7

    I definitely appreciate that you can see how a returning player could be a little uneasy about these changes. When I came back it seemed like the entire games “flow” has be rooted up and changed. So the learning curve is still very real to me.

    I still love this game and despite the new challenges these mechanics impose, I’m still gonna try to overcome them. It’s by no means a game “killing” mechanic, however it does make it more difficult to survive solo. Without a proper team, coordination and doing gens are an uphill battle.

    I also think other survivor’s play style has adapted to this by being more reserved and selfish if I’m totally honest. I’ve played 20+ games, and witnessed survivors not really push for unhooking as much as they use to. Some outright don’t even approach the hook. Though, honestly this is super counterproductive because with these mechanics you have to work together as a whole team to power the gens to prevent the killer from ultimately controlling the game.


    Perhaps there could be a bloodpoint balancing in the future to try to give survivors more incentive to work together. Thoughts? Or Maybe even a game chat option to encourage coordination?