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How do you counter SWF groups?

Pepaman
Pepaman Member Posts: 5

How do you guys counter SWF groups? Its super frustrating when they're well coordinated and all body block hooks!!

Comments

  • Sleem
    Sleem Member Posts: 182

    This, or lobby dodge. You can probably tell if they all play on pc.

  • ShinobuSK
    ShinobuSK Member Posts: 5,279

    I just usually take the L and hope I will get better to beat them one day since I am pretty new to killer and maybe should not be in red ranks. But game decided I am red ranked killer so I play vs many types of swf.

    My favorite is over altruistic swf cause they are more predictable and can be play around it and even have fun no matter the outcome of the game.

    The very gen efficient team is the worst tho. Feels like no matter how good you play, you just racing against the time and it feels like whole match tempo is entirely in their hands.

    That said, the more I play killer the more Im getting used to it. I remember how frustrated I was when I started and now after few hundred hours its much better.

    Still have a very long way to go

  • Axe
    Axe Member Posts: 1,060

    Play for tags, don't commit on any long chases, pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure.

  • Jasix
    Jasix Member Posts: 1,245

    I take advantage of their altruism. I had a SWF with 3 flashlights the other day - two were found during match. After multiple blinds when I would try to hook - I just slugged them and hooked them individually. They wanted their friend to live so bad they played horribly by staying close to the downed survivor.

    I have only ever truly been "bullied" by SWF once in 4.5 years - so it is what it is. My success rate against SWF is only slightly lower than 4 randoms. You just have to learn to adapt your playstyle when you know they are communicating, defending, etc. I prefer going against SWFs as it is more of a challenge. You will see some "killer mains" claim all/most SWFs are practically unbeatable, but I haven't encountered that yet - and while I have been red rank for 3+ years - I am not a "pro" by any standard. I also don't consider a 2k or 3k a loss - I go by bloodpoints/emblems/pips. Not saying you won't "lose" to some SWFs, but you lose and learn.

    Just remember - it's just a game.

  • BenZ0
    BenZ0 Member Posts: 4,125
    1. Try to find the weakest player of them 4, there is always one boosted player who is just a m1 legend.
    2. Use a smart combination of slugging, tunneling and camp. Dont overdo any of that.
    3. Play save and dont be greedy that means try to "hide" some perks for a better situation, imagine you have pop, dont use it on the first gen on 10% you see.
    4. And last but not least, get better at the game, experience is a huge part of it. Just keep playing, if you lose dont get frustrated and keep going, try to adapt from your mistakes and make it better next time!
  • Moundshroud
    Moundshroud Member Posts: 4,458
    edited May 2021

    There isn't any magic bullet anyone here can give you. The long and the short of it is that not all SWF are created equal, with some being crazy good, coordinated Seal Team Six style players, while others stink. What is true, however, is that SWF have a competitive edge. The information then can pass between one another using their 5th Perk (Comms) provides more valuable intelligence than all other info Perks in the game combined. The longer a particular SWF play together, the more coordinated they will become. That is commonsense.

    As some others have already stated, you deal with them primarily by playing hard, giving 100% and treat the game against them the same as you would anyone else. Fair or unfair, you simply have to be better than them. You have to overcome the additional competitive edge. I hope, one day, that they will balance SWF by unlocking a 5th Perk slot for the Killer whenever they face a 3+ SWF. I think that should be tested first before adding additional objectives (like say an extra required Generator) for such groups. Hopefully giving the Killer one more Perk will do the job.

    I digress. There are some things you can do to mitigate a SWF's advantage, but most of them are extremely difficult and have no margin for error. Since SWF share information, you can feed any one of them info (let the see you going one direction, etc.) and the entire group will react accordingly. As I stated before, it is easier said than done. It can be done though; I can attest to that from personal experience. Stealth Killers are more efficient for this purpose because it is harder for the SWF to pinpoint your location and share it. That isn't a great comfort if you don't play a Stealth Killer, but it is true. I love to play Spooky Myers (also called Jump Scare Myers) and I can assure you that he is far more effective against a SWF than when I play a standard Myers.

    Another thing you can do is play against type. Be unpredictable. The more devastating SWF are like well-oiled machines and have a fair amount of wisdom built up. In addition to keeping eyes on you and sharing information, they have rituals and processes that they have built up playing together. They have plans which are based on normal, predictable Killer behavior. This gives you some leeway to throw a monkey wrench in if you can figure out their patterns. Another thing you can do is play in a SWF yourself. It is important to understand the mindset and the advantage. You have to know how it works to counter it.

  • ALostPuppy
    ALostPuppy Member Posts: 3,398
    edited May 2021

    You play better than they do, there's no secret tech to beating people playing with their friends, you beat them the same way you beat solo players: by playing better. Now we can give you tips and advice on how to be a better player if we know what you're struggling with (you mentioned bodyblocking, and the solution to that is hit the survivors right away if they're bodyblocking you, and unless you're in the late game you just gained a bunch of free pressure) but that's it.

  • Zozzy
    Zozzy Member Posts: 4,759

    These swf are easy. they are not doing gens and are constantly following you around playing into your perks

    The real bullies do gens asap and leave with the focus of de-pipping the killer.

  • kaeru
    kaeru Member Posts: 1,568

    Bodyblock hooks is countered by hitting all of them. Don't be upset if survivor get out of you grab, you will get couple of free hits on them.

    One important thing you should know. If there just one survivor bodyblocking, you don't have to hit him twice. After first hit survivor losing his hitbox and you can hook survivor.

  • Jasix
    Jasix Member Posts: 1,245

    Well I have been playing 4.5 years - and a red rank killer almost 4 years - I have faced quite a few SWFs. I never said they were all alike. What I said was to adapt. If you try to play against a SWF like you do randoms - you will not be as successful. While facing SWFs at lower ranks without a lot of perks can be hard - it is not impossible. The game is supposed to be challenging otherwise it gets quite boring. If you suspect the survivors are a SWF - change some perks, change your addons, change your playstyle - adapt. I realize that a lot of "killer mains" like to paint all/most SWFs as the boogeyman, but that's mainly hyperbole and an unwillingness to change their playstyle and whine when they lose. I mean they have to blame something on their loss - and very few accept it was their gameplay that contributed to their defeat. Newsflash - you will lose as a killer and survivor - that's the nature of the game.

    Not knocking killers...or supporting survivors - just pointing out the ridiculousness of SWF hatred and the vitriol and hyperbolic rantings on these forums...which goes both ways by "killer mains" and "survivor mains." I wish more people actually played both sides almost equally - that would stop a lot of the stupid rants by both sides. Survivors and Killers play for the same basic reasons: Fun, Challenge, Bloodpoints, Pips, etc. I am not out to depip anyone when I am survivor or killer - I am however out to get some pips/bloodpoints for myself. Villainizing either side serves no purpose in achieving your goals or "winning" a match.

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  • JesseJH28
    JesseJH28 Member Posts: 483

    Agitation and Sloppy Butcher have been very useful for me. When they all want to swarm me after picking someone up I can usually get another hit before I hook the one I'm carrying and it'll take longer for them to heal. Otherwise I just play to the best of my ability and hope it's enough to put some pressure on them. It's tough and I still get stomped often enough but when I'm able to hang with them, those might be the most fun matches I play as killer. If nothing else, it's a learning experience and I might be able to carry some new tricks into the next match.

  • gilgamer
    gilgamer Member Posts: 2,209

    Same way I always play, slug when necessary and keep pressure on as best as I can.

  • Aneurysm
    Aneurysm Member Posts: 5,270

    If they're altruistic use their altruism against them. If there's a weak link then targeting them has a decent chance of getting the others off gens to come protect them. Even if you have no interest in tunnelling them act as if you do and start heading for them after they've been unhooked, there's a good chance the unhooker will jump in to protect them and give you your first hit for free. Be aware of your surroundings, if one goes down there'll probably be others waiting to try and block/save. And perks like agi, mad grit, starstruck, forced penance etc will probably only work once against them but one time might be all you need if they're all around.

    A very altruistic swf that can't stand the thought of anyone on their team being hooked even once is a blessing, honestly

  • MadLordJack
    MadLordJack Member Posts: 8,814

    The insinuation is that people who like Prove Thyself want to genrush.

    Also, *dudette

  • Zozzy
    Zozzy Member Posts: 4,759

    Why are you focusing this on survivor players? they are not villains, they are just using the busted and unbalanced things the devs give them. the villains are the greedy dev's / people in charge who refuse to give solo players the same information without perks and refuse to touch swf in any way because it generates money.

    I do play solo survivor, and i can't escape rank 2-1 as killer unless i force it. I have had games where everyone had kindred and the killer stood no chance. we did the gens so fast that everyone got a safety pip because nobody wasted time (multiple survivors leaving gens for saves or to see if the killer is camping etc)

    The only reason swf don't gen and out is because of the pip system and they are bored...

  • Jasix
    Jasix Member Posts: 1,245

    In one sentence you say you can't escape. The next you say the killer has no chance with an in-game perk if everyone has it. And then in another sentence you say that SWFs don't genrush and leave because - they want bloodpoints. Seriously - pick a stance and stick to it. Your post makes no sense and contradicts itself. Not sure if it is a construction issue or a proofreading issue, but I seriously have no clue what you are implying.

    I'll say it again - like I have said numerous times in the forums: I have no issue with SWFs - I like the challenge they bring. Doesn't bother me if they are on comms in the slightest. Do I always 4k against them?? Nope. Have I left red rank killer in the past 3.5 years - Only for one day each month when rank resets and I go to 5. So if I can maintain red rank (1-2) against SWFs - and I am by no means a pro - where does the issue lie? For reference btw - I play Doctor, Huntress, and Plague mainly as killer. Killers shouldn't 4k every match and survivors shouldn't escape every match - welcome to gaming. If all you want are easy wins - good luck finding an asymmetrical game where you can do that.

    One more thing - best to avoid words that insinuate absolutes like "only reason" - SWFs don't "gen and out" for a plethora of reasons - including the fact that the killer has killed them or is applying enough pressure to slow them down.

  • SMitchell8
    SMitchell8 Member Posts: 3,302
    edited May 2021

    Use the dark arts and prepare to be humiliated as they are favourites to win the match regardless what you do. Get 3v1 as soon as possible and for god sakes don't pick up survivors near pallets 😅 I like to pretend to pick them up and quicky turn around to get the survivor who brought the feint (you can hear them coming)

  • Phasmamain
    Phasmamain Member Posts: 11,531

    Blame 3rd party software for you loss and complain on the forums about it

  • gibblywibblywoo
    gibblywibblywoo Member Posts: 3,772

    This, alternatively learn to play Nurse or put Stridor on Spirit.

  • MeltingPenguins
    MeltingPenguins Member Posts: 3,742

    By playing normally and fair (aka, no tunneling, camping or slugging). There's a lot of swfs that are just chaotic and marginally better organized than a group of randoms, if at all. And interestingly a lot of swfs that swf to win expect scummy behavior so playing fair even takes them offguard.

  • gibblywibblywoo
    gibblywibblywoo Member Posts: 3,772

    This is true, a true sweat squad swf is truly rare. I get them maybe once a day out of 30+ matches.

    Most SWF are 'decent' they can loop alright, but aren't that great and are mainly carried by comms. These teams can usually be beaten by just taking advantage of how reckless they are. That said occasionally you WILL face a SWF that is so good at looping/linking tiles that there's just nothing you can do unless you're Nurse.

    A lot of killers, micheal for example, simply cannot deal with good loops or comms and get absolutely decimated.

  • Stryker
    Stryker Member Posts: 220

    if you already entered a match and can't avoid the lobby, the simplest way to counter them is to... by going in a corner of the map and point your face on that corner and stay still until they leave.


    I'm not even joking, if you do so, you depip, but since this game is so "well done", there is a chance they also depip because at some ranks(1-14 probably), doing only the gens, isn't enoguht to to rank up and you need to be chased/hit by the killer because those extra points(unhooking,running,healing an ally or yourself after an hit etc etc) are needed in order to get a pip.


    hek, even if you kill 4 players in 2 minutes, you depip sometimes because you didn't do enough points, because BH did a pretty good job so far.


    option 2 to counter SWF is to recognize anSWF and...avoid it...

    when people join the lobby, look if they join at the same time, look into their profiles and notice if they are friends, look at their platform(usually, if everyone or more than 2 people are from the same platfrom it's probably an SWF).

  • Asssblasster625
    Asssblasster625 Member Posts: 629

    Lobby dodge

  • WexlerWendigo
    WexlerWendigo Member Posts: 1,867

    Anti-altruistic perks such as agitation and starstruck can limit how well SWF can do.

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    edited June 2021
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  • SMitchell8
    SMitchell8 Member Posts: 3,302

    You have to take your chances when they come. They'll be prepared for camping, tunneling so you have to expect a counter to each thing you do. Expect to lose, anything you get is a bonus, just don't take the bait if they wanna be toxic **** and don't give them the game they want

  • Bran
    Bran Member Posts: 2,096

    one slugged, one hooked, one injured, other one gets caught slacking along the way.

  • TheClownIsKing
    TheClownIsKing Member Posts: 6,278

    It’s difficult, but their altruism tends to quite predictable. That predictability can be used against them. I.e. things like searching for a flashlight user after a down if it’s clear they keep attempting flashlight saves. This is one example.

  • Gwinty
    Gwinty Member Posts: 981

    This.

    Identify the weak link(s) and punish them. Do this by setting yourself a time limit how long you want to chase somebody. If it takes to long and you do not get anything out of it (pallets, hits or downs), search for another survivor. Yes, slugging and checking / defending the hook can be

    Do not dodge the Lobby. You will not get better by avoiding trouble.

    And as said in 4. get good and learn to keep your cool. This is a very important skill in this game: Keeping your cool. Do not let anyone get on your nerves just because they have a funky flashlight and quick vault a window.

    If you play cool there is a chance that they get cocky and that you can punish it. Most people lack the disciplin especialy if they want to "bully" you.

  • ThrillaKilla123
    ThrillaKilla123 Member Posts: 3

    I am simply good at the game. Perhaps you could try that?

  • gilgamer
    gilgamer Member Posts: 2,209

    I slug more and I take hits whenever presented immediately to make sure they get the least amount of value out of things like body blocking or other overly altruistic activities.

  • Edgars_Raven
    Edgars_Raven Member Posts: 1,236

    If you get a group that does a lot of body blicks, drop the survivor and down someone else. Dont be afraid to slug, in all likely hood that game ends with either all of them slugged or 4 escapes. Not saying dont hook anyone, just that if they swarm you, slap them, drop survivor, down the next one.

    The good news is if theyre swarming yiu they arent doing gens

  • Uncharted
    Uncharted Member Posts: 136
  • HaunterofShadows
    HaunterofShadows Member Posts: 4,092

    I play Spirit which I already do so in other words I play normally.

  • Punisher2001
    Punisher2001 Member Posts: 49

    You don't. You have to just let them do whatever they want to you. And the devs don't care. They want to see us killers go completely mad.

  • shyguyy
    shyguyy Member Posts: 298

    Play normally knowing that it doesn't matter the vast majority of the time: I will still most likely win. On the off chance that I run into some sweaty team and I lose: who cares? Can't win them all, move on.

    There is a decent chance I will actually use addons if I can tell from the lobby that they are a 4 man squad.

  • Avilgus
    Avilgus Member Posts: 1,261
    • Find and eliminate the weak link, there is always someone carried by his SWF and they will loose the game to protect him.
    • Adapt your perks: starstruck, agitation, infectious fright, haunted ground, discordance or thrilling instead of BBQ...
    • Capitalise if they play super altruistic.
    • Manage your chases: Don't lose your time with useless chases, for exemple chasing a p1 survivor at 2 gens when the others are final hook.
    • Avoid long chases.
    • Control your map: Don't waste your time with generators in strong loop.
    • Play with your rules.
    • Finally if you don't wanna play against survivors with telepathic powers, dodge the lobby, it's your right.
  • Unifall
    Unifall Member Posts: 747

    Dodge the lobby. If not slug them if you can or tunnel 1 out early and hope for a 2k.

  • InnCognito
    InnCognito Member Posts: 720

    Good counters are:


    LIGHTBORN.

    MAD GRITT

    NOED

    WARDEN.


    Or if you think they are going to outplay Warden or NOED. Try for IRON GRASP. It helps a ton!

    Hope that helps!

  • Johnny_XMan
    Johnny_XMan Member Posts: 6,432

    Pressure them where it hurts the most: Altruism.

    Many times you will know they are SWF because they unhook immediately as you turn your back. So once I know this, I will punish it by pretending to leave once I spot the savior going for the hook, I will chase them, forcing someone else to go unhook and leave their gen.

    I have found that many times you also have to think like you normally would if you were in a SWF situation. So for instance if they want to body block because someone is on death hook, a good perk to bring is STBFL or Forced Penance this will make them more cautious of tanking hits because they will not be able to heal for a certain amount of time.

    Overall I play like normal, but I normally choose a casual pace though if I am unlucky and have a very bad map, my pace will change. Notice I said my pace not theirs, because one of the mistakes I see people make is that they want to feel bad about their party, when they aren’t going to feel bad for you, because they want to win too.