This article is an overview of all Flashlights featured in Dead by Daylight.

Flashlights are a type of Item The Survivors can use in Dead by Daylight.

Overview

The main use of Flashlights is to temporarily blind the Killer.

Blindness Effect

When a Killer is blinded, a sound effect is played and their Field of View is completely filled with a unique texture that overlays anything else.
This allows the Survivor to sneak off or go into hiding during the brief moment the Killer is blinded.

If the Killer is carrying a Survivor at the moment of becoming blinded, they are briefly stunned and will drop the Survivor, allowing them to run away.
This action is referred to as a Flashlight Rescue.

A blinded Killer is unable to initiate a Lunge Attack, all attacks will instead be Quick Attacks.

Being blinded with a Flashlight does not affect the Killer's hearing, allowing skilled Killers to still track the Survivor blinding them by their environmental sounds, footsteps and breathing.

Blinding Action

In order to blind a Killer, the Flashlight must be aimed at the general area of the Killer's head, usually slightly below, as that is where their camera is located.
As soon as the aim is correct, the Blinding process starts and increasingly fills the Killer's Field of View with the aforementioned Blindness overlay.

From the Survivor's Point of View, an on-going, as well as a successful Blinding attempt is telegraphed with auditory and visual cues:

• On-going attempt:
  • The Flashlight Beam's outer cone gradually narrows down to the size of the inner cone.
  • A fizzling burning sound can be heard.
• Successful attempt:
  • The Flashlight Beam's outer cone, having reached the size of the inner cone, rapidly widens, creating a blinking effect.
  • The Killer Blind Score Event triggers.

Evading

The Killer can counter a Blinding attempt by turning their camera away from the Flashlight Beam.
This can be done by looking up at the sky, down at the floor, or to the side.
This action will regress the Blinding process at the same rate it would apply at, meaning that looking away does not immediately reset the process and the Survivor can attempt to counteract themselves by adjusting their aim.

Special Interactions

Some Killers and their Powers show special interactions with Flashlights shining on them:

The Shape & The Ghost Face

• Blinding either Killer suppresses their ability to stalk Survivors and gain additional Stalk progress.

The Legion

• Blinding The Legion while they are in Feral Frenzy will cancel the Power without applying the usual Fatigue, allowing The Legion to perform a Quick Attack immediately.

The Nemesis

• Blinding The Nemesis' Zombies will stun them in place for several seconds, preventing them from attacking Survivors, as well as shrinking their collision hitbox, allowing Survivors to slip past them easily.

The Mastermind

• Blinding The Mastermind while he is in a Virulent Bound will cancel the Power without applying the usual cool-down, allowing The Mastermind to perform a Quick Attack immediately.

Default Statistics

The following stats apply to all Flashlights unless mentioned otherwise in their descriptions:

• Default Beam range: 10 metres
• Default Blinding time: 1 second
• Default Blindness duration: 2 seconds
• Default Beam angle: 20 °
• Default Beam accuracy (very technical):
  • Persistence: 0.5
    • Represents the degradation of amplitude at each octave (amplitude@octaveIndex = persistence ^ octaveIndex).
  • Octave count: 3
    • The number of noise layers.
  • Amplitude: 1 metre
    • Represents the peak amplitude.
  • Frequency: 0.6
    • Represents the noise frequency (oscillations per time).
      The higher this number, the more chaotic the effect.

Flashlight Modifiers

Aim Accuracy

The Aim Accuracy refers to the random shakey-hand movements a Survivor makes while aiming the Flashlight at something or someone:

• An increase in accuracy will reduce those random movements.
• A decrease in accuracy will increase those random movements.

Battery Depletion

The Battery Depletion refers to how quickly the Flashlight will run out of its Battery charge and be rendered unusable when in use.
The Battery comes with a given Charge (mentioned in seconds) and will, by default, deplete that Charge at a rate of -1 c/s.

Battery Life

The Battery Life refers to how many Charges (mentioned in seconds) the Flashlight has at the start of the Trial.

Beam Brightness

The Beam Brightness refers to the visual brightness of the Flashlight's Beam from the Killer's POV (see the Gallery).
Before the change that capped the Blinding speed of Flashlights (Patch 1.8.3), in order to remove insta-blinds from the gameplay, this metric (then sometimes referred to as "Beam Effects") would influence that modifier.

Beam Reach

The Beam Reach refers to the maximum reach of the Beam's cone:

• An increase in reach will extend the throw, increasing the range of the cone.
• A decrease in reach will reduce the throw, decreasing the range of the cone.

Beam Width

The Beam Width refers to the angle of the Beam cone:

• An increase in width will increase this angle, increasing the width of the cone.
• A decrease in width will decrease this angle, decreasing the width of the cone.

Blindness Duration

The Blindness Duration refers to the duration the Killer will stay blinded for, unable to see the Survivor or the environment (but not unable to move or attack).

Original Flashlight

The original and only Flashlight up to Patch 1.1.2.

	Flashlight	A standard Flashlight. Can be used to light your way in the darkness. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 8 seconds. "Most of the battery life was wastefully used by the previous owner."

New Flashlights

Patch 1.1.2 introduced 2 new Flashlights to the Game:

	Sport Flashlight	A very portable Flashlight with a good grip. Its efficient technology produces a powerful light while consuming less power. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 8 seconds. Has an increased Aim accuracy of +20 %. Has a reduced Depletion rate of -11 %.
	Utility Flashlight	A sturdy but heavy Flashlight that packs a lot of power. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 12 seconds. Has an increased Beam brightness of +30 %. Has an increased Blindness duration of +15 %. Has a reduced Aim accuracy of -20 %.

Halloween Flashlight

Patch 1.7.3 introduced the Will O' Wisp, a special Halloween-themed Flashlight that is annually made available during Halloween Events.
It uniquely features an orange-tinted Flashlight Beam.

	Will O' Wisp	THIS ITEM CAN NO LONGER BE OBTAINED FROM THE BLOODWEB (This Unlockable can no longer be obtained, but stockpiles may still be used in Trials.) A Flashlight equipped with a special lens cover that adds an orange tint and a little Ghost to the beam. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 8 seconds. Causes more friendly Ghosts in your life. The Will O' Wisp is only available during Halloween Events. "Happy Trick or Treating!"

Anniversary Flashlights

Patch 4.0.0 introduced the Fourth Year Flashlight, a special Flashlight to celebrate the Game's Anniversaries.
It was renamed to Anniversary Flashlight in Patch 5.0.0.
Patch 6.0.0 introduced the Masquerade Flashlight.

	Anniversary Flashlight	THIS ITEM CAN NO LONGER BE OBTAINED FROM THE BLOODWEB (This Unlockable can no longer be obtained, but stockpiles may still be used in Trials.) A festive Flashlight. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 8 seconds. Explodes with confetti upon blinding the Killer. Surprise! The Anniversary Flashlight was only available during the Fourth and Fifth Year Anniversary Events. ""Happy Anniversary! Here is to many more!" — The Dead by Daylight Team"
	Masquerade Flashlight	THIS ITEM CAN NO LONGER BE OBTAINED FROM THE BLOODWEB (This Unlockable can no longer be obtained, but stockpiles may still be used in Trials.) Not even a mask can protect you from this Flashlight's bright beam. Press the Use Item button to light the Flashlight for up to 8 seconds. The Masquerade Flashlight is only available during Anniversary Events. ""Happy Anniversary! The future looks bright!" — The Dead by Daylight Team"

Flashlight Add-ons

The following list features all available Add-ons for the Flashlight:

Icon	Name	Description
	Battery	A standard battery of unknown brand. Increases the Battery life by +2 seconds. "Another nearly empty battery."
	Leather Grip	A leather strip wrapped around the Flashlight for more grip. Increases the Aim accuracy by +20 %. "Too many have fallen due to sweaty hands."
	Power Bulb	A tiny Flashlight bulb that packs more wattage for a brighter, more powerful light beam. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +20 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +10 %. "Even the most powerful light cannot pierce through The Black Fog's darkness."
	Wide Lens	A thin wide lens in perfect condition. Designed to spread the Flashlight beam at the cost of reducing its range of effectiveness. Increases the width of the Beam by +25 %. Reduces the reach of the Beam by -25 %.
	Focus Lens	A thick glass lens that focuses the Flashlight beam to increase its intensity. Increases the reach of the Beam by +25 %. Increases the brightness by +20 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +10 %. Reduces the width of the Beam by -15 %.
	Heavy Duty Battery	A battery marked as "industrial strength". Increases the Battery life by +4 seconds. "A battery advertised as lasting 8 hours lasts only a couple of seconds in The Black Fog."
	Low Amp Filament	A filament bulb designed to extend a Flashlight battery's life. Reduces the Battery Depletion rate by -24 %.
	Rubber Grip	A rubber grip specifically fitting Flashlights for more grip. Increases the Aim accuracy by +40 %.
	TIR Optic	A lens and reflector combo which can magnify a Flashlight's beam. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +30 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +15 %. "Let the light burn them out of their dark shroud."
	Intense Halogen	A chemical bulb that generates an intensely clear light. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +40 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +20 %.
	Long Life Battery	A recent model of battery that lasts longer. Extends the Battery life by +6 seconds.
	High-End Sapphire Lens	A wide lens made of unscratchable sapphire that optimises the power and range of the light beam. Increases the reach of the Beam by +25 %. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +30 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +15 %. Reduces the width of the Beam by -25 %.
	Odd Bulb	A heavy and completely opaque bulb of unknown origin which emits a faint light even when turned off. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +50 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +25 %. Increases the Battery Depletion rate by +14 %.
	Broken Bulb	THIS ADD-ON IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE (This Unlockable can no longer be obtained and stockpiles can no longer be used. If it is an Event Unlockable, it may return with its associated Event.) A damaged bulb that causes a spooky flickering effect. Causes the Flashlight to flicker. Increases the brightness of the Beam by +15 %. Increases the duration of a successful Blind by +30 %. Increases the spookiness. The Broken Bulb is only available during Halloween Events.

History

Lightburn Mechanic

The Lightburn mechanic was removed in Patch 6.7.0.

It was an ancient Game Mechanic from the earliest days of Dead by Daylight that allowed Survivors carrying a Flashlight to directly counteract the special abilities of all Killers, who interacted with the Spirit World, namely The Wraith and The Nurse:

The Wraith

• Shining at The Wraith while he was cloaked would light-burn him after a few seconds, stunning him and forcing him to uncloak.
  • The Wraith could counter this by breaking line-of-sight with the light beam and hiding his body behind props or objects.

The Nurse

• Shining at The Nurse while she was charging a Blink would light-burn her after a few seconds, forcing her into Fatigue.
  • The Nurse could counter this by releasing the Blink early, which would, however, cause her to teleport a shorter distance.
• Shining at The Nurse while she was not yet charging a Blink would suppress her ability to do so entirely for as long as the Flashlight continues to shine at her, completely removing the prompt from her HUD.

Special Interactions

Up to Patch 6.7.0, some lightburn-like special interactions of Flashlights with the Powers of The Hag, The Spirit, and The Artist were removed alongside the Lightburn mechanic:

The Hag

• Shining a Flashlight near untriggered Phantasm Traps would reveal their Aura to the Survivor.
  • Aiming the beam directly at those Phantasm Traps would dissolve them within seconds.
    • This was the only available tool to remove Phantasm Traps without triggering them at the time.

The Spirit

• Shining a Flashlight at the Husk left by The Spirit during phase-walking would cause it to dissolve.
  This had no effect on The Spirit in any way, but would remove any potential effects from the Terror Radius emitted by the Husk itself.

The Artist

• Shining a Flashlight at her Dire Crows or at a Swarm would destroy them after a few seconds.

Change Log

Patch 1.1.2

• Buff: added the ability for Flashlights to burn The Nurse using the Lightburn mechanic.
• Change: rebalanced Flashlight-related Score Events.

Patch 1.1.2a

• Change: reduced the Score Event Bloodpoints gained for burning The Wraith out of his cloaked state from 1,000 to 350.
• Survivor Nerf: removed the ability to stun a Killer during the Hooking or Picking-up animations.

Patch 1.3.1c

• Change: rebalanced the values related to blinding the Killer ("Flashlight Beam Effects").

Patch 1.4.0

• Buff: added the ability to reveal the Auras of nearby Phantasm Traps.
• Quality of Life: updated the light cone VFX to facilitate aiming the Flashlight.
• Survivor Nerf: removed the ability to interrupt The Hillbilly mid-Chainsaw-charge by blinding him.

Patch 1.6.1

• Killer Quality of Life: adjusted the detection of the Beam against the Killer, making it so that the Killer can only be blinded when they are actually able to see the Beam on their screen.

Patch 1.8.3

• Survivor Nerf: nerfed the speed and strength of the Lightburn mechanic against The Wraith.
• Survivor Nerf: removed the ability to accelerate the blinding process by using certain Add-ons or higher-tiered Flashlights.

Patch 1.9.2

• Change: made it so that blinding the Killer at any time during the Picking-up animation would let the animation play out fully, then stun them.

Patch 1.9.2b

• Reversal: reverted the changes from Patch 1.9.2.

Patch 2.2.0

• Survivor Nerf: further nerfed the speed of the Lightburn mechanic against The Wraith.

Patch 2.3.0

• Quality of Life: improved the consistency of the target zones, allowing to burn every Killer by aiming at their head, rather than where their camera would be located in their character model (chest area for tall Killers).
• Quality of Life: improved the feedback given when the blinding process is on-going and completed.
• Rework: reworked the VFX on the Killer's screen when blinding to no longer be a blinding white screen.
  • This effect also applies to Survivors blinding by nearby Firecrackers.

Patch 4.2.0

• Quality of Life: updated the aiming mechanic so that the Beam is now squarely in the centre on the Survivor's screen.

Patch 4.4.1

• Technical Rework: updated the Flashlight VFX and animations added audio feedback when using the it against the Killer.

Patch 4.5.0

• Survivor Quality of Life: added the ability to use the Flashlight even when crouched.

Patch 6.3.0

• Rework: added a Cool-down between switching a Flashlight on-and-off repeatedly to reduce strobing and the associated dangers regarding flash-induced seizures.
• Rework: reduced the Clicking speed of the Flashlight and adjusted the sound effect to match its new speed.

Patch 6.4.0

• Buff: added a 0.4s buffer to the end of the Picking-up animation where a flashlight blind will stun the killer.
• Survivor Nerf: added blind immunity whenever a Killer grabs a Survivor from a Locker.

Patch 6.7.0

• Killer Buff: retired the Lightburn game mechanic (affected The Wraith and The Nurse), as well as some special interactions with certain Killer Powers (affected The Hag, The Spirit, and The Artist).

Gallery

• 
  Ace displaying the unique model of the Fourth Year Anniversary Flashlight.
• 
  The default visual Brightness from a Survivor's POV.
• 
  The highest visual Brightness from a Survivor's POV.
  Note that there is no discernible difference for Survivors.
• 
  The default visual Brightness from a Killer's POV.
• 
  The highest visual Brightness from a Killer's POV.
  Note that the beam looks considerably brighter for the Killer.