The Dark Secrets Behind Dead by Daylight's Skull Merchant Revealed!

Since joining Dead by Daylight, the Skull Merchant has struggled to garner the same admiration as other killers. Despite her lethal abilities, she has yet to achieve the level of respect afforded to characters like Wesker and The Oni. Unlike many other killers who experience a decline in usage over time, the Skull Merchant has never even experienced an initial surge in popularity. While there are several reasons for her lack of appeal, there are steps that can be taken to restore her reputation.

Adriana Imai, also known as the Skull Merchant, stands out among Dead by Daylight's killers. Born to a manga writer, she became a millionaire after creating a website showcasing manga created by her peers. In her adult life, she transformed into a ruthless corporate figure, acquiring and selling companies for profit. In addition, she took on the persona of a serial killer, drawing inspiration from her father's darkest works. In the game, the Skull Merchant utilizes specialized drones to patrol specific areas of the map, aiding her in tracking down survivors for a deadly attack with her claw.

Skull Merchant Needs Some Help in Dead by Daylight

Regrettably, the Skull Merchant character in Dead by Daylight's Tools of Torment chapter failed to gain popularity. This can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the design was underwhelming compared to what players expected from the trailer, which showcased a robotic killer. Secondly, the ability to use drones for surveillance gave rise to negative gameplay experiences such as generator camping and the frustrating three-gen tactic, leading many players to dislike playing against her. Lastly, the lore of Skull Merchant has not been taken seriously, instead becoming a source of fan memes, reducing her menacing presence.

If Behavior intends to improve the character in the future, a good starting point would be to enhance Skull Merchant's gameplay in Dead by Daylight. Currently, her power is mostly passive, involving placing drones and reactivating them when their timers expire. One potential solution would be to allow players to momentarily control their drones, enabling them to quickly relocate them or manually set traps on survivors, rather than relying solely on the drone's actions. This would inject more dynamism into Skull Merchant's gameplay for both sides.

In terms of characterization, it could be a strategic move to leverage Skull Merchant's existing reputation. Despite Dead by Daylight being a serious horror game, Skull Merchant possesses quirky elements that cannot be ignored. With challenges and perks like "I'm The Skull Merchant!" and "THWACK!", Adriana appears more comical than threatening. By amplifying these amusing and satirical traits, Skull Merchant could carve out a unique niche in the game, similar to Ghost Face.

To restore her tarnished reputation, Skull Merchant will require certain changes. While her power grants significant control over generators, many Dead by Daylight players have not embraced her. By addressing disliked qualities and exploring fresh ideas, there may still be an opportunity to salvage her standing. Presently, Skull Merchant remains one of the least respected killers in Dead by Daylight.

Dead by Daylight is available now for Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.