Can You Buy DBD Characters with Iridescent Shards? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you can buy some Dead by Daylight (DBD) characters with Iridescent Shards. However, there’s a crucial distinction to understand: you can only purchase original, non-licensed characters with Iridescent Shards. Licensed characters, those based on iconic horror properties like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Silent Hill, require the use of Auric Cells, DBD’s premium currency. Understanding this difference is key to efficiently expanding your roster and enjoying the full Dead by Daylight experience.
Understanding the DBD Currency System
Before diving deeper, let’s briefly recap the different types of currency in Dead by Daylight:
- Iridescent Shards: Earned through player level progression. They are used for purchasing original characters and perks in the Shrine of Secrets.
- Auric Cells: Purchased with real money. They are used for buying licensed characters, cosmetics, and occasionally discounted original characters.
- Bloodpoints: Earned through playing matches. They are used to upgrade characters on the Bloodweb, unlocking perks, add-ons, and offerings.
Essentially, Iridescent Shards are your free-to-play currency, while Auric Cells are the premium option for instant access to specific content, particularly licensed content. Bloodpoints are the universal in-game currency for character progression.
Who Can You Buy with Iridescent Shards?
Only the original characters designed specifically for Dead by Daylight can be bought with Iridescent Shards. These characters are typically associated with “Chapters” or “Half-Chapter DLCs” that introduce new original Killers and Survivors. Each original character costs 9,000 Iridescent Shards.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of characters commonly purchasable with Iridescent Shards:
- The Clown (Killer)
- Kate Denson (Survivor)
- The Spirit (Killer)
- Adam Francis (Survivor)
- The Legion (Killer)
- Jeff Johansen (Survivor)
- The Plague (Killer)
- Jane Romero (Survivor)
- The Oni (Killer)
- Yui Kimura (Survivor)
- The Twins (Killer)
- Élodie Rakoto (Survivor)
Remember to check the in-game store for the most up-to-date list, as sales and promotions can sometimes affect character availability and pricing.
Why Can’t You Buy Licensed Characters with Shards?
The reason licensed characters require Auric Cells boils down to licensing agreements. Behaviour Interactive must pay licensing fees to the owners of the intellectual property (IP) associated with characters like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Pyramid Head. These fees cover the right to use their characters, likenesses, and associated lore within Dead by Daylight. As such, the revenue generated from selling these characters is crucial to maintaining these licenses and continuing to offer them in the game. Selling them for Iridescent Shards, which are earnable for free, wouldn’t be economically sustainable.
Strategizing Your Shard Spending
Earning Iridescent Shards can take time, so it’s essential to spend them wisely. Here are a few tips:
- Prioritize Perks: Focus on unlocking strong and versatile perks first. You can find these in the Shrine of Secrets, which offers four teachable perks that rotate weekly. Buying perks from the Shrine is often more efficient than buying entire characters, especially if you’re primarily interested in their perks.
- Consider Your Playstyle: Choose characters that align with your preferred playstyle. Do you enjoy stealthy Survivors or aggressive Killers? Research character abilities and perks to make informed decisions.
- Take Advantage of Sales: Keep an eye out for sales on Auric Cell packs, which can make purchasing licensed characters more affordable.
- Play Regularly: Consistent play is the best way to accumulate Iridescent Shards. Focus on maximizing your experience points (XP) each match by completing objectives, earning emblems, and playing efficiently.
The Shrine of Secrets: A Shard-Saver
The Shrine of Secrets is a valuable resource for players looking to acquire teachable perks without spending Auric Cells. Each week, the Shrine offers four random perks – two Survivor perks and two Killer perks – that can be purchased with Iridescent Shards. If you’re patient, you can eventually unlock most of the game’s best perks through the Shrine, saving you a significant number of shards and potentially negating the need to purchase certain characters solely for their perks. Even though you can get perks this way, it is always a good idea to look into other topics such as Games Learning Society, which can help you learn more on the topic. The website to check out is GamesLearningSociety.org.
Is Buying Characters Worth It?
Whether or not buying characters is “worth it” depends on your personal goals and priorities. If you’re a completionist who wants to unlock every character in the game, then you’ll eventually need to purchase both original and licensed characters. However, if you’re primarily interested in expanding your gameplay options or acquiring specific perks, you might find that focusing on the Shrine of Secrets and a few strategically chosen original characters is sufficient.
Consider the value you place on the character’s abilities, their lore, and their overall appeal. Do you genuinely enjoy playing as them, or are you simply chasing after the “meta”? Ultimately, the decision is yours.
FAQs: Iridescent Shards and Character Purchases
1. How many Iridescent Shards does it cost to buy a character?
Original, non-licensed characters cost 9,000 Iridescent Shards each.
2. Can I buy licensed Killer perks with Iridescent Shards?
No, you cannot directly buy licensed Killers with Iridescent Shards. However, their perks may occasionally appear in the Shrine of Secrets, where you can purchase them with shards.
3. How do I earn Iridescent Shards quickly?
The fastest way to earn Iridescent Shards is to play regularly and maximize your XP gains each match. Shorter matches tend to be more efficient for shard farming.
4. Is there a limit to how many Iridescent Shards I can earn?
No, there’s no limit to the total number of Iridescent Shards you can earn. However, there’s a cap on how many shards you can earn per player level.
5. Can I lose Iridescent Shards?
No, once you earn Iridescent Shards, they are yours to keep until you spend them.
6. How long does it take to earn 9,000 Iridescent Shards?
It depends on your play frequency and efficiency. On average, it can take around 40-50 hours of gameplay to earn enough shards for one character.
7. What happens if I already own a character whose perk appears in the Shrine of Secrets?
If you already own the character, purchasing their perk in the Shrine will grant you 250,000 Bloodpoints instead.
8. Can I buy cosmetics with Iridescent Shards?
Yes, some cosmetics are available for purchase with Iridescent Shards in the in-game store.
9. Do Iridescent Shards ever go on sale?
While characters are rarely discounted for Iridescent Shards, Behaviour Interactive occasionally offers promotions or events that increase shard earn rates.
10. Is it better to buy a character or a perk from the Shrine of Secrets?
This depends on your priorities. If you want the character’s unique abilities and lore, buy the character. If you only want the perk and are willing to wait for it to appear in the Shrine, that might be the more cost-effective option.
11. Can I refund a character purchased with Iridescent Shards?
No, character purchases made with Iridescent Shards are generally non-refundable.
12. Are all original characters purchasable with Iridescent Shards?
Generally, yes. All original characters are typically available for purchase with Iridescent Shards after their initial release.
13. What are Auric Cells used for, besides buying licensed characters?
Auric Cells can also be used to purchase cosmetics, discounted original characters, and Rift Passes (which offer exclusive rewards).
14. How much do Auric Cells cost?
Auric Cell prices vary depending on the bundle size. Larger bundles offer better value per cell. Prices range from a few dollars to upwards of $50.
15. Where can I find the latest news and updates about Dead by Daylight?
You can find the latest news and updates on the official Dead by Daylight website, social media channels, and community forums.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the nuances of Dead by Daylight’s currency system empowers you to make informed decisions about how to spend your hard-earned Iridescent Shards and Auric Cells. By prioritizing perks, considering your playstyle, and taking advantage of sales, you can efficiently build your roster of Killers and Survivors and enjoy the game to its fullest potential. Happy hunting (or surviving)!