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Is Hex: Undying Still a Viable Perk in Dead by Daylight? A Deep Dive

Absolutely. Hex: Undying, despite its nerfs, remains a situational but powerful perk in Dead by Daylight. Its core strength lies in its synergy with other Hex perks, providing a second chance and valuable information. While not a powerhouse on its own, it can significantly extend the lifespan of your other Hexes and disrupt Survivor strategies. Let’s dissect why Hex: Undying is still relevant and how to maximize its potential.

Understanding Hex: Undying’s Mechanics

Hex: Undying’s primary function is to protect another Hex perk. When another of your Hex Totems is cleansed, Hex: Undying will transfer that Hex perk to the Undying Totem, saving it. This allows the killer to keep the benefits of the second hex perk. The Killer can see the auras of Survivors within 2/4/6 meters of Dull Totems.

The Nerf and Its Impact

Originally, Undying could transfer Hexes indefinitely, creating a frustrating experience for Survivors. The current iteration limits the transfer to one time only. This change significantly reduced its raw power but didn’t eliminate its usefulness. The nerf forces Killers to carefully consider which Hex to pair with Undying and adapt their strategy after the transfer.

Why Hex: Undying Remains Useful

Despite the nerf, Hex: Undying still offers several key advantages:

Extended Hex Duration: The most obvious benefit is the extension of the Hex’s uptime. Survivors are often quick to cleanse Hexes, and Undying provides a buffer against early cleansing, allowing your Hex to exert its influence for a longer period.
Information Gathering: The aura reading component, revealing Survivors near Dull Totems, provides crucial information about Survivor positioning and intentions. This intel can inform chase decisions, patrol routes, and totem defense strategies.
Mind Games and Pressure: The threat of a Hex is often as potent as the Hex itself. Survivors are forced to spend time cleansing Totems, diverting their attention from generators and creating opportunities for the Killer to apply pressure.
Synergy with Other Hexes: Hex: Undying truly shines when paired with game-changing Hexes like Ruin, Devour Hope, or Pentimento. These pairings create a high-risk, high-reward scenario for both sides.

Building Effective Hex Builds

To make the most of Hex: Undying, consider the following strategies:

Prioritize High-Impact Hexes: Pair Undying with Hexes that have a significant impact on the game, such as Ruin (for regression) or Devour Hope (for snowball potential).
Conceal Your Totems: Clever totem placement is crucial. Hide your Hex Totems in obscure locations, behind objects, or in high-traffic areas where Survivors are less likely to expect them.
Monitor Totem Activity: Pay attention to which Totems are being cleansed. This information helps you understand Survivor patterns and anticipate their next move.
Adapt Your Strategy: Be prepared to adapt your strategy after the Hex transfer. If the transferred Hex is in a vulnerable location, consider defending it more aggressively.

Potential Weaknesses and Counterplay

Hex: Undying is not without its weaknesses:

Totem Dependency: Like all Hex perks, Undying is vulnerable to totem cleansing. Skilled Survivors can quickly identify and cleanse your totems, rendering the perk useless.
Limited Utility on Its Own: The aura reading component is situational and depends on Survivor proximity to Dull Totems. Without another Hex perk to protect, Undying provides minimal benefit.
Information Can Be Misleading: Survivors might deliberately cleanse totems to bait you into a trap or divert your attention from generators.

Alternative Perks to Consider

If you’re looking for alternative perks that offer similar benefits, consider:

Corrupt Intervention: Blocks the three generators furthest from you at the start of the trial.
Pop Goes the Weasel: After hooking a Survivor, the next generator you kick instantly loses 25% of its progress.
Tinkerer: When a generator is 70% complete, you receive a notification and gain the Undetectable status effect for a short duration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hex: Undying

1. Does Hex: Undying only work once?

Yes, after the Survivor cleanses the associated Hex Totem, Hex: Undying will now only transfer it once, then be deactivated.

2. What happens when Hex: Undying is cleansed?

If Hex: Undying is cleansed, your other Hex perk will remain active. You lose the aura reading ability associated with Undying, and you will not be able to transfer another Hex perk to a new Totem.

3. Can Hex: Undying transfer to a Boon Totem?

No. Hex perks can only occupy Dull Totems or lit Hex Totems. If a Survivor blesses a Hex Totem, the Hex effect is removed, and the Totem becomes a Boon Totem.

4. Does Hex: Undying reveal Survivors working on generators?

No, Hex: Undying only reveals the auras of Survivors within a certain radius of Dull Totems. It does not provide any information about Survivors working on generators unless they are also near a Dull Totem.

5. How far can Survivors be for Hex: Undying to reveal their aura?

The aura reading range of Hex: Undying is 2/4/6 meters depending on the perk tier.

6. Is Hex: Undying affected by map size?

The map size does not directly affect the functionality of Hex: Undying. However, on larger maps, Survivors may be less likely to be near Dull Totems, reducing the effectiveness of the aura reading.

7. What is the best killer to use with Hex: Undying?

Killers who benefit from prolonged game control and consistent information are ideal for Hex: Undying. Examples include The Hag, The Spirit, and The Plague. Killers who need additional time to set up or apply pressure also benefit.

8. How does Hex: Undying interact with Hex: Pentimento?

Hex: Undying can protect Hex: Pentimento, allowing you to rekindle cleansed totems and inflict powerful debuffs on Survivors. This combination can create a significant snowball effect.

9. Does Hex: Undying activate if a Survivor self-cleanses?

Yes, Hex: Undying will activate if a Survivor cleanses the associated Hex Totem by themselves.

10. Is Hex: Undying considered a strong perk for competitive play?

Hex: Undying is considered a situational perk in competitive play. It can be effective in specific builds and against less experienced Survivors, but it is vulnerable to coordinated teams who prioritize totem cleansing.

11. How long does it take to cleanse a Hex Totem?

It takes approximately 14 seconds to cleanse a Hex Totem. Some perks and items can increase or decrease this time.

12. What is the counterplay to Hex: Undying?

The primary counterplay is to aggressively search for and cleanse totems. Pay attention to potential Hex totem locations and prioritize cleansing them early in the match.

13. Does Small Game work against Hex: Undying?

Yes, Small Game helps to locate totems but does not affect Hex: Undying directly.

14. Can the aura reading component of Hex: Undying be countered?

Yes, perks like Spine Chill or the use of Flashlights to blind the killer can cause you to not notice when a Survivor is cleansing a Hex Totem.

15. Is Hex: Undying still worth using in 2024?

Despite the nerf, the unique aura reading and second chance for another Hex make Hex: Undying a valuable choice.

Conclusion

Hex: Undying isn’t a one-size-fits-all perk, but it remains a valuable asset in the right hands. Its ability to protect another Hex and provide information about Survivor movements makes it a compelling choice for Killers looking to extend their Hex’s influence and apply pressure effectively. By carefully considering your build, totem placement, and playstyle, you can unlock the full potential of Hex: Undying and gain a significant advantage in your trials.

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