Can map traversal perks work for DBD?
Over the years BHVR has explored many different types of perks for killers, whether it be slowdown, chase, stealth, information, anti healing, anti altruism, etc. It's to the point where some of these perks arguably rival the capabilities of certain killers (Looking at you, Skerchant).
However something they've never even attempted exploring is the idea of map traversal perks. While many other killer weaknesses can be compensated with the right perks, mobility is simply something a killer either has in their kit or they don't. So I wanted to ask the community at large, with the obvious struggle for BHVR to design completely original perks at this point, are map traversal perks for killer worth exploring or is BHVR wise to avoid it entirely?
To demonstrate what map traversal perks would look like, here's 2 new concepts and a rework to an older perk that could fill this niche:
Whispers (Rework)
While a Survivor is within 28 meters of your location, this perk activates, causing you to hear whispers.
While this perk is not active, you gain 16%/18%/20% haste.
Quick Detour
After hooking a Survivor, this perk activates.
While active, you see the Auras of all Dull Totems. While standing in front of one, press the Active Ability button to instantly teleport to another targeted Dull Totem. After arriving, a map wide sound cue plays and you are Hindered by 30% for 5/4/3 seconds. The starting Totem is then Broken.
Switcheroo
The Auras of the Exit Gate Switches are visible at all times. Interacting with an Exit Gate Switch will instantly teleport you to the other Switch. This perk then goes on cooldown for 70/60/50 seconds.
When the Exit Gates are powered, this perk deactivates.
Comments
i wouldnt mind whispers doing something like that it might make getting across the map even easier for traverse killers but the difference might be only a few seconds compared to the amount of time M1 would save with it. i wouldnt mind if it was on a ptb or something
How about basekit mobility for killers who utterly struggle in the first place instead of bandaid patches?
That would be the ideal scenario, but not only would that require much more work, it would also contribute to a sense of fatigue people have with similar mechanics showing up on most new killers. As necessary as map mobility is in modern DBD, every killer having it can make them potentially feel homogeneous.
Not to mention there's some killers that need map mobility, but there's no great way to make it basekit in a way that feels fitting. How would you make Bubba teleporting feel in line with his character? Or original killers who are presented as normal humans, like trapper and skull merchant?
Since perks are accepted as a more 'gamey' mechanic inherently, they can provide a loophole to these problems.