Introduction to The Huntress {#introduction-to-the-huntress}
The Huntress, known as Anna, is a Killer in Dead by Daylight, introduced in Chapter 5: A Lullaby for the Dark. Her difficulty is rated as Medium. She is a ranged Killer who pressures Survivors using throwable hatchets, making her a constant threat even from a distance. With precise aim, chases can conclude rapidly. Her playstyle rewards predicting Survivor movement and landing satisfying hatchet throws. The Huntress is characterized by a rabbit mask and is known for her high skill ceiling, offering a rewarding experience for players who master her unique ranged abilities. Her movement speed is 110%, which is slower than most other Killers.
Anna’s lore describes her as having lost her humanity after her mother’s death during a hunt in the Northern woods. She developed a craving for a daughter of her own, sparing only little girls from families who ventured through her territory. These girls would inevitably perish from cold, starvation, or sickness, each death pushing Anna further into madness. Villagers in the Red Forest spread legends of “The Huntress,” a figure who killed men and consumed little girls.
Hunting Hatchets: Power and Mechanics {#hunting-hatchets-power-and-mechanics}
The Huntress’s power is Hunting Hatchets. She begins a trial with 5 hatchets, which are throwable projectiles. These hatchets can be refilled at lockers located throughout the map. To use a hatchet, players hold the power button (M2) to wind up a throw, which takes approximately 1 second to fully charge. Releasing the button throws the hatchet.
Hatchets travel in an arc and have a travel time, meaning players must lead their shots, especially at longer distances. A landed hatchet will injure a healthy Survivor or down an already injured one. The goal is to land hatchets to injure Survivors from range, cut off loops, and end chases without needing to close the distance. The Huntress excels at pressuring Survivors who run in straight lines and at safe loops that might challenge other Killers.
Key Mechanics of Hatchets:
- Wind-Up Time: A full wind-up takes about 1 second. Throwing earlier results in a weaker, shorter-range throw, but a full wind-up is generally preferred for speed and distance. While winding up, The Huntress’s movement speed drops to 92%, she cannot perform a basic attack, and she emits a loud humming sound that Survivors can hear.
- Hitboxes: Hatchets have generous hitboxes, roughly the size of a Survivor’s torso. They can sometimes pass through small gaps and around corners. However, they collide with environmental objects like walls, trees, pallets, and grass. At medium to long range, it’s often effective to aim slightly above a Survivor’s head due to the hatchet’s downward arc.
- Travel Time and Arc: Hatchets are projectiles, not hitscan.
- Close Range (0-8 meters): Hatchets are nearly instant; aim directly at Survivors.
- Medium Range (8-16 meters): Lead Survivors slightly by aiming where they are moving.
- Long Range (16+ meters): Significant leading is required, aiming where the Survivor will be, accounting for the arc by aiming higher.
- Movement Speed: The Huntress moves at 110% speed, which is slower than many other Killers (who typically move at 115%). This means she cannot win chases by simply pursuing Survivors. Hatchets are crucial for injuring and downing Survivors, zoning them, or forcing them into unfavorable positions.
Hatchet Throwing Situations:
- Easy Opportunities: Survivors running in straight lines, vaulting windows (as they are locked in animation), at short loops where hatchets can be thrown over walls, dropping pallets (as they often pause), or healing (as they move slowly).
- Harder Opportunities: Long-range prediction shots on Survivors across the map, hitting unpredictably juking Survivors, throwing through small environmental gaps, or performing “flick shots” by quickly adjusting the camera mid-throw.
- When NOT to Throw: Avoid throwing if a Survivor has full cover, if an M1 attack is faster in a strong loop, if you have few hatchets left with no nearby locker, if a Survivor can easily dodge at a pallet, or if the shot is too far with a low chance of hitting. Conserving 1-2 hatchets is advised for emergencies.
Huntress Perks {#huntress-perks}
The Huntress comes with three unique perks:
- Beast of Prey: Upon entering Bloodlust, The Huntress loses her Terror Radius and Red Stain. This makes her more difficult for Survivors to predict during a chase.
- Territorial Imperative: When The Huntress is at a distance, she can see the aura of any Survivor who enters the basement. This makes the basement an even more dangerous location for Survivors.
- Hex: Huntress Lullaby: This perk spawns a Hex Totem. The Huntress receives 1 token each time she hooks a Survivor, up to a maximum of 5 tokens. Each token increases the difficulty of skill checks for Survivors. At 5 tokens, the audio cue for skill checks is completely removed. Failed skill checks result in a severe regression penalty. All effects of this perk end if the associated Hex Totem is cleansed by Survivors.
Strategy and Playstyle {#strategy-and-playstyle}
Playing The Huntress effectively involves mastering her Hatchets and understanding her slower movement speed. Since she cannot rely on raw speed to catch Survivors, her ranged attacks are paramount. Players should focus on landing hatchets to injure and down Survivors, cutting off their escape routes, and forcing them into positions where a hatchet hit is likely.
Early Game Strategy: The early game for The Huntress focuses on locating Survivors.
FAQ {#faq}
What is The Huntress’s power? The Huntress’s power is Hunting Hatchets, allowing her to throw projectiles at Survivors from a distance.
How many hatchets does The Huntress start with? She starts with 5 Hunting Hatchets.
How does The Huntress refill her hatchets? She can refill her hatchets at lockers found around the map.
What happens when The Huntress winds up a hatchet? Her movement speed drops to 92%, she cannot use a basic attack, and she emits a loud humming sound.
What are The Huntress’s unique perks? Her unique perks are Beast of Prey, Territorial Imperative, and Hex: Huntress Lullaby.
What is The Huntress’s movement speed? The Huntress moves at 110% speed.
What happens to skill checks with Hex: Huntress Lullaby? Each token increases skill check difficulty, and at 5 tokens, the audio cue for skill checks is removed.
What chapter was The Huntress introduced in? The Huntress was introduced in Chapter 5: A Lullaby for the Dark.