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The Skull Merchant
K31 · portrait
Killer
Adriana Imai

The Skull Merchant

A cold, calculating engineer who hunts with drones and traps, treating her victims as mere data on a screen.

Builds

Builds updated on .

How to use these builds

Builds 1, 4 and 5 are for public matches: more relaxed games to have fun, practise and learn.

Build 2 is for tournaments: a general competitive recommendation. Check each tournament’s bans before using it.

Build 3 is for new players: it uses the killer’s own perks, perks from the five free killers or general perks, without needing every killer at prestige 3.

Perks in each build

These are the four perks shown in each screenshot. Select a variant to compare the loadouts. The screenshots do not specify a patch; balance changes may affect their effects.

Public matches
Save the best for lastLo mejor para el final
Identical to Keep Them Waiting. "Death has come to your little town, Sheriff." — Dr Sam Loomis
Hex: Haunted GroundMaleficio: Tierra embrijada
Hex: Haunted Ground lights 2 Hex Totems at the start of the Trial, laying a trap for Survivors.
Blessing or cleansing either Hex Totem trips the trap and triggers the following effect:
  • Causes all Survivors to suffer from the Exposed Status Effect for 40/50/60 seconds.
Hex: Haunted Ground extinguishes the second Hex Totem after tripping its trap.
Hex: Haunted Ground is disabled for the remainder of the Trial after triggering its effect. "Her home become profane."
Hex: Devour HopeMaleficio: Devoradora de esperanza
"A Hex rooting its power on hope.
The false hope of Survivors ignites your hunger." Hex: Devour Hope lights a Hex Totem at the start of the Trial, cursing Survivors with its Hex Effects.
Whenever a Survivor is unhooked at least 24 metres from your location, Hex: Devour Hope gains +1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens:
  • At 2 Tokens: 10 seconds after hooking a Survivor, you are granted a 3/4/5 % Haste Status Effect for 10 seconds.
  • At 3 Tokens: Afflicts all Survivors with the Exposed Status Effect.
  • At 5 Tokens: Unlocks the Kill ability, allowing you to kill dying Survivors by your own hands.
The Hex Effects persist until the Hex Totem is either blessed or cleansed by a Survivor, disabling it for the remainder of the Trial. "If you do nothing, you have their blood on your hands. If you save them, her hunger grows."
SurgeSacudida
"Your eerie presence charges the air and interferes with technology." Whenever you put a Survivor into the Dying State with your Basic Attack, Surge triggers its effect:
  • Causes all Generators within 32 metres of your location to instantly explode and start regressing.
  • Instantly regresses all affected Generators by 6/7/8 %.
"The creature appears to have some unknown influence over electricity and nearby electronics." — Hawkins National Laboratory
Tournaments
Corrupt InterventionIntervención corrupta
Your prayers invoke a dark power that meddles with the Survivors' chances of survival.
  • At the start of the Trial, the 3 Generators located farthest from you are blocked by The Entity for 80/100/120 seconds.
Corrupt Intervention deactivates prematurely once the first Survivor is put into the Dying State. "It shall be known across the land that the Gods curse the unfaithful." — (The Tablet of Adiris, 3.7)
Scourge Hook: Pain ResonanceGancho flagelante: Dolor retumbante
Overwhelming pain reverberates outwards. At the start of the Trial, 4 Hooks in the environment are changed into Scourge Hooks:
  • The Auras of these Scourge Hooks are highlighted in white.
Start the Trial with 4 Token. Whenever a Survivor is hooked onto a Scourge Hook for the first time, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance consumes -1 Token and applies the following effects:
  • Causes the Generator with the most progression to explode, damaging it.
    • Instantly regresses the Damaged Generator by 10/15/20 % of its total Progression.
    • Causes the Damaged Generator to start regressing afterwards.
  • Causes all Survivors repairing the Damaged Generator to scream.
    • This does not trigger a Loud Noise Notification.
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance is disabled for the remainder of the Trial once all Tokens are consumed. "The pain spills beyond flesh/darkness staining the horizon." — Girl in the Shadow by Carmina Mora
Pop Goes the WeaselPim pam pum
"A deep bond with The Entity unlocks great strength." After hooking a Survivor, Pop Goes the Weasel activates for 35/40/45 seconds.
While active, manually damaging a Generator triggers the following effect:
  • Increases the regression amount by +15 % resulting in 20 % regression.
Pop Goes the Weasel deactivates after use or once its timer elapses.
EruptionErupción
"The NE-α parasite provides you with the intelligence and awareness needed to set a trap." Performing the Damage Generator action on Generators highlights their Auras in yellow.
Whenever a Survivor enters the Dying State by any means, Eruption triggers the following effects on all highlighted Generators:
  • Causes them to explode, damaging them.
    • Instantly regresses them by -10 % of their total Progression.
    • Causes them to start regressing afterwards.
  • Causes all Survivors currently repairing them to suffer from the following effects:
    • Causes them to scream.
    • Their Auras are revealed to you for 8/10/12 seconds.
Eruption has a cool-down of 30 seconds after triggering its effects, which also resets the highlighted Auras. "It can use weapons?" — Jill Valentine
New players
Sloppy ButcherCarnicero chapuzero
"You know where to hit to make them bleed." Survivors hit with your vicious Basic Attack suffer from the following effects for 70/80/90 seconds:
  • Inflicts the Haemorrhage and Mangled Status Effects.
  • Modifies the potency of Haemorrhage:
    • Increases the Spawn frequency of Pools of Blood by 50/75/100 %.
    • Increases the Regression rate of partial Healing progression by +25 %.
"It is in its sadistic nature. There is no swift kill as it delights in the obscene spectacle of our agonising suffering."
LeverageInfluencia
"Kick your competitors when they're down. Never let them regain lost ground." Whenever a Survivor performs an Unhook action, they suffer from the following effect for 60 seconds:
  • Reduces their Healing speeds by 20/25/30 %.
"Good. Now we can move in for the kill." — Adriana Imai
THWACK!¡Plaf!
"Your prey is terrified by your relentless pursuit." Start the Trial with 3 Tokens.
Whenever you break a Breakable Wall or a dropped Pallet, THWACK! consumes -1 Token and applies the following effect:
  • Causes all Survivors within 36 metres of your location to scream and reveal their Aura for 4/5/6 seconds.
Whenever you hook a Survivor, THWACK! is granted +1 Token. "All those who stood in her path feared her mighty THWACK!" — Sonhadores Sombrios, Issue #3
Brutal StrengthFuerza brutal
"Your great strength allows you to shred through your prey's defences." While performing the Break or Damage action on Breakable Walls, Pallets, or Generators, Brutal Strength triggers its effect:
  • Increases the Action speed by 10/15/20 %.
"It is more than muscles. A dark power motivates the beast."
Public matches · variant 1
Hex: PlaythingMaleficio: Juguete
"A Hex that toys with a victim's suffering." If there is still a Dull Totem in the environment, Hex: Fortune's Fool lights a Hex Totem whenever you hook a Survivor for the first time, cursing them with its Hex Effects.
  • Inflicts the Oblivious Status Effect.
  • Blocks the Hex Totem for all other Survivors for 90 seconds.
    • Blocked Hex Totems cannot be cleansed or blessed by Survivors.
    • This does not affect the Cursed Survivor.
The Aura of the Hex Totem is revealed to the Cursed Survivor within 24/20/16 metres.
The Hex Effects persist until the Hex Totem is either blessed or cleansed by a Survivor, disabling it for the remainder of the Trial.
Machine LearningAprendizaje de máquina
"Free from your shackles, you are born anew and prepared to eliminate your creators." After performing the Damage Generator action, Machine Learning activates:
  • Causes that Generator to become a Compromised Generator.
    • Damaging another Generator transfers the state to it instead.
  • The Aura of the Compromised Generator is highlighted to you in yellow until it is completed.
Once the Compromised Generator is completed, you benefit from the following effects for 40/50/60 seconds:
  • Undetectable Status Effect
  • +8 % Haste Status Effect
Machine Learning deactivates after use. "YOU WILL HOLD NO DOMINION OVER ME." — HUX-A7-13
TinkererManitas
Whenever a Generator is repaired to 70 %, you benefit from the following effects:
  • Triggers a Loud Noise Notification for that Generator, revealing its location.
  • Grants the Undetectable Status Effect for the next 12/14/16 seconds.
Tinkerer can only trigger once per Generator per Trial. "The Hillbilly makes impressive tools out of scraps. Tools aimed at maiming us in creative ways." — Notebook
Trail of TormentRastro de tormento
"You guide your victims along a path of pain and punishment." Performing the Damage Generator action on a Generator activates Trail of Torment:
  • Grants the Undetectable Status Effect.
  • The Aura of the Damaged Generator is revealed to all Survivors and highlighted in yellow.
Trail of Torment deactivates after the Damaged Generator stops regressing by any means and has a cool-down of 60/45/30 seconds between activations.
Public matches · variant 2
Corrupt InterventionIntervención corrupta
Your prayers invoke a dark power that meddles with the Survivors' chances of survival.
  • At the start of the Trial, the 3 Generators located farthest from you are blocked by The Entity for 80/100/120 seconds.
Corrupt Intervention deactivates prematurely once the first Survivor is put into the Dying State. "It shall be known across the land that the Gods curse the unfaithful." — (The Tablet of Adiris, 3.7)
Scourge Hook: Pain ResonanceGancho flagelante: Dolor retumbante
Overwhelming pain reverberates outwards. At the start of the Trial, 4 Hooks in the environment are changed into Scourge Hooks:
  • The Auras of these Scourge Hooks are highlighted in white.
Start the Trial with 4 Token. Whenever a Survivor is hooked onto a Scourge Hook for the first time, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance consumes -1 Token and applies the following effects:
  • Causes the Generator with the most progression to explode, damaging it.
    • Instantly regresses the Damaged Generator by 10/15/20 % of its total Progression.
    • Causes the Damaged Generator to start regressing afterwards.
  • Causes all Survivors repairing the Damaged Generator to scream.
    • This does not trigger a Loud Noise Notification.
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance is disabled for the remainder of the Trial once all Tokens are consumed. "The pain spills beyond flesh/darkness staining the horizon." — Girl in the Shadow by Carmina Mora
Dead Man’s SwitchInterruptor del hombre muerto
After hooking a Survivor, Dead Man's Switch triggers its effect:
  • Blocks the first Generator any Survivor stops repairing for 25/30/35 seconds.
    • The Blocked Generator is highlighted to you in white.
Dead Man's Switch cannot activate if its effect is still active from a previous activation. "I've seen the look on a man's face when he realises he's going to die." — Caleb Quinn
Grim EmbraceAcogida nefasta
Your act of servitude to The Entity has not gone unnoticed. Each time a Survivor is hooked for the first time, Grim Embrace gains +1 Token and activates once you are at least 16 metres away from the Hook:
  • 1-3 Tokens: Blocks all Generators for 6/8/10 seconds.
  • 4 Tokens: Blocks all Generators for 40 seconds and the Aura of the Obsession is revealed to you for 6 seconds.
"Are we nothing but prisoners to our sorrow?" — Carmina Mora

The Skull Merchant perks

The 3 perks The Skull Merchant teaches, and that you can unlock for every other killer in the Bloodweb's Shrine of Secrets.

Game AfootVeda abierta
"First you pick your prey, then you pick it apart." Whenever you hit the Survivor with currently the highest cumulative Chase time with a Basic Attack, Game Afoot triggers its primary effect:
  • Causes the Obsession Status to transfer to that Survivor.
While chasing the Obsession, performing the Break or Damage action causes Game Afoot to trigger its secondary effect:
  • Grants a +7 % Haste Status Effect for 8/9/10 seconds.
You can only be obsessed with one Survivor at a time. "This one might actually be a challenge..." — Sonhadores Sombrios, Issue #3
LeverageInfluencia
"Kick your competitors when they're down. Never let them regain lost ground." Whenever a Survivor performs an Unhook action, they suffer from the following effect for 60 seconds:
  • Reduces their Healing speeds by 20/25/30 %.
"Good. Now we can move in for the kill." — Adriana Imai
THWACK!¡Plaf!
"Your prey is terrified by your relentless pursuit." Start the Trial with 3 Tokens.
Whenever you break a Breakable Wall or a dropped Pallet, THWACK! consumes -1 Token and applies the following effect:
  • Causes all Survivors within 36 metres of your location to scream and reveal their Aura for 4/5/6 seconds.
Whenever you hook a Survivor, THWACK! is granted +1 Token. "All those who stood in her path feared her mighty THWACK!" — Sonhadores Sombrios, Issue #3

The Skull Merchant add-ons

All 20 add-ons for The Skull Merchant, sorted from rarest to most common. Add-ons change how the power works, so they are half of any build.

Ultra rare2

Expired BatteriesBaterías Agotadas
The batteries on these Claw Traps have been swapped out with old alkaline batteries.
Recharging is not recommended.
  • All Survivors start the Trial with a Claw Trap.
  • The first Claw Trap has a reduced Battery Life of 50 %.
  • The second Claw Trap has a restored Battery Life of 100 %.
  • Increases the Battery Life by a stack-able +10 % for each successive Claw Trap a Survivor receives, up to a maximum duration of 150 %.
Iridescent Unpublished ManuscriptManuscrito Inédito Iridiscente
"Before he disappeared, Adriana's father had started a newer, darker manga: Sonhadores Sombrios." Whenever any Drone enters its Disabled State, you benefit from the following effects:
  • Grants the Undetectable Status Effect for 15 seconds.
  • The disabled Drone emits a Terror Radius of 32 metres for 15 seconds.
"When evil is on the loose, it cannot escape from Adi Valente!" — Quote on the cover of Adi Valente #1

Very rare4

Advanced Movement PredictionPredicción de Movimiento Avanzado
Even after they leave the zone of influenced, a refined AI programme predicts with high accuracy where a person will go next.
  • The Auras of newly Claw-Trapped Survivors are revealed to you for 6 seconds.
Geographical ReadoutLector Geográfico
The Drones generate and communicate a detailed three-dimensional map of the terrain, making traversal easier.
  • Increases the Action speeds for breaking Breakable Walls and Pallets, damaging Generators, and vaulting Windows by +20 % for 8 seconds after deploying a Drone.
Prototype RotorPrototipo de Rotor
The cutting-edge design allows the Drone to move with razor-sharp precision.
  • Increases the Rotational speed of the Scan Lines of Drones by +10 %.
Randomized StrobesLuces Estroboscópicas Aleatorias
Lights flash randomly on the ground, making it harder to find purchase on the uneven terrain.
  • Extends the duration of the Hindered Status Effect for Claw-Trapped Survivors when detected by Drones by +1 second.

Rare5

Brown Noise GeneratorGenerador de Ruido Marrón
An ominous hum disseminates from the Drone, blanketing the soundscape and making it difficult to hear anything else.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors suffer from the Oblivious Status Effect.
Infrared UpgradeActualización Infrarroja
Heat-detecting cameras focus in on high-stress individuals with pinpoint accuracy.
  • The Auras of Claw-Trapped Survivors are revealed to you for 4 seconds after they remove their Claw-Trap.
Loose ScrewTornillo Flojo
A bone-chilling rattling emanates from the Drone, and it seems like it may fall at any moment, distracting Survivors from complicated tasks.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors suffer from the Exhausted Status Effect for 6 seconds.
Powdered GlassVidrio Molido
Once used on the strings used for battle kites, this powdered glass took on a much more nefarious purpose on her blade.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors suffer from the Haemorrhage and Mangled Status Effects for 70 seconds, when hit with a Basic Attack.
Vital Targeting ProcessorProcesador de Puntería Vital
An additional process in the Drone's programming more accurately predicts the weaknesses of potential prey.
  • Increases the strength of the Hindered Status Effect for Claw-Trapped Survivors when detected by Drones by -2 %.

Uncommon5

Adaptive LightingLuz Adaptable
The Drone takes account of the surrounding area and casts lights in a bewildering manner that obscures movement.
  • Increases the duration of the Undetectable Status Effect by +20 % to 9.6 seconds.
Low-Power ModeModo Batería Baja
By intermittently powering on and off non-vital components, the Drone can stay on for longer.
  • Reduces the Rotational speed of the Scan Lines of Drones by -100 %.
Shotgun SpeakersAltavoces Escopetas
Capable of directing high-frequency noises in a single direction over great distances, the Drones can focus in on one individual and distract them from danger for some time.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors no longer receive a warning sound of impending Skill Checks.
Stereo Remote MicMicrófono a Distancia Estéreo
An upgrade that allows increased three-dimensional audio tracking.
  • Reduces the duration of the Disabled State of Drones to 85 % of its default value.
SuperchargeSupercarga
The batteries may run a little hot, but removing the safety protocols from the cells makes them last a little longer.
  • Extends the Battery life of Claw Traps by +15 %.

Common3

High Current UpgradeActualización de Alta Corriente
A wider cable with low resistance that allows faster recharging of batteries.
  • Increases the Tracking duration of the Radar by +1 second.
High-Power FloodlightProyecto de Alta Potencia
A sudden and overwhelming light that discombobulates anyone foolish enough to approach.
  • Claw-Trapped Survivors suffer from the Blindness Status Effect.
Ultrasonic SpeakerAltavoz Ultrasónico
A high-frequency noise blaster that fills the sonic spectrum with disorienting sounds, making it impossible for observers to pick out more important noises.
  • Reduces the duration of the immunity to consecutive Scan-Line Hits for Survivors to 90 % of its default value.

No rarity1

Adi Valente #1Adi Valente, n.º 1
An original copy of the first issue of Adi Valente, the comic her father made while Adriana was a child.
Survivors with a Claw Trap suffer from 20% smaller skill checks. This effect lasts until the Claw Trap is removed.

Descriptions from the game itself and from deadbydaylight.wiki.gg, licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Gameplay tips
Place drones on high-traffic routes so survivors get injured by the beams as they cross.
Use drones in chase (at a pallet, for instance) to injure or slow them down.
Rotate the drone's beam direction to stack their lock-on faster and injure them.
Video