Steady Pulse – Chapter 36 of Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight returns with its 36th chapter, Steady Pulse, now available in the Public Test Build (PTB) for select streamers. For those unfamiliar, the PTB allows early access to upcoming content, often given to Fog Whisperers– trusted content creators chosen to test and showcase the chapter before its official launch.
Coming hot off the heels of the Tokyo Ghoul Chapter, which introduced a new Killer, Kaneki, and themed cosmetics like the Rize legendary skin, this chapter takes a different route. Steady Pulse is a Survivor-only release, featuring a brand-new character: Orela Rose.
Orela is an EMT by profession, known for her calm presence and unwavering dedication. Her story is rooted in the loss of her close friend, Emily, who died in a haunted house accident. Inspired by Emily’s memory, Orela left her academic path to pursue emergency medical work, quickly realizing she had a gift for bringing people comfort during their darkest moments. A heroic act helped her and Emily’s dream, a horror-themed restaurant called Screams in the Dark– become a reality. Yet, no matter how far she came, Orela felt the pull to keep helping others. Eventually, that calling led her straight into the Mist. Her backstory blends seamlessly with her role as a support Survivor: healing fast under pressure, protecting teammates, and gathering key intel at her own risk. Her identity as a trans woman isn’t a plot point, it’s simply a natural part of who she is.
Dead by Daylight hasn’t always handled representation well. Freddy Krueger, for instance, is canonically bisexual, yet his lore makes him a deeply problematic figure. The Chatterer, a legendary Pinhead skin, originates from a gay character named James in the Hellraiser universe. And Tiffany Valentine, while openly bisexual, is also a murderer. Killer characters don’t exactly send the right message when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation.
To make up for it, Behaviour later announced that David King, a long-standing Survivor, was gay. But the reveal didn’t sit right with everyone. It felt tacked on, especially since the character had never shown any such traits when originally written. Some felt it was more of a response to fan popularity, especially among gay players who liked his shirtless cosmetic, than a fully thought-out narrative decision.
Orela’s addition feels like a more genuine and respectful step forward. She’s a trans character built from the ground up with care, voiced by a trans woman, and integrated into the world of Dead by Daylight without any overexposure or performative messaging. She simply exists, solid, authentic, and well-written.
Orela’s perks set centers on team-oriented gameplay, rewarding players who step up to help others and make smart decisions in critical moments. Her abilities aren’t overpowered or meta-breaking, they’re practical, balanced, and perfect for players who enjoy a support role.
Do No Harm: The more hook stages a Survivor has endured, the faster Orela can heal them, up to 50% quicker. On top of that, she gains a small progress boost for hitting great skill checks. It’s a clutch perk for late-game saves and high-pressure healing moments.
Duty of Care: When Orela takes a protection hit while at full health, nearby teammates within 16 meters receive a speed boost (Haste) for several seconds. Great for coordinated rescues or escapes, this perk turns Orela into a tactical team playmaker.
Rapid Response: After doing a fast locker exit, Orela becomes Exhausted for 30 seconds, but also briefly sees the Killer’s aura. It’s a calculated risk that can pay off big if used smartly, especially in tense chases or when repositioning.
Each of her perks reinforces the idea of altruism without being overpowered. They promote good teamwork, calculated risks, and thoughtful timing, all of which match her EMT background. She’s built for players who enjoy being the glue that holds the team together.
While it’s unclear if Steady Pulse will be a breakout chapter for Dead by Daylight, it certainly shows the game moving in a more thoughtful direction. Rather than retroactively adding representation or slapping on forced traits, Behaviour is finally giving us characters like Orela who feel intentional, grounded, and meaningful, both in gameplay and in story.
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