Loadout, starting items & the perk deck

The loadout system hides three screens that most players never open — and one of them hands you a free item every match. Here's the whole machine: personal perks, starting items, the deck, and the in-match cards.

Screen one: personal perks (T)

At character select, T shows that character's personal perks — always active when you play them. This is the real difference between heroes beyond stats; Bob's Heavyweight and Jennifer's Dreamer live here.

Screen two: the starting item (R)

R at character select opens the loadout — appearance and a starting-item slot. Equip any unlocked item and you spawn with it, every match. There is no downside, and the notable unlocks are the Pocket Knife (Lynda level 10) and the Flare Gun. This is the most valuable menu nobody opens.

Screen three: the deck (V)

Perk Points buy rolls (V on the deck screen), and rolling has a real economy:

• Spending more per roll improves the odds of a strong perk — one creator dropped 2,000 points into a single roll rather than dribbling minimums.
• Perks you equip to the deck are more likely to appear as your in-match level-up choices. An empty deck means fully random offers — deck-building is choice-shaping, not stat-stacking.
• Scrap the junk, upgrade the keepers. The deck is a garden, not a warehouse.

The confirmed perk names and values — and the trap perks — are on the perk list.

In the match

Interactions and rescues generate levels; perk cards appear bottom-left, one claim per level (P on PC, d-pad up on console). The lethal detail: claiming locks your movement. Claim in lit, cleared rooms — a creator died mid-claim and lost a guaranteed escape (see skill checks & minigames).

1. 01

   Before queueing: T to know your always-on perks, R to set a starting item, V to roll and prune the deck.

2. 02

   In match: claim cards only when safe; weight your deck beforehand so the offers are ones you actually want.

3. 03

   Long term: Perk Points come from playing — the XP tracks reward the side you're actually good at.