The Killer Perk That Changed Names: Why 'No Holds Barred' Is Now Deadlock And A Must-Have In DBD

The mystery surrounding the 'No Holds Barred' perk in Dead by Daylight is one of the game's most persistent pieces of trivia, especially among newer players. As of late 2025, the name "No Holds Barred" is technically obsolete, but its legacy—and its powerful effect—lives on under a different, more familiar name: Deadlock. This guide cuts through the confusion to explain exactly what this perk does, where it came from, and why it remains one of the most consistent and potent passive Generator slowdown tools available to every Killer in The Entity's realm.

The confusion stems from a temporary period where the perk was named 'No Holds Barred' in some in-game localizations, but its official, permanent name is Deadlock. Understanding this distinction is crucial for navigating the Bloodweb and discussing the current meta. Whether you call it the old name or the new, its ability to automatically halt Survivor progress makes it a staple in high-level Killer gameplay, providing invaluable time for map pressure and chases.

The Cenobite's Unique Perk: Deadlock's Origin and Mechanics

The perk now known as Deadlock (formerly No Holds Barred) was introduced as a Unique Perk for the Killer, The Cenobite, a.k.a. Pinhead, from the Hellraiser Chapter. To unlock this perk for all other Killers, players must first reach Prestige I with The Cenobite. This step is essential for any Killer main looking to secure a reliable, hands-off slowdown tool in their rotation.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

Deadlock (No Holds Barred) Perk Effect Explained

Deadlock is a General Perk that activates automatically and requires zero interaction from the Killer, making it the ultimate fire-and-forget slowdown tool. Its effect is straightforward yet devastating to Survivor momentum:

• Activation: Whenever a Generator is completed by the Survivors, Deadlock activates.
• Effect: The Entity immediately blocks the Generator with the most progress for 20/25/30 seconds.
• Visibility: The Killer is shown the Aura of the blocked Generator for the entire duration.
• Cooldown: The perk has a 30-second cooldown after its blocking effect ends.

The genius of Deadlock lies in its consistency. Unlike perks that require kicking a Generator (like Pop Goes the Weasel) or hooking a Survivor (like Pain Resonance), Deadlock guarantees a 30-second block every time a Generator is finished. This is a massive time sink for Survivors, forcing a temporary halt in their objective progress and buying the Killer precious seconds to secure a down or patrol a three-gen setup.

Why Deadlock is a Top-Tier Passive Slowdown Perk

In the current state of Dead by Daylight, Generator defense is paramount, and Deadlock has cemented its place as a meta-defining perk. It offers advantages that other popular slowdown perks simply cannot match, especially for Killers who struggle with map mobility or high-pressure chases.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Consistent Time-Gating and Map Pressure

The primary reason for Deadlock's popularity is its reliable time-gating. Survivors cannot simply rush the remaining Generators because the highest-progress one is always locked down after a completion. This prevents the "snowball" effect where Survivors finish multiple Generators in rapid succession late in the game. It’s an invaluable tool for Killers with lower mobility, such as The Trapper, The Ghost Face, The Shape (Myers), and The Hag, who need guaranteed breathing room to set up their powers or traverse the map.

The Deadlock vs. Surge Debate

Players often debate whether Deadlock is better than other General Perks like Surge (Jolt). While Surge provides a burst of regression after a down, Deadlock offers a guaranteed, passive block. The consensus among top-tier players is that Deadlock's passive nature and its ability to prevent the final Generator from being completed during a crucial chase makes it superior for consistent, all-game slowdown. It's a perk that works even when you are fully occupied in a chase, making it a perfect complement to active-chase perks.

Best Deadlock Killer Builds and Counterplay Strategies

To maximize the effectiveness of the old No Holds Barred (Deadlock), Killers often pair it with other powerful perks to create a synergistic build that completely suffocates Survivor objective progress. The goal is to stack passive and active slowdowns to make completing five Generators a monumental task.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

Top-Tier Deadlock Perk Synergies

The best Deadlock builds focus on combining its passive block with other perks that force Survivors off Generators or punish them for working on them.

• Deadlock + Corrupt Intervention: This is a powerful opening combination. Corrupt Intervention blocks the three Generators furthest from the Killer at the start of the trial, forcing Survivors into a smaller area. This drastically slows the early game, ensuring that when the first Generator is completed, Deadlock takes over to maintain the pressure.
• Deadlock + Pain Resonance: While these two perks once had an anti-synergy bug (where Pain Resonance couldn't explode a blocked Generator), this issue has been fixed. Now, they work together perfectly. Deadlock blocks a Generator, and Pain Resonance (a Scourge Hook Perk) forces regression on the most progressed Generator (or the second most progressed if the first is blocked). This creates a constant cycle of regression and blocking, making repairs nearly impossible.
• Deadlock + Nowhere to Hide: This combination leverages the time Deadlock buys you. After a successful chase, Nowhere to Hide reveals the auras of Survivors near the kicked Generator. The time gained from Deadlock's block allows the Killer to better utilize this aura reading to immediately jump into the next chase, maintaining relentless map pressure.
• Deadlock + Save the Best for Last (STBFL): This is a popular combination for M1 (Basic Attack) Killers. Deadlock handles the passive slowdown while STBFL drastically reduces the cooldown on successful basic attacks, allowing the Killer to end chases faster and apply more pressure on the map, which indirectly slows Generator progress.

The Survivor Counterplay to Deadlock

While Deadlock is incredibly strong, it is not without counterplay. Savvy Survivor teams (especially those in a SWF or Squad With Friends) can mitigate its effect with strategic Generator management.

The most effective counter is to intentionally leave a Generator at 99% completion. Since Deadlock only activates after a Generator is completed, Survivors can work a Generator up to the final sliver, move to a different one, and then finish the 99% Generator at a moment of their choosing, often when the Killer is distracted. This negates the block on the most progressed Generator, allowing them to finish the game with minimal interruption, especially during the endgame collapse.

In summary, the perk you know as No Holds Barred is officially Deadlock. It is a cornerstone of modern Killer strategy, providing a simple, powerful, and passive way to manage the most challenging objective in Dead by Daylight. Mastering its synergies and understanding its counterplay is essential for both Killers seeking victory and Survivors aiming for escape.