Abyssal Escape Timer

How the timer works

1. The round starts with a countdown that grows with the number of survivors (see above).
2. Survivors clear red mist (called “X's presence” in the game). Each patch cleared removes time from the clock.
3. The killer moves through three phases as the timer runs down. Each phase starts at a set amount of time remaining.
4. At 1:00 the escape ring spawns and is marked on every survivor's screen.
5. At 0:00 the round ends. Survivors who haven't reached the ring don't escape.

Red mist: how to drain the clock

• Stand in a patch of red mist and complete the skill-check minigame.
• You're locked in place while you do it, so clear mist while the killer is busy elsewhere.
• Up to four survivors can work on the same patch together.
• Release-week reviewers report the patches spawn in the same places every match, so learning them saves time. Killers learn them too.

Why the timer matters: killer phases

Killers don't stay the same all round. Phase 2 brings small buffs, and Phase 3 brings big ones. Two killers transform completely:

• The Deity (X) gains flight.
• Furnace regenerates Heat up to 50% on his own.
• Fleetway gets a large speed boost.
• No More Innocence turns into his hedgehog form, and the TVs disappear.
• 2017X turns into Beast Form (Broken Face), with a 40-damage slam M1.

The faster you drain the clock, the less time you spend against a Phase 3 killer. The exact time remaining when each phase starts hasn't been confirmed, and it probably depends on the round length.

Tips

• Small lobbies are the hardest. With one or two survivors there are fewer people clearing mist and no last man standing mode, so play safe and stun the killer whenever you can.
• Split up between two patches when the killer is chasing someone far away, then regroup.
• Plan your route to the ring before 1:00. The killer is at full strength by then.

FAQ

How long is a round of Abyssal Escape?

It depends on how many survivors there are. Players report about 3 minutes with one survivor and about 4 with two, and the game's tester says each extra survivor adds about 75 seconds. By that formula a full server of seven survivors starts at roughly 10½ minutes, before any mist is cleared.

How much time does clearing red mist remove?

We haven't confirmed an exact number yet. The tester described it as reducing the match time “by quite a lot”. Some sites quote 40–50 seconds per patch, but we haven't seen a primary source for that, so we don't use it here.

When does the escape ring appear?

When one minute is left on the timer. It's highlighted on every survivor's screen.

Is there a last man standing timer?

Not yet. There's no dedicated LMS system, so when you're the last survivor nothing changes: no LMS music, no heals, no buffs. You keep whatever health you have and wait out the timer. The developers have revealed LMS themes, so a system is expected.

New to the game? Start with the beginner guide, then read the step-by-step how to escape guide.