In the ever-evolving, heart-pounding arena of Dead by Daylight, the arrival of the 2026 Tome 15 - Ascension has unleashed a lore-hunting frenzy of seismic proportions! This isn't just another update; it's a full-blown archaeological dig into the tortured psyches and shadowy pasts of both Killers and Survivors, wrapped in a frantic, gem-chasing minigame that has the entire Entity's realm buzzing. Forget simple generators and hooks; the new Core Memory challenges have players scrambling across blood-soaked maps like treasure hunters in a haunted house, seeking elusive Memory Shards that pulse with the secrets of the game's most iconic characters. This temporary event, a spiritual successor to past festivities, has redefined secondary objectives, turning every Trial into a dual mission of survival and historical discovery.

How To Conquer The Core Memory Gauntlet 🏆
The path to unlocking these buried memories is a two-pronged assault on the senses. The primary, and most dramatic, method revolves around the Memory Shards. When a Trial begins, approximately nine of these mysterious objects materialize across the map, shimmering like small, floating gemstones or, perhaps more aptly, like frozen tears shed by the Entity itself. However, grabbing them isn't as simple as a quick snatch—players must have a Core equipped from the Tome's challenge menu, a requirement that makes the hunt feel like a sanctioned expedition into forbidden knowledge.
Once a player has gathered a minimum of three Shards, the real magic begins. An Archive Portal tears into reality, announced by a piercing white aura that cuts through the map's gloom like a lighthouse beacon in a storm of despair. This portal isn't subtle; it crackles with unstable energy, a jagged white rift adorned with lightning-like tendrils. Approaching it triggers a synchronization sequence—a tense, 2-second channel where a player communes with the collected memories. Success is rewarded with a burst of supernatural speed: a 3% Haste Status Effect for 15 seconds, a boon that can mean the difference between a narrow escape at the exit gate or a brutal meeting with a Killer's weapon. For those who prefer a less ceremonial finish, the challenge can also be completed simply by escaping or dying as a Survivor, or ending the Trial as the Killer, automatically syncing any hoarded Shards.
The Glorious Spoils of Victory đź’Ž

Overcoming this challenge is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are a treasure trove fit for a realm-hopping veteran. Upon completion, players are showered with:
| Reward | Quantity | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rift Fragments | 5 | Progress through the Rift Tiers to unlock exclusive cosmetics. |
| Bloodpoints | 25,000 | Fuel character progression and purchase items/perks in the Bloodweb. |
| Memory Fragment | 1 | Unlock exclusive character artwork and lore in the Journal. |
The Rift Fragments are the golden keys to the game's cosmetic vaults, directly feeding into the progression of the Tome's Rift. Earning them here is as crucial as ever for those chasing the latest vanity items. The Bloodpoints remain the universal lifeblood of progression, allowing for rapid advancement of characters and loadouts. However, the true crown jewel is the Memory Fragment. This prize is more than a currency; it's a window into a character's soul. Claiming it permanently adds a stunning, exclusive piece of visual lore—a Memory—to that character's entry in the Journal. For lore enthusiasts, this is the equivalent of discovering a lost chapter of a favorite horror novel, offering deeper insight into what makes their favorite Killer tick or their chosen Survivor persevere.
Strategic Insights & Final Thoughts đź§
Navigating the Core Memory challenge requires a shift in mindset. Survivors must weigh the risk of hunting Shards against the constant threat of the Killer, turning the match into a dangerous balancing act. The Haste effect, while modest, can be a game-changer in a clutch loop or a final sprint to an exit. Killers, on the other hand, can use the Shard locations as potential prediction points for survivor movement, turning the memory hunt into a deadly trap. The event's temporary nature, like a ghostly apparition that fades at dawn, makes participation urgent. Much like the mechanics of past limited-time events, the Memory Shard system is a brilliant, if fleeting, injection of fresh gameplay that encourages exploration and aggression in equal measure. In 2026, Dead by Daylight proves once again that its greatest strength lies not just in fear, but in the compelling stories festering beneath its surface, waiting for brave (or foolhardy) players to unearth them.