The latest addition to Identity V, the Hunter Hullabaloo, brings a unique gameplay style that combines powerful debuffs, rapid movement, and strategic positioning. Unlike typical Hunters who inflict damage with direct attacks, Hullabaloo uses a series of “fright marks” and debuffs to weaken and pressure Survivors. This guide breaks down Hullabaloo’s core abilities and how they work, offering players insights on how to optimize his skills in matches.
Hullabaloo Identity V Core Skillset and Abilities
1. Stage Effects and Area Debuffs
Hullabaloo’s gameplay revolves around an interactive “stage” that is divided into three distinct areas, each with unique effects that debuff Survivors who enter them:
- Pyrotechnic Stage: Disables Survivors from using their items, limiting their defensive options.
- Dry Ice Stage: Reduces Survivors’ vaulting speed by 15%, along with a significant 30% reduction in both decoding and gate-opening speeds.
- Clay Stage: Reduces Survivors’ movement speed by 15%. Additionally, this debuff lingers for one second after they leave the Clay area.
Hullabaloo can rotate the stage, which allows him to shift these debuffs strategically across the map, keeping Survivors under pressure and limiting their options as they navigate their surroundings.
2. Fright Marks and Damage Mechanics
Hullabaloo’s attacks are unique as they do not inflict direct damage. Instead, each hit applies a “fright mark” to the Survivor based on the stage area they’re in:
- Once a Survivor accumulates three different fright marks, they experience a “burst of fear” that causes a normal damage effect, including a “terror shock” that temporarily incapacitates them.
This delayed damage mechanic requires Hullabaloo to maintain a consistent chase and strategically apply fright marks to achieve a powerful damage effect.
3. Clones and Cipher Pressure
Hullabaloo’s Double Surprise skill allows him to deploy a clone up to 42 meters away. When activated, this clone mirrors Hullabaloo’s attacks, allowing him to apply additional fright marks and control Survivor movements. The clone’s positioning can be adjusted while active, and it remains on the field for up to 10 seconds.
This clone ability also supports Hullabaloo’s cipher pressure; with the right positioning, clones can be placed near ciphers to slow down decoding, which is essential for pressuring Survivors as they try to complete objectives.
4. Aggressive Movement and Speed
Hullabaloo’s design leans heavily on aggressive pursuit:
- His Trappes ability allows him to lunge forward quickly, vaulting over obstacles and surprising Survivors. This mobility enables him to stay on target without the typical recovery delay after an attack.
- When a Survivor is marked, Hullabaloo does not experience the usual “hit recovery” delay, although his speed temporarily reduces by 70%.
This reduced recovery period makes Hullabaloo exceptionally effective in chasing down Survivors, maintaining proximity, and stacking fright marks rapidly. However, due to his lack of standard camping abilities, Hullabaloo may struggle in controlling areas around captured Survivors, making him better suited for relentless, chase-focused gameplay.
Strategy and Potential Drawbacks
Hullabaloo’s design encourages a relentless and aggressive playstyle, with his chase potential being one of the strongest in the game. However, he lacks strong camping abilities, making it difficult for him to control an area once a Survivor is downed. His abilities are cooldown-dependent, meaning he requires careful management of his skills for sustained pressure.
For Survivors, countering Hullabaloo may involve staying in a limited number of areas to reduce fright mark stacking. They can also attempt to avoid his debuff areas by anticipating his stage rotations, but Hullabaloo’s speed and clone capabilities will make kiting him challenging.
Hullabaloo is perhaps the most unconventional Hunter in Identity V, introducing a fast-paced, strategic style that rewards precision and map control. With his unique skillset, he offers a fresh experience, though he may take some time for players to master due to his complex mechanics and reliance on sustained pressure rather than brute strength.
Whether he becomes a dominant force or remains a challenging option for advanced players, Hullabaloo certainly adds a compelling new layer to the game. As players adapt to his abilities, he may soon redefine Hunter gameplay in Identity V.