How to use this guide
The patch is evidence for the rule it states. The September 2 preview and September 7/9 uploads are dated observations with unknown client builds, not current-balance tests. We reviewed captions and selected frames; we did not reproduce these mechanics in-game. Card values below retain their displayed levels and conditions. The complete card pool, stacking formula, roll odds, and best builds remain unverified.
Perk Points, collection, and deck setup
Perk Points are the spending resource in the September 2 official overview. Do not confuse rolling cards into your collection with the in-match perk selection described below.
- Finish matches to earn Perk Points. The official overview connects completed matches with the points used by the perk system. It does not provide a complete payout table.
- Spend points to roll Civilian perk cards. A larger spend can improve the chance of receiving a higher-rarity card. “Better chance” is not a guarantee.
- Find your deck in Graveyard → Civilian Perks. IncredibleInkTv's recording shows Deck #1 with an Edit option. Use the selected deck's list to check which owned cards it contains. Menu reference, 1:16.
- Check the deck on your Civilian loadout. MissDanae's recording shows Deck #1 selected there. A saved collection and a selected loadout deck are different screens. Loadout reference, 1:00.
These are observed menu landmarks, not a continuously verified save-and-equip walkthrough. The recordings show a 15/15 deck counter and separate collection counters. Neither a collection counter ending in 100 nor six visible deck tiles proves a 100-card pool or a universal unlock-price table. Check the offer and selected deck in your own client before spending points.
Duplicate cards: the patch 1.0.1 limit
Maximum two copies of the same perk per Civilian deck. IllFonic's September 8, 2026 patch notes also say excess copies are automatically unequipped. If an older video shows a different setup, use this later rule for the stated restriction. Read the official patch notes.
Does the two-copy rule mean bonuses stack?
No stacking formula follows from that rule. It does not explain additive versus multiplicative effects, duration refreshes, caps, or how different levels of a same-name perk interact. We have not verified those outcomes; two allowed copies do not establish twice the listed bonus.
How the in-match perk choice is shown
In MissDanae's September 9 upload, around 1:04–1:16, the narration connects actions and the progress circle with a perk draw. The sampled gameplay screens show XP notices and a perk prompt, followed by three choices: Contender I, Unwinded I, and Survival Intuition I. A later sampled frame shows the Survival Intuition selection animation.
- Watch for the perk prompt. The recorded PC HUD shows a P-key icon. Follow your displayed control; console and rebound controls were not checked.
- Read the offered cards and their conditions. The three-option screen is visible at 1:12. Collection ownership alone does not establish that an effect is active.
- Choose from the offered set. The selection animation is visible around 1:15. These samples do not establish every effect's duration, the total active limit, or the randomization formula.
Version note: patch 1.0.1 increased the XP required for the initial in-game perk roll. That is not a statement that every Perk Point purchase became more expensive. The patch notes do not give the new numeric XP threshold.
11 dated perk-card and level examples
Use these as readable examples, not a complete current card list. Each effect is tied to the displayed level and linked frame time; its performance was not independently measured. On narrow screens, scroll each table horizontally to see its source column.
Official preview · September 2, 2026
Pre-release examples from IllFonic. The client build is not identified; these are not verified current-balance values.
| Card and level | Displayed effect | Important distinction | Video time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stubborn V | Movement speed +25% while wounded. | Requires the wounded condition. | 4:43 |
| Liquid Courage V | Melee damage +25% while intoxicated. | Not an unconditional melee bonus. | 4:49 |
| Sharpshooter I | Ranged critical damage +20%. | Critical damage, not all ranged damage. | 4:52 |
IncredibleInkTv recording · uploaded September 7, 2026
Five readable effects in the creator’s menu footage. This upload predates patch 1.0.1; its exact client build is unknown.
| Card and level | Displayed effect | Important distinction | Video time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrenaline II | Stamina recharge speed +12%. | Faster recovery, not faster movement. | 4:23 |
| Survival Rage II | Melee damage +15% when Terrified. | The Terrified condition matters. | 4:39 |
| Unwinded I | All stamina use −10%. | Lower consumption, not a recharge bonus. | 4:55 |
| Voice of Reason II | Followers receive 65% less fear. | The wording applies to followers, not the player. | 5:07 |
| Bullet Belt V | Ammunition capacity per stack +50%. | Capacity, not extra ammunition from each pickup. | 6:03 |
MissDanae recording · uploaded September 9, 2026
Three readable effects in menu and selection screens. Uploading after the patch does not establish which build was recorded.
| Card and level | Displayed effect | Important distinction | Video time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival Intuition I | Automatically marks one random escape location on the map. | A location marker, not proof that the escape is ready to use. | 0:31 |
| Trespasser IV | Pick locked doors with a 3.5-second hold interaction. | Displayed level-IV text; the interaction was not timed in our review. | 0:38 |
| Contender I | Melee damage +5%. | Displayed card text, not a measured damage test. | 1:12 |
Choosing by job: what the shown effects actually change
The comparisons below are interpretations of the linked card text, not tested best builds. Start with the problem you want a card to address, then check its level, target, and condition.
- Stamina use versus recovery: Unwinded I lowers consumption; Adrenaline II raises recharge speed. Neither description promises faster running. Their 10% and 12% values measure different things and cannot be added into a 22% movement bonus.
- Finding an escape versus opening a door: Survival Intuition I supplies map information; Trespasser IV describes a locked-door interaction. Neither text establishes that every escape requirement is completed.
- Melee conditions: Contender I states a melee bonus, while Survival Rage II requires Terrified and Liquid Courage V requires intoxication. A larger displayed percentage is not automatically more useful if its condition is absent.
- The affected resource or character: Bullet Belt V changes ammunition capacity per stack; Voice of Reason II changes followers' fear gain. Do not treat them as pickup multipliers or personal fear protection.
Before calling a combination “best,” we would need compatible-build matches, confirmed simultaneous effects, and repeatable comparisons. This guide does not claim that work has been done.
Temporary upgrades and the Scrap confirmation
Upgrades are temporary, not permanent card levels. The September 2 official overview describes spending Perk Points for an upgrade lasting a limited number of matches. The official preview dialog at 4:55 supports that limitation. We have not verified a universal match count, current prices, or why an Upgrade option appears for some cards and not others.
Scrap has a point-return confirmation in the reviewed footage. At 0:52 in MissDanae's upload, the selected example offers 304 points with Confirm and Cancel options. That is a displayed quote, not a verified balance change or a refund formula. Check your own confirmation amount before proceeding; this review does not establish whether a completed scrap can be undone.
For rewards and objectives beyond perk cards, use the existing story challenge coverage and Prestige system reference. Those are separate progression questions, not additional deck rules.
Perks FAQ
How many duplicate perks can a deck contain?
IllFonic’s September 8, 2026 patch 1.0.1 limits a Civilian deck to two copies of the same perk and automatically unequips excess copies. This is a deck restriction, not an explanation of effect stacking.
Do duplicate perk effects stack?
The two-copy deck limit does not establish whether effects add, multiply, refresh, or have a cap. The reviewed official rules and video samples do not resolve that behavior. Do not calculate a doubled bonus from the deck limit alone.
Are all 15 deck cards active at the start of a match?
A 15/15 deck display is not proof of 15 active effects. MissDanae’s September 9 upload shows an in-match perk prompt, three offered cards, and a selection. Our review does not establish the maximum active count or how long every selected effect lasts.
Are perk upgrades permanent?
No. IllFonic’s September 2 overview describes spending Perk Points to upgrade an owned card for a limited number of matches. The reviewed evidence does not establish a universal duration or current price table.
Does spending more Perk Points guarantee a Legendary card?
No. IllFonic says a larger spend improves the chance of a higher-rarity card; it does not guarantee a particular rarity or card.
What are the best perks?
This guide has not established a best-perk ranking through controlled matches. Compare the job and condition first: Unwinded reduces stamina use, Adrenaline improves recharge, and conditional melee cards require their stated status. Their different bonuses are not a tested build or a reason to add the percentages together.
What happens when I scrap a perk card?
MissDanae’s September 9 upload shows a Scrap confirmation offering 304 points for the selected example, with Confirm and Cancel options. Our review did not verify a completed balance change, a universal refund rate, or whether a confirmed scrap can be undone.
Sources and evidence
- IllFonic: Progression and Customization Overview
- IllFonic: September 8 release announcement and patch 1.0.1
- Official video: Perk Points and card rolls at 4:26–4:41
- Official video: example cards, decks, and temporary upgrade at 4:43–4:55
- IncredibleInkTv: perk-system menu recording, uploaded September 7 — five card effects and deck-menu observations; exact build unknown.
- MissDanae: perk tutorial, uploaded September 9 — three card effects, Scrap confirmation, loadout, and in-match selection samples; exact build unknown.