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For the skill trees featured in Dead Island and Riptide, see Skill trees.
DI2 skills screen

The skills selection screen

Skills, also known as Skill Cards, are a type of card system featured in Dead Island 2. They are unlocked by leveling up, completing quests, or can be pick up at specific locations. Skills enhance a player's combat capabilities and can be combined together to form enhanced, more powerful variants of the selected skills. Whilst most skills are universal and can be used on any Slayers, some are unique to a character and can only be used by them. The level requirement for some skills differs between characters. Skills are categorized in five types: Innate, Abilities, Survivor, Slayer, and Numen.

Innate Skills[]

Innate skills are skills that are unique to a single Slayer. They usually designate their playstyle or highlight their specialized skills. They can't be used by other slayers.

Name Slayer Description
DI2 Feral Skill Card
Feral
Jacob Jacob gets a stackable minor DAMAGE boost when attacking in quick succession.
DI2 Critical Gain Skill Card
Critical Gains
Jacob Jacob's CRITICAL HITS when stamina is low get a moderate CRITICAL DAMAGE boost and regain STAMINA.
DI2 Backstab Skill Card
Backstab
Bruno Bruno gets a moderate DAMAGE boost when attacking zombies from behind.
DI2 Rapid Reprisal Skill Card
Rapid Reprisal
Bruno Boost Bruno's AGILITY and HEAVY ATTACK CHARGES when he avoids attacks with a BLOCK or DODGE.
DI2 Mosh Pit Skill Card
Mosh Pit
Carla Carla gets a minor DAMAGE boost when close to multiple zombies.
DI2 Dig Deep Skill Card
Dig Deep
Carla Carla gets a moderate TOUGHNESS boost while her health is critical.
DI2 Thunderstruck Skill Card
Thunderstruck
Dani Dani's HEAVY ATTACKS trigger a FORCEFUL explosion on impact.
DI2 Bloodlust Skill Card
Bloodlust
Dani Dani regains HEALTH when slaying multiple zombies in quick succession.
DI2 Retaliation Skill Card
Retaliation
Ryan Ryan gets a moderate FORCE boost (+15%) when using BLOCK or DODGE to avoid an attack.
DI2 Seesaw Skill Card
Seesaw
Ryan Ryan regains HEALTH each time he knocks down a zombie.
DI2 Divide & Conquer Skill Card
Divide & Conquer
Amy Amy gets a minor DAMAGE boost (*15%) when she attacks isolated zombies.
DI2 Relief Pitcher Skill Card
Relief Pitcher
Amy Amy regains STAMINA when hitting a zombie with a weapon throw.

Ability Skills[]

Ability cards are skills that grant the slayer additional movement or attack options. By applying these skill cards, the slayer can do things like block incoming attacks or dodge them. Unlike other Skill categories, Ability Skills have five different skill slots: Defense Skill, Jump Kick Skill, Special Attack Skill, Fury Skill, and Fury Special Attack Skill. Ability Skills can only be equipped in the slot with the associated ability skill category. Several Ability Skills also grant powers similar to Apex Variants when in Fury Mode.

Name Slot Location Description
DI2 Block Skill Card
Block
Defense Skill Carla and Ryan: Unlocked during the main quest Desperately Seeking Emma in Bel-Air

The other slayers: Level 9

Hold L1 to defend against incoming attacks. Well-timed blocks regain your STAMINA and STUN zombies, leaving them open to a devastating COUNTER attack.
DI2 Dodge Skill Card
Dodge
Defense Skill Carla and Ryan: Level 9

The other slayers: Unlocked during the main quest Desperately Seeking Emma in Bel-Air

Press L1 with a direction to evade incoming attacks. Well-timed doges regain you STAMINA and STUN zombies, leaving them open to a devasting COUNTER attack.
DI2 Drop Kick Skill Card
Drop Kick
Jump Kick Skill Amy and Bruno: level 7

The other slayers: Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air

Press R3 while in the air to perform a FORCEFUL jump kick attack that can send regular zombies flying.
DI2 Flying Kick Skill Card
Flying Kick
Jump Kick Skill Amy and Bruno: Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air

The other slayers: Level 7

Press R3 while in the air to perform a POWERFUL jump kick attack.
DI2 War Cry Skill Card
War Cry
Special Attack Skill Carla and Ryan: Unlocked during the main quest Room Service for Major Booker in Halperin Hotel

Amy and Bruno: Level 13

Dani and Jacob: Level 17

Press L1 + R1 to let out a fierce yell that boosts TOUGHNESS for you and nearby squad members. It also WEAKENS nearby zombies.
DI2 Ground Pound Skill Card
Ground Pound
Special Attack Skill Dani and Jacob: Unlocked during the main quest Room Service for Major Booker in Halperin Hotel

Carla and Ryan: Level 13

Amy and Bruno: Level 17

Press L1 + R1 to drive a FORCEFUL blow into the ground that drains the STABILITY of nearby zombies.
DI2 Dash Strike Skill Card
Dash Strike
Special Attack Skill Amy and Bruno: Unlocked during the main quest Room Service for Major Booker in Halperin Hotel

Dani and Jacob: Level 13

Carla and Ryan: Level 17

Take the fight to them! Press L1 + R1 to dash forwards and strike zombies, leaving them WEAKENED.'
DI2 Ram Skill Card
Ram
Special Attack Skill To be added (Requires SoLA) Press L1 + R1 to begin a FORCEFUL running charge, knocking away regular zombies in your path. Press L1 + R1 again to interrupt the charge.'
DI2 Blood Rush Skill Card
Blood Rush
Fury Skill All slayers: Unlocked during The Red Mist in Brentwood Sewer Get that blood pumping! Slay zombies and perform COUNTER attacks to build FURY.
DI2 Surgical Focus Skill Card
Surgical Focus
Fury Skill All slayers: Complete The Final Gauntlet in Ocean Avenue AUTOPHAGE skill. MAIM zombies to build FURY (+10%). But don't lose focus -- taking damage will drain FURY (-2%).
DI2 Street Brawler Skill Card
Street Brawler
Fury Skill All slayers: Complete It Came From Monarch Studios in Monarch Studios AUTOPHAGE skill. Damage zombies with melee attacks or weapon throws to build FURY (+3%). But stick with it -- your FURY METER will slowly drain (-1% per second) unless it's full.
DI2 Served Cold Skill Card
Served Cold
Fury Skill All slayers: Complete Coast Guardian in Venice Beach Your revenge will be sweet! BLOCK attacks or take damage from zombies to build FURY. (+2%)
DI2 Overhead Smash Skill Card
Overhead Smash
Fury Special Attack Skill Carla and Ryan: Unlocked during The Final Gauntlet in Venice Beach

The other slayers: Unlocked during Blood Drive in The Pier

Slayer smash! Press R1 in FURY MODE to let loose and unleash a POWERFUL ground smash.
DI2 Scream Skill Card
Scream
Fury Special Attack Skill Amy and Bruno: Unlocked during The Final Gauntlet in Venice Beach

The other slayers: Unlocked during Plumbing the Depths in Ocean Avenue

Free your inner scream queen! Press R1 in FURY MODE to emit a piercing wail that WEAKENS nearby zombies.
DI2 Spitting Cobra Skill Card
Spitting Cobra
Fury Special Attack Skill Dani and Jacob: Unlocked during The Final Gauntlet in Venice Beach

The other slayers: Unlocked during Boardwalking Dead in The Pier

Can't keep it down? Hold [special attack button] in FURY MODE to vomit CAUSTIC bile on unsuspecting zombies.
DI2 Scoville Spitter Skill Card
Scoville Spitter
Fury Special Attack Skill All slayers: Found in Véronique's Safe inside Véronique's Office within The Deeper. (Requires Haus) What have you been eating?! Hold [special attack button] in FURY MODE to vomit BURNING bile on unsuspecting zombies.
DI2 Pounce Skill Card
Pounce
Fury Special Attack Skill To be added (Requires SoLA) Time to hunt! Press [special attack button] in FURY MODE to leap forward and deliver a POWERFUL slashing attack.

Survivor Skills[]

Survivor skill cards are cards that focus on increasing the health or healing of the slayers. Their main focus is to keep the slayer alive and help them get through alive. Several Survivor Skills are exclusive to specific Slayers. Additionally, several Survivor Skills require an Ability Skill to be equipped in order to be used.

Name Location Description
DI2 Serial Killer Skill Card
Serial Killer
Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air (Dani & Jacob only) Indulge in a vicious cycle of death! Slay a zombie for a minor boost to DAMAGE.
DI2 Bob and Weave Skill Card
Bob and Weave
Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air (Amy & Bruno only) Come get some! DODGE attacks in quick succession for a moderate boost to ATTACK SPEED and AGILITY that can stack multiple times.
DI2 Steadfast Skill Card
Steadfast
Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air (Carla & Ryan only) BLOCK multiple attacks in succession to gain a stacking BOOST to TOUGHNESS and FORCE. (+5% toughness and +10% force per stack, max. 5 stacks)
DI2 Warhead Skill Card
Warhead
Level 12 (Carla & Ryan only) DROP KICK causes an explosion that drains the STAMINA of nearby zombies.
DI2 Personal Space Skill Card
Personal Space
Part of the Memories of Banoi DLC

All slayers: Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air

Make a lasting impression - with your boot! KICK and JUMP KICK attacks get a moderate boost to DAMAGE and FORCE.
(Kick +35% damage and +25% force, drop kick +182% damage, flying kick +37% damage and 32% force)
DI2 Pain Threshold Skill Card
Pain Threshold
Dani and Jacob: Level 5

Carla and Ryan: Level 22

Amy and Bruno: Level 28

That all you got?! BLOCK or DODGE an attack for a minor boost to DAMAGE (+15%, last 5 seconds).
DI2 Rallying Cry Skill Card
Rallying Cry
Carla and Ryan: Level 8

Amy and Bruno: Level 16

Dani and Jacob: Level 19

Get into primal scream therapy! Your WAR CRY regains HEALTH (+15%) and removes harmful STATUS EFFECTS from you and nearby squad members.
DI2 Shin Shrapnel Skill Card
Shin Shrapnel
All slayers: Level 6 Go for the knees! SLIDE attacks get a major boost to DAMAGE and can send regular zombies flying.
DI2 Blockbuster Skill Card
Blockbuster
Carla and Ryan: Level 5

Amy and Bruno: level 22

Dani and Jacob: level 28

Shut 'em down! A well-timed BLOCK triggers a FORCEFUL explosion that drains the STABILITY of nearby zombies.
DI2 Quake Skill Card
Quake
Dani and Jacob: Level 8

Carla and Ryan: Level 16

Amy and Bruno: Level 19

Be the earthquake you want to see in the world! Your GROUND POUND attacks get a major boost to FORCE that can send regular zombies flying.
DI2 Safe Space Skill Card
Safe Space
All slayers: Level 4 Clear!! Using a MED KIT triggers a FORCEFULL explosion that drains the STABILITY of nearby zombies.
DI2 Short Fuse Skill Card
Short Fuse
All slayers: Complete Boz Makes a Bang in Monarch Studios Forget counting to ten! Unlease FURY MODE anytime once your FURY METER is more than half full.
DI2 Pain Magazine Skill Card
Pain Magazine
Amy and Bruno: Level 5

Dani and Jacob: Level 22

Carla and Ryan: Level 28

Throw a whole bunch more Curveballs! A well-timed Block or DODGE triggers a RECHARGE boost for your active CURVEBALL item. (refunds 30% of total cooldown)
DI2 Ravenous Skill Card
Ravenous
All slayers: Rare drop from Butchers Unleash endless rage! in FURY MODE, slay zombies to replenish your FURY and stay enraged longer.
DI2 Invigorating Skill Card
Invigorating
All slayers: Found in Emma Jaunt's bedroom in Bel-Air Laugh in the face of death! COUNTER attack zombies to regain extra HEALTH -- even more than usual! (+15% HP instantly)
DI2 Safety First Skill Card
Safety First
All slayers: Unlocked during the main quest Bel-Air Brawl in Bel-Air (requires confirmation) Up your defensive game! A well-timed Block or DODGE regains HEALTH. (+10% HP)
DI2 Vivisuction Skill Card
Vivisuction
Amy and Bruno: Level 8

Dani and Jacob: Level 16

Carla and Ryan: Level 19

Fitness comes first! DASH STRIKE zombies to regain HEALTH. (+10% HP on hit, +15% HP on kill)
DI2 Lightning Reactions Skill Card
Greased Pig
All slayers: Level 26 Automatically break free whenever a zombie grabs you.
DI2 Wrecking Ball Skill Card
Wrecking Ball
All slayers: Complete the side quest #Clickbait in Bel-Air Shatter their defenses! Flying Kick attacks WEAKEN zombies.
DI2 Flow State Skill Card
Flow State
All slayers: Found on top of the wooden separation in the party room underneath Véronique's Office, within The Deeper. (Requires Haus) You've found your groove. Performing critical hits with ranged weapons increases their RELOAD SPEED (+10%) and ACCURACY (+15%). Effect can stack multiple times (3 times). (lasts 7 seconds)
DI2 Kick-Start Skill Card
Kick-Start
All slayers: Found on top of a TV within The Deeper inside of Haus. The TV is roughly halfway through the Deeper in the section where a narrow walkway snakes around 2 large bottomless pits. (Requires Haus) Give those zombies the boot! Kicks drain more STABILITY from zombies and greatly reduce zombies' RESILIENCE against FIRE, SHOCK and CAUSTIC damage. (*35% elemental damage taken, 8 seconds cooldown)
DI2 Sugar Rush Skill Card
Sugar Rush
All slayers: Found on a table in the Infusion Lounge, where Konstantin's monitor is also located. (Requires Haus) Zoom, zoom! Med Kits, Energy Drinks and Protein Bars regain more HEALTH (+50-65%) and give a major boost to AGILITY (+60% for 6 seconds).
DI2 Konstantin's Gift Skill Card
Konstantin's Gift
All slayers: Completing the Quest The Ark of Ascension (Requires Haus) He has blessed you. Taking damage when your FURY METER is full triggers an EXPLOSION that damages nearby zombies. (8 seconds cooldown)
DI2 Masochist Skill Card
Masochist
Beginning of the game

(Requires SoLA)

You like things tough, huh? Surviving Hell-A will become far more challenging with this card equipped. A path taken only by the bravest Slayers!
DI2 Battering Ram Skill Card
Battering Ram
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

RAM attacks get a major boost to DAMAGE and FORCE, but they also cover a shorter distance. Impacts with zombies trigger TRAUMATIZING explosions.
DI2 Rabbit Punch Skill Card
Rabbit Punch
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

They'll never see you coming. Attack zombies from behind with a BLUNT melee weapon for a major boost to FORCE.
DI2 Return To Sender Skill Card
Return To Sender
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

Hold BLOCK and defend from multiple attacks in quick succession. Then release BLOCK to unleash a forward facing FORCEFUL explosion.
DI2 Hot-Footed Skill Card
Hot-Footed
Jacob, Bruno, Carla: Complete Plumbing the Depths in Ocean Avenue AUTOPHAGE skill. Channel your inner pyro! DROP KICK attacks IGNITE zombies, but they also drain your HEALTH.
DI2 Lightning Strike Skill Card
Lightning Strike
All slayers: Ocean Avenue, found on a shelf in the garage office leading to Dr. Reed's Lab during the main quest The Search for Truth AUTOPHAGE skill. Shock 'em to their core! DASH STRIKE attacks ELECTRIFY zombies, but they also drain your HEALTH.
DI2 Thick-Skinned Skill Card
Thick-Skinned
All slayers: On a table on the balcony that overlooks the reception desk in the LA24 building on Ocean Avenue. Building is inaccessible until Scooped! becomes available AUTOPHAGE skill. Toughen up with a moderate boost to TOUGHNESS against physical attacks, but minor reduced RESILIENCE against FIRE, SHOCK, and CAUSTIC damage.
DI2 Flare-Up Skill Card
Flare-Up
All slayers: Level 27 AUTOPHAGE skill. Turn up the heat! GROUND POUND attacks IGNITE zombies, but they also drain your HEALTH. (+30% damage, -10% HP, ground pound is converted to fire damage)

Slayer Skills[]

Slayer Skills are focused on making it easier to kill zombies by increasing damage, Fury Mode duration, etc. They also impart bonuses like status effects for certain actions like maiming limbs or getting headshots. Like Survivor skills, several Slayer Skills are exlusive to specific slayers.

Name Location Description
DI2 Hack and Dash Skill Card
Hack and Dash
Level 12 (Dani & Jacob only) Their loss is your gain! MAIM a zombie for a boost to your ATTACK SPEED.
DI2 Far From Done Skill Card
Far From Done
Complete the main quest The Chosen One in Bel-Air (Carla & Ryan only) Blocking or taking damage gives a DAMAGE BOOST (+6%). This can stack multiple times (5 times). (last 7 seconds)
DI2 Group Therapy Skill Card
Group Therapy
Complete the main quest The Chosen One in Bel-Air (Dani & Jacob only) Work through your anger! Slay zombies in quick succession to regain STAMINA.
DI2 Second Wind Skill Card
Second Wind
Complete the main quest The Chosen One in Bel-Air (Amy & Bruno only) Break its bones, not your stride! Attack a zombie while sprinting for a moderate boost to DAMAGE.
DI2 Air Assault Skill Card
Air Assault
Level 12 (Amy & Bruno only) Rain down Hell! FLYING KICK a zombie for a major boost to CRITICAL DAMAGE.
DI2 Skull Skewer Skill Card
Skull Skewer
All slayers: Level 21 Nail a zombie in the head with a WEAPON THROW to set off a POWERFUL explosion. Ouch!
DI2 Unrelenting Skill Card
Unrelenting
Carla and Ryan: Level 10

The other slayers: Level 25

There's no stopping you! Attacks to knocked down zombies get a minor boost to DAMAGE (*15%).
DI2 Tools Of The Trade Skill Card
Tools Of The Trade
All slayers: Level 30 Slay a zombie with a melee weapon for a moderate boost to DAMAGE for ranged weapons. Slay a zombie with a ranged weapon for a moderate boost to DAMAGE for melee weapons.
DI2 Surgeon Skill Card
Surgeon
All slayers: Level 24 From scalpel to sledgehammer! MAIM a zombie for a moderate boost to DAMAGE. (+50%)
DI2 The Limb Reaper Skill Card
The Limb Reaper
All slayers: Level 14 Got a limb thing, huh? MAIM a zombie to regain HEALTH. (+10% HP on maim, +5% HP on non-maim limb hit)
DI2 Janus Rage Skill Card
Janus Rage
All slayers: Found inside a train in The Metro. The train is in an open area with another train just before the safe zone. This is also where you fight the Metro Engineer. Balance in all things! When your FURY METER is full, get a moderate boost to TOUGHNESS (+30%). When it isn't full, get a minor boost to DAMAGE (+15%).
DI2 No Mercy Skill Card
No Mercy
Dani and Jacob: Level 10

Amy and Bruno: Level 20

Carla and Ryan: Level 25

Don't let up! Attacks to zombies suffering a harmful STATUS EFFECT get a moderate boost to damage. (*25%)
DI2 Hammer Fist Skill Card
Hammer Fist
All slayers: Level 29 Make a lasting impression -- with your fist! DASH STRIKE gets a major boost to FORCE that can send regular zombies flying.
DI2 Clear Sightlines Skill Card
Clear Sightlines
All slayers: Found in Monarch Studios on a table outside of Sound Stage 7 Hit 'em while they're down! Knock down a zombie for a moderate boost to the DAMAGE of your ranged weapons, weapon throws, and Curveballs.
DI2 Breakdancer Skill Card
Breakdancer
Amy and Bruno: level 10

All other slayers: Level 20

Stay on your toes! SLIDE attack a zombie for a moderate boost to AGILITY (+20%) and ATTACK SPEED.
DI2 Juggernaut Skill Card
Juggernaut
All slayers: Rare drop from Crushers Leave a path of destruction! OVERHEAD SMASH attacks get a major boost to DAMAGE (*50%) and FORCE, and also build FURY.
DI2 Voltaic Scream Skill Card
Voltaic Scream
All slayers: Rare drop from Voltaic Screamers Let it all out! Your SCREAM attack ELECTRIFY nearby zombies. (*15% damage and apply electric status charge)
DI2 Corpse Bomb Skill Card
Corpse Bomb
All slayers: Rare drop from Bursters Pop goes the zombie! In FURY MODE, slain zombies erupt into powerful EXPLOSIONS.
DI2 Hunting Season Skill Card
Hunting Season
All slayers: Level 18 "Go long!" Hit a zombie with a ranged weapon or weapon throw for a moderate boost to the DAMAGE (+35%) of your melee weapons. (lasts 5 seconds)
DI2 Cull The Weak Skill Card
Cull The Weak
All slayers: Level 15 Finish 'em off! Attacks to zombies with low health get a minor boost to DAMAGE. (*15%)
DI2 Deadeye Skill Card
Deadeye
All slayers: Level 11 Quickfire! Hit a zombie with a CURVEBALL item to trigger a RECHARGE boost that can stack multiple times. (refunds 12% of total cooldown per hit)
DI2 Da Bomb Skill Card
Da Bomb
All slayers: Found near The Ark, in an elevator with a workbench, attached to the hallway leading to the ground floor of the Ark. (Requires Haus) Turn the tables! Kill a zombie with a COUNTER attack to deal EXPLOSIVE damage with melee attacks and weapon throws.
DI2 Kill-O-Watt Kick Skill Card
Kill-O-Watt Kick
All slayers: Found in a car trunk on the parking lot in front of Haus. The trunk is opened with the White Latex Car Keys. (Requires Haus) Lightning bolt, inbound! Perform a FLYING KICK while sprinting to trigger a SHOCKING explosion on impact.
DI2 Fossil Fueled Skill Card
Fossil Fueled
All slayers: Dropped by an Inferno Crusher near the Diner during the Quest Found: Zahra. (Requires Haus) Pump the gas! A well-timed BLOCK covers nearby zombies in fuel, and a well-timed DODGE generates a puddle of fuel at your feet. (10 second cooldown)
DI2 Explosive Outburst Skill Card
Explosive Outburst
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

Enter FURY MODE to trigger a FORCEFUL explosion that sends regular zombies flying -- at the cost of an initial chunk of your FURY.
DI2 Gnawing Hunger Skill Card
Gnawing Hunger
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

\"FEED US!\" Impale a zombie with a WEAPON THROW to deal additional DAMAGE over time. Harmful status effects caused by modded weapons embedded in a zombie will build over time.
DI2 Haymaker Skill Card
Haymaker
On the second floor of the gift shop at the fury bar at SoLA.

(Requires SoLA)

HEAVY ATTACKS trigger a POWERFUL explosion and regain STAMINA, but they also drain FURY.
DI2 Vicious Pounce Skill Card
Vicious Pounce
To be added

(Requires SoLA)

POUNCE attacks make zombies BLEED. Kill a zombie to regain HEALTH and make nearby zombies BLEED.
DI2 Pay It Forward Skill Card
Pay It Forward
All slayers: Complete the lost & found quest Missing: Shane, which can be picked up at the Serling Hotel as the sixst missing person quest. AUTOPHAGE skill. Breathe through it! When there's a harmful STATUS EFFECT on you, get a major boost to DAMAGE.
DI2 Heavy Hitter Skill Card
Heavy Hitter
All slayers: Inside a disaster relief crate within the photo booth on The Pier AUTOPHAGE skill. Pack a punch! HEAVY ATTACKS get a major boost to DAMAGE (+30%), but they also drain your HEALTH (-10%).
DI2 Pummel Skill Card
Pummel
All slayers: Level 23 AUTOPHAGE skill. Get a rhythm going! Melee attack zombies in quick succession for a major boost to FORCE that can stack multiple times, although your very first hit will be less FORCEFULL. (-50% passive, +75% for first stack, +37.5% for other stacks, max. 5 stacks, last 5 seconds)
DI2 Pyro Skill Card
Pyro
All slayers: Found on a desk in the upstairs office of the Funland Arcade in The Pier AUTOPHAGE skill. Burn it up! In FURY MODE, your melee and OVERHEAD SMASH attacks IGNITE zombies, but they also drain extra FURY.
DI2 Volatile Skill Card
Volatile
All slayers: Rare drop from Bursters AUTOPHAGE skill. You're about to blow up! in FURY MODE, your melee attacks trigger EXPLOSIONS on impact, but they also drain extra FURY.
DI2 Caustic Blight Skill Card
Caustic Blight
All slayers: Receive after finishing Message in a Bottle side quest in The Pier AUTOPHAGE skill. Toxic relationship alert! iN FURY MODE, your melee attacks MELT zombies, but they also drain extra FURY.
DI2 Carnage Skill Card
Carnage
All slayers: Found in the server room of the OSK Store during the main quest The Search for Truth AUTOPHAGE skill. Rip 'em to shreds! In FURY MODE, your attacks get a major boost to DAMAGE (+33%) and FORCE (+50%), but they also drain extra FURY.

Numen Skills[]

Numen Skills are the final type of skill card available. They are powerful combat abilities that apply useful bonuses for performing certain actions. However, each Numen Skill is an Autophage Skill and has a significant downside.

Name Location Description
DI2 Born Survivor Skill Card
Born Survivor
Carla and Ryan: Unlocked during the main quest The Search for Truth in Ocean Avenue

The other slayers: Complete Beacon of Hope in Hollywood Boulevard

AUTOPHAGE skill. It ain't over yet! When you're about to die, a FORCEFUL explosion will trigger instead and drain your FURY (-25%). Attack zombies to regain HEALTH (+15%). (lasts 5 seconds, HP cannot drop below 1 HP)
DI2 Glass Cannon Skill Card
Glass Cannon
Amy and Bruno: Unlocked during the main quest The Search for Truth in Ocean Avenue

The other slayers: Complete The Art of War in The Metro

AUTOPHAGE skill. Go big or go home! Get a moderate boost to CRITICAL DAMAGE (+25%), and an even bigger boost (+75%) when your health is low (below 50% HP), but your TOUGHNESS is reduced (-50%).
DI2 Anger Management Skill Card
Anger Management
Dani and Jacob: Unlocked during the main quest The Search for Truth in Ocean Avenue

The other slayers: Complete Organ Donor in Beverly Hills

AUTOPHAGE skill. Take the risk to stay in FURY MODE for longer! When your FURY runs out, you'll stay in FURY MODE but start draining HEALTH instead until your health gets low.
DI2 Corpse Blossom Skill Card
Corpse Blossom
All slayers: Complete The End of the Line in Hollywood Boulevard Ka-BOOM! Zombies slain with FIRE, SHOCK, or CAUSTIC damage will detonate in a POWERFUL explosion of that same damage type.
DI2 Seismic Stomp Skill Card
Seismic Stomp
All slayers: Found in the far end of the train after the flaming tunnel in The Metro. It is near a set of train doors that open to a small platform area. Supercharge your stomp! On impact, Skull Stomp triggers a forceful explosion that drains the stability of nearby zombies and makes them bleed.

Autophage Tiers[]

DI2 Autophage Tiers

Equipping more Autophage Skills moves you towards higher TIERS of Autophage infection. The more you give into it, the more raw power you can harness - but the greater the toll on your humanity. Both gains and risks increase as the Autophage Tier gets higher.
— Description

Equipping Autophage Skills increases the player's Autophage Tier level. The game has three Autophage Tier levels, each granting significant bonuses and downsides that increase with each tier. The Autophage Tier level is increased by one tier with every Autophage Skill that is equipped. Each tier is stackable, with Tier 3 having the effects of all three tiers applied. Tier 1 will lower the slayer's highest Slayer Trait in exhance for increasing their offensive capability after scoring a kill.

Name Description
Tier #1

All slayers: + Minor FURY MODE duration increase (-10% fury drain speed)
All slayers: + In FURY MODE, slay zombies to replenish minor FURY (+2% fury)

  • Jacob and Dani: + Slay zombies for a boost to ATTACK SPEED
  • Ryan and Carla: + Slay zombies for a boost to FORCE (+20% force)
  • Amy and Bruno: + Slay zombies for a boost to LIMB DAMAGE and CRITICAL DAMAGE
  • Jacob and Dani: - Reduced PEAK HEALTH
  • Ryan and Carla: - Reduced TOUGHNESS (-18 toughness)
  • Amy and Bruno: - Reduced AGILITY
Tier #2

+ Attack zombies after a kill to regain STAMINA (+8% stamina)
+ Moderate FURY MODE duration increase (-20% fury drain speed)
+ In FURY MODE, slay zombies to replenish moderate FURY (+3.5% fury)
- Reduced STAMINA regeneration (-50% regen rate).

Tier #3

+ Slay zombies for a boost to HEALTH and DAMAGE (+30% HP and +10% damage)
+ Major FURY MODE duration increase (-30% fury drain speed)
+ In FURY MODE, slay zombies to replenish major FURY (+6.25% fury)
- No Health regeneration
- Reduced HEALTH recovery from Medkits, Energy Drinks, and Protein Bars (by 53.1%)

Challenges[]

Exploration[]

Name Challenge Description Reward
The Heart of The Cards
The Heart of The Cards 1 Collect 5 Skill Cards $100
The Heart of The Cards 2 Collect 10 Skill Cards
The Heart of The Cards 3 Collect 25 Skill Cards
The Heart of The Cards 4 Collect 35 Skill Cards $1000

Notes[]

  • Skill cards have taken over from the skill trees of the previous games.

Trivia[]

  • The skill classes were first revealed on the Dead Island website.
  • Carla and Ryan have 2 unique surivor skill cards and only 1 unique slayer skill card, whereas the other slayers have only 1 unique survivor skill card and 2 unique slayer skill cards. This is in line with the tanky nature of Carla and Ryan.
  • The challenge 'The Heart of The Cards' is a reference to the anime Yu-Gi-Oh!, where the protagonist uses the term when he believes that his deck of cards will give him exactly what he needs.
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