Quick answer
New survivor wants to understand window vault timing and why vaults still get them hit.
Why vaults feel inconsistent
Windows are not just buttons. Your angle, distance, movement, and killer position change whether the vault creates distance or gives the killer a hit. Beginners often arrive too late, approach at a bad angle, or vault into an empty area.
- Approach windows with a clean line instead of a last-second wiggle.
- Do not vault toward a dead zone unless it wins immediate distance.
- Expect ranged killers to punish predictable window timing.
Use windows as routes
A strong window connects to a route: another tile, a pallet, main building, shack, or a teammate-safe direction. If the window only sends you into open ground, it may be a delay, not a real escape plan.
- Look past the window before committing to it.
- Leave a window if the killer is clearly cutting it off.
- Use sound and red stain to judge whether the killer is doubling back.
Common window mistakes
New survivors often vault the same window automatically until the killer times the hit, or they panic vault when walking around would be safer. Treat each vault as a route choice, not a reflex.
- Do not vault into teammates repairing a generator.
- Do not repeat the same window when the killer has already adjusted.
- Do not stare backward so long that you miss the window angle.
Recommended next pages
These pages connect vault decisions with red-stain reading, loop safety, and route planning.
Why do I get hit after vaulting a window?
You may be vaulting too late, approaching from a poor angle, repeating a predictable route, or vaulting into a path the killer is already cutting off.
Are windows better than pallets?
Not always. Windows are reusable but depend on route and timing. Pallets can force distance immediately, but once dropped or broken they may remove safety from that area.