How to Get Iridescent Shards

In Dead by Daylight, Iridescent Shards are one of the key currencies used for unlocking various types of content, including characters, teachable perks, and customization items. Unlike Auric Cells, which are a premium currency purchased with real money, Iridescent Shards are earned simply by playing the game. This makes them highly sought after by players who want to progress without spending cash. Knowing how to efficiently farm Iridescent Shards can drastically improve your ability to unlock content faster and make the most out of your in-game time.

Understanding Iridescent Shards

What Are Iridescent Shards?

Iridescent Shards are an in-game currency earned through leveling up your player account. These shards can be used in the in-game store (Shrine of Secrets) to purchase teachable perks and sometimes characters or cosmetic items. The amount you earn is tied directly to the number of experience points (XP) you accumulate, rather than individual match performance.

Why Players Want Iridescent Shards

Players chase Iridescent Shards mainly to unlock teachable perks, which are crucial for building strong loadouts. They are also useful for acquiring new survivors or killers from the in-game store, especially for those who don’t want to use real money. Cosmetic options occasionally appear for shards as well, making them valuable for both functional and aesthetic upgrades.

How to Earn Iridescent Shards

Leveling Up Your Player Account

The only way to earn Iridescent Shards is by leveling up your player account, which is separate from your character progression. Every level you gain provides a set number of shards, and the number increases based on your current level tier.

• Levels 1–50: ~300 shards per level
• Levels 51–100: ~250 shards per level
• Levels 101 and above: ~200 shards per level

This means the faster you level up, the more shards you will earn over time.

Gain XP Through Playing Matches

Account XP is gained after every match, whether you’re playing as killer or survivor. The amount you gain is based on your performance, time spent in the trial, objectives completed, and certain bonuses like survival or kills.

Some tips to maximize XP gain include:

• Play longer matches; the more time you’re in a trial, the more XP you earn.
• Complete objectives like gens, healing, hooks, or chases.
• Use bloodpoint offerings to help extend games and indirectly gain more XP.
• Survive the trial or get 4K kills as killer these yield bonus XP.

Daily and Weekly Rituals

While rituals do not directly reward Iridescent Shards, they encourage consistent play and can be a great motivator for completing specific objectives. Completing these regularly helps boost your XP through the associated matches and also earns you extra Bloodpoints, which help progress your characters and prepare stronger builds for future matches.

Tips to Farm Iridescent Shards Faster

Stick With Your Strongest Characters

If you’re trying to level quickly, play with the characters you are most familiar and skilled with. Familiarity increases your efficiency in matches, leading to better performance and more XP gained per trial. Avoid experimenting during shard farming runs.

Play With Friends

Cooperative play helps extend matches and allows for coordinated objectives, especially for survivors. Friends can help you farm chases, rescues, and healing while ensuring longer and more controlled gameplay, which results in more XP overall.

Use XP-Boosting Events

Keep an eye out for in-game events that increase XP gains or reward extra Iridescent Shards. These events usually occur around anniversaries or seasonal updates. Taking full advantage of them can significantly increase your shard income over a short period.

Avoid DCs and Early Match Deaths

Disconnecting or dying too early in a match drastically reduces the XP you earn. Even if the match isn’t going well, try to stay in it and perform some actions. Every generator, heal, or chase counts toward XP.

Grind With the Killer Role

Killer matches often yield higher XP due to the amount of activity and actions available, such as chasing, hooking, breaking pallets, and using perks effectively. Since you control the pace of the match, you can keep survivors active for longer and earn XP through ongoing engagements.

Spending Iridescent Shards Wisely

Use the Shrine of Secrets

The Shrine of Secrets updates weekly and allows you to purchase teachable perks using Iridescent Shards. These perks can be unlocked for all characters once purchased and can help expand your build options significantly without having to level specific characters first.

• Each perk usually costs 2,000 shards.
• Unlocked perks become available in your other characters’ Bloodwebs.

Try to save up for perks that are meta-relevant or synergize with your playstyle. Prioritize teachables that help you farm better, such as Barbecue & Chili or We’re Gonna Live Forever.

Unlocking Characters

Some original characters (not from licensed franchises) can be purchased with shards. This gives you access to their perks and playstyles without using Auric Cells or cash.

Characters generally cost around 9,000 shards. Saving for these takes time but offers the best long-term value for free-to-play players.

How Much Time Does It Take?

The grind for Iridescent Shards is real and can be time-consuming, especially at higher levels where XP requirements increase. On average, casual players might earn 1,500 to 2,000 shards per week, depending on playtime. Hardcore players can earn upwards of 4,000 shards weekly if playing regularly and efficiently.

Here’s an approximate breakdown of shard accumulation:

• Play 1–2 hours a day: ~1,500 shards weekly
• Play 3–5 hours a day: ~3,000+ shards weekly
• During XP events: Add 25%–50% more shards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Expecting shards from Bloodpoints these are different currencies.
• Not checking the Shrine of Secrets weekly and missing out on key perks.
• Quitting matches early, reducing XP gain significantly.
• Spending shards on cosmetics too early instead of perks or characters.

Getting Iridescent Shards in Dead by Daylight is all about consistent play, smart performance, and efficient time management. While you can’t rush shard farming through purchases, players who commit to leveling their account through solid matches and regular play will steadily build up a supply of this valuable currency. Whether you’re aiming to unlock perks through the Shrine of Secrets or acquire new characters, Iridescent Shards are a reliable and rewarding resource. With some patience and strategic grinding, you’ll find yourself unlocking powerful perks and enhancing your gameplay experience without ever needing to spend a dime.