The Guitar Emote Comes From the Resident Evil: Project W Chapter

The Guitar Emote in Dead by Daylight is a cosmetic item tied to Cheryl Mason, the survivor from the Resident Evil: Project W chapter. You unlock it by purchasing the chapter and then spending Auric Cells—the premium currency—on Cheryl's cosmetic collection, or by earning it through the Rift if it appears in a seasonal track.

The emote itself shows your survivor playing a brief guitar riff as an in-game animation. It's purely cosmetic and does not affect gameplay, but it's a visible way to customize how your character looks and acts during matches.

Key Takeaways

  • The Guitar Emote belongs to Cheryl Mason and requires you to own the Resident Evil: Project W chapter first.
  • You can purchase the emote directly with Auric Cells from the in-game store under Cheryl's cosmetics tab.
  • The emote may also appear in the Rift track during certain seasons, where you can unlock it by reaching the correct tier.
  • Emotes are cosmetic only and do not change survivor abilities, perks, or how other players see you in-game.

Buying the Resident Evil Chapter

Before you can access any of Cheryl Mason's cosmetics, including the Guitar Emote, you must own the Resident Evil: Project W chapter. This is a paid DLC pack available on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The chapter costs money and cannot be purchased with Bloodpoints (the free in-game currency).

Once you buy the chapter, Cheryl Mason becomes available as a playable survivor. Her cosmetics—including the Guitar Emote—then appear in the store for purchase. If you already own the chapter, you can skip this step and move directly to buying the emote itself.

Purchasing the Emote With Auric Cells

The most direct way to get the Guitar Emote is to buy it with Auric Cells from the in-game store. Open Dead by Daylight, go to the Store tab, and search for Cheryl Mason's cosmetics. The Guitar Emote should appear in her collection with a price listed in Auric Cells (usually between 350 and 500 cells, though prices vary by region and sales).

Auric Cells are purchased with real money through your platform's payment system. You can buy them in bundles directly from the store. Once you purchase the emote, it appears in your cosmetics inventory when ready and is ready to equip on any survivor.

Unlocking the Emote Through the Rift

Dead by Daylight runs seasonal Rift tracks that offer cosmetics as rewards for completing challenges and reaching specific tiers. The Guitar Emote has appeared in past Rift tracks and may return in future seasons. If it's available in the current or upcoming Rift, you can unlock it by progressing through the track without spending Auric Cells.

To check if the Guitar Emote is in the current Rift, open the Rift menu in-game and scroll through the tier rewards. Each tier shows what cosmetic or item you'll unlock at that level. If you see the Guitar Emote listed, you can work toward it by completing the daily and weekly challenges that grant Rift progression. The Rift track changes each season, so the emote may not always be available this way.

Equipping the Emote in a Match

Once you own the Guitar Emote, you need to set it as your active emote before entering a match. Go to the Cosmetics menu, select your survivor, and find the Emotes section. Click on the Guitar Emote to equip it. You can only have one emote active at a time, so choosing this one will replace any other emote you had selected.

During a match, you trigger the emote by pressing the emote button (the default key varies by platform—check your controls settings to confirm). Your survivor will play the guitar animation for a few seconds. Other players in the match will see the animation, but it does not affect gameplay or give away your position to the killer in any mechanical way.

Checking Your Cosmetics Inventory

If you're unsure whether you already own the Guitar Emote, check your cosmetics inventory. Open the main menu, go to Cosmetics, select Cheryl Mason, and look at the Emotes tab. If the Guitar Emote is there, it will show as owned (usually with a checkmark or "Owned" label). If it's not listed or shows a price, you have not purchased it yet.

You can also view cosmetics in the store without owning them to see what they look like before you buy. This is helpful if you want to preview the emote animation before spending Auric Cells.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is trying to buy the emote without owning the Resident Evil chapter first. The emote will not appear in the store if you do not own the DLC. Make sure you have purchased the chapter before looking for the cosmetic.

Another mistake is confusing emotes with other cosmetics like outfits or weapon skins. Emotes are animations only—they do not change how your survivor looks. If you want to change Cheryl's appearance, you need to buy an outfit separately. Also, remember that Auric Cells are region-locked and tied to your account, so you cannot gift them to other players or transfer them between accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy the Resident Evil chapter to use the Guitar Emote?

Yes. The Guitar Emote is part of Cheryl Mason's cosmetic collection, and you cannot access her cosmetics without owning the Resident Evil: Project W chapter. The chapter is a one-time purchase that unlocks Cheryl as a playable survivor and gives you access to all her cosmetics.

Can I use the Guitar Emote on other survivors?

No. The Guitar Emote is exclusive to Cheryl Mason and cannot be equipped on other survivors. Each survivor has their own set of cosmetics and emotes. If you want a guitar-themed emote for a different survivor, you would need to check if they have a similar cosmetic available in their own collection.

How much does the Guitar Emote cost?

The emote typically costs between 350 and 500 Auric Cells, though the exact price may vary by region and during sales. Check the in-game store for the current price in your area. Auric Cells are purchased with real money, and prices vary depending on how many cells you buy at once.

Will the Guitar Emote come back to the Rift?

The Rift track changes every season, so cosmetics rotate in and out. The Guitar Emote may return in a future Rift season, but there is no set schedule for when. If you want it now, purchasing it with Auric Cells is the most reliable way to get it when ready.

Can I refund the emote if I change my mind?

Refund policies vary by platform. On Steam, you may be able to refund cosmetics within 14 days of purchase if you have not played more than 2 hours since buying them. Check your platform's refund policy for exact details. Console refunds are typically handled through your console's support system.