PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS’ SLB: Dawnbreakers of Rondo delivers thrilling co-op PvE survival with crafting, defenses, and deadly new Hungers.

In October 2026, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS launched its fourth Survivors Left Behind installment, SLB: Dawnbreakers of Rondo, a co-op PvE mode that drops up to four players into a darkness-shrouded Rondo overrun by Hungers. The mode tasks teams with powering generators, defending capacitors, and surviving until dawn—a tense survival experience that blends crafting, base defense, and relentless enemy waves.

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A Desperate Fight Against the Hungers

Accessible via Play > Arcade > SLB: Dawnbreakers of Rondo, the mode supports solo play, friend invites, and auto matchmaking. Once all players are ready in the lobby, the match begins. Teams must follow cables connected to a Generator to reach a location where they can send an escape signal. Finding Gas Cans to refuel the Generator supplies power to the Capacitor, which must be protected while it charges. If an activated Capacitor is destroyed by Hungers, its progress resets—a brutal setback that forces constant vigilance.

Once the Capacitor is fully charged, it sends the escape signal, allowing survivors to flee Rondo. Teams must survive with at least one member and complete missions to earn stage and difficulty rewards. Stage rewards are permanently added to inventory, and non-weapon items carry over between stages, encouraging players to stock up.

New Threats and a Tense Defense Phase

The Hungers have returned with more menacing moves and new attack patterns. Three new enemy types debut: the Shield Alpha Hunger, which blocks frontal attacks with a shield and requires headshots or flanking; the Shooter Hunger, which keeps its distance and fires a weapon; and the Dog Hunger, the first animal-type Hunger, which rushes in low to the ground and demands careful aim. A new Defense Phase keeps teams on edge until the very end, forcing strategic use of throwables, deployables, and special weapons.

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Tools of Survival: Crafting, Deployables, and Throwables

At the start of each stage, players interact with a Vending Machine to obtain a basic weapon. Materials collected during combat can be used at Crafting Desks to craft weapons, items, consumables, and deployables. The weapon options have been expanded, and ammo is unlimited—but powerful weapons require rare resources, so material management is key.

Food provides buffs: Pork Stew increases HP and movement speed, while Spiced Broth enhances knockdown effects. Players can use up to three different soups simultaneously for multiple buff effects. Food comes in Regular and Superior tiers, with higher-tier food offering greater effects and longer durations.

Deployables are crucial for defending the Capacitor. A table of key options:

Deployable Function
Heavy Turret Automated turret firing explosive rounds at Hungers in range
Manned Turret Player-operated stationary turret with powerful sustained fire
Barbed Wire Slows enemies passing through; durability decreases over time
Spike Trap Damages and causes Bleed to enemies crossing it
Weapon Crates Hand Cannon, Flamethrower, or Grenade Launcher (four weapons each; destroyed when discarded or expended)
Healing Station Creates a healing zone that restores HP, removes debuffs, and revives downed allies
Anti-Personnel Mine New throwable that attaches to surfaces and detonates when enemies approach

Players should note that Flamethrowers are ineffective against Hungers in fire-resistant suits. Fallen teammates can be recalled by retrieving their Blue Chip from their deathbox and using a Recall Station inside a Safehouse. Sharing resources and removing debuffs inflicted by certain Hungers further strengthens the team.

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Locations, Difficulty, and Progression

The mode features two difficulties—Rookie and Veteran—with different Hunger compositions, numbers, and stats. Teams choose difficulty and preferred location at the start. Six major Rondo locations are available:

  • Jao Tin: Opera

  • Yu Garden

  • Yun Gu: Mall

  • Rin Jiang: Docks

  • Stadium

  • Jadena City

Carry-over items such as First Aid Kits, crafting items, and throwables persist between matches. Higher difficulties and stages offer chances to obtain carry-over weapons and equipment with unique combat effects, including the MG3, Mk14, Affected M249, Affected Groza, Affected O12, and Affected AUG. Players can check stage rewards on the Stage Select screen.

Rankings based on total Hunger kills are available on the Bridge website and persist after the mode ends. However, only Hunger kills recorded in matches cleared on Veteran difficulty count toward rankings; Rookie difficulty kills do not. Players must also complete all Beginner Training missions and claim rewards, or wait until the mission period ends, to participate.

Event Pass and Important Notes

The Event Pass: Dawnbreakers is available for $3.99 and includes a level (100 G-Coin). Sales run from October 14 after live server maintenance to November 4, 2026 (UTC) on PC, and from October 22 to November 12, 2026 (UTC) on console.

The mode uses FPP perspective and Squad team mode with four players; fewer than four players will be auto-matched. Friendly fire is disabled. Weapon/Survival Mastery XP cannot be earned, match results do not appear in Match History or stats, and replays are not supported. Rankings and play records remain accessible on the Bridge website even after the mode ends.

With its dark atmosphere, crafting depth, and relentless Hungers, SLB: Dawnbreakers of Rondo offers a fresh co-op challenge for PUBG players. Survive the night, greet the dawn, and see you in Rondo. 🌅