Discover how to use Cheat Engine to modify your Survival Rank in Dying Light. This guide explains step-by-step methods to safely edit game values and unlock higher ranks without breaking your save file. With simple instructions and safety tips, you’ll gain full control over your progression.
Dying Light How to Change Survival Rank Cheat Engine: Complete Guide
If you’re stuck on a difficult mission, running out of gear, or just want to skip ahead in Dying Light’s progression system, changing your Survival Rank might seem tempting. While the game rewards patience and skill, some players prefer a faster path through content. Fortunately, tools like Cheat Engine allow advanced users to modify certain game values—including your Survival Rank—for a smoother experience. But doing this safely and effectively requires understanding both the game mechanics and how Cheat Engine works.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every step needed to change your Survival Rank in Dying Light using Cheat Engine. Whether you’re on PC, playing on Steam or another platform, these instructions apply to most versions. We’ll cover setup, scanning techniques, common pitfalls, and how to avoid getting banned. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to boost your rank—and keep your game stable.
What Is Survival Rank in Dying Light?
Before diving into Cheat Engine, let’s clarify what Survival Rank actually means. In Dying Light, Survival Rank represents your character’s overall strength based on completed objectives, collected items, story milestones, and more. Higher ranks grant access to exclusive areas, stronger loot drops, and better rewards from vendors. It’s a core part of the game’s progression system and serves as a measure of how far you’ve come.
Visual guide about Dying Light How to Change Survival Rank Cheat Engine
Image source: esports.net
Unlike simple XP bars, Survival Rank isn’t always linear. Some actions contribute more than others. For example, finishing main missions gives big jumps, while side quests add smaller increments. This complexity makes it harder to manipulate directly—but also means Cheat Engine can target the underlying value reliably if done correctly.
Is It Safe to Use Cheat Engine in Dying Light?
This is one of the most important questions. Technically, yes—Cheat Engine is safe to use on single-player games like Dying Light. Since there’s no online multiplayer component where cheating could affect others, modifying values won’t get you banned from official servers. However, if you plan to sync your save file across platforms (like from Steam to GOG), be cautious—some anti-cheat systems flag modified saves.
Most importantly: never use cheat tools on games with active online features. Doing so risks account suspension. But for pure single-player exploration, Cheat Engine is a legitimate tool for customization.
System Requirements & Prerequisites
To follow this guide, make sure your system meets these basic requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit recommended)
- Game Version: Dying Light installed via Steam, GOG, or other digital storefront
- Cheat Engine: Latest version (7.5 or newer)
- Administrator Rights: Required to run Cheat Engine with proper permissions
- Antivirus Exception: You’ll need to temporarily disable real-time protection
- Backup Your Saves: Always copy your save folder before starting
Note: If you’re using an older version of Dying Light (pre-Engine upgrade), some memory structures may differ slightly. The method below works best with the updated Engine post-2019.
Step 1: Locate and Backup Your Save Files
Before touching anything in-game, safeguard your progress. Save files are usually stored in one of these locations:
- Steam:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[YourUserID]\365960\remote\ - GOG Galaxy:
C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\My Games\Dying Light\saves - Epic Games: Check under
C:\ProgramData\Epic\EpicGamesLauncher\Data\Manifestsand look for matching folders
Once found, create a full backup by copying the entire remote or saves folder to another drive or cloud storage. Label it clearly (e.g., “DyingLight_Backup_Date”). If anything goes wrong, you can restore instantly.
Step 2: Install and Configure Cheat Engine
Download Cheat Engine from the official website (cheatengine.org) and install it normally. During installation, uncheck any optional software offers—these are often adware.
After installing:
- Right-click the Cheat Engine icon and select Run as administrator.
- When prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
- Close any welcome screens or tutorials—they’re not needed for this task.
Now, head to your antivirus settings and add Cheat Engine.exe as an exception. Alternatively, temporarily turn off real-time protection. Remember to re-enable it after finishing!
Step 3: Launch Dying Light and Start the Game
Open Dying Light and load a save where you already have a Survival Rank above zero. Ideally, pick a mid-level character (rank 5–10) so you have room to grow. Avoid using a fresh start unless you don’t mind losing everything.
Once loaded:
- Go to the main menu and note your current Survival Rank (visible in the top-left HUD).
- Stay near the spawn point—this minimizes risk if the game glitches during scanning.
Step 4: Connect Cheat Engine to Dying Light
In Cheat Engine:
- Click the PC icon in the upper-left corner (it looks like a desktop monitor).
- Type Dying Light.exe into the search box.
- Click Open Process and select the correct instance from the list.
You should see a message confirming successful attachment. If you get an error like “Access Denied,” try running both Cheat Engine and Dying Light as administrator.
Step 5: Scan for Your Current Survival Rank Value
This is the trickiest part—but also the most critical. We need to find the exact memory address storing your Survival Rank.
First Scan Setup
In Cheat Engine:
- Set the Value Type dropdown to Integer (most Survival Ranks are whole numbers).
- Enter your current rank (e.g., 7) in the Value field.
- Click First Scan.
Cheat Engine will now search all integer values in Dying Light’s memory equal to 7. Depending on your system specs, this takes 10–60 seconds. A large number of results (>10,000) suggests the value isn’t isolated yet.
Narrow Down Results
Change your Survival Rank in-game by completing any objective (e.g., finish a side quest). Return to Cheat Engine and:
- Update the Value field to your new rank (e.g., 8).
- Select Changed values in the scan type dropdown.
- Click Next Scan.
Repeat this process 2–3 times until you’re left with only a handful of addresses (ideally 1–5). These are likely candidates for the true Survival Rank.
Step 6: Test and Confirm the Correct Address
With few results remaining, test each address:
- Double-click any address in the list to add it to the address list.
- Change the Value field to a new number (e.g., 99).
- Click OK.
Return to Dying Light and check if your Survival Rank updated. If it did—you found it! If not, repeat Step 5 with different value types (try Float or Custom if Integer fails).
Step 7: Permanently Change Your Survival Rank
Once confirmed:
- Select the correct address in Cheat Engine.
- In the Value field, enter your desired rank (e.g., 50).
- Press OK to apply.
Exit Cheat Engine completely and relaunch Dying Light. Load your save—your Survival Rank should now reflect the new value. Enjoy faster access to high-tier loot and zones!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even experienced users hit snags. Here’s how to fix them:
Issue: Too Many Scan Results
Symptom: Thousands of matches after first scan.
Solution: Use additional filters like memory region (try “Code”) or freeze unrelated values first. Also, ensure you’re scanning only while the game is actively running.
Issue: Changes Don’t Stick After Restarting
Symptom: Rank resets when you reload the game.
Solution: The address may be dynamic. Re-scan after restarting both game and Cheat Engine. Consider creating a Lua script to auto-update the value.
Issue: Game Crashes on Launch
Symptom: Dying Light won’t open after editing.
Solution: Restore your backup save and retry. Never force-modify corrupted files.
Issue: Antivirus Blocks Cheat Engine
Symptom: CE won’t launch or attach to process.
Solution: Add exceptions in Windows Defender or third-party AV. Run CE offline if necessary.
Advanced Tips for Power Users
Want even more control? Try these pro tricks:
- Use Memory View: Right-click any address → Find out what accesses this address. This reveals code pointers useful for scripting.
- Create a Lua Script: Automate rank updates every time you load the game. Requires basic coding but saves time.
- Freeze Other Values: Lock health, stamina, or XP to prevent unintended changes during testing.
- Scan at Different Times: Some values update only during cutscenes or menu transitions. Be patient!
Ethical Considerations and Fair Play
While Cheat Engine is legal for single-player games, consider the spirit of challenge. Dying Light rewards persistence, exploration, and skill. If you rely solely on cheats, you might miss out on the game’s best moments—like mastering parkour or surviving hordes.
That said, everyone plays differently. If you use Cheat Engine to test builds, explore lore-heavy areas early, or simply enjoy the story without grind, that’s perfectly valid. Just don’t share modified saves online or upload them to forums—this can confuse other players and clutter community resources.
Conclusion: Master Your Progression with Confidence
Changing your Survival Rank in Dying Light using Cheat Engine is entirely possible—and with this guide, you now have all the tools to do it safely. From backing up saves to pinpointing memory addresses, every step ensures your adventure remains stable and enjoyable.
Remember: Cheat Engine isn’t magic—it responds to clear inputs and consistent scans. Patience and practice will yield faster results than rushing through the process. And always prioritize backups; they’re your lifeline when things go sideways.
Whether you’re boosting your rank to tackle Nightmare Mode early or just curious about game mechanics, this method opens new doors. Now go forth, climb higher, and savor every zombie-free moment in Harran!