Summary
- Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, averaging thousands of monthly players.
- Key killers like The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker offer unique strategies and perks, enhancing gameplay.
- Beginners are recommended to start with easier-to-learn killers such as The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith before exploring more complex options.
When Dead by Daylight was released in 2016, it started with just three killers and four survivors, designed as a thrilling game of hide-and-seek where survivors had to outsmart the killer to escape. Few could have predicted its meteoric rise, which has led to it being dubbed the "Super Smash Bros. of horror."
With 26 killers and an average of 62 thousand players as of July 2021, Dead by Daylight continues to thrive. The game offers a comprehensive tutorial that covers the basics, but mastering the intricacies of each killer can be challenging. Without friends to practice with, testing new killers is tough since there are no bot matches available. Choosing from 24 characters can be daunting, but some are more beginner-friendly.
Updated on January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: As Dead by Daylight gears up for the release of a new Licensed Killer in March 2025 and an Original Survivor in April 2025, fans are buzzing with speculation about these new additions. Meanwhile, newcomers have ample time to experiment with various killers. Must-try characters include the iconic Demogorgon from Stranger Things, the menacing Clown, and Resident Evil's Albert Wesker.
15 The Beast - The Demogorgon
Cover Distance With Portals
The Demogorgon, an interdimensional being from the sci-fi horror series Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, entered Dead by Daylight in Chapter 13: Stranger Things. With its terrifying appearance and ability to vanish and reappear unexpectedly, the Demogorgon can outsmart survivors who think they can escape by running.
How To Play The Demogorgon
The Demogorgon excels in surprise attacks, utilizing its Of the Abyss Power to open Portals across the map. These Portals allow the Demogorgon to sense nearby survivors and launch powerful leaping attacks. Strategically placing up to six Portals near generators, but not too close, can catch survivors off guard. The Demogorgon's unique perks, such as Cruel Limits, Mindbreaker, and Surge, enhance its ability to control the game's flow. Players should practice faking Portal-hopping and lunges to keep survivors guessing.
14 The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk
A Killer Clown With An Infectious Laugh
Before becoming the Clown, Kenneth Chase, also known as Jeffrey Hawk, led a life of solitude that turned into a fascination with living beings. Using his ties to a traveling circus as a cover, he began collecting "keepsakes" from humans. The Clown uses noxious gas to hinder survivors during chases, making them easier targets.
How To Play The Clown
The Clown's Afterpiece Tonic releases clouds of gas that impair survivors' vision and movement, ideal for chases. His perks, like Bamboozle, Coulrophobia, and Pop Goes The Weasel, enhance his pursuit capabilities. To master the Clown, players need to develop strong game sense and map knowledge, using the Purple Gas Cloud to control chokepoints and the Yellow Antidote Bottles to prepare for chases.
13 The Mastermind - Albert Wesker
Never Get Caught In His Attacks
Albert Wesker, introduced in Chapter 25: Resident Evil: PROJECT W, is known as the Mastermind in Dead by Daylight. His superior genetics and mutated biology make him a formidable opponent, using the Uroboros Virus to infect and hinder survivors.
How To Play
Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to perform a Bound Attack, which can auto-Vault or interact with survivors, infecting them with the Uroboros Virus. His perks, such as Awakened Awareness, Superior Anatomy, and Terminus, reflect his advanced genetic makeup. Wesker players should focus on finishing chases efficiently, using map knowledge to control distance and outplay survivors.
12 The Trapper — Evan MacMillan
The Trapper, one of the original killers since Dead by Daylight's launch in 2016, remains a solid choice for beginners. His straightforward kit, centered around bear traps, allows new players to learn the game's mechanics easily.
How To Play The Trapper
The Trapper uses bear traps to lock survivors in place, making them easy targets for hooking. His Agitation perk provides a movement speed bonus when carrying a survivor. As an Area Denial Killer, the Trapper excels at setting traps to control the map and disrupt survivors' objectives. His ability to break through pallets and walls, along with increased generator damage, makes him a formidable presence.
11 The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger
Freddy Krueger, introduced in 2017 as a DLC character, brings his iconic dream-stalking persona to Dead by Daylight. His auto-stealthing ability makes him an excellent choice for beginners.
How To Play The Nightmare
Freddy's Dream Demon power allows him to remain invisible to survivors at a distance, making it easier to surprise them. His Fire Up perk increases his action speed as generators are fixed, and his ability to become obsessed with a survivor can delay their escape. Freddy's auto-stealth and ability to block exits make him a great pick for new players learning the ropes.
10 The Cannibal — Leatherface
The Cannibal, available through the "Leatherface" DLC, is one of the easier killers to learn. His Barbeque & Chili perk is highly valuable across the killer roster, though he may struggle against more experienced survivors.
How To Play Leatherface
Leatherface's chainsaw dash attack can instantly down survivors, but it comes with a tantrum meter that can halt his movement if not managed properly. Balancing his power and tantrums is key, especially against survivors skilled at looping.
9 The Deathslinger
The Deathslinger, introduced in the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, offers a unique ranged ability reminiscent of FPS games. His harpoon gun requires good aim, making him a challenging but rewarding choice for new players.
How To Play Deathslinger
The Deathslinger's harpoon gun can reel in survivors, leaving them injured with Deep Wounds. His perks may not be meta, but they are effective in new player lobbies. Controller users may find his aiming mechanics challenging due to limited sensitivity options.
8 The Trickster
Initially considered one of the weakest killers, the Trickster received a significant buff in July 2021, making him a more viable choice. His Showstopper ability allows him to throw blades at survivors, building up their laceration meter.
How To Play The Trickster
The Trickster can throw blades one at a time or continuously, building up to his Main Event special, which allows for rapid blade throwing. Restocking blades from lockers is essential. Like the Deathslinger, the Trickster's effectiveness relies on good aim, which can be challenging on controllers.
7 The Huntress
The Huntress, available to all players, is recognizable by her haunting hum. While she's harder to master, her power is straightforward and easy to learn.
How To Play The Huntress
The Huntress throws hatchets at survivors, which can be challenging without a crosshair. Her lunging attack and hatchets make her a threat from a distance, but restocking at lockers is necessary. She's a great choice for new players looking to learn ranged attacks.
6 Legion
Legion is one of the most mobile killers, excelling in speed but not in teleportation or blinking. Their power is easy to learn but can be frustrating at higher levels.
How To Play Legion
Legion's Feral Frenzy allows them to sprint and chain attacks, inflicting Deep Wounds on survivors. While they can't down survivors during the frenzy, they can mark others in their terror radius for quick follow-up attacks. Legion is easy to pick up but may struggle against experienced players.
5 The Doctor
The Doctor is considered one of the toughest killers for survivors to face, especially in new lobbies. His power is complex but extremely effective when used correctly.
How To Play The Doctor
The Doctor uses Static Blast and Shock Therapy to induce Madness in survivors, causing them to scream and reveal their positions. As Madness builds, survivors suffer from negative effects like backward skill checks and hallucinations. Mastering the Doctor's power requires understanding its effects and timing.
4 The Pig — Amanda Young
Amanda Young, known as The Pig from the SAW franchise, is a stealthy killer. Her ability to crouch and become Undetectable allows for surprise attacks.
How To Play The Pig
From a crouched position, The Pig can use the Ambush Dash to sprint and attack survivors. After downing a survivor, she can place a reverse bear trap on their head, which activates after a generator is completed and can kill them unless they find the right key. The Pig's power is easy to understand but requires strategic placement of traps.
3 The Hillbilly
The Hillbilly, inspired by Leatherface, uses a chainsaw rush to down survivors and destroy obstacles. His power is simple but hard to control, especially for controller users.
How To Play The Hillbilly
The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush propels him forward at high speed, downing survivors on impact. While easy to learn, mastering the Hillbilly requires skill in maneuvering and avoiding obstacles. He's less beginner-friendly for controller players due to limited sensitivity options.
2 The Shape — Michael Myers
Michael Myers, the first licensed killer in Dead by Daylight, is a late-game powerhouse. His power is simple to learn, making him suitable for new players.
How To Play The Shape
Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors, which can be activated with the power button. At tier three, he can down survivors in one hit. The key to playing Myers effectively is knowing when to activate tier three and how to move stealthily.
1 The Wraith
The Wraith, one of the original killers, is the most forgiving and ideal for beginners. His cloaking ability makes him nearly invisible, perfect for learning the game.
How To Play The Wraith
The Wraith can cloak himself with his Wailing Bell, becoming Undetectable. He must uncloak to attack, gaining a speed boost upon doing so. The Wraith's power is easy to learn, making him a great choice for new players looking to master the basics of playing a killer.
