Dead by Daylight, released in 2016 with a mere three killers and four survivors, has exploded in popularity. What began as a simple hide-and-seek game has evolved into a sprawling horror experience boasting 26 killers and an average of 62,000 players (as of July 2021). While the game offers a basic tutorial, mastering each killer's unique complexities requires practice. This guide highlights several killers ideal for beginners, easing the transition into the thrilling world of Dead by Daylight.
Updated January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: With new Licensed Killer and Original Survivor releases slated for March and April 2025, newcomers have ample time to explore and master various Killers. This guide includes iconic villains from D&D and Stranger Things, a terrifying clown, and Resident Evil's mastermind.
Summary
- Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains consistent popularity with thousands of average monthly players.
- Key killers like The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker offer unique strategies and perks.
- Beginners should start with easier killers such as The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith before progressing to more complex options.
15. The Beast - The Demogorgon
Hailing from Stranger Things (and Dungeons & Dragons), The Demogorgon arrived in Chapter 13. Its ability to open portals allows for surprise attacks and rapid traversal across the map, making it challenging for survivors to maintain distance.
How to Play The Demogorgon
The Demogorgon excels at ambushes. Its "Of the Abyss" power lets it sense survivors near portals, enabling swift attacks. It can place up to six portals, creating efficient chase routes. Survivors can seal visible portals, requiring strategic placement by the Demogorgon. Unique perks like Cruel Limits, Mindbreaker, and Surge further enhance its portal manipulation and generator control.
14. The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk
The Clown, a master of pursuit, uses noxious gas to hinder survivors' vision and movement. His perks, Bamboozle, Coulrophobia, and Pop Goes The Weasel, amplify his chase capabilities.
How to Play The Clown
The Clown’s Afterpiece Tonic releases gas clouds, impairing survivors. Effective use requires understanding when to prioritize chases versus generator regression. Strategic gas placement, particularly using purple gas for zoning and yellow antidotes for pre-chase preparation, is crucial.
13. The Mastermind - Albert Wesker
Introduced in Chapter 25: Resident Evil: PROJECT W, Albert Wesker uses the Uroboros Virus to infect and hinder survivors. His Virulent Bond allows charged lunges, bypassing obstacles and infecting survivors.
How to Play Albert Wesker
Wesker's power covers significant distance, inflicting the Uroboros Virus and eventually a hindered status effect. Perks like Awakened Awareness, Superior Anatomy, and Terminus enhance his ability to control the game. Mastering map knowledge and distance control is key to maximizing his effectiveness.
12. The Trapper — Evan MacMillan
A classic choice for beginners, The Trapper's straightforward trap-based gameplay makes him easy to learn. His ability to easily set traps and benefit from the Agitation perk when carrying survivors makes him a solid choice for beginners.
How to Play The Trapper
The Trapper excels at area denial, using bear traps to control the map and funnel survivors. Strategic trap placement is key, but the simplicity of the traps makes this a great starting point for new players. His ability to easily break pallets and walls and increased damage to generators adds to his overall effectiveness.
11. The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger
Freddy Krueger's Dream Demon power provides a passive stealth advantage, making him ideal for beginners. His ability to auto-stealth, increased speed with generator fixes, and ability to block exits make him a great option for new players.
How to Play The Nightmare
Freddy's invisibility at a distance allows for surprise attacks. His Fire Up perk increases his power as generators are repaired, and his obsession mechanic affects exit gate opening times. Mastering his stealth and exit gate control is key to success.
10. The Cannibal — Leatherface
Leatherface, with his powerful chainsaw rush, is relatively easy to learn, especially his Barbeque & Chili perk. However, his effectiveness diminishes against experienced players.
How to Play Leatherface
Leatherface's chainsaw sprint instantly downs survivors but has a limited number of charges. Managing his "tantrum" meter, which triggers a powerful but stationary attack, is crucial. Balancing his aggressive power with strategic use of his ability is essential for success.
9. The Deathslinger
The Deathslinger's ranged harpoon gun requires good aim but offers a unique playstyle. His ability to reel in survivors with his harpoon and inflict Deep Wounds makes him a unique and potentially challenging character for new players.
How to Play Deathslinger
The Deathslinger's power is easy to grasp but challenging to master. Accurate shots are crucial, as misses significantly impact gameplay. Successfully hitting survivors with the harpoon allows him to reel them in, injuring them and inflicting Deep Wounds.
8. The Trickster
The Trickster's Showstopper ability, throwing blades to build up a laceration meter, requires aim and strategic use of his Main Event special. Restocking blades from lockers is crucial.
How to Play The Trickster
The Trickster's power involves throwing blades to build up a laceration meter, culminating in significant damage. His Main Event allows for rapid blade throwing but requires careful management of blade resources. Good aim is essential for success.
7. The Huntress
The Huntress's throwing hatchets require precision but offer a satisfyingly brutal playstyle. Her intuitive power and decent lunging attack make her a great choice for new players, despite the need to restock hatchets.
How to Play The Huntress
The Huntress's power is simple: throw hatchets to injure or down survivors. Accuracy is key, and managing hatchet resources is essential. Her ability to catch survivors off guard with her hatchets makes her a threat from any distance.
6. Legion
Legion's high mobility and ability to chain attacks during Feral Frenzy make them a unique and mobile killer. However, they cannot down survivors while in Feral Frenzy, making them a somewhat weaker killer overall.
How to Play Legion
Legion's Feral Frenzy grants increased speed, allowing them to chain attacks and traverse obstacles quickly. However, they cannot down survivors while in this state, requiring careful management of the power and finishing off survivors while out of Frenzy.
5. The Doctor
The Doctor's Madness effect, induced through Static Blast and Shock Therapy, is powerful but requires understanding of its multiple tiers and effects. His ability to induce Madness and cause negative effects on survivors makes him a challenging opponent.
How to Play The Doctor
The Doctor uses Static Blast and Shock Therapy to induce Madness in survivors. Managing Madness levels and understanding the resulting negative effects (backward skill checks, hallucinations, etc.) is crucial for effective gameplay.
4. The Pig — Amanda Young
The Pig's stealth and ability to place reverse bear traps make her a unique and challenging killer. Her ability to crouch and gain Undetectable status makes her a threat to unsuspecting survivors.
How to Play The Pig
The Pig uses stealth and ambush attacks to catch survivors off guard. Placing reverse bear traps on downed survivors adds a strategic layer, forcing survivors to find keys to disarm them before time runs out.
3. The Hillbilly
The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush is powerful but difficult to control, making him a challenging but rewarding killer to master. His ability to easily destroy obstacles makes him a strong killer, but his difficulty in controlling his chainsaw rush makes him less suitable for new players.
How to Play The Hillbilly
The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush instantly downs survivors but requires precise control. Mastering turning and maneuvering during the rush is essential for success. This killer is less suitable for new players because of his difficult-to-control ability.
2. The Shape — Michael Myers
Michael Myers' power builds over time through stalking, culminating in a powerful one-hit down state. His late-game strength makes him a rewarding but potentially frustrating killer for beginners.
How to Play The Shape
Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors. Reaching tier three enables one-hit downs, but this requires strategic stalking and timing. The skill lies in knowing when to activate tier three and how to move effectively as Myers.
1. The Wraith
The Wraith's cloaking ability and speed boost upon uncloaking make him an excellent starting point for new players. His easy-to-understand power and forgiving nature make him ideal for beginners.
How to Play The Wraith
The Wraith cloaks himself using his Wailing Bell, becoming nearly invisible. Uncloaking grants a speed boost, allowing for swift attacks. His simple power and forgiving gameplay make him perfect for learning the basics of the killer role.
