Summary

• Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, averaging 62,000 monthly players as of July 2021.
• Key killers like The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker offer unique strategies and perks, enhancing gameplay variety.
• Beginners are advised to start with simpler killers such as The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith to ease into the game's complexities.

When Dead by Daylight was first released in 2016, it started with just three killers and four survivors, envisioned as a thrilling game of hide-and-seek where survivors used their wits to escape the killer's grasp. Few could have predicted its meteoric rise. Today, Dead by Daylight is often referred to as the "Super Smash Bros. of horror," boasting an impressive roster of 26 killers and a dedicated player base.

As of July 2021, the game continues to attract an average of 62,000 players monthly, showing no signs of slowing down. While the game offers a basic tutorial that covers the essentials of gameplay, mastering the intricacies of each killer requires practice. Unfortunately, without friends to play with, testing new killers is challenging as there are no bot matches available. Choosing from a daunting list of 24 characters can be overwhelming for newcomers, but some killers are more beginner-friendly.

Updated on January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: The anticipation builds as Dead by Daylight gears up to introduce a new Licensed Killer in March 2025 and an Original Survivor in April 2025. While fans speculate on the identity of the upcoming killer, new players have ample opportunity to experiment with the game's diverse killer lineup. Notable mentions include the iconic Demogorgon from Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, the menacing Clown, and Resident Evil's formidable Albert Wesker.

15 The Beast - The Demogorgon

Cover Distance With Portals

The Demogorgon, an interdimensional entity from the sci-fi horror series Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, entered Dead by Daylight with Chapter 13: Stranger Things. With its fearsome appearance and deadly capabilities, the Demogorgon can outsmart survivors who try to outrun its reach. It can vanish and reappear unexpectedly, making it a formidable opponent.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon excels in surprise attacks, utilizing its Portals to cover large distances swiftly. Its Of the Abyss Power allows it to sense survivors near its Portals, enabling a powerful leaping attack. Players can strategically place up to six Portals across the map to chase survivors effectively, though survivors can seal visible Portals.

The Demogorgon's unique Perks enhance its Portal interactions, such as blocking vault locations upon generator repair (Cruel Limits), inflicting Blindness and Exhausted on survivors repairing generators (Mindbreaker), and causing generator regression upon downing a survivor (Surge). Players should position Portals near generators but not directly visible to survivors, and use feints to keep survivors off-balance.

14 The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

A Killer Clown With An Infectious Laugh

Before becoming The Clown in the Fog, Kenneth Chase, known later as Jeffrey, led a life of solitude that fueled his fascination with living beings. Initially collecting "keepsakes" from animals, he escalated to human victims during his time with a traveling circus. Specializing in pursuits, The Clown uses his signature anesthetic in the form of noxious gas to hinder survivors, setting them up for the kill.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown is a chase specialist, utilizing the Afterpiece Tonic to release clouds of noxious gas that impair survivors' vision and movement. His Perks enhance his chasing abilities, including blocking windows after vaulting (Bamboozle), reducing healing speed and increasing skill check rotations within his terror radius (Coulrophobia), and causing generator regression after hooking a survivor (Pop Goes The Weasel).

Survivors often pre-drop or pre-run to gain an advantage, challenging Clown players to develop strong game sense and map knowledge. Players should strategically use Tonics, using the Purple Gas Cloud for zoning chokepoints and Yellow Antidote Bottles to prepare for chases.

13 The Mastermind - Albert Wesker

Never Get Caught In His Attacks

Introduced in Chapter 25: Resident Evil: PROJECT W, Albert Wesker, known as The Mastermind, brings his superior genetics and mutated biology to Dead by Daylight. Bypassing his confrontation with Chris Redfield, Wesker enters the Fog, using the Uroboros Virus to hunt down survivors.

How To Play

Albert Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to charge a Bound Attack, enabling a lunge that can auto-vault over pallets and windows or interact with survivors, either lashing out or executing a grab-throw. These interactions infect survivors with the Uroboros Virus, leading to a Hindered Status Effect over time. His Perks reflect his advanced genetics, such as detecting auras of nearby survivors while carrying one (Awakened Awareness), boosting vault speed when a survivor performs a rushed vault (Superior Anatomy), and inflicting Broken on injured, dying, or hooked survivors until an exit gate is opened (Terminus).

Wesker players should leverage his power to finish chases efficiently, using knife attacks against survivors adept at evading his more vicious attacks. Mastery of Wesker requires strong map knowledge and control, making him a potent killer when used effectively.

12 The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

As one of the original killers in Dead by Daylight since its 2016 launch, The Trapper remains a reliable choice for beginners. His straightforward skillset, pursuit capabilities, and reliance on bear traps make him an excellent introduction to the game.

How To Play The Trapper

Despite the intimidating name, The Trapper's mechanics are simple. Evan uses bear traps to immobilize survivors, setting them across the map to catch unsuspecting victims. Once trapped, survivors can be easily picked up and hooked. The Trapper gains a movement speed bonus via Agitation while carrying a survivor.

Effective as an Area Denial Killer, The Trapper's bear traps can be strategically placed to lead survivors away from objectives. While trap placement requires learning, their ease of use makes them ideal for new players. The Trapper also excels at breaking through pallets and walls and can deal increased damage to generators, making him a formidable presence on the map.

11 The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Dead by Daylight excels at integrating iconic horror figures, with Freddy Krueger being a prime example. Introduced in 2017 as a DLC character, Freddy's dream-stalking persona and auto-stealth ability make him an accessible killer for beginners.

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power grants him visual invisibility to survivors at a certain distance, becoming intermittently visible as he closes in and fully visible within 16 meters. This stealth advantage allows new players to surprise less experienced survivors.

Freddy gains strength as generators are repaired thanks to his Fire Up perk and can become obsessed with a single survivor, increasing the time needed to open exit gates with each basic attack. He can also temporarily shut down exit gates upon hooking a survivor. Freddy's auto-stealth, increased action speed, and exit-blocking capabilities make him an excellent choice for those new to playing killers.

10 The Cannibal — Leatherface

Players with the "Leatherface" DLC can access The Cannibal, a killer with a straightforward learning curve. His Barbeque & Chili perk is one of the most versatile in the game, making him effective against new survivors, though less so against experienced ones.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface's chainsaw dash attack is his primary weapon, starting with three charges per match. A charge initiates a 2-second sprint, boosting his movement speed and downing any survivor hit by the chainsaw.

However, using his ability builds a "tantrum" meter. Once full, Leatherface stops moving and swings his chainsaw wildly, downing survivors but halting his movement. Balancing his power with tantrum management is crucial, especially against survivors adept at looping.

9 The Deathslinger

Introduced in the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, The Deathslinger stands out with his unique ranged ability reminiscent of FPS games. New players familiar with first-person shooters should find him engaging, though mastering his aim can be challenging.

How To Play Deathslinger

While his perks may not be top-tier, they are suitable for new player lobbies. The Deathslinger's harpoon gun requires a single shot before reloading, making misses costly.

Successful hits allow him to reel in survivors, leaving them injured and afflicted with Deep Wounds. If not mended in time, Deep Wounds can down an injured player. Controller users might struggle with his controls, as Dead by Daylight lacks the detailed sensitivity options found in many FPS games.

8 The Trickster

Initially considered one of the weakest killers, The Trickster received significant buffs on July 27, 2021, improving his viability. With his Showstopper ability and zany design, he offers a unique gameplay experience.

How To Play The Trickster

The Trickster's Showstopper allows him to throw small blades at survivors, building their laceration meter. Six successful hits cause damage, either injuring or downing them. He can throw blades one at a time or continuously, though the latter slows him down.

Using his ability charges his Main Event special, enabling rapid, unlimited blade throws that can down nearby survivors. Blades must be restocked from lockers around the map. Like the Deathslinger, his effectiveness relies on good aim, which can be challenging without strong auto-aim or sensitivity options on controllers.

7 The Huntress

Available to all Dead by Daylight players, The Huntress is recognizable by her haunting lullaby. While mastering her can be challenging, her power is straightforward, making her a good choice for beginners.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress primes a throwing hatchet by holding down the power button and releases it to launch forward. Without a crosshair or aiming sights, hitting survivors can be difficult, especially on cluttered maps or for controller users.

Her intuitive power and decent lunging attack make her suitable for new players. Hatchets can catch survivors off-guard from almost any distance but must be restocked at lockers.

6 Legion

Known for their unmatched speed, Legion is one of the most mobile killers in Dead by Daylight. While easy to learn, their power can be frustrating against more experienced survivors.

How To Play Legion

Legion's Feral Frenzy allows them to sprint and chain attacks, losing sight of survivor indicators but gaining the ability to slide over pallets and vault windows. Survivors hit during Feral Frenzy become injured and afflicted with Deep Wounds, with others in the terror radius temporarily marked for pursuit.

However, Legion cannot down survivors while in Feral Frenzy, requiring players to finish them off without the power. This makes Legion easy to learn but less effective against seasoned players.

5 The Doctor

Considered challenging for survivors, The Doctor can dominate new lobbies with his powerful ability. While classified as "Hard" in-game, his power's effects are complex but rewarding to master.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor induces Madness in survivors using Static Blast within his terror radius, causing them to scream and reveal their positions. Madness has three tiers, with increasing negative effects on survivors.

During Static Blast's cooldown, he can use Shock Therapy to induce Madness in a smaller area. As Madness builds, survivors face backward skill checks, hallucinated pallets, and fake terror radius notifications, making The Doctor a constant threat.

4 The Pig — Amanda Young

Fans of the SAW franchise will recognize Amanda Young as The Pig. Her stealthy gameplay is rewarding but requires practice. The Pig can crouch, gaining the Undetectable effect, which removes her terror radius and red killer light, allowing for surprise attacks.

How To Play The Pig

From a crouched position, The Pig can activate the Ambush Dash to sprint and attack survivors, either injuring or downing them. After downing a survivor, she can place a reverse bear trap on their head, which activates after a generator is completed and kills the survivor after 150 seconds unless they find the key in a Jigsaw box.

While The Pig's mechanics are more complex, her ability and traps are straightforward, making her a viable choice for players willing to learn her intricacies.

3 The Hillbilly

Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly was one of the original killers in Dead by Daylight. His chainsaw rush is easy to learn but challenging to master, especially against skilled survivors.

How To Play The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush propels him forward at double speed in a straight line, downing survivors on impact and destroying pallets and breakable doors. While simple to activate, controlling the rush is difficult, especially for controller users due to limited sensitivity options.

Mastering the Hillbilly requires learning to maneuver and turn effectively, making him less beginner-friendly but rewarding for those who invest time in learning his mechanics.

2 The Shape — Michael Myers

As the first licensed killer in Dead by Daylight, Michael Myers is a recognizable slasher icon. His power is easy to learn, making him suitable for new players, though he is often considered a late-game killer.

How To Play The Shape

Michael Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors, moving slower while doing so. Stalking highlights survivors, with white-highlighted ones building the meter faster than red-highlighted ones. At tier three, Myers can down survivors in one hit until his meter regresses.

While using Myers's power involves simple stalking, the skill lies in timing tier three activations and navigating the map effectively.

1 The Wraith

As one of the original killers, The Wraith is the most forgiving option for new players. His power is easy to learn and effective against new survivors, making him an excellent choice for beginners.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith can cloak himself using his Wailing Bell, gaining the Undetectable status and becoming nearly invisible. He must uncloak to attack, receiving a speed boost upon doing so, which can catch survivors off-guard.

The Wraith's straightforward power and availability to all players make him an ideal starting point for those new to Dead by Daylight, offering a fun and accessible killer experience.