Top 15 Killers for Beginners in Dead By Daylight: Strategies Included

Summary

• Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, with thousands of players each month.
• Key killers such as The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker offer unique gameplay strategies and perks.
• New players should start with user-friendly killers like The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith to ease into the game's complexity.

When Dead by Daylight was launched in 2016, it started with a modest lineup of three killers and four survivors. The initial concept was a thrilling game of cat and mouse, where survivors needed to outsmart the killer to escape. Few could have predicted the explosive growth of the game, which has now earned the nickname "Super Smash Bros. of horror."

Boasting 26 killers and an average of 62,000 players as of July 2021, Dead by Daylight continues to thrive. The game offers a helpful tutorial that covers the basics, but mastering each killer's unique abilities requires practice. Unfortunately, without friends to play with, testing new killers is challenging, as there are no bot matches available. With 24 characters to choose from, it can be daunting for new players, but certain killers are more beginner-friendly.

Updated on January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: With the new Licensed Killer and Original Survivor set to release in March and April 2025, respectively, fans of Dead By Daylight are eagerly anticipating these additions. While speculation abounds about the next Killer, newcomers have ample time to experiment with different Killers. Must-try characters include the iconic Demogorgon from Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, the chaotic Clown, and Resident Evil's 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 the world of Dead By Daylight in Chapter 13: Stranger Things. Its terrifying appearance, complete with a blooming mouth full of teeth, belies a cunning Killer adept at outsmarting Survivors. The Demogorgon can vanish and reappear where Survivors least expect it, making it a formidable opponent.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon excels at surprise attacks, utilizing its Of the Abyss Power to open Portals across the map. These Portals allow the Demogorgon to sense nearby Survivors and execute powerful leaping attacks. Strategically placing up to six Portals can make chasing Survivors much easier, though Survivors can Seal visible Portals.

Its unique Perks enhance gameplay by affecting interactions with Portals in various ways, such as blocking Vault locations after Generator repairs (Cruel Limits), causing Blindness and Exhausted effects on Survivors repairing Generators (Mindbreaker), and auto-regressing Generators upon a Basic Attack that sends a Survivor into the Dying State (Surge). To maximize effectiveness, place Portals near Generators but out of immediate sight, 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, Kenneth Chase was a child fascinated with life, who later used his connections with a traveling circus to indulge his darker impulses. After being exposed, he fled across the United States until the Fog claimed him. In Dead by Daylight, the Clown uses noxious gas to hinder Survivors, making them vulnerable during chases.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown's Afterpiece Tonic releases clouds of noxious gas, slowing Survivors and impairing their vision. His Perks enhance his chasing capabilities, such as blocking Windows after vaulting (Bamboozle), reducing Healing speed and increasing Skill Check difficulty for Survivors in his Terror Radius (Coulrophobia), and causing Generator regression after hooking a Survivor (Pop Goes The Weasel).

Due to the Clown's chase-focused gameplay, Survivors often pre-drop or pre-run, necessitating better game sense and map knowledge. Clown players should identify when to pursue and when to focus on Generator regression, using Purple Gas Clouds for zoning 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 the Fog. Skipping his confrontation with Chris Redfield, Wesker uses the Uroboros Virus to hunt down Survivors, making him a relentless and deadly adversary.

How To Play

Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to perform a Bound Attack, lunging at Survivors to either auto-Vault or interact with them, infecting them with the Uroboros Virus that eventually results in a Hindered Status Effect. His Perks reflect his advanced genetic makeup, enabling him to detect nearby Survivors while carrying one (Awakened Awareness), increase Vaulting speed after a nearby Survivor's Rushed Vault (Superior Anatomy), and inflict Broken on injured, dying, or hooked Survivors until an Exit Gate is opened (Terminus).

Wesker players should leverage his Power to cover distances and punish Survivors, alternating between knife attacks when necessary. Mastering map knowledge is crucial for effective outplays with Wesker.

12 The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

The Trapper, one of the original killers since Dead By Daylight's 2016 launch, remains a reliable choice for beginners. His straightforward kit, centered around bear traps, allows new players to learn the game's mechanics comfortably.

How To Play The Trapper

Despite his name, The Trapper's kit is simple: he uses bear traps to immobilize Survivors, enabling easy captures. His Agitation perk provides a movement speed bonus when carrying a Survivor. As an Area Denial Killer, The Trapper sets traps to steer Survivors away from objectives and into his grasp. Learning trap placement is key, but his traps' simplicity makes him ideal for beginners. Additionally, The Trapper can break through pallets and walls more easily and cause increased damage to generators, adding to his imposing presence.

11 The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

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

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power grants him invisibility at a distance, becoming intermittently visible as he closes in on Survivors and fully visible within 16 meters. This stealth advantage is perfect for surprising new Survivors. Freddy gains increased action speed with each fixed generator (Fire Up) and can target a specific Survivor, prolonging Exit Gate opening times with each basic attack. He can even temporarily block exits after hooking a Survivor, making him a great choice for those learning the game.

10 The Cannibal — Leatherface

The Cannibal, available through the "Leatherface" DLC, is one of the easier killers to master, especially against new Survivors. His Barbeque & Chili perk is highly versatile, though he struggles against more experienced players.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface's chainsaw dash attack, powered by three initial charges, allows a 2-second sprint with increased movement speed, instantly downing any Survivor hit. However, using his ability builds up a "tantrum" meter, causing him to stop moving and swing wildly when full. Balancing his power and tantrums is crucial, particularly against Survivors skilled in looping.

9 The Deathslinger

Part of the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, The Deathslinger offers a unique FPS-style aiming mechanic. New players, especially those familiar with FPS games, should try him out, though his single-shot harpoon gun demands precise aim.

How To Play Deathslinger

While Deathslinger's perks aren't top-tier, they suffice for new player lobbies. His harpoon gun requires reloading after each shot, making misses costly. Successful hits allow reeling in Survivors, who then suffer from Deep Wounds, which can down them if not mended in time. Controller users may find his controls challenging due to limited sensitivity options.

8 The Trickster

Initially considered weak, The Trickster received a significant buff on July 27, 2021, enhancing his viability. His Showstopper ability lets him throw blades at Survivors, building up their laceration meter to cause damage.

How To Play The Trickster

Activating Showstopper allows throwing multiple blades to fill the laceration meter, with six hits causing damage. The Trickster can throw blades one at a time or continuously, slowing himself down. His Main Event special enables rapid blade throwing, downing nearby Survivors. Blades must be restocked from lockers, and good aim is essential, which can be challenging on a controller.

7 The Huntress

Available to all players, The Huntress is recognizable by her haunting hum. While challenging to master, her power is simple to grasp, making her suitable for beginners.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress primes and throws hatchets by holding and releasing the power button. Without a crosshair or aiming sights, hitting Survivors can be tough, especially on controllers and cluttered maps. Her hatchets can catch Survivors off-guard, and they must be restocked at lockers.

6 Legion

Legion's unmatched mobility makes them one of the fastest killers on foot. Their power is easy to learn but can be frustrating at higher levels.

How To Play Legion

Legion's Feral Frenzy allows sprinting and chaining attacks, sliding over pallets and vaulting windows like Survivors. Survivors hit during Feral Frenzy become injured and afflicted with Deep Wounds, with others in the terror radius temporarily marked. Legion cannot down Survivors during Feral Frenzy, requiring normal attacks to finish them off, making them easier to learn but less effective at higher levels.

5 The Doctor

The Doctor is a challenging killer for new Survivors to face, with a powerful ability if used correctly. Classified as "Hard" in-game, understanding his power's effects is key.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor induces Madness with Static Blast, affecting Survivors within his terror radius and causing them to scream and reveal their positions. Shock Therapy, used during Static Blast's cooldown, induces Madness in a smaller area. As Madness builds, Survivors suffer from negative effects like backward skill checks, hallucinated pallets, and fake terror radius notifications.

4 The Pig — Amanda Young

Amanda Young, The Pig from the SAW franchise, is a stealthy killer. Her ability to crouch and gain the Undetectable effect allows for surprise attacks, though she moves slower in this state.

How To Play The Pig

From the crouched state, The Pig can use 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 becomes active after a generator is completed and will kill the wearer unless they find the key in a Jigsaw box. While The Pig requires more learning, her abilities are straightforward.

3 The Hillbilly

Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush operates differently, zooming forward in a hard-to-control line that instantly downs Survivors and destroys obstacles.

How To Play The Hillbilly

Hillbilly's power is simple to activate but challenging to control, especially on controllers due to limited sensitivity options. Players must master turning and maneuvering to avoid crashing into walls or being dodged by Survivors.

2 The Shape — Michael Myers

As the first licensed killer, Michael Myers is recognizable and easy to learn, making him a good choice for beginners. His late-game power requires stalking Survivors to build his meter.

How To Play The Shape

Myers builds his meter by stalking Survivors, moving slower while doing so. At tier three, he can down Survivors in one hit until his meter depletes. Knowing when to activate tier three is key, as it becomes harder to achieve as the game progresses.

1 The Wraith

One of the original killers, The Wraith's forgiving power makes him ideal for new players. His cloak ability allows him to become nearly invisible and undetectable.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith cloaks after ringing his Wailing Bell, gaining the Undetectable status. He must uncloak to attack, gaining a speed boost upon doing so. The Wraith is an excellent all-around option for beginners, with an easy-to-learn power and enjoyable gameplay.