Dead by Daylight: Top 15 Killer Guides for New Players

Dead by Daylight, released in 2016 with a mere three killers and four survivors, has exploded in popularity. Initially a simple hide-and-seek game, it's now considered by many to be the "Super Smash Bros. of horror," 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 complexities requires practice, ideally with friends, as bot matches are absent. This guide highlights easier killers for beginners to start with before tackling the more challenging options.

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 crazed clown equivalent, and Resident Evil's mastermind.

15. The Beast - The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon, from *Stranger Things* (and *Dungeons & Dragons*), arrived in Chapter 13. Its terrifying presence is matched by its ability to outwit Survivors using Portals. The Demogorgon can vanish and reappear unexpectedly, making it a master of surprise attacks.

How to Play: The Demogorgon's "Of the Abyss" Power allows it to sense Survivors near Portals, enabling powerful leaping attacks. Six Portals can be strategically placed across the map to facilitate chases. Survivors can seal visible Portals. Unique Perks further enhance Portal interaction, such as blocking vaults (Cruel Limits), inflicting Blindness and Exhaustion (Mindbreaker), and auto-regressing Generators (Surge). Mastering feigned Portal hops and lunges keeps Survivors off-guard.

14. The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

Before becoming the Clown, Kenneth Chase was a solitary child fascinated by the living. His "keepsakes" evolved from animals to humans, leading to his life with a traveling circus and ultimately, the Fog. The Clown excels in pursuits, using noxious gas to hinder Survivors.

How to Play: The Clown's "Afterpiece Tonic" releases noxious gas, impairing vision and movement. Perks enhance chases: blocking Windows (Bamboozle), slowing healing (Coulrophobia), and instantly regressing Generators (Pop Goes The Weasel). Effective Clown gameplay requires anticipating Survivor actions, leveraging Generator regression, and mastering Tonic usage – Purple Gas for zoning, Yellow Antidote for pre-chase preparation.

13. The Mastermind - Albert Wesker

Chapter 25: *Resident Evil: PROJECT W* introduced Albert Wesker, the Mastermind. His superior genetics and the Uroboros Virus make him a formidable opponent.

How to Play: Wesker's "Virulent Bond" allows charged lunge attacks, auto-vaulting over obstacles or infecting Survivors with the Uroboros Virus, leading to a Hindered status. Perks enhance his abilities: detecting nearby Survivors (Awakened Awareness), boosting vaulting speed (Superior Anatomy), and inflicting Broken status (Terminus). Effective Wesker play involves efficient chase management, alternating between powerful attacks and knife plays, and leveraging map knowledge.

12. The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

An original killer from 2016, The Trapper remains a solid choice for beginners due to his straightforward skillset and reliance on traps to immobilize victims. His easy-to-understand kit allows new players to gradually learn the game.

How to Play: The Trapper utilizes bear traps to trap Survivors, enabling easy pick-ups and movement to hooks. He gains a movement speed bonus while carrying a Survivor (Agitation). Effective strategy involves area denial through trap placement, leading Survivors into traps, and leveraging his ability to break through obstacles and increase generator damage.

11. The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Introduced in 2017, Freddy Krueger offers an easy-to-learn kit for beginners, thanks to his auto-stealth ability.

How to Play: Freddy's "Dream Demon" power grants invisibility at a distance, making surprise attacks easier. His "Fire Up" perk strengthens him as generators are repaired, and his obsession mechanic increases Exit Gate opening time. He can also temporarily block exits after hooking a Survivor. His stealth, increased speed, and exit-blocking capabilities make him ideal for beginners.

10. The Cannibal — Leatherface

Leatherface, from the DLC, is an easy-to-learn killer with one of the best perks in the game ("Barbecue & Chili"). While effective against new Survivors, his effectiveness diminishes against experienced players.

How to Play: Leatherface uses a chainsaw for a sweeping dash attack (three charges per match). Successful hits instantly down Survivors. The "tantrum" meter, when full, allows a powerful but stationary attack. Balancing power and tantrums is crucial, especially against skilled Survivors.

9. The Deathslinger

Released in 2020's "Chains of Hate" DLC, The Deathslinger offers a unique ranged ability, reminiscent of FPS games. His power relies on accurate aim, making him a good choice for FPS fans, but potentially challenging for controller users due to Dead by Daylight's limited sensitivity options.

How to Play: Successful harpoon shots allow reeling in Survivors, inflicting Deep Wounds. While his perks aren't meta, they're sufficient for new players. Accuracy is key, as misses are costly. Controller users may find his controls challenging due to the game's lack of in-depth sensitivity settings.

8. The Trickster

Initially considered weak, a 2021 buff significantly improved The Trickster. His "Showstopper" power allows throwing blades to build up a laceration meter, leading to damage or downs. "Main Event" enables unlimited blade throws, but requires restocking blades in lockers. Good aim is essential, potentially challenging for controller users.

How to Play: Mastering blade throws, both single and continuous, is key. Activating Main Event strategically maximizes its effectiveness. Restocking blades efficiently is crucial for sustained gameplay. Controller users may find the lack of precise aim settings challenging.

7. The Huntress

The Huntress, available to all players, is identifiable by her haunting tune. While mastering her requires skill, her simple power is easy to learn. Her hatchets can catch Survivors off-guard, making her a threat from various locations.

How to Play: Throwing hatchets requires practice for accuracy, especially on cluttered maps. Her intuitive power and lunging attack make her a good choice for beginners. Restocking hatchets at lockers is essential.

6. Legion

Legion is one of the most mobile killers, with unmatched speed. Their power is easy to learn but can be frustrating at higher levels.

How to Play: "Feral Frenzy" grants sprinting and chained attacks, allowing pallet and window slides. Survivors hit during Feral Frenzy receive Deep Wounds. However, Legion cannot down Survivors while in Feral Frenzy, requiring finishing them off outside the power's activation.

5. The Doctor

The Doctor is challenging for Survivors, capable of wiping out new lobbies. His power, while powerful, requires understanding its effects.

How to Play: "Static Blast" induces Madness, revealing Survivor positions. "Shock Therapy" further increases Madness, leading to negative effects like backward skill checks and hallucinations. Managing Madness levels effectively is key to The Doctor's success.

4. The Pig — Amanda Young

The Pig, a stealthy killer, utilizes the Undetectable status while crouched, removing her terror radius and allowing surprise attacks. She places reverse bear traps on downed Survivors, requiring them to find keys to survive.

How to Play: The Ambush Dash allows for quick attacks from a crouched position. Strategic trap placement and understanding Survivor behavior are crucial for effective Pig gameplay.

3. The Hillbilly

Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly uses a chainsaw rush for instant downs, pallet destruction, and faster generator damage. However, controlling the rush is challenging, making him potentially difficult for beginners.

How to Play: Mastering the chainsaw rush requires practice and precision, especially for controller users. Effective gameplay involves maneuvering and avoiding obstacles.

2. The Shape — Michael Myers

Michael Myers, the first licensed killer, is a meter-based killer. Stalking builds his meter, leading to a powerful tier-three state where one hit downs Survivors. His gameplay emphasizes stalking and strategic tier-three activation.

How to Play: Efficient stalking is crucial for building the meter. Timing tier-three activation is key to maximizing its impact. Movement and map awareness are essential for effective gameplay.

1. The Wraith

One of the original killers, The Wraith's cloaking ability makes him forgiving, especially against new Survivors. He's an excellent choice for beginners learning the game.

How to Play: Cloaking provides invisibility, while uncloaking offers a speed boost for attacks. Strategic cloaking and uncloaking are key to surprising and eliminating Survivors. His straightforward power and forgiving nature make him ideal for new players.