Dead By Daylight: The 15 Best Killers For Beginners (& How To Play Them)

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 some 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 requires practice. The absence of bot matches makes solo experimentation challenging, but some killers are more beginner-friendly than others.

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 the roster. Consider trying iconic characters like the Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker.

The Beast - The Demogorgon

From the Stranger Things universe (and Dungeons & Dragons), the Demogorgon utilizes portals to outmaneuver survivors. Its ability to teleport across the map allows for surprise attacks and effective chases.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon's strength lies in its surprise attacks facilitated by portals. Its "Of the Abyss" power allows it to sense survivors near portals, enabling swift ambushes. Strategic portal placement near generators, combined with feigned attacks, keeps survivors off-balance. Its unique perks further enhance its portal-based gameplay, impacting generator repair and inflicting status effects on survivors.

The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

Kenneth Chase, a.k.a. The Clown, uses noxious gas to hinder survivors' vision and movement, creating opportunities for chases. His perks amplify his chase capabilities.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown excels in chases, leveraging his Afterpiece Tonic to deploy gas clouds that impair survivors. His perks, such as Bamboozle, Coulrophobia, and Pop Goes The Weasel, enhance his chase effectiveness. Mastering map knowledge and understanding when to prioritize chases versus generator regression is key to success with this killer.

The Mastermind - Albert Wesker

Albert Wesker, from Resident Evil, uses the Uroboros Virus to infect and hinder survivors. His powerful lunge attacks and control over distance make him a formidable opponent.

How To Play Albert Wesker

Wesker's Virulent Bond allows charged lunge attacks that vault obstacles or directly impact survivors, infecting them with the Uroboros Virus. His perks, including Awakened Awareness, Superior Anatomy, and Terminus, enhance his ability to control the game's pace and punish survivors. Effective use of Wesker requires map awareness and strategic decision-making regarding when to engage in chases versus utilizing knife attacks.

The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

The Trapper, an original killer, is a great starting point for beginners. His straightforward trap-based gameplay is easy to grasp, making him ideal for learning the fundamentals of the game.

How To Play The Trapper

The Trapper's simplicity lies in his bear traps. Setting traps strategically around the map and using his Agitation perk for increased movement speed while carrying a survivor forms the core of his strategy. He excels at area denial, forcing survivors into his traps and hindering their progress.

The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Freddy Krueger's stealth ability makes him a user-friendly option for beginners. His Dream Demon power allows him to remain largely invisible to survivors at a distance, enabling surprise attacks.

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power allows for stealth and surprise attacks. His Fire Up perk increases his power as generators are repaired, while his obsession mechanic affects exit gate opening times. His ability to temporarily shut down exits further enhances his control over the game.

The Cannibal — Leatherface

Leatherface, while easy to learn, is less effective against experienced players. His powerful chainsaw attack can quickly down survivors, but requires careful management of his "tantrum" meter.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface's chainsaw sprint is a powerful tool for quickly downing survivors, but mastering its use and balancing it with his tantrum mechanic is crucial. His Barbeque & Chili perk is highly effective, even across other killers.

The Deathslinger

The Deathslinger's ranged attacks require aim and precision. His harpoon gun allows him to pull survivors closer, inflicting Deep Wounds. Controller users might find his controls challenging due to the lack of in-depth sensitivity options.

How To Play Deathslinger

Success with the Deathslinger hinges on accurate shots with his harpoon gun. Hitting survivors allows him to reel them in, inflicting Deep Wounds. His perks are not considered meta but are sufficient for new player lobbies. Controller users may experience difficulty due to the game's limited sensitivity options.

The Trickster

The Trickster's Showstopper ability allows him to throw blades at survivors, building up a laceration meter. Once full, survivors take significant damage. Like the Deathslinger, precise aim is crucial, and controller users might face challenges with sensitivity settings.

How To Play The Trickster

The Trickster's power relies on accurate blade throws to build up the laceration meter. His Main Event ability allows for rapid blade throws, but requires restocking blades in lockers. Good aim is essential, and controller players might find the sensitivity settings less than ideal.

The Huntress

The Huntress's throwing hatchets are simple to understand but require practice to master. Her intuitive power and ability to surprise survivors make her a good choice for beginners, despite the need for hatchet restocking at lockers.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress's power is straightforward: throwing hatchets. Accuracy is key, and the lack of a crosshair can present a challenge, particularly for controller players. Mastering hatchet throws and map awareness are essential for success.

Legion

Legion's high mobility makes them a unique killer. Their Feral Frenzy power allows for rapid movement and chained attacks, but they cannot down survivors while in this state. This makes them easy to learn but less powerful at higher skill levels.

How To Play Legion

Legion's Feral Frenzy allows for rapid movement and chained attacks, but they cannot down survivors while active. Survivors hit during Feral Frenzy suffer Deep Wounds. The inability to down survivors during Feral Frenzy balances their high mobility.

The Doctor

The Doctor is considered a challenging killer for survivors, but his powers are relatively straightforward. His Static Blast and Shock Therapy induce Madness, inflicting negative status effects on survivors.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor's Static Blast and Shock Therapy induce Madness, leading to negative effects like backward skill checks and hallucinations. Managing Madness levels and understanding its impact on survivors is crucial for effective gameplay.

The Pig — Amanda Young

The Pig's stealth and reverse bear traps make her a unique killer. Her ability to crouch provides the Undetectable status, allowing for surprise attacks. Placing reverse bear traps and managing their activation is key to her strategy.

How To Play The Pig

The Pig's stealth and Ambush Dash allow for surprise attacks. Placing reverse bear traps on downed survivors and understanding their activation mechanic are central to her gameplay. The traps will kill the survivor if not disarmed within a time limit.

The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush is powerful but difficult to control. Instant downs are possible, but precise maneuvering is necessary. Controller users might find his controls challenging due to the lack of precision.

How To Play The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush allows for instant downs, but requires precise control and maneuvering. His ability to destroy pallets and breakable doors quickly is a significant advantage, but he is vulnerable to being easily dodged or baited.

The Shape — Michael Myers

Michael Myers' power is simple to understand but requires strategic timing. Building his meter through stalking and activating Tier Three for one-hit downs is the core of his gameplay. His effectiveness increases significantly in the late game.

How To Play The Shape

Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors. Reaching Tier Three enables one-hit downs, but requires careful management of the meter and strategic use of his stalking ability.

The Wraith

The Wraith's cloaking ability makes him an excellent choice for beginners. His Undetectable status while cloaked allows for surprise attacks, and his speed boost upon uncloaking is a significant advantage.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith's cloaking ability grants him Undetectable status, allowing for surprise attacks. Mastering the timing of his uncloaking and utilizing his speed boost is key to maximizing his effectiveness.