Top 15 Beginner-Friendly Killers in Dead By Daylight: Play Guide

Summary

• Dead by Daylight boasts 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, with an average of thousands of monthly players.
• Key killers include The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker, each offering unique strategies and perks.
• Beginners are recommended to start with easier-to-learn killers such as The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith before exploring more complex options.

Since its release in 2016, Dead by Daylight has evolved from a simple hide-and-seek style game into what many fans affectionately call the "Super Smash Bros. of horror." Initially featuring just three killers and four survivors, the game has grown to include 26 killers, attracting an average of 62,000 players as of July 2021. The game provides a solid tutorial that covers the basics, but mastering each killer's unique mechanics can be challenging, especially without friends to practice against, as there are no bot matches available.

Updated on January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: With the upcoming releases of a new Licensed Killer in March 2025 and an Original Survivor in April 2025, anticipation is high among fans of this acclaimed co-op horror game. While speculation abounds regarding the identity of the new killer, newcomers have ample time to explore and master existing killers. Among the must-tries are iconic villains like the Demogorgon from Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, the eerie Clown, and Resident Evil's Albert Wesker.

15 The Beast - The Demogorgon

Cover Distance With Portals

The Demogorgon, an interdimensional creature from the sci-fi horror series Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, entered Dead By Daylight in Chapter 13. With its menacing appearance and deadly abilities, the Demogorgon excels at outsmarting survivors who think they can escape by running away. It can vanish and reappear in unexpected locations, catching survivors off guard.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon's surprise attacks are facilitated by its Of the Abyss Power, allowing it to open Portals and cover vast distances. It can sense survivors near these Portals, enabling quick ambushes with its powerful leaping attack. Strategically placing up to six Portals near generators, yet out of immediate sight, enhances the Demogorgon's chase capabilities. Additionally, its unique perks, such as Cruel Limits, Mindbreaker, and Surge, can significantly disrupt survivors' efforts. Players should master the art of feigning Portal-hopping and lunges to keep survivors guessing.

14 The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

A Killer Clown With An Infectious Laugh

Originally known as Kenneth Chase, the Clown's journey from a lonely child fascinated by life to a menacing figure using a traveling circus as a cover for his sinister activities is chilling. Armed with the Afterpiece Tonic, he can deploy noxious gas to slow down and disorient survivors, making them easy targets.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown excels in chases, using the Afterpiece Tonic to release clouds of gas that impair survivors' vision and movement. His perks like Bamboozle, Coulrophobia, and Pop Goes The Weasel enhance his ability to pursue and pressure survivors. Mastering the Clown requires developing game sense and map knowledge to effectively use his Tonics, with the Purple Gas Cloud ideal for zoning and the Yellow Antidote Bottles useful for preparing for chases.

13 The Mastermind - Albert Wesker

Never Get Caught In His Attacks

Albert Wesker, introduced in Chapter 25: Resident Evil: PROJECT W, brings his superior genetics and mutated biology into Dead By Daylight as the Mastermind. His ability to use the Uroboros Virus to infect and hinder survivors makes him a formidable opponent.

How To Play

Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to perform a Bound Attack, enabling him to auto-Vault over obstacles and interact with survivors by lashing out or executing a grab-throw. Each interaction inflicts the Uroboros Virus, eventually causing a Hindered Status Effect. His perks, such as Awakened Awareness, Superior Anatomy, and Terminus, further enhance his capabilities. Players should leverage Wesker's power to control the map and finish chases decisively, using knife attacks strategically against elusive survivors.

12 The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

As one of the original killers in Dead By Daylight, The Trapper remains a solid choice for beginners. His straightforward use of bear traps allows new players to learn the game's mechanics while effectively controlling the map.

How To Play The Trapper

The Trapper's primary skill is setting bear traps to catch unsuspecting survivors, leading them to hooks with ease. His Agitation perk grants a movement speed bonus when carrying a survivor. As an Area Denial Killer, mastering trap placement is key, making him an excellent choice for those new to the game. The Trapper's ability to break through pallets and damage generators adds to his imposing presence.

11 The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Freddy Krueger, introduced in 2017 as a DLC character, brings his iconic dream-stalking abilities to Dead By Daylight. His auto-stealthing power makes him an excellent choice for beginners.

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power allows him to remain visually invisible to survivors at a distance, making it easier to surprise them. As he closes in, he becomes intermittently visible and fully visible at 16 meters. His perks, such as Fire Up and Remember Me, enhance his effectiveness as generators are fixed and allow him to hinder survivors' escape. Freddy's stealth, speed boosts, and exit-blocking capabilities make him a great starting killer.

10 The Cannibal — Leatherface

Available through the "Leatherface" DLC, The Cannibal is easy to learn but can be challenging against experienced survivors. His Barbeque & Chili perk is highly valuable across the killer roster.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface uses his chainsaw for a sweeping dash attack, starting with three charges per match. A successful hit instantly downs survivors, but using the ability builds a tantrum meter, which, when full, causes Leatherface to stop moving and swing wildly. Balancing his power and tantrums is crucial, especially against savvy survivors who can exploit his limitations.

9 The Deathslinger

Introduced in the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, The Deathslinger offers a unique ranged ability reminiscent of FPS games. His harpoon gun requires precision, making him a challenging but rewarding choice for new players.

How To Play Deathslinger

The Deathslinger's ability involves aiming and firing a single shot from his harpoon gun, reeling in survivors to hit them and inflict Deep Wounds. His perks may not be meta, but they are effective in new player lobbies. Controller users may find his controls challenging due to limited sensitivity options, but with practice, his power can be mastered.

8 The Trickster

Once considered one of the weakest killers, The Trickster received a significant buff on July 27, 2021, making him a viable choice. His Showstopper ability allows him to throw blades at survivors, building up their laceration meter.

How To Play The Trickster

Using Showstopper, The Trickster throws blades to fill survivors' laceration meter, damaging them after six hits. Activating Main Event allows for rapid blade throwing, downing survivors in a small area. Restocking blades from lockers is necessary, and like other ranged killers, his effectiveness relies on good aim, which can be challenging with a controller.

7 The Huntress

The Huntress is accessible to all players and identifiable by her haunting tune. While challenging to master, her power is straightforward and easy to learn.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress primes a throwing hatchet by holding down the power button and releases it to launch. Without a crosshair, hitting survivors can be tricky, especially on maps with obstructions. Her lunging attack and hatchet restocking from lockers make her a solid choice for beginners, though mastering her requires practice.

6 Legion

Known for their mobility, Legion can sprint and chain attacks in Feral Frenzy, making them one of the easiest killers to learn.

How To Play Legion

In Feral Frenzy, Legion gains speed and can slide over pallets and vault windows, injuring survivors and marking others in their terror radius. However, they cannot down survivors during this state, requiring players to finish off survivors outside of the power. Legion's ease of use makes them a good starting point, though they can be less effective at higher levels.

5 The Doctor

The Doctor is challenging for survivors to counter, especially in new lobbies. His power induces Madness, which can be overwhelming if used correctly.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor uses Static Blast to induce Madness within his terror radius, causing survivors to scream and reveal their positions. Shock Therapy, used during Static Blast's cooldown, also induces Madness in a targeted area. As Madness builds, survivors suffer from negative effects like backward skill checks and hallucinations, making the Doctor highly effective with minimal effort.

4 The Pig — Amanda Young

Amanda Young, from the SAW franchise, brings stealth and surprise to Dead By Daylight. Her ability to crouch and become Undetectable allows for effective ambushes.

How To Play The Pig

From a crouched position, The Pig can use Ambush Dash to sprint and attack survivors. After downing a survivor, she can place a reverse bear trap on their head, which activates after a generator is completed and can be lethal if not removed in time. The Pig's mechanics are easy to grasp, though mastering her requires understanding the timing and placement of her traps.

3 The Hillbilly

Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush is unique and challenging to control, making him less beginner-friendly but rewarding for those who master it.

How To Play The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush propels him forward at double speed, downing survivors on impact and destroying obstacles. The power is straightforward but difficult to maneuver, especially for controller users due to limited sensitivity options. Learning to control the rush and avoid obstacles is key to playing The Hillbilly effectively.

2 The Shape — Michael Myers

As the first licensed killer, Michael Myers is simple to learn but plays differently from other killers, making him a late-game threat.

How To Play The Shape

Michael Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors, which can be activated with the power button. At tier three, he can down survivors in one hit until the meter depletes. Knowing when to activate tier three and how to move effectively is crucial to maximizing Myers' potential.

1 The Wraith

As one of the original killers, The Wraith is the most forgiving and best option for beginners, offering a simple yet effective power.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith can cloak himself by ringing his Wailing Bell, becoming nearly invisible and gaining the Undetectable status. Uncloaking grants a speed boost, allowing for quick attacks. His straightforward mechanics and availability to all players make him an excellent starting point for learning the game.