Top 15 Beginner Killers in Dead By Daylight: Play Guide

Summary

• Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, with an average of thousands of monthly players.
• Key killers like The Demogorgon, The Clown, and Albert Wesker offer unique strategies and perks, enhancing gameplay diversity.
• New players are encouraged to start with more straightforward killers such as The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith before tackling more complex characters.

When Dead by Daylight launched in 2016, it initially offered three killers and four survivors, designed as a thrilling game of hide-and-seek where survivors outsmarted the killer to escape. Few could have predicted its explosive growth, evolving into what many refer to as the "Super Smash Bros. of horror."

With 26 killers and an impressive average of 62,000 monthly players as of July 2021, Dead by Daylight continues to thrive. The game includes a helpful tutorial that covers the basics, but mastering the intricacies of each killer requires more practice. Without friends to practice with, testing new killers can be challenging due to the absence of bot matches. Choosing from a roster of 24 characters can be daunting, but some are more beginner-friendly.

As of January 15, 2025, updated by Rhenn Taguiam, fans eagerly await the new Licensed Killer and Original Survivor set to release in March and April 2025, respectively. While speculation about the new additions abounds, newcomers have ample time to explore the current lineup of killers. Must-try characters include iconic villains from D&D and Stranger Things, a crazed clown, and Resident Evil's master tactician.

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), joined Dead by Daylight in Chapter 13: Stranger Things. With its menacing appearance and gaping maw, the Demogorgon excels at outsmarting survivors who try to escape by running. It can vanish and reappear where survivors least expect it.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon leverages its Of the Abyss power to open portals, allowing it to cover large distances and surprise attack survivors. It can sense survivors near its portals, enabling a swift leap attack. Players can place up to six portals across the map to facilitate chases, though survivors can seal visible portals.

Its unique perks enhance portal interactions, such as blocking vault locations upon generator repair (Cruel Limits), inflicting Blindness and Exhausted on survivors during generator repairs (Mindbreaker), and auto-regressing generators within 32 meters when a basic attack sends a survivor into a dying state (Surge). Effective portal placement near generators, without being too obvious, and feinting portal-hopping and lunges are key strategies.

14. The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

A Killer Clown With An Infectious Laugh

Before becoming The Clown in the Fog, Kenneth Chase, a solitary child, developed a fascination with life. As he grew into "Jeffrey," he used his ties to a traveling circus to collect "keepsakes" from humans. After being discovered, he traveled across the U.S. until the Fog claimed him. The Clown uses his noxious gas to hinder survivors during pursuits.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown's Afterpiece Tonic releases clouds of gas that impair survivors' vision and movement, perfect for chases. His perks support his chase-focused gameplay, including blocking a window after vaulting (Bamboozle), reducing healing speed and increasing skill check rotations within his terror radius (Coulrophobia), and instantly regressing a damaged generator after hooking a survivor (Pop Goes The Weasel).

Survivors often pre-drop or pre-run to gain distance, requiring players to develop map awareness and game sense. Clown mains should identify when to pursue or focus on generator regression, effectively juggling Tonics with Purple Gas Clouds for zoning and Yellow Antidote Bottles for pre-chase preparation.

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, uses the Uroboros Virus to target weaklings in the Fog. His superior genetics and mutated biology make him a formidable foe for survivors.

How To Play The Mastermind

Albert Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to charge a Bound Attack, lunging to auto-vault pallets and windows or interact with survivors, 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, detecting nearby survivor auras while carrying one (Awakened Awareness), boosting vaulting speed after a nearby rushed vault (Superior Anatomy), and inflicting Broken on injured, dying, or hooked survivors until an exit gate opens (Terminus).

Wesker mains should capitalize on his power's range and impact, finishing chases when advantageous. Alternating to knife attacks against elusive survivors and mastering map knowledge enhance his effectiveness.

12. The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

The Trapper, one of the original killers from Dead by Daylight's 2016 launch, remains a solid choice for beginners. His straightforward skillset and reliance on traps make him an excellent entry point for new players to learn the game.

How To Play The Trapper

Despite his name, The Trapper's mechanics are simple. Evan uses bear traps to ensnare survivors, gaining a movement speed bonus when carrying them (Agitation). He excels as an Area Denial Killer, strategically placing traps to lead survivors into them during pursuits. Mastering trap placement is key, but his easy-to-set traps and ability to break pallets and walls make him beginner-friendly. His presence also increases the difficulty of skill checks for survivors.

11. The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Dead by Daylight excels at integrating iconic horror figures, and Freddy Krueger, introduced in 2017 as a DLC character, is no exception. His auto-stealth ability makes him accessible for beginners.

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power keeps him visually invisible to survivors at a distance, becoming intermittently visible as he closes in and fully visible within 16 meters. This stealth advantage helps beginners surprise new survivors. Freddy's Fire Up perk increases his action speed as generators are fixed, and he can become obsessed with a single survivor, delaying their exit gate opening and potentially blocking it entirely once per trial. His stealth, speed boosts, and exit-blocking capabilities make him ideal for new players learning the killer role.

10. The Cannibal — Leatherface

Players who own the "Leatherface" DLC can access The Cannibal, an easy-to-learn killer with a powerful perk, Barbeque & Chili, useful across the roster. While effective against new survivors, he may struggle against more experienced players.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface uses his chainsaw in a sweeping dash attack, starting with three charges per match. Each charge enables a 2-second sprint with a significant speed boost, instantly downing hit survivors. However, using his ability also builds a "tantrum" meter, causing him to stop and swing wildly once full, which can be a double-edged sword. Balancing his power with tantrum management is crucial, especially against survivors skilled at looping.

9. The Deathslinger

Introduced in the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, The Deathslinger offers a unique ranged ability, appealing to FPS enthusiasts. New players should give him a try, though his effectiveness relies heavily on aiming.

How To Play Deathslinger

While his perks may not be meta, they suffice for new player lobbies. His harpoon gun requires a single shot before reloading, making missed shots costly. Successful hits allow him to reel in survivors, who then suffer from Deep Wounds, requiring mending to avoid being downed. Controller users may struggle with his aiming mechanics, as Dead by Daylight lacks the sensitivity options found in typical FPS games.

8. The Trickster

Once considered one of the weakest killers, The Trickster received a significant buff on July 27, 2021, making him a more viable choice. His Showstopper ability and zany visual design add flair to gameplay.

How To Play The Trickster

The Trickster throws blades to build up survivors' laceration meters, causing damage after six successful hits. He can throw blades continuously while moving slower or one at a time. Activating Main Event allows unlimited blade throws, quickly downing survivors in close proximity. Restocking blades from lockers is necessary. Like the Deathslinger, his effectiveness relies on aim, which can be challenging with a controller due to limited sensitivity options.

7. The Huntress

Available to all players, The Huntress is recognizable by her haunting hum. Though challenging to master, her power is easy to grasp, making her suitable for new players.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress primes a throwing hatchet by holding the power button, releasing to launch it forward. Without a crosshair, hitting survivors can be tricky, especially on cluttered maps or with a controller. Her hatchets can surprise survivors, and she must restock them at lockers. Her intuitive power and decent lunging attack make her a solid choice for beginners.

6. Legion

Legion is among the most mobile killers, with unmatched foot speed. Their power is easy to learn but can become frustrating at higher skill levels.

How To Play Legion

Legion's Feral Frenzy allows them to sprint and chain attacks, sliding across pallets and vaulting windows like survivors. Hits during Feral Frenzy injure survivors and apply Deep Wounds, marking other nearby survivors. However, Legion cannot down survivors in this state, requiring them to finish off survivors outside of the power. This makes Legion easy to learn but less effective at higher levels.

5. The Doctor

The Doctor is formidable, especially against new players, with his powerful ability to induce Madness. Though labeled "Hard," understanding his power's effects is key.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor induces Madness with Static Blast within his terror radius, causing survivors to scream and take Madness damage. Madness has three tiers, with increasing negative effects. Shock Therapy, used when Static Blast is on cooldown, also induces Madness but in a narrow area. Effects include backward skill checks, hallucinated pallets, and fake terror radius notifications, making Madness a constant debuff.

4. The Pig — Amanda Young

Fans of the SAW franchise will recognize Amanda Young, The Pig. Her stealthy gameplay is rewarding but requires practice. She can crouch to become Undetectable, losing her terror radius and red killer light.

How To Play The Pig

From a crouched state, The Pig can activate an Ambush Dash, sprinting to attack and potentially down survivors. After downing a survivor, she can place a reverse bear trap on their head, which becomes active after a generator is completed. Survivors must find the correct key in Jigsaw boxes to remove the trap within 150 seconds, or it will kill them. While more complex, her power is easy to understand, and the traps work independently once placed.

3. The Hillbilly

Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush operates differently, offering a unique challenge.

How To Play The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush propels him forward at double speed in a straight line, instantly downing survivors upon impact and destroying pallets and breakable doors. While easy to activate, it's hard to control, especially for controller players. Mastering turns and maneuvers is essential, making him less suitable for beginners despite his simple power.

2. The Shape — Michael Myers

As the first licensed killer in Dead by Daylight, Michael Myers is an iconic slasher with a straightforward power, ideal for new players. He's considered a late-game killer due to his power's build-up time.

How To Play The Shape

Myers builds his power meter by stalking survivors, moving slower while doing so. Stalking highlights survivors, with white-highlighted ones building meter faster than red-highlighted ones. At tier three, he can down survivors in one hit until the meter regresses. Knowing when to activate tier three and how to move effectively as Myers is crucial.

1. The Wraith

As one of the original killers, The Wraith is the most forgiving, making him the best choice for new players learning the game.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith cloaks himself with his Wailing Bell, becoming nearly invisible and gaining the Undetectable status. He must uncloak to attack, receiving a speed boost upon doing so. This makes him a great all-around option for beginners, with an easy-to-learn power and fun gameplay.