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

Author:Kristen Update:Feb 20,2025

Mastering Dead by Daylight's Killer Roster: A Beginner's Guide

Dead by Daylight, boasting 26 killers and a consistently high player base, can feel daunting for newcomers. While the tutorial covers the basics, understanding each killer's unique strengths and weaknesses is crucial. This guide highlights easier killers to start with, followed by more complex options.

Top Killers for Beginners:

  1. The Wraith: One of the original killers, The Wraith's ability to cloak himself using his Wailing Bell offers a forgiving learning curve. Cloaking provides invisibility, but he must uncloak to attack, granting a speed boost for surprise attacks. His straightforward power makes him ideal for mastering basic killer mechanics. The Wraith

  2. The Shape (Michael Myers): An iconic slasher, Myers' power involves stalking survivors to build a meter. Reaching tier three allows one-hit downs, making him effective in the late game. While stalking requires strategic positioning, his core mechanic is relatively simple to grasp. The Shape

  3. The Hillbilly: Inspired by Leatherface, The Hillbilly uses a chainsaw rush for instant downs. While controlling the rush takes practice, the basic concept is straightforward. He's a good choice for learning aggressive playstyles, but be mindful of his limited maneuverability during the rush. The Hillbilly

  4. The Pig (Amanda Young): This stealthy killer utilizes reverse bear traps, requiring survivors to find keys to avoid death. While trap placement and timing are crucial, the core mechanic is easy to understand. Her ability to crouch provides stealth opportunities, allowing for surprise attacks. The Pig

  5. The Doctor: While considered difficult by many survivors, The Doctor's power, inducing Madness through Static Blast and Shock Therapy, is relatively simple to execute. Mastering the Madness effect’s various stages is key to his effectiveness. The Doctor

  6. The Trapper: The Trapper's bear traps provide area denial, slowing survivors and setting up easy grabs. Trap placement is key but relatively intuitive, making him a great choice for learning map awareness and strategic positioning. The Trapper

  7. The Nightmare (Freddy Krueger): Freddy's ability to become invisible while far from survivors makes him deceptively simple. Mastering his Dream Demon power and learning to utilize his perks effectively will enhance his lethality. The Nightmare

  8. Legion: Legion's Feral Frenzy allows for rapid movement and chained attacks. While they can't down survivors while in Frenzy, their high mobility is easy to learn and incredibly effective against less experienced survivors. Legion

Intermediate Killers:

  • The Huntress: Her hatchet throws require aim, making her more challenging but rewarding. Mastering her throws and understanding map layouts are key to success. The Huntress
  • The Trickster: His ranged blade attacks demand accuracy, but his power is easy to understand. Mastering his aim and managing blade restocking are essential. The Trickster
  • The Deathslinger: His ranged harpoon gun requires aiming skill, similar to the Huntress and Trickster. The ability to reel in survivors adds a unique layer of complexity. The Deathslinger
  • The Cannibal (Leatherface): His chainsaw rush is powerful but requires careful management of charges and the "tantrum" meter. The Cannibal

Advanced Killers:

  • The Demogorgon: His portals allow for strategic map control, but mastering their placement and use takes significant practice. The Demogorgon
  • The Clown: His gas clouds and antidotes require careful timing and map knowledge. The Clown
  • Albert Wesker: His Virulent Bond and advanced perks demand strategic thinking and map awareness. Albert Wesker

This guide provides a starting point. Experimentation and practice are key to mastering Dead by Daylight's diverse killer roster. Remember to adapt your strategy based on the survivors' skill level and map conditions.