Top 15 Beginner Killers in Dead By Daylight: Gameplay Tips

Summary

• Dead by Daylight features 26 killers and maintains a strong player base, with an average of 62,000 monthly players as of July 2021.
• 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 like The Trapper, The Nightmare, and The Wraith before exploring more complex options.

When Dead by Daylight was released in 2016, it began with a modest lineup of three killers and four survivors. The game was designed as a thrilling hide-and-seek experience where survivors had to outsmart the killer to escape. Few could predict the game's explosive growth. Today, Dead by Daylight is often referred to as the "Super Smash Bros. of horror," boasting 26 killers and a robust community of players.

With an average of 62,000 players each month as of July 2021, Dead by Daylight continues to thrive. The game offers a basic tutorial that introduces gameplay fundamentals, but mastering the nuances of each killer requires practice. Without friends to play with, testing new killers can be challenging since there are no bot matches available. Choosing from a roster of 26 characters can be daunting, but certain killers are more beginner-friendly.

Updated on January 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam: As Dead by Daylight gears up for the release of a new Licensed Killer in March 2025 and an Original Survivor in April 2025, fans are buzzing with anticipation about the new characters. While speculation about the next Killer abounds, newcomers have ample time to explore and master various Killers. Must-try characters include the iconic Demogorgon from Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, the menacing Clown, and the cunning Albert Wesker from Resident Evil.

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 the Dead by Daylight universe in Chapter 13: Stranger Things. With its menacing mouth full of teeth and terrifying presence, the Demogorgon excels at outsmarting Survivors who rely on distance to escape. It can vanish and reappear unexpectedly, catching Survivors off guard.

How To Play The Demogorgon

The Demogorgon leverages surprise attacks through its ability to open Portals, which allow it to cover large distances quickly. Using its Of the Abyss Power, it can sense Survivors near its Portals, enabling swift and powerful leaping attacks. Up to six Portals can be placed strategically across the map to facilitate chases, although Survivors can seal visible Portals.

The Demogorgon's unique Perks enhance its Portal-based gameplay. Cruel Limits can block Vault locations when a Generator is repaired, Mindbreaker can inflict Blindness and Exhausted on Survivors during Generator repairs, and Surge can cause nearby Generators to auto-regress when a Survivor is downed. To maximize effectiveness, place Portals near Generators but out of immediate sight, and use feints to keep Survivors guessing.

14 The Clown - Kenneth Chase, Jeffrey Hawk

A Killer Clown With An Infectious Laugh

Before becoming the Clown in the Fog, Kenneth Chase was a solitary child fascinated by life. As "Jeffrey," he used his ties to a traveling circus to procure "keepsakes" from humans. After being exposed, Kenneth fled across the United States until the Fog claimed him. In Dead by Daylight, the Clown uses noxious gas to hinder Survivors during chases.

How To Play The Clown

The Clown excels in pursuits, utilizing the Afterpiece Tonic to release clouds of gas that impair Survivors' vision and movement. His Perks enhance his chase capabilities: Bamboozle blocks Windows after vaulting, Coulrophobia reduces Healing speed and increases Skill Check rotations within his Terror Radius, and Pop Goes The Weasel causes Generator regression after hooking a Survivor.

Survivors often pre-drop or pre-run to evade the Clown, requiring players to develop keen game sense and map knowledge. Clown mains should identify when to engage in chases and when to focus on Generator regression. Balancing the use of Purple Gas Clouds for zoning and Yellow Antidote Bottles for pre-chase preparation is crucial.

13 The Mastermind - Albert Wesker

Never Get Caught In His Attacks

Albert Wesker, introduced in Chapter 25: Resident Evil: PROJECT W, is known as the Mastermind in Dead by Daylight. Bypassing his confrontation with Chris Redfield, Wesker is thrust into the Fog, where he uses the Uroboros Virus to hunt down Survivors. His superior genetics and mutated biology make him a formidable adversary.

How To Play

Wesker's Virulent Bond allows him to charge a Bound Attack, enabling a lunge that either auto-Vaults obstacles or interacts with Survivors, infecting them with the Uroboros Virus. Over time, this infection leads to a Hindered Status Effect. Wesker's Perks, such as Awakened Awareness, Superior Anatomy, and Terminus, reflect his advanced genetic makeup and enhance his gameplay.

Wesker mains should capitalize on his power's range and impact, finishing chases when advantageous. Alternating to knife attacks against Survivors adept at evasion can be effective. Mastery of map knowledge and control is essential to leveraging Wesker's distance-based attacks effectively.

12 The Trapper — Evan MacMillan

The Trapper, one of the original killers introduced in 2016, remains a staple choice for beginners. His straightforward skillset and reliance on bear 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 kit is simple and effective. Evan uses bear traps to immobilize Survivors, making it easy to pick them up and hook them. His Agitation Perk provides a movement speed bonus when carrying a Survivor.

The Trapper excels as an Area Denial Killer, strategically placing traps to divert Survivors from objectives. While mastering trap placement takes time, the straightforward nature of his traps makes him ideal for beginners. Additionally, The Trapper can break through pallets and walls more easily, and his presence can hinder Survivors during skill checks.

11 The Nightmare — Freddy Krueger

Dead by Daylight has successfully integrated iconic horror figures like Freddy Krueger, introduced in 2017 as a DLC character. Freddy's auto-stealth ability makes him an approachable choice for beginners.

How To Play The Nightmare

Freddy's Dream Demon power allows him to remain 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 less experienced Survivors.

Freddy gains strength as generators are repaired, thanks to his Fire Up perk. He can also become obsessed with a single Survivor, increasing the time required to open Exit Gates with each hit. Additionally, Freddy can temporarily block Exit Gates after hooking a Survivor, making him a solid choice for those new to playing as a Killer.

10 The Cannibal — Leatherface

The Cannibal, accessible through the "Leatherface" DLC, is one of the easier killers to learn. His Barbeque & Chili perk is highly valued across the killer roster. Against new Survivors, Leatherface can be overpowering, though he struggles against more experienced players.

How To Play Leatherface

Leatherface uses his chainsaw for a sweeping dash attack, starting with three charges per match. Activating a charge launches him into a 2-second sprint, significantly boosting his movement speed and downing any Survivor he hits.

However, using his ability builds a "tantrum" meter. When full, Leatherface stops moving and swings his chainsaw wildly, downing nearby Survivors but also halting his progress. Balancing his power with the risk of tantrums is crucial, especially against Survivors skilled at looping.

9 The Deathslinger

Released with the 2020 Chains of Hate DLC, The Deathslinger stands out with his FPS-style aiming mechanic. New players who enjoy first-person shooters should consider trying him out, though mastering his aim takes practice.

How To Play Deathslinger

While The Deathslinger's perks may not be meta, they are effective in beginner lobbies. His harpoon gun requires a single shot before reloading, making misses costly. Successful hits allow him to reel in Survivors, leaving them injured and suffering from Deep Wounds, which can down them if not treated in time.

Controller users may find his aiming challenging, as Dead by Daylight lacks the detailed sensitivity and dead zone options found in many FPS games. Despite this, The Deathslinger offers a unique gameplay experience that rewards precision.

8 The Trickster

Initially considered one of the weakest killers, The Trickster received a significant buff on July 27, 2021, enhancing his viability. His Showstopper ability allows him to throw multiple blades, building up a laceration meter on Survivors that can injure or down them when filled.

How To Play The Trickster

Activating Showstopper lets The Trickster throw blades to fill the laceration meter, with six successful hits causing damage. He can throw blades one at a time or continuously, though the latter slows him down. Building up his Main Event special allows for rapid blade throwing, quickly downing nearby Survivors.

Restocking blades from lockers is necessary, and like other ranged killers, The Trickster relies on good aim. Controller players may find his basic sensitivity options challenging, but with practice, mastering his power is achievable.

7 The Huntress

The Huntress, available to all players, is identifiable by her haunting hum. While challenging to master, her power is straightforward, making her a good choice for beginners.

How To Play The Huntress

The Huntress primes a throwing hatchet by holding down the power button, releasing to launch it forward. Hitting Survivors can be difficult initially, especially on cluttered maps and for controller users. Her intuitive power and decent lunging attack make her suitable for new players, though mastering her requires practice. Hatchets must be restocked at lockers.

6 Legion

Legion is one of the most mobile killers in Dead by Daylight, offering high foot speed. While easy to learn, they can be frustrating against skilled Survivors.

How To Play Legion

Legion's Feral Frenzy allows them to sprint and chain attacks, losing sight of Survivor tracks but gaining the ability to slide over pallets and vault windows. Survivors hit during Feral Frenzy are injured and afflicted with Deep Wounds, while others in the terror radius are marked for quick follow-up attacks.

However, Legion cannot down Survivors during Feral Frenzy, requiring players to finish them off outside of this power. This makes Legion easy to learn but less effective at higher levels of play.

5 The Doctor

The Doctor is known for being challenging for Survivors, especially in new lobbies. His power, though complex, can be highly effective when mastered.

How To Play The Doctor

The Doctor uses Static Blast and Shock Therapy to induce Madness in Survivors. Static Blast affects those within his terror radius, causing them to scream and take Madness damage. Shock Therapy targets a smaller area in front of him, also inducing Madness.

As Madness builds, Survivors suffer from negative effects like backward skill checks, hallucinated pallets, and fake terror radius notifications. The Doctor's power is a constant debuff that becomes increasingly effective with repeated applications.

4 The Pig — Amanda Young

Amanda Young, known as The Pig from the SAW franchise, is a stealthy killer. Her ability to crouch and gain the Undetectable status makes her ideal for surprise attacks.

How To Play The Pig

From a crouched position, The Pig can activate the Ambush Dash to sprint and attack Survivors, either injuring or downing them. After downing a Survivor, she can place a reverse bear trap on their head, which activates after a generator is completed and kills the wearer after 150 seconds unless they find the key in a Jigsaw box.

While The Pig's gameplay has more depth than some other killers, her mechanics are straightforward, and the reverse bear traps add a unique strategic element.

3 The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly, inspired by Leatherface, offers a different take on the chainsaw killer. His power is easy to learn but can be challenging to master.

How To Play The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly's chainsaw rush propels him forward at twice his normal speed in a straight line. Colliding with Survivors during this rush downs them instantly and can destroy pallets and breakable doors. While the power is simple to activate, controlling the rush to avoid obstacles is difficult, especially for controller users.

Mastering the Hillbilly requires skill in turning and maneuvering, making him less beginner-friendly but rewarding for those who invest time in learning his mechanics.

2 The Shape — Michael Myers

Michael Myers, the first licensed killer in Dead by Daylight, is instantly recognizable and easy for beginners to learn. His late-game potential makes him a formidable opponent once his power is fully charged.

How To Play The Shape

Myers builds his power meter by stalking Survivors, moving slower during this process. Stalking can be activated with the power button, highlighting Survivors in white or red based on their stalking status. At tier three, Myers can down Survivors in one hit, accompanied by his iconic piano tune.

Mastering Myers involves knowing when to activate tier three and how to move effectively, making him a strategic choice for players looking to develop their gameplay.

1 The Wraith

The Wraith, one of the original killers, is highly forgiving and ideal for beginners. His cloaking ability allows for stealthy gameplay, making him a great choice for learning the ropes.

How To Play The Wraith

The Wraith can cloak himself using his Wailing Bell, granting the Undetectable status and near-invisibility. While cloaked, he cannot attack and must uncloak to deal damage, receiving a speed boost upon uncloaking. This makes him an excellent all-around option for new players, offering both fun and educational gameplay.