42 Best Dead by Daylight Killers Tier List (2026): All Killers Ranked

Dead by Daylight has grown into one of the most iconic asymmetrical horror games since its 2016 launch, and Behaviour Interactive continues expanding its roster with terrifying new killers. With 42 killers now haunting The Fog, choosing the right one to main can feel overwhelming for both newcomers and veterans alike. I’ve spent hundreds of hours analyzing killer performance, studying competitive play data, and testing each character’s capabilities against the current Patch 9.6.1 meta to bring you the most comprehensive DBD tier list available.

The killer landscape shifts dramatically with each balance patch, and Patch 9.6.1 brought significant changes that reshuffled the competitive rankings. From the Doctor’s devastating Shock Therapy buff to Ghost Face’s long-overdue crouch speed increase, several killers have climbed the tier list while others have fallen. Whether you’re grinding through high-MMR lobbies or dominating casual matches, understanding which killers currently dominate the meta is essential for terrorizing survivors effectively.

This tier list ranks all 42 killers from S-tier (meta-defining powerhouses) to D-tier (struggling underdogs) based on mobility, lethality, map control, anti-loop potential, and overall competitive viability in Patch 9.6.1. I’ve analyzed data from top players like Otzdarva, reviewed recent tournament results, and incorporated community feedback to ensure these rankings reflect the current meta accurately. The First, the 42nd killer from the Stranger Things crossover, earns a spot in A-tier based on community consensus and competitive performance.

DBD Tier List Patch 9.6.1 Overview

Here’s a quick overview of how all 42 killers rank in the current Dead by Daylight Patch 9.6.1 meta:

Tier	Killers	Key Strengths
S-Tier	Nurse, Blight, Hillbilly	Game-breaking mobility, ignores core mechanics, devastating in skilled hands
A-Tier	The First, Krasue, Ghoul, Spirit, Wraith, Lich, Dark Lord, Huntress, Xenomorph, Executioner, Mastermind, Good Guy, Nightmare, Animatronic, Doctor, Ghost Face	Strong map pressure, reliable lethality, viable at high ranks, significant buffs in 9.6.1
B-Tier	Houndmaster, Unknown, Trickster, Knight, Nemesis, Artist, Singularity, Dredge	Situational power, requires specific playstyle, moderate success rate
C-Tier	Legion, Plague, Hag, Deathslinger, Oni, Twins, Pig, Clown	Niche abilities, significant counterplay, inconsistent performance
D-Tier	Cannibal, Shape, Demogorgon, Onryo, Cenobite, Trapper, Skull Merchant	Outdated mechanics, easily countered by experienced survivors

Patch 9.6.1 Balance Changes Summary

Before diving into individual rankings, let’s cover the significant balance changes in Patch 9.6.1 that directly impacted these tier placements. Understanding these changes helps explain why certain killers moved up or down since the previous patch cycle.

Major Buffs That Reshaped the Meta

The Doctor – Shock Therapy Overhaul: Herman Carter received one of the most impactful buffs in recent memory. His Shock Therapy now applies a stacking debuff that significantly hampers survivor vision and decision-making. This change elevated The Doctor from a situational B-tier pick to a strong A-tier contender with genuine map control potential.

Ghost Face – Crouch Speed Increase: Danny Johnson finally received the mobility improvements his mains have been requesting for years. The increased crouch speed allows Ghost Face to reposition more effectively during stalks and approach survivors without triggering detection. This change moves him firmly into A-tier territory.

Wraith – Uncloak Speed Boost: The original killer received a welcome adjustment to his uncloak animation speed. This seemingly small change significantly improves his chase initiation and reduces the window survivors have to react after detecting his decloak.

Knight – Guard Pathfinding Improvements: The Knight’s guards now navigate tiles more intelligently, reducing instances where they get stuck or take suboptimal routes. This quality-of-life improvement makes his banner system more reliable.

Major Nerfs and Reworks

The Unknown – Complete Base Kit Rework: Patch 9.6.1 delivered a comprehensive overhaul to The Unknown’s UVX system. The hallucination mechanic was reworked to provide more consistent pressure but with clearer counterplay options for survivors. This rework shifted his tier placement from a borderline A-tier consideration to a solid B-tier pick.

Skull Merchant – Drone Radius Reduction: The ongoing nerfs to The Skull Merchant continued with reduced drone scanning radius. Despite these adjustments, she remains firmly in D-tier as the community continues expressing concerns about her design philosophy.

Trapper – Deep Wound Instead of Instant Down: The long-requested Trapper rework finally arrived, but not in the way Trapper mains hoped. Bear traps now inflict Deep Wound status instead of the previous instant-down mechanic. While this provides more consistent pressure, it removes his early-game snowball potential.

What Makes a Killer S-Tier?

Before diving into individual rankings, it’s crucial to understand what separates elite killers from the rest. S-tier killers possess abilities that fundamentally break or bypass Dead by Daylight’s core gameplay mechanics. They excel in three critical areas that make them consistently dominant across all skill levels.

Map Control and Mobility stands as the foremost S-tier characteristic. These killers traverse the map quickly, applying pressure to multiple generators simultaneously. The Nurse teleports through walls, The Blight rushes across entire tiles in seconds, and The Hillbilly sprints with his chainsaw to intercept survivors before generators pop. This mobility creates constant pressure that survivors struggle to counter.

Chase Potential defines how quickly a killer can end interactions with survivors. S-tier killers end chases without relying on survivor mistakes. They either ignore traditional looping mechanics entirely or possess abilities that make pallets and windows nearly useless against skilled players. When survivors cannot rely on tiles to buy time, generators progress slowly and pressure mounts.

Consistent Lethality ensures S-tier killers maintain effectiveness regardless of map layout, survivor coordination, or RNG factors. They don’t depend on specific add-ons or lucky circumstances to perform well. This consistency separates the truly elite from merely strong killers who might excel in certain scenarios but falter in others.

The key distinction is that S-tier killers reward mastery with results that feel almost unfair. When a top-level player pilots The Nurse or Blight, even the best survivor teams struggle to complete generators before the entire team is eliminated. This ceiling of potential defines the competitive meta at high ranks.

Killer Archetypes: Understanding Playstyles

Before examining individual killers, understanding the five core archetypes helps contextualize why certain killers excel in specific situations. Each archetype represents a distinct approach to hunting survivors, and most killers blend multiple archetypes into their gameplay.

Anti-Loop Killers

Anti-loop killers possess abilities that make traditional survivor looping ineffective. Pallets, windows, and jungle gyms become significantly less useful against these killers. The Executioner forces survivors out of tiles with torment trails, while The Artist’s crows can hit over obstacles. These killers thrive against survivors who rely heavily on tile interactions.

Stealth Killers

Stealth killers rely on surprise and psychological pressure rather than raw mobility. The Wraith cloaks to approach undetected, Ghost Face shroud himself to stalk unaware survivors, and The Spirit phases through walls to create guessing games. These killers punish survivors who don’t maintain awareness of their surroundings.

Ranged Killers

Ranged killers attack from distance, bypassing melee range requirements entirely. The Huntress throws hatchets, The Trickster unleashes knife barrages, and The Deathslinger reels survivors from safety. These killers excel on maps with long sightlines but require precise aim to perform optimally.

Map Pressure Killers

Map pressure killers spread across the trial rapidly, applying generators and hook pressure simultaneously. The Blight rushes between objectives, The Singularity deploys biopods for surveillance, and The Hag teleports across her trap network. These killers force survivors to complete generators quickly before overwhelming pressure accumulates.

Snowball Killers

Snowball killers excel at converting early advantages into complete victories. The Hillbilly’s instant-down chainsaw, The Oni’s demon strike, and The Legion’s deep wound application can eliminate survivors rapidly. These killers turn close games into dominant performances when given any early lead.

S-Tier Killers: The Meta Dominators

The Nurse – The Undisputed Queen

The Nurse has maintained her position at the absolute top of every competitive tier list since Dead by Daylight’s early days. Her Spencer’s Last Breath ability allows her to blink through walls, floors, and any obstacle, completely bypassing the fundamental survivor strategy of looping around objects. No other killer can ignore geometry in this manner, making her uniquely effective against skilled survivors who have memorized tile layouts.

Why She’s S-Tier:

• Ignores all terrain obstacles and traditional chase mechanics
• Can chain multiple blinks to cover massive distances instantly
• Unpredictable teleportation makes her nearly impossible to loop
• Dominates both indoor and outdoor maps with equal effectiveness
• In skilled hands, can eliminate entire teams within 5-6 minutes

The Nurse’s only weakness is her brutally steep learning curve. New players struggle with the disorienting camera movement, precise blink timing, and post-blink fatigue management. However, players who invest time mastering her mechanics find themselves nearly unstoppable. Even after multiple nerfs over the years, The Nurse remains the most feared killer in high-level play and continues defining the S-tier standard.

Pro Tip: Practice The Nurse’s blinks in custom games to develop muscle memory for different distances. Understanding common survivor positions after your first blink is crucial for landing that devastating second blink hit. Many beginners waste blinks crossing open ground when survivors will have already moved.

The Blight – Lightning-Fast Lethality

The Blight represents the pinnacle of high-mobility killers. His Rush ability enables incredibly fast map traversal while his Lethal Rush, activated after slamming into objects, can quickly end any chase. The Blight’s power curve is among the highest in the game—he’s mediocre in inexperienced hands but absolutely devastating when mastered. His ability to chain rushes through complex tile layouts creates chase opportunities that survivors simply cannot counter.

Why He’s S-Tier:

• Unmatched mobility for applying generator pressure
• Can chain multiple rushes for unpredictable attack angles
• Strong add-on selection enhances various playstyles
• Lethal Rush can catch survivors off-guard at most tiles
• Excels at both traversal and chase simultaneously

The Blight requires significant practice to master wall-collision mechanics and optimal rush paths on different maps. Missing rushes results in fatigue states that give survivors breathing room, but perfect play creates an overwhelming force that survivors cannot outmaneuver. His patch history shows Behaviour carefully balances his power, making mastery a long-term investment worth pursuing.

Advanced Strategy: Learn “hug-tech” collision techniques to maintain your rush around tight loops. This advanced mechanic separates good Blight players from truly elite ones. Practice on indoor maps like The Game and Lery’s Memorial Institute where rush chicanery shines brightest.

The Hillbilly – The Revitalized Powerhouse

After years of struggling in lower tiers, The Hillbilly roared back to S-tier status following balance changes in update 7.5.0. His Chainsaw Sprint offers instant-down potential combined with excellent map traversal—a deadly combination that makes him viable at the highest competitive levels. The key to his resurgence was the overheat mechanic rework that reduced punishment for missed swings.

Why He’s S-Tier:

• One-hit down potential creates constant pressure
• Exceptional map mobility with chainsaw sprint
• Recent buffs improved handling and reduced overheat penalties
• Simpler to learn than Nurse or Blight while remaining highly effective
• Can slug and snowball victories incredibly quickly

The Hillbilly’s main limitation is his vulnerability to obstacles and tight indoor spaces. However, skilled Billy players can navigate most tiles effectively, and his ability to cross maps in seconds while threatening instant downs makes him a constant menace. When you catch survivors in open areas or long corridors, the match can end within moments. His straightforward power fantasy makes him an excellent choice for players transitioning from lower-tier killers.

Billy Mains Know: Curving your chainsaw sprint around corners takes practice but opens up downs that survivors don’t expect. Master this technique to elevate your Billy gameplay dramatically. The forward momentum combined with turn adjustments creates angles that survivors never anticipate.

A-Tier Killers: Strong Meta Picks

A-tier killers form the backbone of the competitive killer roster. These characters offer genuine power without requiring the astronomical skill investment that S-tier demands. Many A-tier killers can compete with S-tier in the right scenarios, and several received significant buffs in Patch 9.6.1 that elevated their status. Let’s examine each A-tier contender in detail.

The First – Stranger Things Vecna

Henry Creel, the 42nd killer to join Dead by Daylight, arrived as part of the Stranger Things Chapter 38 crossover. Known as The First, this Vecna variant brings powerful spectral abilities to The Fog. His MVC (Massacre of Vecna) ability allows him to levitate and strike from above, creating devastating地面-based attacks that survivors struggle to predict.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Levitate ability provides unpredictable attack angles
• Strong mobility with flight capability
• Excellent map presence when using vertical space
• Intimidating visual design creates psychological pressure
• Still has undiscovered tech as players master him

The First sits firmly in A-tier rather than S-tier because his levitate ability has a significant cooldown and requires precise timing to maximize. The flight mechanic also provides clear audio cues that alert experienced survivors. However, in the right hands, The First’s vertical mobility and unexpected attack patterns create chase situations that survivors cannot efficiently solve. Community consensus places him as a strong A-tier pick with potential for future tier climbing as players discover optimal tech.

The Krasue – Thai Folklore Terror

The Krasue brings a unique transformation mechanic inspired by Thai mythology. She switches between her beautiful human form and a floating head with trailing entrails that can leech survivors from range. This dual-form gameplay creates versatile approaches depending on survivor positioning and generator progress.

If you’re looking to master our A-tier Krasue, check out our dedicated Krasue build guide for optimal perks and add-ons to maximize her effectiveness.

Why She’s A-Tier:

• Dual-form gameplay provides versatility
• Projectile leech attack offers ranged pressure
• Enhanced mobility in head form
• Strong stealth elements when played correctly
• Still has undiscovered potential as players master her

The Krasue sits firmly in A-tier rather than S-tier because her projectile attack has a significant learning curve and can be outplayed by skilled survivors who understand the counterplay. The fungi mechanic also provides survivors with concrete defensive options. However, in the right hands, she can be absolutely devastating, and her recent release means the community continues discovering new techniques.

The Ghoul – Tokyo Ghoul’s Kaneki

Ken Kaneki has taken DBD by storm since his release. His Kagune Leap ability provides incredible mobility while his attacks can quickly overwhelm survivors caught in the open. The Ghoul is notably easier to learn than many top-tier killers while remaining highly effective at all ranks.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Exceptional mobility rivals Nurse and Blight
• Strong chase potential with Kagune attacks
• Relatively accessible for players of all skill levels
• Can cut off loops and end chases creatively
• Only held back by QTE mechanics and cooldown management

Many players argue The Ghoul deserves S-tier placement given his limited counterplay options. He’s placed at the top of A-tier because his power has built-in cooldowns and requires active management. He’s still incredibly strong and frequently receives consideration for tier list adjustments based on community performance data.

The Spirit – Queen of Mindgames

Rin Yamaoka, The Spirit, remains one of DBD’s most psychologically oppressive killers. Her phase-walking ability allows her to move invisibly at high speed, creating situations where survivors must guess whether she’s phasing or standing still. This uncertainty makes her incredibly effective against survivors who rely on audio cues.

Why She’s A-Tier:

• Excellent phase-walk mobility for chase
• Creates constant psychological pressure
• Strong add-on options enhance versatility
• Effective across most map types
• Rewards prediction and audio awareness

The Spirit requires significant skill investment, particularly developing strong audio awareness and survivor behavior prediction. She’s vulnerable to coordinated teams who split up, but in chase situations, she excels at cutting off escape routes and creating no-win scenarios for survivors. Her skill ceiling remains one of the highest among A-tier killers.

The Wraith – The Underestimated Classic

One of DBD’s original killers, The Wraith often gets overlooked despite his consistent A-tier performance. His Wailing Bell cloaking ability provides stealth and increased movement speed, making him surprisingly effective even at high ranks. Patch 9.6.1’s uncloak speed buff further solidified his position among the competitive killers.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Excellent stealth capabilities with cloaking
• Increased movement speed while invisible
• Easy to learn with surprising depth
• Strong map control and pressure
• Viable from beginner to competitive levels

The Wraith’s main weakness is his requirement to uncloak before attacking, which provides survivors with a brief window to reach safety. However, skilled Wraith players use this uncloak time strategically, positioning themselves to cut off escape routes before revealing themselves. The recent uncloak speed buff in Patch 9.6.1 significantly reduced this weakness, making him a stronger contender than ever before.

The Doctor – Madness Inducer (Patch 9.6.1 Buff)

Herman Carter uses Carter’s Spark to inflict Madness on survivors, making skill checks harder and revealing their locations through screams and illusions. Patch 9.6.1 completely reimagined his Shock Therapy, elevating him from B-tier obscurity to A-tier contender with genuine map control potential.

Why He’s A-Tier (Post-Buff):

• Excellent survivor tracking with Madness
• Makes generator repairs harder with visual disruption
• Shock Therapy now applies stacking debuffs
• Good information gathering capabilities
• Slows survivor progress effectively

Patch 9.6.1 transformed The Doctor from a tracking-focused killer into a genuine pressure machine. The rework to Shock Therapy means survivors caught in his treatment field suffer progressive vision impairment that compounds with each hit. This creates overtime scenarios where survivors struggle to navigate the trial environment effectively.

The Ghost Face – Stealth Stalker (Patch 9.6.1 Buff)

The Ghost Face uses Night Shroud for stealth and can stalk survivors to mark them, leaving them Exposed for instant downs. Patch 9.6.1 finally addressed his longstanding mobility issues with a significant crouch speed increase that allows repositioning during stalk sequences.

For a complete breakdown of optimal builds for Ghost Face, visit our Ghost Face build guide with recommended perks and add-ons.

Why He’s A-Tier (Post-Buff):

• Excellent stealth capabilities with Night Shroud
• Can mark survivors for instant downs
• Increased crouch speed in Patch 9.6.1
• No terror radius when shrouded
• Satisfying stalk gameplay with strong rewards

The crouch speed buff addresses Ghost Face’s primary weakness: repositioning during stalk sequences was prohibitively slow, making him vulnerable to survivor detection before completing stalk progress. Now he can stalk more aggressively and reposition when survivors look in his direction, making detection less punishing.

The Lich (Vecna) – D&D’s Spellcaster

Vecna brought Dungeons & Dragons magic to The Fog with devastating effect. His spell wheel mechanic provides four distinct abilities covering mobility, information gathering, pallet manipulation, and damage dealing. This versatility makes him adaptable to various survivor strategies.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Four versatile spells for different situations
• Excellent adaptability to any scenario
• Strong chase and map control options
• Can counter various survivor strategies
• Multiple viable playstyles based on spell priorities

The Lich’s complexity can be overwhelming for new players, as managing four different abilities requires significant practice. However, once you’ve mastered the spell wheel and understand when to use each ability, Vecna becomes an incredibly flexible killer who can adapt to any situation. His Spellbook add-ons provide additional customization options for specific playstyles.

The Dark Lord (Dracula) – Shape-Shifting Vampire

Castlevania’s Dracula brought shape-shifting to DBD as the game’s first killer with three distinct forms. His vampire form hurls fire pillars, his wolf form enables aggressive lunges, and his bat form provides enhanced tracking and teleportation. This multi-form design creates unpredictable pressure that survivors struggle to counter effectively.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Three forms provide incredible versatility
• Strong chase potential in all forms
• Can adapt strategy on the fly
• Teleportation and enhanced tracking options
• Psychological pressure from unpredictability

Managing Dracula’s form changes effectively takes practice, but the payoff is a killer who’s never at a disadvantage. Whether you need to traverse the map quickly, apply pressure in chase, or track hidden survivors, Dracula has a form optimized for that situation. His wolf form’s lunge attack particularly excels at punishing survivors who think they’ve reached safety.

The Huntress – Precision Ranged Attacks

Anna, The Huntress, pioneered ranged killers in DBD with her Hunting Hatchets. Her combination of ranged pressure and standard melee attacks makes her incredibly dangerous in the right hands. Hatchet accuracy separates average Huntress players from truly lethal ones.

Why She’s A-Tier:

• Powerful ranged attacks with hatchets
• Can hit survivors over pallets and through windows
• Strong chase potential with ranged attacks
• Effective on most maps
• High skill ceiling rewards mastery

The Huntress requires excellent aim and understanding of hatchet arcs and travel time. She’s also limited by her hatchet supply, requiring regular locker visits to restock. However, a skilled Huntress player can end chases in seconds with well-placed hatchets, often downing survivors before they reach safety. Her add-on selection offers various playstyles from zone control to burst damage.

The Xenomorph – Alien Horror

The Xenomorph from Alien brought underground tunnel traversal to DBD. Its ability to travel beneath the map while detecting survivor footsteps above provides excellent information gathering and mobility. This unique mechanic creates chase opportunities unavailable to any other killer.

Why It’s A-Tier:

• Strong underground mobility system
• Excellent information gathering from tunnel network
• Tail attack provides chase lethality
• Can emerge unpredictably near generators
• Intimidating presence creates psychological pressure

The Xenomorph’s main limitation is survivor counterplay through flame turrets, which can force it out of tunnels and slow its chase potential. Smart turret placement by survivors can significantly hamper the Xenomorph’s effectiveness, preventing it from reaching S-tier. However, against teams without coordinated turret placement, it remains dominant.

The Executioner (Pyramid Head) – Silent Hill’s Judgment

Pyramid Head brought Torment and Final Judgment mechanics to DBD. His Rites of Judgement creates trails that inflict Torment status, enabling him to cage survivors and potentially execute them instantly. This execute potential separates him from other killers in the anti-loop category.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Excellent area denial with torment trails
• Instant kill potential with Final Judgment
• Strong chase capabilities with ranged attack
• Can bypass hook-related perks with cages
• Creates constant pressure on survivor resources

The Executioner’s complexity can overwhelm new players, as managing torment application, cage timing, and Final Judgment opportunities requires strong game sense. However, experienced players can leverage his unique mechanics to devastating effect, particularly against survivor teams relying heavily on hook-related perks like Borrowed Time or We’ll Make It.

The Mastermind (Albert Wesker) – Resident Evil Power

Wesker’s Virulent Bound ability provides both mobility and a unique grab mechanic. When he slams survivors into walls, they lose a health state and become infected with the Uroboros Virus. This infection creates additional pressure as the match progresses.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Excellent mobility with Virulent Bound
• Grab mechanic can instantly secure carries
• Infection adds passive pressure
• Strong chase potential
• Fan-favorite character with satisfying gameplay

Wesker requires precise timing and aim for optimal Virulent Bound usage. His ability has become slightly less accurate since release, occasionally missing survivors who appear to be directly in front of him. Despite this quirk, he remains highly effective and popular among the community.

The Good Guy (Chucky) – Child’s Play Chaos

Chucky brought size-based stealth to DBD. His small stature makes him harder to spot, while his Hidey-Ho Mode provides complete stealth. His Slice and Dice dash attack offers strong chase potential that belies his diminutive appearance.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Excellent stealth from small size
• Hidey-Ho Mode removes terror radius
• Strong chase with Slice and Dice
• Difficult to track in chase
• Surprisingly lethal despite appearance

Chucky’s main limitation is his height affecting certain window vaults and his Slice and Dice attack requiring practice to control effectively. Even after minor nerfs post-release, he remains a top-tier killer choice and frequently appears in high-rank matches.

The Nightmare (Freddy Krueger) – Dream Demon Revived

Freddy received massive improvements in early 2025 that catapulted him from meme-tier to genuine threat. His Dream World mechanics now include both Dream Pallets and Dream Snares with new injury capabilities. Survivors automatically enter the Dream World over time, providing passive pressure.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Improved Dream World provides real pressure
• Dream Pallets can injure sleeping survivors remotely
• Dream Snares significantly slow sleeping survivors
• Survivors automatically enter Dream World over time
• No terror radius for sleeping survivors

Freddy’s transformation from one of the worst killers to A-tier shows how balance changes can dramatically shift the tier list. While he’s not quite S-tier material, current Freddy is incredibly strong and rewards smart Dream Snare and Pallet placement. His add-on selection offers various playstyles from passive pressure to aggressive chase.

The Animatronic (Springtrap/William Afton) – FNAF’s Nightmare

Springtrap marked a historic moment as the most-requested killer finally joining DBD. His security room door teleportation provides excellent mobility, while his fire axe offers ranged chase potential. The combination of teleport mobility and ranged pressure makes him uniquely versatile.

Why He’s A-Tier:

• Strong mobility through security rooms
• Fire axe provides ranged pressure
• Easy to learn core mechanics
• Satisfies FNAF fan requests
• Solid all-around performance

Springtrap’s main limitations are his slower base movement speed and the fire axe’s significant drop-off requiring precise aim. However, his security room mobility more than compensates, allowing him to pressure generators effectively while maintaining chase threat. His add-on selection can enhance either mobility or damage depending on preference.

B-Tier Killers: Solid Situational Picks

B-tier killers offer situational power that rewards specific playstyles. These killers can dominate in the right scenarios but may struggle against coordinated survivor teams or unfavorable map layouts. Understanding when to play these killers and which scenarios favor them separates intermediate players from advanced ones.

The Houndmaster (Portia & Snug) – Coordinated Hunt

Portia Maye and her loyal hound Snug work together to track and capture survivors. Snug can be commanded to scout ahead, latch onto survivors, and prevent movement. This dual-character gameplay creates unique tactical options unavailable to other killers.

Why She’s B-Tier:

• Good information gathering with Snug
• Can pressure multiple areas simultaneously
• Snug latching stops survivor movement
• Decent mobility from tracking trails
• Strong when played optimally

The Houndmaster requires strong coordination between Portia and Snug, which takes significant practice. Snug can also be difficult to control precisely, leading to missed opportunities. When everything works together, she’s highly effective, but inconsistency keeps her in B-tier.

The Unknown – Cryptic Horror (Post-Rework)

This twisted entity uses explosive UVX projectiles and Hallucination teleports to control the map. Patch 9.6.1 delivered a complete base kit rework that significantly changed how The Unknown functions. The rework aimed to provide clearer counterplay for survivors while maintaining the killer’s unique identity.

Why He’s B-Tier (Post-Rework):

• Reworked UVX system with clearer counterplay
• Hallucination teleports provide mobility
• Unique mechanics create mind games
• Versatile playstyle options
• Can force survivor movement effectively

The rework addressed community concerns about The Unknown’s frustrating-to-face mechanics while preserving his core identity. Survivors can now more clearly identify and counter his hallucination attacks, but skilled Unknown players can still leverage the uncertainty for successful plays. He lands firmly in B-tier as a result of these changes.

The Trickster – K-Pop Knife Thrower

The Trickster throws multiple laceration-inflicting blades at survivors. His Showstopper ability becomes even deadlier when Main Event activates, unleashing a devastating barrage of knives. Ranged pressure is his specialty, but it comes with mobility tradeoffs.

Why He’s B-Tier:

• Strong ranged pressure with knives
• Main Event provides burst damage
• Good at controlling loops
• Fan-favorite character design
• Satisfying gameplay when knife throws land

The Trickster’s major weakness is movement speed reduction while throwing knives, giving survivors opportunities to create distance. He also requires strong aim and tracking to maximize laceration buildup. Without consistent hits, he struggles significantly, making him a high-risk, high-reward choice.

The Knight – Medieval Commander

The Knight summons guards to patrol areas, damage generators, and hunt survivors. His ability to apply pressure to multiple locations simultaneously makes him unique among killers. Patch 9.6.1 improved guard pathfinding, making his banner system more reliable.

Why He’s B-Tier:

• Good map control with guards
• Can pressure multiple objectives
• Guards break pallets and damage generators
• Versatile tactical options
• Improved pathfinding in Patch 9.6.1

The Knight’s guards can be predictable and slow, allowing survivors to avoid them or grab banners to disable them. His effectiveness depends heavily on smart guard placement and map knowledge, leading to inconsistent performance. The pathfinding improvements help but don’t fully address his core weaknesses.

The Nemesis – T-Virus Terror

Nemesis wields a tentacle attack that infects survivors with the T-Virus. His zombie allies patrol the map and can injure survivors who get too close. The combination of ranged tentacle pressure and zombie support creates layered defense strategies.

Why He’s B-Tier:

• Good ranged attack with tentacle
• Zombies provide additional pressure
• T-Virus infection adds health states
• Strong with proper use
• Intimidating presence

Nemesis requires hitting survivors multiple times with tentacle strikes to build power, creating a slow ramp-up. Zombies can also be unreliable in their pathing and easily avoided. When everything aligns, he’s strong, but consistency issues prevent higher placement.

The Artist – Crow Commander

Carmina Mora commands swarms of crows to scout, damage, and control areas. Her Birds of Torment can injure distant survivors or mark them for tracking. The two-hit requirement for injury creates strategic depth in how and when to deploy her birds.

Why She’s B-Tier:

• Good area control with crows
• Ranged pressure options
• Information gathering capabilities
• Can hit multiple survivors simultaneously
• Versatile tactical approach

The Artist requires precise crow placement and survivors need to be hit twice to be injured (first crow swarms them, second injures). This two-hit requirement and the need for accurate aiming keeps her in B-tier, but skilled players can leverage her range and area denial effectively.

The Singularity – Sci-Fi Surveillance

The Singularity places biopods around the map to monitor survivors and inflict Slipstream. When survivors are Slipstreamed, it can teleport to them and gain enhanced chase capabilities. This surveillance-and-strike pattern rewards strategic pod placement.

Why He’s B-Tier:

• Strong map control with biopods
• Teleportation provides mobility
• Slipstream creates pressure
• High skill ceiling
• Powerful when mastered

The Singularity is incredibly complex and widely considered one of the hardest killers to play in DBD. EMPs provide strong survivor counterplay, temporarily disabling biopods and removing Slipstream. His immense difficulty and counterplay options prevent higher tier placement despite his theoretical power.

The Dredge – Darkness Dweller

The Dredge teleports between lockers and activates Nightfall to plunge the map into darkness and remove its terror radius. The combination of teleport mobility and temporary stealth creates unique ambush opportunities.

Why He’s B-Tier:

• Good mobility with locker teleportation
• Nightfall creates strong pressure
• Unpredictable teleport options
• Psychological pressure from darkness
• Versatile positioning

The Dredge’s teleportation has slow animations and survivors can hear the approach clearly. While Nightfall is strong, it only lasts 60 seconds. Between Nightfall activations, The Dredge is relatively weak, creating inconsistent performance that keeps him in B-tier.

C-Tier Killers: Niche Specialists

C-tier killers possess abilities that work well in specific scenarios but face significant limitations against competent survivors. These killers require either exceptional player skill or favorable circumstances to perform well. Understanding their niches helps players decide when to pick them and how to maximize their effectiveness.

The Legion – Feral Frenzy Gang

The Legion’s Feral Frenzy increases movement speed and allows chaining hits across multiple survivors, inflicting Deep Wound status. This multi-target ability excels at spreading pressure across the survivor team rather than focusing on individual eliminations.

Why They’re C-Tier:

• Good at injuring multiple survivors
• Deep Wound slows generator progress
• Can extend match duration significantly
• Forces healing time
• Easy to learn

The Legion struggles to actually down and hook survivors efficiently. Feral Frenzy requires five hits to down someone (compared to the standard two), and hitting multiple survivors often means the first ones escape to heal. They’re excellent at prolonging matches but struggle to secure kills against survivors who manage their Deep Wounds effectively.

The Plague – Infection Spreader

Adiris inflicts sickness with Vile Purge, which eventually injures survivors. When survivors cleanse at Pools of Devotion, she gains access to Corrupt Purge for direct damage. This “make them sick, then punish them for healing” strategy defines her gameplay.

Why She’s C-Tier:

• Good area control with infection
• Can infect generators and objects
• Forces difficult survivor decisions
• Corrupt Purge provides lethality
• Alters survivor strategy

The Plague’s infection takes time to injure survivors, and they can choose not to cleanse, denying her Corrupt Purge. Smart survivors can minimize her effectiveness by staying injured and rushing generators, making her inconsistent against experienced teams who understand the counterplay.

The Hag – Trap Teleporter

Lisa Sherwood draws Phantasm Traps on the ground. When survivors trigger them, she can instantly teleport to that location. This trap-and-teleport pattern can create devastating ambush setups in high-traffic areas.

Why She’s C-Tier:

• Good area control with traps
• Instant teleportation to triggered traps
• Can protect key areas effectively
• Strong when set up properly
• Strategic gameplay

The Hag requires extensive setup time, and her traps are visible to observant survivors who can avoid or disable them. Flashlights counter her completely by burning away traps. She’s fallen from former glory as survivor counterplay has improved, leaving her struggling against coordinated teams.

The Deathslinger – Harpoon Hunter

The Deathslinger fires harpoons to reel in survivors, bringing them into melee range for attacks. This ranged-capture mechanic creates unique chase opportunities, but it comes with significant aiming requirements and counterplay options.

Why He’s C-Tier:

• Good chase control with harpoon
• Can pull survivors from safety
• Inflicts Deep Wound
• Quick-scope potential
• Satisfying mechanical skill expression

The Deathslinger requires precise aim, and survivors can break the harpoon chain by putting obstacles between them. His relatively short range and vulnerability during reload keep him from higher tiers despite his unique mechanics. He’s a high-skill, high-risk choice that rewards practice.

The Oni – Blood Fury Samurai

Kazan Yamaoka collects Blood Orbs from injured survivors to power up Demon Dash and Demon Strike abilities. When fully charged, he becomes one of the most devastating killers in the game, but building that charge requires initial success.

Why He’s C-Tier:

• Strong when powered up
• Demon Dash provides mobility
• Demon Strike one-hits survivors
• Snowball potential
• Satisfying power fantasy

The Oni requires building power through Blood Orb collection before accessing his abilities. Against survivors who avoid injury or spread out, he can struggle significantly. He’s incredibly powerful when charged but inconsistent otherwise, making him a situational pick rather than a consistent performer.

The Twins – Charlotte & Victor

Charlotte can deploy her brother Victor to hunt survivors independently while she remains stationary. This dual-character design creates unique split-pressure strategies, but managing both characters effectively is notoriously difficult.

Why They’re C-Tier:

• Can pressure multiple areas
• Victor provides scouting
• Pounce attack is lethal
• Unique tactical options
• Strategic depth

Survivors can kick Victor away, temporarily disabling him and stunning Charlotte if nearby. Managing the twins effectively is complex, and Charlotte’s vulnerability while controlling Victor creates significant weaknesses. The skill ceiling is high but the floor is low, making them inconsistent.

The Pig – Jigsaw Trapper

Amanda Young places Reverse Bear Traps on survivors’ heads. Once activated by generator completion, survivors must search Jigsaw Boxes to remove them or face instant death. This time-pressure mechanic can create dramatic endgame scenarios.

Why She’s C-Tier:

• Good pressure with bear traps
• Can create time waste for survivors
• Stealth capabilities with crouch
• Instant kill potential
• Strategic gameplay

The Pig has limited traps per match (4 total), and survivors can remove them relatively quickly with luck. Her stealth is weaker than other stealth killers, and her traps don’t always create the pressure needed to secure kills. She’s better suited for ambush play than direct chase.

The Clown – Potion Thrower

The Clown throws Afterpiece Tonic to slow survivors and Antidote bottles to increase his own movement speed. This speed manipulation strategy can create chase advantages but lacks the raw power of higher-tier killers.

Why He’s C-Tier:

• Good chase control with tonics
• Movement enhancement with antidote
• Simple mechanics
• Recently buffed potion capacity
• Can slow survivors effectively

The Clown’s main issue is accidentally throwing the wrong potion when switching between them. His range is limited, and the effects are moderate rather than devastating. He can control chases but lacks the power to dominate matches, making him a consistent C-tier performer.

D-Tier Killers: The Struggling Underdogs

D-tier killers face significant challenges against competent survivors. These characters have fundamental design issues or outdated mechanics that make climbing the ranks particularly difficult. While dedicated mains can find success with these killers, they require significantly more effort than average to achieve comparable results. Behaviour Interactive has acknowledged several of these killers need reworks, though timelines remain unclear.

The Cannibal (Leatherface) – Chainsaw Sweeper

Bubba’s Chainsaw Sweep provides a wide attack arc that can hit multiple survivors simultaneously and instant-down them. The theoretical upside is high, but practical execution reveals significant weaknesses.

Why He’s D-Tier:

• Very slow movement while charging
• Attacks are highly telegraphed
• Long cooldown after misses
• Limited map mobility
• Easily avoided by experienced survivors

The Cannibal lacks mobility and his chainsaw attacks are so obvious that survivors see them coming. While he can camp hooks effectively, this playstyle isn’t conducive to winning matches against skilled survivors who complete generators before camping becomes effective.

The Shape (Michael Myers) – The Stalker

Michael Myers stalks survivors from a distance to progress through Evil Within tiers, eventually reaching tier 3 where survivors become Exposed. This power-building mechanic creates late-game potential but struggles against efficient survivor teams.

Why He’s D-Tier:

• Extremely slow early game
• Requires extensive stalking
• Tier 3 has limited duration
• No mobility options
• Heavily reliant on survivor mistakes

The Shape takes too long to reach his power spike, and tier 3 Evil Within ends after 60 seconds. Against efficient survivors, matches often end before Michael can capitalize on his potential. The stalking requirement also makes him vulnerable to survivor detection.

The Demogorgon – Upside Down Predator

The Demogorgon places portals and travels through the Upside Down to teleport between them. His Shred attack provides a lunge with range. Patch 9.6.0 brought Shred buffs that improved his viability, but he still faces significant challenges.

Why He’s D-Tier:

• Portal setup takes significant time
• Shred attack improved but still difficult
• Complex mechanics
• Survivors can destroy portals
• Limited effectiveness

The Demogorgon’s portal system isn’t as efficient as other mobility powers, and his Shred attack requires precise aim to be effective. He’s fun but struggles against competent survivors who destroy portals and avoid Upside Down travel. The Shred buffs helped but didn’t elevate him beyond D-tier.

The Onryo (Sadako) – Ring Horror

Sadako teleports between TVs and uses cursed tapes to build condemn on survivors, potentially killing them instantly. This passive pressure mechanic should create significant survivor concern but falls short in practice.

Why She’s D-Tier:

• Slow teleport animations
• Easily countered by tape removal
• Condemn builds too slowly
• Weak in chase
• Overshadowed by similar killers

The Onryo’s TV teleportation is slower and more obvious than similar powers. Survivors can prevent teleportation by removing tapes, and the condemn mechanic rarely leads to instant kills in practice. She’s been repeatedly overshadowed by other teleport-focused killers.

The Cenobite (Pinhead) – Chain Master

Pinhead uses Summons of Pain to send chains that bind survivors. The Lament Configuration spawns on the map, creating chain hunts when not solved. This unique mechanic should create constant pressure but proves inconsistent in practice.

Why He’s D-Tier:

• Chains have minimal impact
• Lament Configuration easily solved
• Complex power with limited payoff
• Can teleport to box but rarely effective
• Frustrating to play

The Cenobite’s chains are annoying but don’t significantly slow survivors. Smart teams can manage the Lament Configuration easily, preventing chain hunts. His power feels underwhelming relative to its complexity, making him one of the less popular killers at high ranks.

The Trapper – Bear Trap Setter (Post-Rework)

Evan MacMillan places bear traps around the map. Patch 9.6.1 delivered the long-requested Trapper rework, but instead of the buffs many hoped for, Behaviour changed bear traps to inflict Deep Wound instead of instant down. This significantly changed how he plays but didn’t elevate his competitive standing.

Why He’s D-Tier (Post-Rework):

• Only two traps to start
• Can only carry two traps without add-ons
• Extensive setup required
• Survivors can disarm traps
• Deep Wound replacement removed instant-down potential

The Trapper was once strong but has fallen dramatically as the game evolved. The Patch 9.6.1 rework removed his instant-down potential on bear traps, replacing it with Deep Wound that survivors can manage more easily. With limited trap supply and survivors having multiple ways to counter traps, he struggles to establish map control before generators complete.

The Skull Merchant – Drone Operator

The Skull Merchant deploys drones that scan areas and mark survivors. She’s been repeatedly nerfed due to community frustration, and Patch 9.6.1 continued this trend with reduced drone scanning radius. Despite these changes, her core design remains problematic.

Why She’s D-Tier:

• Drones provide minimal pressure
• Complex controls
• Heavily nerfed multiple times
• Community dislikes facing her
• Overshadowed by other trap killers

The Skull Merchant has suffered from negative community reception and repeated nerfs, making her the weakest killer in the game currently. Her drones are easily avoided and her chase power is minimal. Behaviour has acknowledged she needs a rework but has not announced concrete plans.

How to Choose the Right Killer for Your Playstyle

Finding the right killer depends heavily on your preferred playstyle and skill level. While tier lists provide competitive context, personal enjoyment and playstyle compatibility matter more for long-term success. Let’s break down which killers suit different player preferences.

Aggressive Chase-Focused Players

If you love ending chases quickly and pressuring survivors in loops, these killers will suit your aggressive playstyle. Look for characters with high mobility and chase-ending abilities.

• The Hillbilly – Instant downs with chainsaw sprints create relentless pressure
• The Huntress – Ranged hatchets can end chases over pallets
• The Oni – Demon strike one-hits when fully charged
• The Nemesis – Tentacle strikes through pallets

Strategic Map Control Players

If you prefer controlling generators and applying map-wide pressure, these killers excel at spreading influence across the trial. Their mobility and area denial create constant survivor pressure.

• The Blight – Incredible mobility with Rush covers ground rapidly
• The Wraith – Cloaked movement traverses map invisibly
• The Hag – Trap network with teleportation controls zones
• The Singularity – Biopod surveillance monitors entire map

Stealth and Psychological Terror Players

If you enjoy sneaking up on survivors and creating psychological pressure, these killers excel at surprise attacks and mind games. Their stealth capabilities punish survivors who don’t maintain awareness.

• The Ghost Face – Complete stealth with stalking for instant downs
• The Wraith – Invisible cloaked movement approaches undetected
• The Good Guy (Chucky) – Small size with Hidey-Ho Mode eliminates terror radius
• The Spirit – Invisible phase-walking creates guessing games

Ranged Attack Specialists

If you prefer attacking from distance rather than melee combat, these killers offer ranged options that bypass traditional chase mechanics. Precision aim separates deadly ranged specialists from average players.

• The Huntress – Hatchet throwing excels at zone control
• The Trickster – Knife barrages devastate grouped survivors
• The Deathslinger – Harpoon reeling pulls survivors from safety
• The Executioner – Fire pillar attacks create area denial

Common Mistakes When Using Top-Tier Killers

Even the strongest killers underperform when players make fundamental errors. Understanding these common mistakes helps you avoid them regardless of which killer you’re playing. These errors plague players across all skill levels but are particularly costly with high-tier killers whose power shouldn’t compensate for poor decision-making.

Overcommitting to Single Chases

Even with S-tier killers, spending too much time on one survivor while three others complete generators is a losing strategy. The most common mistake is prioritizing chase kills over generator pressure. Survivors complete generators remarkably fast when left undisturbed.

Solution: Set a mental timer of 30-45 seconds per chase. If you haven’t downed the survivor by then, consider pressuring generators instead unless you’re certain the down is imminent. Generator regression perks like Pop Goes the Weasel can compensate for lost chase time.

Neglecting Generator Pressure

New killer players often focus entirely on chases while ignoring generator progress. Even the strongest killers lose if all five generators pop before you’ve hooked survivors twice. Generator control is half the game.

Solution: After every hook, patrol nearby generators before committing to another chase. Use perks like Pop Goes the Weasel to damage generators when carrying survivors. Kick generators regularly rather than ignoring them during chases.

Poor Power Management

High-tier killers have powerful abilities, but using them at wrong times wastes their potential. The Nurse who blinks randomly, The Blight who rushes without purpose, or The Hillbilly who overheats unnecessarily all underperform despite their strong base kits.

Solution: Practice power usage in custom games. Learn when to use abilities aggressively versus when to save them for crucial moments. Understand cooldown timings and plan ability usage around survivor positioning.

Ignoring Perks and Add-Ons

Many players focus only on killer power while neglecting perk builds and add-ons that could significantly enhance performance. The right perk combination can address your killer’s weaknesses or amplify their strengths.

Solution: Research optimal perk builds for your chosen killer. Use add-ons strategically, especially those that address your killer’s weaknesses. Content creators like Otzdarva provide excellent perk build recommendations for each killer.

Not Adapting to Survivor Skill

Playing the same way against beginner survivors versus experienced SWF teams leads to inconsistent results. Top-tier killers require adapting strategy based on opponent skill, especially against coordinated groups who communicate effectively.

Solution: Pay attention to survivor behavior in the first 2-3 minutes. Are they splitting on generators efficiently? Do they loop confidently? Do they know how to counter your specific killer? Adjust your aggression and tactics accordingly.

Pro Strategies to Dominate with Any Killer

These advanced strategies work across all killers regardless of tier placement. Implementing them consistently separates intermediate players from advanced ones. These techniques require practice but dramatically improve your win rate when mastered.

Master the 3-Gen Strategy

Experienced killers force survivors into completing generators that leave three remaining in close proximity. This makes the endgame dramatically easier to defend and creates overtime scenarios where survivors must take risks.

How to Execute: Early in the match, identify three generators in a tight triangle. Apply pressure to prevent their completion while allowing distant generators to pop. Once only those three remain, survivors face an uphill battle trying to complete them while you patrol.

Learn Optimal Hook Placement

Where you hook survivors matters immensely. Hooks in open areas allow camping accusations but also prevent easy saves. Basement hooks create pressure but take time to reach. Strategic hook placement maximizes survivor travel time.

Advanced Technique: Hook survivors in positions that force rescuers to waste time traveling or expose themselves to danger. Corners of maps and areas with few nearby generators often work well. Avoid hooking near exit gates unless you’re confident in your endgame.

Understand Survivor Psychology

Predicting survivor behavior separates good killers from great ones. Most survivors run toward the nearest pallet or window when injured. Learning to cut off these routes ends chases faster than any killer power.

Mind Game Master Class: Occasionally fake committing to one direction, then quickly change course. Survivors who expect your path often run directly into you. This works especially well at T-walls and jungle gyms where survivor prediction errors compound.

Maximize Snowball Potential

Some matches reach a tipping point where downing multiple survivors quickly can end the game. Recognizing and capitalizing on these moments wins matches that might otherwise slip away.

How to Snowball: When you down a survivor near another injured survivor, consider slugging (leaving them down) to chase the injured person. Two downed survivors forces remaining players to stop generators for rescues. This creates breathing room to establish control.

Perfect Your Endgame Execution

The final minutes after generators are complete often determine match outcome. Killers with the right endgame strategy can turn certain losses into victories. Endgame scenarios require different tactics than early and mid-game.

Endgame Strategy: Position yourself between exit gates when possible. Remember where hex totems are if running NOED. Don’t be afraid to let one survivor escape to secure kills on the others trapped. Aggressive patrolling often forces survivor mistakes.

Platform-Specific Considerations

Your platform choice affects which killers perform best given input method differences. Mouse precision favors ranged killers while controller comfort suits mobility-focused characters. Understanding platform strengths helps inform killer selection.

PC (Steam/Epic Games)

Advantages:

• Higher frame rates (60+ FPS) for smoother gameplay
• Keyboard and mouse for precise aim
• Larger player base, faster matchmaking
• Better performance on lower graphics settings

Recommended Killers: Ranged killers like Huntress, Trickster, and Deathslinger benefit significantly from mouse aim precision. The Nurse’s blink mechanic also feels more responsive with mouse controls compared to controller input.

Console (PlayStation/Xbox)

Advantages:

• Controller comfort for extended sessions
• Consistent performance across all players
• Cross-play with other platforms
• Built-in voice chat for coordination

Recommended Killers: Console players often prefer mobility killers like Wraith, Legion, and Hillbilly that don’t require precise aim. The Spirit’s phase-walking also feels natural with controller input despite lacking aim requirements.

Nintendo Switch

Considerations:

• Lower frame rates affect gameplay
• Smaller screen in handheld mode
• Performance limitations
• Larger player base than expected

Recommended Killers: Simpler killers like Wraith, Trapper, and Legion work better with Switch performance constraints. Avoid ranged killers requiring precise aim and killers with complex mechanics that benefit from higher frame rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about DBD killer tier lists and gameplay. These FAQ entries address questions from search engine results and community discussions to provide comprehensive coverage of player concerns.

Conclusion

The Dead by Daylight killer tier list continues evolving with each patch, but fundamental principles remain constant. S-tier killers dominate through mobility, lethality, and map control. A-tier killers provide strong, viable alternatives with several newly elevated from B-tier thanks to Patch 9.6.1 buffs. B-tier offers situational power for specific playstyles. C-tier requires significant skill to overcome limitations. D-tier struggles against competent survivors despite dedicated mains.

Patch 9.6.1 brought significant changes that reshaped competitive rankings. The Doctor climbed from B-tier to A-tier with his Shock Therapy rework. Ghost Face finally received the mobility attention he needed. The Unknown underwent a comprehensive rework that adjusted his tier placement. The Trapper’s long-awaited rework removed his instant-down potential in favor of Deep Wound application. The First joined the roster as the 42nd killer and immediately established himself as a strong A-tier contender.

While this tier list provides valuable guidance based on competitive performance and high-level play, remember that personal mastery trumps tier placement for most players. A dedicated B-tier killer main will consistently outperform someone who casually plays S-tier killers without understanding their mechanics. Focus on finding a killer whose mechanics resonate with your playstyle, then invest time mastering their nuances.

The meta will continue shifting as Behaviour Interactive releases patches and new killers. Future balance changes will inevitably shuffle these rankings. Stay flexible, adapt your strategies, and most importantly, enjoy the hunt. Whether you’re trying to escape the fog or drag survivors into it, Dead by Daylight offers unique asymmetrical horror experiences unlike any other game available today.

Master your chosen killer, understand their strengths and limitations, build optimal perk setups, and adapt to survivor strategies. With practice and dedication, you’ll climb ranks and terrorize survivors regardless of which tier your killer occupies. The Fog awaits.

If you’re looking to round out your DBD knowledge, check out our survivor builds guide to understand what you’re facing from the other side of the trial. For more gaming guides and tier lists across multiple games, explore our comprehensive articles covering everything from competitive FPS rankings to RPG character builds.