Every Killer In Dead By Daylight, Ranked Tier List

Dead By Daylight has entertained fans for over eight years by introducing new Survivors, maps, and Killers to keep the gameplay loop fresh and exciting. Those eight years have given Behavior Interactive time to create a huge roster of Killers, ranging from the original three to crossovers with some of the greatest horror franchises of the modern era.

Excluding the Trapper, Wraith, Hillbilly, Nurse, and Huntress, all extra Killers must be purchased through their associated DLC, called a Chapter in-game. This makes it hard to know which Killers are worth the extra cost and which ones you can gloss over. A Killer’s strength is best gauged by their unique ability and the skills they can later pass on to other Killers.

36 The Trapper

Base Game

The Trapper is one of the three original Killers in Dead By Daylight and a staple of the game. His signature move involves placing bear traps around the map, snaring Survivors, and leaving them imprisoned – or at least wounded – until the Trapper can collect them. He’s a poster boy for the game, but his long history as a base game Killer means that players have long since adapted to his kit. The other 35 Killers have overtaken the Trapper in nearly every way.

Don’t feel hopeless if you are a player who only wants to use base game killers; while the Trapper has been overshadowed by others over the years, if you place your Bear Traps well and play with your perks, you can come out with a win in many a match.

35 The Demogorgon

Franchise DLC – Stranger Things

Jumping from Dungeons & Dragons to Stranger Things and over to Dead By Daylight, the Demogorgon was taken off sale for a while, but as of 2024, players can once again purchase the Stranger Things DLC and teleport around the map with this Killer’s unique Power. If you pair the Demogorgon’s portals with its special Shred attack, you can deal some hefty blows. However, the Demogorgon has little else to show, and other Killers have better teleportation abilities.

34 The Nightmare – Freddy Kruger

Franchise DLC – A Nightmare On Elm Street

While a staple of the horror movie industry, Freddy Kruger has not made quite the same explosive impact on Dead By Daylight. Although he’s ranked as one of the best movie Killers in Dead By Daylight, and considered quite fun to play, he simply doesn’t match up to others in terms of skill. Freddy’s Dream Demon Power is not as disorienting as it may seem, and his generator teleportation is easily detected.

33 The Trickster

Original DLC – All-Kill

While fairly unpopular, the Trickster is a Killer with a colorful aesthetic. The Trickster’s main trick involves throwing colorful knives at retreating Survivors. The problem with his build is that the knives are not as useful as they should be and prove more annoying than fun. Even so, he’s arguably the hottest Killer in Dead By Daylight, which has given him a small following among DbD fans.

32 The Wraith

Base Game

The Wraith sports an enticing invisibility Power that allows him to get the jump on Survivors. However, this Power comes with a lot of awkward mechanics. He cannot attack while invisible, he takes ages to uncloak, and Survivors always know when he is using his Power via the ringing of his bell. Then again, if you can get a handle on this Power, you can become a master Killer with the Wraith’s assistance, striking Survivors before they know what hit them.

31 The Twins

Original DLC – A Binding Of Kin

The Twins are a two-in-one Killer; while Charlotte is the one hooking Survivors, she can unleash her twin brother Victor to chase down Survivors like a feral Border Collie. He can latch onto Survivors and damage them while Charlotte arrives to collect them. You can’t move Charlotte while controlling Victor, and Victor can be easily defeated by Survivors. It takes time to master Victor’s controls, but once you do, he’s a vicious and useful tool.

30 The Pig – Amanda Young

Franchise DLC – Saw

Jigsaw himself may be too old and sick to be a Killer, but Amanda Young, aka the Pig in Dead By Daylight, is ready to continue her master’s work. The Pig can place Reverse Bear Traps on downed Survivors, which slowly tick down to death after a generator is completed. This ability can result in instant sacrifice, but you only have four to use during the match, and her two hook-based Perks can feel redundant in the face of the Reverse Bear Trap.

29 The Ghost Face

Franchise DLC – Ghost Face

Ghost Face brings terror back to Dead By Daylight with the ability to lose his Terror Radius and Red Stain while still stalking Survivors. While Undetectable, Ghost Face can Mark Survivors and take them down in one hit… so long as he’s not seen. It can be tricky to master Ghost Face’s stealthy approach, especially as he has no special combat skill.

28 The Onryo – Sadako

Franchise DLC – Sadako Rising

Sadako fulfills her legacy as The Ring lady with her Condemnation mechanic, slowly infecting Survivors until they are immediately sacrificed. She can teleport to any TV around the map, spreading her Condemnation. The problem? If Survivors take out the tape inside the TV, you lose your strongest ability.

27 The Shape – Michael Myers

Franchise DLC – Halloween

Michael Myers was Dead By Daylight‘s first Franchise Killer, designed to draw out the hunt with a slowly growing Power. If you can keep the Survivors from fixing generators, by the late game, you can instantly down Survivors and kill them with your bare hands. He’s not built for a quick game, but truly embodies his movie persona.

In the early stages of the game, take advantage of Michael’s weak Terror Radius to sneak up on Survivors.

26 The Clown

Original DLC – Curtain Call

The Clown relies on good player aim, meaning he isn’t a good fit for all. However, if you can aim his toxic concoctions, you can stun a Survivor’s vision and movement, or speed yourself up with your secondary potion. Just make sure you know which potion you’re using on who, and you’ll close the gap on speedy Survivors.

25 The Cannibal – Leatherface

Franchise DLC – Leatherface

Before The Texas Chain Saw Massacre video game, fans of Leatherface could play him in Dead By Daylight. Leatherface’s chainsaw makes him a weaker version of the Hillbilly, but he still wields his signature weapon well. Despite being able to knock items out of a Survivor’s hands and having a slightly different approach to the chainsaw, there’s little point in buying him when you already have the Hillbilly.

24 The Cenobite – Pinhead

Franchise DLC – Hellraiser

While the Cenobite has turned into a meme in the Dead By Daylight community, he acts as a middle-of-the-road Killer. If you’re able to devote time to mastering his Chain Hunts, he can be a fun Killer who’s sure to earn an affectionate laugh. The problem comes from actually learning how to take Survivors down.

23 The Deathslinger

Original DLC – Chains of Hate

What good roster of characters is complete without a cowboy? The Deathslinger in Dead by Daylight wields a chained harpoon known as the Redeemer that reels in trapped Survivors. When you aim the Redeemer, you’re able to track a Survivor across a far distance, allowing you to play into a spooky sharpshooter fantasy.

22 The Hag

Original DLC – Of Flesh And Mud

The Hag in Dead By Daylight behaves something like an upgraded Trapper, as she has her own stronger traps to place around the map. When Survivors trigger her traps, she’ll teleport right to them. Like the Trapper, she’s lost some strength over time, but she’s a wonderfully scary Killer.

21 The Nemesis

Franchise DLC – Resident Evil

Nemesis is one of two Resident Evil Killers in Dead By Daylight. He’s strong, scary, and able to infect Survivors with a long-range Tentacle Strike that breaks down pallets and increases charging speed. He even spawns a pair of A.I zombie helpers to help infect Survivors. He is the definition of a Killer.

20 The Knight

Original DLC – Forged In Fog

The Knight stands out from the pack because of his three loyal Guards; the Jailer, the Assassin, and the Carnifex. Each has a unique patrolling mechanic, searching for and chasing Survivors. They can injure and even down Survivors for the Knight to swoop in and hook. The Knight and his Guards can cover a lot of ground and easily find Survivors.

19 The Doctor

Original DLC – Spark Of Madness

The Doctor in Dead By Daylight deals in Madness, a unique mechanic that can eventually leave a Survivor unable to do anything until they deal with their affliction. Keep zapping Survivors with electricity and their Madness will grow and grow. He’s incredibly fun for players who like to taunt Survivors and force them into submission.

18 The Unknown

Original DLC – All Things Wicked

This twisted mound of flesh was likely never human, and serves as a terrifying Killer. The Unknown creates Blast Areas that injure Survivors and can drop Hallucinations during Trials. These Hallucinations can turn into decoys of the Unknown to confuse Survivors and even act as teleport points. Combined with a great generator Perk, the Unknown lives up to its legacy.

17 The Huntress

Base Game

The Huntress is what the Trickster wished he could be; a hatchet-throwing master who can easily nail fleeing Survivors in the back. She is one of the trickier base game Killers to use, but it’s not too hard to learn how to throw her hatchets accurately. Her Hex Perk and built-in basement alarm system make her a true Killer.