Dead by Daylight has been terrifying players for a decade, and its roster of hunters keeps growing. From the original Trapper to licensed horror icons, there are now dozens of ways to chase survivors through the fog. Keeping track of every one of the DBD Killers is a challenge on its own.
This guide lists all DBD Killers currently in the game, in release order, with their real names and chapters. If you want a deeper look at the most recent original killer, our full guide to The Judgment covers its power and lore.
So, how many DBD Killers are there? Currently, Dead by Daylight has 44 killers: 25 original characters created by Behaviour Interactive and 19 licensed killers from horror franchises. The newest is The Judgment from the Chorus of Sin chapter, and Art the Clown from Terrifier has been announced as the 45th.
DBD Killers: the complete roster at a glance
The killer roster mixes original monsters with famous faces from film, TV, and games. Here is how it breaks down.
Dead by Daylight killers by type
- Total killers: 44 playable killers.
- Original killers: 25, created by Behaviour Interactive.
- Licensed killers: 19, from franchises such as Halloween, Stranger Things, and Resident Evil.
- Next killer: Art the Clown, announced as the 45th killer.
Killers no longer sold
Two licensed killers, The Shape from the HALLOWEEN chapter and The Cenobite from Hellraiser, are no longer sold. However, players who already own them keep access, so you may still face them in matches.
All Dead by Daylight killers in release order
The table below lists every killer from the original release to the most recent chapter. Licensed killers are marked so you can spot them easily.
DBD killer list
| # | Killer | Real name | Chapter | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Trapper | Evan MacMillan | Base Game | Original |
| 2 | The Wraith | Philip Ojomo | Base Game | Original |
| 3 | The Hillbilly | Max Thompson Jr. | Base Game | Original |
| 4 | The Nurse | Sally Smithson | The Last Breath | Original |
| 5 | The Shape | Michael Myers | The HALLOWEEN Chapter | Licensed |
| 6 | The Hag | Lisa Sherwood | Of Flesh and Mud | Original |
| 7 | The Doctor | Herman Carter | Spark of Madness | Original |
| 8 | The Huntress | Anna | A Lullaby for the Dark | Original |
| 9 | The Cannibal | Bubba Sawyer | LEATHERFACE | Licensed |
| 10 | The Nightmare | Freddy Krueger | A Nightmare on Elm Street | Licensed |
| 11 | The Pig | Amanda Young | The SAW Chapter | Licensed |
| 12 | The Clown | Kenneth Chase | Curtain Call | Original |
| 13 | The Spirit | Rin Yamaoka | Shattered Bloodline | Original |
| 14 | The Legion | Frank, Julie, Susie, and Joey | Darkness Among Us | Original |
| 15 | The Plague | Adiris | Demise of the Faithful | Original |
| 16 | The Ghost Face | Danny Johnson | Ghost Face | Licensed |
| 17 | The Demogorgon | Unnamed | Stranger Things | Licensed |
| 18 | The Oni | Kazan Yamaoka | Cursed Legacy | Original |
| 19 | The Deathslinger | Caleb Quinn | Chains of Hate | Original |
| 20 | The Executioner | Pyramid Head | Silent Hill | Licensed |
| 21 | The Blight | Talbot Grimes | Descend Beyond | Original |
| 22 | The Twins | Charlotte and Victor Deshayes | A Binding of Kin | Original |
| 23 | The Trickster | Hak Ji-woon | All-Kill | Original |
| 24 | The Nemesis | Nemesis T-Type | Resident Evil | Licensed |
| 25 | The Cenobite | Elliot Spencer | Hellraiser | Licensed |
| 26 | The Artist | Carmina Mora | Portrait of a Murder | Original |
| 27 | The Onryō | Sadako Yamamura | Sadako Rising | Licensed |
| 28 | The Dredge | Unnamed | Roots of Dread | Original |
| 29 | The Mastermind | Albert Wesker | Resident Evil: PROJECT W | Licensed |
| 30 | The Knight | Tarhos Kovács | Forged in Fog | Original |
| 31 | The Skull Merchant | Adriana Imai | Tools of Torment | Original |
| 32 | The Singularity | HUX-A7-13 | End Transmission | Original |
| 33 | The Xenomorph | Unnamed | Alien | Licensed |
| 34 | The Good Guy | Charles Lee Ray | Chucky | Licensed |
| 35 | The Unknown | Unnamed | All Things Wicked | Original |
| 36 | The Lich | Vecna | Dungeons and Dragons | Licensed |
| 37 | The Dark Lord | Dracula | Castlevania | Licensed |
| 38 | The Houndmaster | Portia Maye | Doomed Course | Original |
| 39 | The Ghoul | Ken Kaneki | Tokyo Ghoul | Licensed |
| 40 | The Animatronic | William Afton | Five Nights at Freddy’s | Licensed |
| 41 | The Krasue | Burong Sukapat | Sinister Grace | Original |
| 42 | The First | Henry Creel | Stranger Things Chapter 2 | Licensed |
| 43 | The Slasher | Jason Voorhees | Jason | Licensed |
| 44 | The Judgment | Unnamed | Chorus of Sin | Original |
How to read the list
The number shows release order, so higher numbers mean newer killers. In addition, the chapter column tells you which DLC to look for if you want to unlock a specific killer.
Newest Dead by Daylight killers
The last year brought a strong mix of licensed and original killers. These are the most recent additions to the roster.
Latest killers
- The Judgment: An original killer from the Chorus of Sin chapter, the newest in the game.
- The Slasher: Jason Voorhees, the iconic Friday the 13th killer, in his own chapter.
- The First: Henry Creel from Stranger Things Chapter 2.
- The Krasue: An original killer from Sinister Grace.
The next killer: Art the Clown
Art the Clown from Terrifier has been announced as the 45th killer, with the Terrifier chapter planned for November on the official roadmap. Therefore, the roster will keep growing before the end of the year.
Beyond that, the roadmap lists a chapter based on The Casting of Frank Stone for March next year. Exact release dates can change, so check official announcements before planning purchases.
Original vs licensed DBD Killers
Understanding the difference between original and licensed killers helps when you decide what to buy.
Original killers
Original killers are created by Behaviour Interactive and include classics like The Trapper, The Nurse, and The Blight. Many of them can be unlocked with in-game currency, which makes them easier to collect over time.
Licensed killers
Licensed killers come from outside franchises, such as Freddy Krueger, Pyramid Head, Vecna, and Jason Voorhees. Because of licensing agreements, they usually require purchasing their chapter, and some can be removed from sale.
Pro Tips: DBD Killers
- Start with base game killers: The Trapper, Wraith, and Hillbilly teach core chase mechanics. They are perfect for learning.
- Read each killer’s power: Every killer plays differently. Knowing the power is more important than perks at first.
- Collect teachable perks: Unlocking killers gives access to their perks. That improves every other killer you play.
- Watch the roadmap: New chapters arrive several times a year. Planning purchases saves money.
Common Mistakes players make with DBD killers
- Buying every chapter at once: Many killers can be earned with in-game currency. Fix: check which ones are original before paying.
- Ignoring licensed availability: Some licensed killers leave the store. Fix: buy them while they are available if you want them.
- Learning a complex killer first: Killers like The Nurse are hard to master. Fix: start with simpler powers.
- Using outdated lists: Old lists miss recent killers. Fix: use an updated roster.
FAQ: DBD Killers
How many killers are in Dead by Daylight?
Currently, there are 44 killers, with Art the Clown announced as the 45th. The count grows with almost every new chapter.
Who is the newest DBD killer?
The Judgment, an original killer from the Chorus of Sin chapter, is the most recent. Before it came The Slasher, Jason Voorhees.
Which DBD killers can no longer be bought?
The Shape and The Cenobite are no longer sold. Players who already own them can still play them.
Which killer is best for beginners?
Base game killers such as The Trapper and The Wraith are common starting points. Their powers are easy to understand, so you can focus on learning chases and map layouts.
Why your connection matters as a killer
Chases in Dead by Daylight come down to split-second decisions. Connection problems can turn a sure hit into a miss and let survivors escape.
How lag affects killers
- Missed hits: Survivors appear in one place but are actually somewhere else.
- Delayed powers: Abilities activate late during chases.
- Rubberbanding: Your killer snaps back near pallets and windows.
- Disconnections: Matches end early and progress is lost.
If you keep running into these issues, our guide on how to stop rubberbanding in DBD explains what causes them.
How ExitLag helps
ExitLag is a connection optimizer for online games that finds the fastest and most stable route to the Dead by Daylight servers. Its Multipath Technology sends data through several routes at once, so if one becomes unstable, the others keep you connected.
As a result, your hits and powers land when you press them. To get started, download the ExitLag app, search for Dead by Daylight, select your region, and apply the routes.
DBD Killers: final thoughts
The Dead by Daylight roster is one of the largest in any asymmetrical horror game. With 44 killers and more on the way, there is a hunting style for every player.
Key takeaways
- Dead by Daylight currently has 44 killers.
- 25 are original and 19 are licensed.
- The Judgment is the newest killer, and Art the Clown is next.
- The Shape and The Cenobite are no longer sold.
Your next step
Pick a killer from this list of DBD Killers, learn its power, and start hunting. Then start your ExitLag free trial to keep every chase smooth and lag-free.
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