DBD Survivors are the heart of every trial, from the original four who started it all to horror icons pulled in from movies, shows and games. Knowing who is who makes every match easier to plan.
DBD Survivors currently number 54, and the roster keeps growing with every new chapter. Whether you want a complete list or the best picks for your build, this guide covers it.
Below you will find all DBD Survivors by name, the difference between original and licensed characters, the newest addition and tips to get the most from your favorites. Everything reflects the live game as of October 2026.
DBD Survivors Overview: How Many Survivors Are in DBD?
If you are wondering How Many Survivors Are in DBD, the answer today is 54. Of those DBD Survivors, 32 are original characters created by the developers, while 22 are licensed from other franchises.
That makes the survivor side one of the largest rosters in any multiplayer horror game.Very few games in the genre offer this many playable characters on a single side.
The Current Survivor Count
The count grows by roughly one or two survivors with each chapter or collaboration. The Troupe, made up of Aestri Yazar and Baermar Uraz, counts as a single survivor slot even though it features two performers.
Not every chapter adds a survivor. Some collaborations bring only a killer or a cosmetic collection, so the roster of DBD Survivors grows a little more slowly than the killer side.
How Survivors Work in a Trial
Every survivor shares the same core goals in a match:
- Repair enough generators to power the exit gates
- Open at least one exit gate and leave the trial grounds
- Escape through the hatch if the gates are not an option
- Avoid getting caught and hooked by the killer
Each survivor also brings three unique perks, which is what truly separates one character from another.
Health States and Hooks
DBD Survivors move between three health states: healthy, injured and dying. Each hit from the killer drops you one state, and a downed survivor can be picked up and carried to a hook.
A survivor hooked for the third time is sacrificed to the Entity. Teammates can unhook you before that happens, which is why rescues and team play matter so much.
Full DBD Survivor List
Here is the complete DBD Survivor List, split into original and licensed characters. These are all the Dead by Daylight Survivors Names you can currently play.
Original Survivors
These 32 DBD Survivors were created specifically for the game:
- The original four: Dwight Fairfield, Meg Thomas, Claudette Morel, Jake Park
- Early chapters: Nea Karlsson, Ace Visconti, Feng Min, David King, Kate Denson, Adam Francis, Jeff Johansen, Jane Romero
- Middle era: Yui Kimura, Zarina Kassir, Felix Richter, Élodie Rakoto, Lee Yun-jin, Mikaela Reid, Jonah Vasquez, Haddie Kaur
- Recent era: Vittorio Toscano, Thalita Lyra, Renato Lyra, Gabriel Soma, Sable Ward, The Troupe (Aestri Yazar & Baermar Uraz)
- Latest additions: Taurie Cain, Orela Rose, Vee Boonyasak, Kwon Tae-young, Shane Wiigwaas, Aurora Stardotter
Licensed Survivors by Franchise
These 22 characters come from famous horror and pop culture franchises:
- Halloween: Laurie Strode
- A Nightmare on Elm Street: Quentin Smith
- Saw: David Tapp
- Left 4 Dead: Bill Overbeck
- Evil Dead: Ash Williams
- Stranger Things: Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Eleven
- Silent Hill: Cheryl Mason
- Resident Evil: Jill Valentine, Leon Scott Kennedy, Ada Wong, Rebecca Chambers
- Ringu: Yoichi Asakawa
- Alien: Ellen Ripley
- Alan Wake: Alan Wake
- Tomb Raider: Lara Croft
- Castlevania: Trevor Belmont
- The Walking Dead: Rick Grimes, Michonne Grimes
- Himself: Nicolas Cage
The Original Four Survivors
Dwight, Meg, Claudette and Jake have been free since day one, so every new player starts with them. Their perks still show up in competitive loadouts today.
That makes the original four the best place to learn the basics. You can test chases, healing and generator work before spending any currency on new DBD Survivors.
Original vs Licensed Dead by Daylight Survivors
Dead by Daylight Survivors fall into two groups, and the difference matters when you plan purchases. Both types play the same way in a trial, but they unlock differently.
What Makes Original Survivors Different
Original survivors are built around the game's own lore and the Entity's realm. They are usually easier to get, and their stories connect directly to the original killers.
How Licensed Survivors Compare
| Type | Count | Examples | How to Unlock |
| Original | 32 | Meg Thomas, Feng Min, Aurora Stardotter | Usually Iridescent Shards or chapter DLC |
| Licensed | 22 | Leon Scott Kennedy, Ellen Ripley, Eleven | Mostly Auric Cells or chapter DLC |
| Total | 54 | All DBD Survivors combined | Varies by character |
Licensed characters often arrive alongside a killer from the same franchise, like Dustin and Eleven joining with Vecna.
How to Unlock New DBD Survivors
- Open the in-game Store and browse the Characters tab.
- Check the three perks of each survivor you are considering.
- Buy the character with Iridescent Shards, if available, or with Auric Cells.
- Alternatively, buy the full chapter DLC to get the killer and survivor together.
- Equip your new survivor and start leveling them in the Bloodweb.
Who Is the Newest of All DBD Survivors?
The newest of All DBD Survivors is Aurora Stardotter. She arrived with the Chorus of Sin chapter, the first chapter in the game's history shaped by community votes.
Aurora Stardotter and Chorus of Sin
Aurora is a spiritual scientist from a world destroyed by The Judgment, the chapter's angelic killer. Her perks are Fruits of Your Labor, Salvation's Cry and Boon: Steadfast.
Boon: Steadfast is the standout: generators within range regress 50% slower and get repaired faster. It rewards teams that like to hold one area together.
What Comes Next for the Roster?
The current roadmap points to a Terrifier chapter in November, followed by a Scooby-Doo crossover in December. A major visual upgrade with new character models and dynamic weather is also planned for next year.
Best DBD Survivors for Beginners
Every survivor plays the same way, so the real difference between DBD Survivors comes down to their perks. Picking characters with strong teachable perks helps you build better loadouts faster.
Why Perks Matter More Than Looks
Each survivor's three unique perks can become teachable perks, letting every other survivor use them too. That means unlocking one strong character improves your whole roster.
Strong Starting Picks
These DBD Survivors offer perks that help almost any new player:
- Meg Thomas: Adrenaline heals you and grants a burst of speed once the exit gates are powered.
- Bill Overbeck: Borrowed Time keeps unhooked teammates protected for longer.
- Claudette Morel: Botany Knowledge permanently boosts your healing speed.
- Dwight Fairfield: Bond reveals nearby teammates, which is great for learning teamwork.
- Mikaela Reid: Boon: Circle of Healing speeds up healing for your whole team.
Pro Tips for Playing DBD Survivors
These tips help you get more out of every survivor, whether you are new or returning after a break.
Unlocking and Building Tips
- Buy the survivor whose perks you want, either with Iridescent Shards or Auric Cells.
- Level that survivor in the Bloodweb to unlock their unique perks as teachables.
- Once taught, those perks appear in the Bloodweb of every other survivor.
- Mix perks from different characters to build a loadout that fits your playstyle.
In-Match Tips
- Stack exhaustion wisely: Only one exhaustion perk works at a time, so do not bring two.
- Pair boons with teammates: Boon perks shine when your team stays near the totem.
- Pick a team role: Decide if you are the healer, the chaser or the generator rusher.
- Watch the newest perks: Fresh perks like Boon: Steadfast can surprise killers who do not know them yet.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even veterans fall into these traps when choosing or using survivors. Each one has a simple fix.
Mistake 1: Buying Survivors Only for Cosmetics
Picking a character purely for looks can leave your perk pool weak. Fix: Check each survivor's three perks before spending currency.
Mistake 2: Running Perks That Do Not Work Together
Two exhaustion perks or overlapping aura perks waste valuable slots. Fix: Build around one exhaustion perk plus support, healing or information perks.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Team Composition
Four players with the same healing build slow down generator progress. Fix: Coordinate roles with your team so someone always focuses on generators.
Play Every Trial Lag Free With ExitLag
In a game where one late pallet drop or vault decides who escapes, connection quality matters. Lag spikes can make you feel hit through pallets or miss a crucial skill check.
Why Ping Matters for Survivors
Chases are decided in fractions of a second, especially around loops and windows. High ping or packet loss makes your movements arrive late, giving the killer an unfair edge.
How ExitLag Improves Your Connection
ExitLag analyzes the path between your connection and the game servers, then sends your data through multiple optimized routes at once to cut lag and packet loss. .
DBD Survivors now span 54 characters, from the original four to icons like Leon, Ripley and Eleven. With new chapters arriving regularly, the roster only keeps getting bigger.
Which Survivor Should You Pick First?
Start with characters whose perks fit your playstyle, then expand your teachable pool over time. Perks matter far more than appearance once you start climbing.
Keep Up With New Releases
Check each new chapter for fresh perks, since new survivors often shake up the meta. Stay updated, build smart loadouts and DBD Survivors will become your favorite way to outsmart the Entity.
