Dead by Daylight Characters: Full Overview of Survivors and Killers

Dead by Daylight has evolved into one of the most content-rich asymmetric horror games on the market. With over 39 killers and a growing number of survivors, the Dead by Daylight characters pool continues to expand with every chapter, event, and update.

Whether you’re new to the fog or a seasoned player, understanding the characters in Dead by Daylight is key to unlocking builds, perks, and strategies that help you survive—or kill—more effectively. Each Dead by Daylight character offers unique perks, backstories, and playstyles. And with frequent updates introducing Dead by Daylight new characters, the roster is more varied than ever.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Dead by Daylight all characters, including the best performers, killer breakdowns, and even how to get bloody prestige skins.

What Are Dead by Daylight Characters?

In Dead by Daylight, there are two sides:

• Survivors: Try to escape the Trial by completing objectives and avoiding the killer.
  
• Killers: Hunt down and sacrifice survivors to The Entity.
  

Every Dead by Daylight character—whether killer or survivor—comes with three unique perks. These perks can later be unlocked for other characters once you reach level 30, 35, and 40, adding long-term progression to your Bloodweb journey.

Some characters in Dead by Daylight are original creations, while others are licensed from horror franchises like Saw, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Halloween, Stranger Things, and more.

Dead by Daylight All Characters: Survivors and Killers

Here’s a look at the full list of Dead by Daylight all characters as of 2025, including their origin (original or licensed).

Complete Dead by Daylight Characters List (2025)

Character Type	Name	Origin	Release Year
Survivor	Dwight Fairfield	Original	2016
Survivor	Meg Thomas	Original	2016
Survivor	Leon S. Kennedy	Resident Evil	2021
Survivor	Ada Wong	Resident Evil	2022
Survivor	Ellen Ripley	Alien	2023
Survivor	Alan Wake	Alan Wake	2024
Killer	The Trapper	Original	2016
Killer	The Huntress	Original	2017
Killer	The Nemesis	Resident Evil	2021
Killer	The Xenomorph	Alien	2023
Killer	The Singularity	Original	2023
Killer	The Unknown	Original	2024

Note: This table includes a mix of popular and recent additions. The full list includes over 60 total characters combined.

Dead by Daylight Characters Killers: What Makes Each Unique

When evaluating Dead by Daylight characters killers, you’ll notice they fall into categories:

• Zoners: Control areas with powers (e.g., The Blight)
  
• Chasers: Focus on raw speed and power (e.g., The Oni)
  
• Trappers: Rely on map control (e.g., The Trapper)
  
• Stealth Killers: Stay hidden (e.g., The Wraith)
  

Each killer has their own playstyle and learning curve. Knowing which fits your skill level and preference is key.

Dead by Daylight Female Characters: Notable Survivors and Killers

The game features a strong lineup of Dead by Daylight female characters on both sides of the fog. These include iconic names like:

Memorable Female Survivors

• Meg Thomas: Speed-focused original character
  
• Ada Wong: From Resident Evil, with stealth advantages
  
• Ellen Ripley: Smart and strategic sci-fi icon
  
• Nea Karlsson: Ideal for urban evasion builds
  
• Yui Kimura: Great for aggressive teamwork play
  

Female killers also leave their mark:

• The Huntress: Known for hatchet throws and eerie lullaby
  
• The Spirit: One of the strongest stealth killers in the game
  
• The Nurse: High skill ceiling, capable of teleporting through walls
  

Dead by Daylight New Characters: Who Just Entered the Fog?

With Behavior Interactive releasing 3–4 new characters per year, Dead by Daylight new characters constantly shake up the meta.

Recent updates include:

Most Recent New Additions

1. The Unknown (2025) – A shadowy original killer with mimic powers
   
2. Alan Wake (2023) – Brings unique flashlight mechanics as a survivor
   
3. The Xenomorph (2023) – Brings sci-fi horror into the Entity’s realm
   
4. Gabriel Soma (2023) – A new survivor from the Alien chapter
   

Each new character brings exclusive perks that shift how the game is played both casually and competitively.

Best Characters in Dead by Daylight for Each Role

Choosing the best characters in Dead by Daylight depends on playstyle, but here are the strongest picks for each category as of now:

Best Survivors

• Meg Thomas (for beginners – speed)
  
• Ada Wong (stealth & anti-chase)
  
• David King (tanking hits with Dead Hard)
  
• Alan Wake (flashlight-based control)
  

Best Killers

• The Blight (speed and map pressure)
  
• The Spirit (stealth and psychological pressure)
  
• The Huntress (ranged punishment)
  
• The Unknown (confusion-based ambushes)
  

These characters consistently rank high in tournaments and public matches.

Dead by Daylight How to Get Characters Bloody

If you’re wondering Dead by Daylight how to get characters bloody, this refers to Bloody Prestige Outfits—cosmetics unlocked by progressing a character to prestige level 1, 2, and 3.

Steps to Get a Bloody Character

1. Level the character to 50
   
2. Prestige them using Bloodpoints
   
3. Unlock bloody cosmetics at Prestige 1/2/3
   
4. Repeat to earn all pieces (torso, legs, head)
   

Bloody cosmetics show status and dedication and are among the most respected unlocks in the game.

How ExitLag Enhances Dead by Daylight Characters Performance

Performance matters—especially for killers where missed attacks and teleport lags can cost you the game. ExitLag improves your gameplay by:

• Reducing ping during chase sequences
  
• Preventing teleport rubber-banding for killers
  
• Optimizing data routes to reduce desync
  
• Ensuring smoother match loading and animation flow
  

Whether you’re playing as The Spirit or trying to flashlight save as Alan Wake, ExitLag ensures that every millisecond counts.

Test Exitlag now!

Dead by Daylight Character Tier List: Killers and Survivors (2025)

With dozens of unique killers and survivors to choose from, it’s important to know where each Dead by Daylight character stands in terms of power and utility. Here’s a simplified overview of their current rankings in the meta.

Killer Tier List (Top Picks)

Tier	Killers	Notes
S	The Spirit, The Blight, The Unknown	Exceptional pressure and mobility
A	The Huntress, The Artist, The Oni	Strong, consistent with right perks
B	The Wraith, The Trapper, The Nemesis	Beginner-friendly, but less pressure
C	The Trickster, The Clown	Niche or map-dependent effectiveness

Survivor Tier List (Top Picks)

Tier	Survivors	Notes
S	Ada Wong, David King, Meg Thomas	Versatile perks and chase/escape strength
A	Alan Wake, Yui Kimura, Zarina Kassir	Great for support or flashlight plays
B	Dwight, Feng Min, Laurie Strode	Situationally useful, but perk-reliant
C	Quentin Smith, Jeff Johansen	Less impactful perks in current meta

Licensed vs. Original Dead by Daylight Characters

A common question is whether Dead by Daylight new characters (especially licensed ones) are stronger or more impactful. While licensed characters often feature recognizable perks and cosmetics, original characters usually receive more flexible perk synergy.

Comparison: Perks and Popularity

• Licensed characters (e.g., Leon S. Kennedy, The Nemesis) tend to have thematic perks tied to their lore (e.g., Flashbang, Eruption).
  
• Original characters (e.g., The Blight, Meg Thomas) often offer broader build versatility and receive more gameplay balance support from the developers.
  

That said, many of the best characters in Dead by Daylight today are originals.

Building Around Dead by Daylight Characters

If you want to get the most out of each Dead by Daylight character, you need the right perk synergy. Here are some top recommendations:

Best Builds for Top Killers

• The Spirit
  
  • Perks: Sloppy Butcher, Nurse’s Calling, Hex: Plaything, Pain Resonance
    
  • Strategy: Maximize stealth and regression
    
• The Blight
  
  • Perks: Deadlock, Corrupt Intervention, Bamboozle, Adrenaline Vial (add-on)
    
  • Strategy: Map control + high chase speed
    

Best Builds for Top Survivors

• Meg Thomas
  
  • Perks: Sprint Burst, Adrenaline, Windows of Opportunity, Iron Will
    
  • Focus: Chase endurance + escape burst
    
• Ada Wong
  
  • Perks: Low Profile, Wiretap, Reactive Healing, Empathy
    
  • Focus: Stealth support, post-hit impact
    

Choosing the right perks based on the Dead by Daylight character you’re using is key to survival or domination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts on Dead by Daylight Characters

From chilling licensed killers like The Xenomorph to powerful originals like The Blight, the Dead by Daylight characters roster offers variety, depth, and ever-changing meta shifts. Understanding each Dead by Daylight character—their perks, role, and potential—is the first step toward mastering the Fog.

For those struggling with lag during matches, remember:

ExitLag remains one of the most important tools to guarantee smooth chases, teleport consistency, and proper hit registration—especially for killers with timing-based powers.

Bookmark this guide and check back after new chapters drop—because every Dead by Daylight new character brings new strategies, counters, and builds to explore.

All game images used in this blog belong to Behaviour Interactive. They are used for informational/educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.

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