Introduction

Since its release in 2016, Dead by Daylight has remained one of the most intense and unique asymmetrical horror games ever created. Developed by Behaviour Interactive, the game pits four survivors against a single killer in a terrifying struggle of wits, strategy, and skill. Survivors must work together to repair generators and escape, while the killer hunts them down and sacrifices them to the Entity.

With dozens of killers, survivors, perks, maps, and constant balance updates, Dead by Daylight can be overwhelming—especially for beginners. Success in this game isn’t about brute force or luck but about knowledge, timing, and adaptability.

This complete guide covers essential tips and strategies for both survivors and killers. Whether you’re trying to escape the trial or claim your victims, these insights will help you climb the ranks and enjoy the fog like never before.

1. Understanding the Basics of Dead by Daylight

Before diving into advanced strategies, it’s important to understand how Dead by Daylight functions at its core. It’s a 4v1 multiplayer game: four survivors versus one killer. Each side plays completely differently, and success depends on knowing your objectives.

Survivor Objectives

Survivors must repair five generators scattered across the map to power the exit gates. Once the gates are powered, they can open them and escape. Survivors can also rescue each other from hooks, heal injuries, and use stealth to avoid detection.

Killer Objectives

The killer’s main goal is to catch survivors and sacrifice them to the Entity. They can injure, down, and carry survivors to hooks. The killer wins by sacrificing all survivors or preventing their escape.

Key Concepts to Remember:

• Skill Checks: Quick-time events during repairs or healing. Missing them alerts the killer.
• Perks: Character abilities that modify gameplay and give advantages.
• Bloodweb: The progression system used to unlock perks, items, and offerings with Bloodpoints earned in matches.

2. Mastering the Survivor Role

Playing survivor requires stealth, awareness, and teamwork. Although every survivor has unique perks, their abilities are mostly cosmetic—skill and coordination matter far more.

Stealth and Awareness

Silence is your greatest weapon. Move slowly, crouch, and use obstacles to stay hidden. Always listen for the killer’s heartbeat (the “Terror Radius”) to gauge how close they are. Use third-person perspective to peek around corners safely.

Teamwork and Communication

While Dead by Daylight doesn’t have built-in voice chat, teamwork is essential. Use visual cues to coordinate—signal with movement, stay near teammates when safe, and spread out when repairing generators. Efficient teams complete objectives quickly and rescue effectively.

Pro Tip: Always heal after being injured. An injured survivor can be downed in a single hit, making them an easy target for the killer.

3. Killer Fundamentals and Playstyles

Each killer in Dead by Daylight has a distinct playstyle, weapon, and power. Some are stealthy, some are strategic, and others rely on brute force.

Map Pressure and Control

The killer’s success depends on maintaining pressure across the map. Patrolling generators regularly, forcing survivors to move, and interrupting their progress are all key tactics. Don’t chase one survivor endlessly—this wastes time and lets others finish objectives.

Reading Survivor Behavior

Survivors often follow predictable patterns: looping around objects, vaulting windows, or using pallets for safety. Watch for these behaviors and anticipate their moves. Learn to cut off escape routes or use your power to surprise them.

Good Killers for Beginners:

• The Wraith: Easy to learn and perfect for ambushing survivors.
• The Trapper: Teaches map control through trap placement.
• The Hillbilly: Great for learning map mobility and chase management.

4. The Importance of Perks and Loadouts

Perks dramatically change gameplay, giving unique advantages to both sides. Learning how to use them effectively is a core part of becoming skilled.

Survivor Perks

Some of the best perks for survivors include:

• Dead Hard: Dash forward to avoid an attack after being injured.
• Borrowed Time: Grants temporary protection after unhooking a teammate.
• Self-Care: Lets survivors heal themselves without needing a medkit.

Killer Perks

Popular killer perks include:

• Hex: Ruin: Automatically regresses unfinished generators.
• Barbecue & Chili: Reveals survivor locations after hooking someone.
• No One Escapes Death (NOED): Grants a speed boost and instant-down power in the endgame.

Tip: Don’t just copy top-tier “meta” builds from others. Experiment with different perk combinations and find what complements your personal playstyle.

5. Map Awareness and Environmental Mastery

Knowing the layout of a map is one of the most valuable skills in Dead by Daylight. Each map has unique structures, loops, and terrain that can give you a massive advantage.

Survivor Map Awareness

Before starting repairs, learn where generators, pallets, and windows are. Always have a backup escape route in mind in case the killer finds you. Avoid repairing generators close together to prevent getting trapped in a “3-gen” scenario.

Killer Map Awareness

For killers, knowledge of generator spawns and chokepoints is essential. Keep track of high-traffic areas, and place traps or patrol frequently used routes. Understanding map structure lets you predict survivor behavior and maintain pressure.

Advanced Tip: Use major landmarks—like the killer shack or main building—as points of reference. Navigating confidently saves precious time.

6. The Art of Chasing and Looping

Chases are the heart of Dead by Daylight. Whether you’re escaping or pursuing, mastering chases is what separates skilled players from the rest.

Survivor Looping Techniques

Looping involves using obstacles, windows, and pallets to waste the killer’s time. Drop pallets at the last second, vault when safe, and avoid panicking. The goal isn’t to run indefinitely but to buy enough time for teammates to complete objectives.

Killer Counterplay

As a killer, don’t fall for endless loops. “Mind game” survivors by pretending to go one way, then doubling back. Learn the geometry of common loops to know when to break chase or cut through terrain efficiently.

Practice Tip: Use custom matches to practice chases. Understanding how each map structure interacts with your killer’s abilities makes you far more effective.

7. Resource Management: Items and Add-ons

Both sides have access to powerful items and add-ons that can tilt the match in their favor.

Survivor Items

• Toolboxes: Speed up generator repairs or sabotage hooks.
• Medkits: Allow faster self-healing or healing teammates.
• Flashlights: Can blind killers and save teammates from being hooked.

Killer Add-ons

Each killer can bring two add-ons that modify their power. For example, The Trapper can carry more traps, The Huntress can throw faster hatchets, and The Nurse can charge her blink more efficiently.

Pro Strategy: Don’t become dependent on items or add-ons. Practice playing without them to develop stronger fundamentals.

8. Playing the Mind Game

One of Dead by Daylight’s most rewarding aspects is its psychological depth. Outsmarting your opponent can often matter more than pure mechanics.

Survivor Mind Games

Use misdirection to trick killers. Fake vaults, hide in unexpected places, or suddenly change direction mid-chase. Sometimes, standing still in the right spot can fool a killer completely.

Killer Mind Games

Killers can manipulate their red stain (the glowing light that shows their direction) to fake movements. For example, walk backward before turning sharply to surprise a survivor. You can also pretend to leave an area, only to return seconds later and catch a careless survivor.

Mindset Tip: Patience wins games. Avoid becoming predictable—change your tactics frequently so your opponents can’t read your moves.

9. Advanced Strategies for Ranked and Competitive Play

As you move up in skill and face more experienced players, basic tactics won’t be enough. Here are advanced strategies for both roles.

Survivor Tips

• Coordinate generator repairs to avoid leaving multiple generators close together.
• Use information perks like Kindred or Bond to maintain awareness.
• Avoid unsafe rescues that could result in multiple downs.

Killer Tips

• Maintain generator pressure by rotating patrols efficiently.
• Use hook placements to divide survivors and force them to make risky rescues.
• Adapt to survivor perk builds. For example, if they have Sprint Burst, surprise them with ambushes.

Meta Awareness: Keep up with patch notes and community updates. Perk balance, map layouts, and killer strengths change regularly, and adapting early gives you a strong advantage.

10. Maintaining a Positive Mindset and Continuous Improvement

Dead by Daylight can be emotionally intense. Losing streaks happen, mistakes are made, and frustration can build quickly. However, improvement only comes with patience and reflection.

Learn from Every Match

Every game teaches something. Analyze your performance after each trial—did you mismanage your time, miss a skill check, or overcommit to a chase? Recognizing these mistakes is how you grow.

Join the Community

The DBD community is vast and passionate. Watch YouTube tutorials, Twitch streams, and join forums or Discord servers. Many veteran players share insights, builds, and strategies that can drastically improve your game sense.

Final Advice:

Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on steady improvement and enjoy the experience. Every match, win or lose, is another step toward mastery.

Conclusion

Dead by Daylight is a game of strategy, adaptation, and mind games. Whether you’re surviving against a relentless killer or hunting clever survivors, every match brings new challenges and opportunities to learn.

By mastering the fundamentals, understanding map layouts, utilizing perks effectively, and developing patience, you can transform from a frightened novice into a confident veteran of the fog. Remember—every trial is a lesson, and every loss brings you closer to victory.