Dead by Daylight Killer Tier List: Ranking Every DBD Killer

Discover the current Dead by Daylight killer tier list, ranking all 40 killers based on their unique powers, difficulty, and win potential in high-level play.

By DBD Guide Team · Updated March 15, 2026 · generic
Dead by Daylight Killer Tier List: Ranking Every DBD Killer — illustration

Understanding the Tier List

With a roster of 40 killers, Dead by Daylight offers a diverse range of playstyles, each with unique powers, perks, and add-ons. This tier list aims to help players navigate the extensive selection, identifying which killers consistently perform well in various scenarios. Our ranking considers factors such as a killer’s unique power, the strength of that power when mastered, and the overall difficulty rating provided by Behaviour Interactive. While individual perks and add-ons are powerful, they are only considered slightly, as perks can be interchanged and add-ons are not factored into this specific ranking.

The primary goal of this tier list is to assess a killer’s potential for securing wins, typically defined as achieving three to four kills in a match. It focuses on PC gameplay at a high level, assuming skilled opponents and a thorough understanding of each killer’s mechanics. The ability to perform well across different maps, against common perks and items, and with a selection of optimal add-ons also influences a killer’s placement. Killers with multiple viable builds may receive a slight advantage due to their versatility and potential for unpredictability.

S-Tier Killers: Unstoppable Forces

The S-Tier represents killers who, when played by a veteran, are exceptionally difficult to counter and can consistently dominate matches. Their unique powers allow them to bypass standard chase mechanics or apply immense pressure across the map.

  • The Nurse (Very Hard): The Nurse has consistently held the top spot due to her ability to teleport with her Blink power, Spencer’s Last Breath. This allows her to ignore pallets, windows, and elevation, turning survivor advantages into liabilities. While her fatigue after blinking requires precise timing, a skilled Nurse can chain Blinks to cover vast distances and quickly down survivors. Recent updates, such as the nerf to Distortion and the synergy with aura-reading perks like Floods of Rage, have further solidified her position. She is one of the five killers included with the base game.

  • The Blight (Very Hard): Similar to The Nurse in difficulty and power, The Blight’s Rush ability enables incredibly fast map traversal. While his initial Rush cannot attack, slamming into an obstacle activates Lethal Rush, allowing him to strike. Mastering his speed and precision is crucial, as missing an obstacle leads to fatigue. Despite some add-on nerfs, his base kit provides exceptional mobility and pressure, making him nearly unstoppable in the hands of a skilled player. The Blight can be purchased via Auric Cells, Iridescent Shards, or the Macabre Tales DLC.

  • The Hillbilly (Medium): After significant updates, The Hillbilly has seen a resurgence in the rankings. His Chainsaw Sprint can instantly down healthy survivors, making him a powerful threat for quick hooks. While he can be challenging to control and avoid obstacles, the 7.5.0 update improved his viability. His ability to insta-down and slug can end games rapidly, especially on maps that allow for clear lines of sight. He is one of the five killers included with the base game.

A-Tier Killers: Dominant and Versatile

A-Tier killers are highly effective and can consistently secure wins, often possessing strong mobility, map pressure, or unique chase mechanics that make them formidable opponents.

  • The Slasher (Medium): A popular addition around the game’s 10th anniversary, The Slasher (Jason Voorhees) is noted for his powerful teleport ability. This allows him to track survivor footsteps via a visible mist trail and teleport directly to them. Combined with a throwable spear weapon that has a smaller hitbox, he is a formidable force. His Rampage perk provides a Haste boost when stunning him, making him difficult to escape during a chase.

  • The First (Medium): The First narrowly misses the S-tier due to a higher reliance on optimal gameplay. While details of his specific power are not fully confirmed in the provided sources, his placement suggests a strong kit that can be highly effective when mastered.

  • The Spirit: The Spirit possesses a powerful phasing ability that allows her to move quickly and unpredictably, making her difficult for survivors to counter.

  • The Wraith: The Wraith’s stealth capabilities allow him to approach survivors undetected, initiating chases with an advantage.

  • The Huntress: Known for her ranged axe throws, The Huntress can down survivors from a distance, bypassing traditional looping mechanics.

  • The Xenomorph: The Xenomorph offers unique map control and chase potential.

  • The Executioner: The Executioner brings unique zoning and punishment abilities to the trial.

  • The Mastermind: The Mastermind offers strong chase and disruption capabilities.

  • The Nightmare: The Nightmare can trap survivors in the Dream World, altering gameplay mechanics.

  • The Dark Lord: The Dark Lord is consistently ranked highly for strong overall performance.

  • The Ghoul: The Ghoul is considered a strong A-tier contender.

  • The Lich: The Lich is also listed as an A-tier killer in some rankings.

  • The Twins: The Twins offer unique two-entity gameplay for map pressure and chases.

  • The Singularity: The Singularity provides strong area control and information.

  • The Houndmaster: The Houndmaster is recognized for his effective abilities.

  • The Artist: The Artist utilizes ranged projectiles for map presence and damage.

  • The Plague: The Plague’s infectious power can quickly spread, making survivors vulnerable.

  • The Oni: The Oni’s Blood Fury power allows for devastating insta-downs.

Comprehensive Dead by Daylight Killer Tier List

Below is a consolidated tier list of Dead by Daylight killers, reflecting their current standing based on multiple assessments as of June 2026.

S-Tier

  • The Nurse
  • The Blight
  • The Hillbilly
  • The Executioner
  • The Lich

A-Tier

  • The First
  • The Krasue
  • The Ghoul
  • The Spirit
  • The Wraith
  • The Dark Lord
  • The Huntress
  • The Xenomorph
  • The Mastermind
  • The Nightmare
  • The Animatronic
  • The Slasher
  • The Twins
  • The Singularity
  • The Houndmaster
  • The Artist
  • The Plague
  • The Oni
  • The Unknown

B-Tier

  • The Good Guy
  • The Houndmaster
  • The Unknown
  • The Trickster
  • The Knight
  • The Doctor
  • The Nemesis
  • The Artist
  • The Singularity
  • The Dredge
  • The Lich
  • The Huntress
  • The Nemesis
  • The Cenobite
  • The Deathslinger
  • The Hag
  • The Xenomorph
  • The Dredge
  • The Animatronic

C-Tier

  • The Legion
  • The Plague
  • The Hag
  • The Deathslinger
  • The Oni
  • The Twins
  • The Pig
  • The Clown
  • The Ghost Face
  • The Knight
  • The Wraith
  • The Doctor
  • The Trickster
  • The Cannibal
  • The Good Guy
  • The Onryo
  • The Demogorgon
  • The Clown

D-Tier

  • The Cannibal
  • The Shape
  • The Demogorgon
  • The Onryo
  • The Cenobite
  • The Trapper
  • The Skull Merchant
  • The Pig
  • The Ghost Face
  • The Shape
  • The Legion
  • The Trapper
  • The Nightmare
  • The Skull Merchant

FAQ

Which Dead by Daylight killers are included with the base game? The Nurse and The Hillbilly are among the five killers included with any purchase of the base game.

What factors are considered when ranking killers in this tier list? This tier list considers Behaviour’s difficulty rating for each killer, their unique power, and the strength of that power when played well. It also factors in consistent win potential, performance across various maps, and against common perks/items, assuming a high level of play.

Are killer perks and add-ons heavily weighted in this tier list? Killers’ individual perks are only taken into account slightly, as they can be unlocked and used interchangeably. Add-ons are not considered in this specific tier list.

Why are The Nurse and The Blight often considered S-tier despite their high difficulty? While both are “Very Hard” to master, their unique powers allow them to bypass or significantly alter core game mechanics (teleportation for The Nurse, extreme mobility for The Blight), making them nearly unstoppable in the hands of a veteran player.