Understanding Survivor Tiers
In Dead by Daylight, all survivors share identical base statistics for movement, hiding, and recovery speed. This means no survivor character is inherently stronger or weaker than another in terms of their physical attributes. The primary distinction among survivors, and what drives their ranking in a tier list, is their set of three unique “teachable perks.” These signature perks can be unlocked through the Bloodweb and then learned by other survivors, allowing for diverse build customization. Therefore, a survivor tier list fundamentally evaluates the strength and utility of these teachable perks within the current game meta.
This tier list categorizes survivors based on the impact and popularity of their signature perks. It’s a dynamic ranking, subject to change with perk reworks or the introduction of new survivors. Each survivor is also tagged with a playstyle that their perks typically support, such as Chase, Altruism, Stealth, Info, Boon, or Utility, helping players choose characters whose perks align with their preferred gameplay.
S-Tier Survivors and Their Perks
S-Tier survivors possess best-in-slot teachable perks that are highly impactful and often considered essential for strong builds. These are the characters worth prioritizing for leveling to unlock their powerful abilities. There are currently 8 survivors in S-Tier.
- Bill Overbeck brings Unbreakable, a crucial second-chance perk that allows survivors to pick themselves up from the dying state. This perk is categorized as Utility.
- David King offers Dead Hard, an exhaustion perk that remains a defining tool for extending chases. This perk falls under the Chase category.
- Meg Thomas is known for Sprint Burst, a core exhaustion perk for quick escapes, and Adrenaline, a powerful endgame perk. Both are categorized as Chase.
- Laurie Strode provides Decisive Strike, a utility perk designed to punish killers who tunnel survivors immediately after an unhook.
- Mikaela Reid defines boon builds with her perk Boon: Circle of Healing, which provides healing, and Shadow Step. This is a Boon category perk.
- Gabriel Soma introduces Made for This, a chase perk that offers endurance and speed benefits.
- Thalita Lyra contributes Background Player, a utility perk enabling flashlight and body-block saves.
- Zarina Kassir offers Off the Record, a utility perk that protects and hides survivors after being unhooked.
A-Tier Survivors and Their Perks
A-Tier survivors feature strong and popular perks that are frequently seen in matches. These perks offer significant advantages and are valuable additions to many survivor builds. There are 12 survivors in A-Tier.
- Steve Harrington has Second Wind, an altruism perk.
- Dwight Fairfield offers Bond, an info perk.
- Kate Denson brings Windows of Opportunity, a chase perk.
- Claudette Morel is known for Self-Care, an altruism perk.
- Nancy Wheeler provides Inner Strength, a stealth perk.
- Jake Park offers Iron Will, a stealth perk.
- Feng Min features Lithe, a chase perk.
- Adam Francis has Deliverance, a utility perk.
- Jane Romero brings Head On, a utility perk.
- Jonah Vasquez offers Overcome, a chase perk.
- Jill Valentine contributes Blast Mine, a utility perk.
- Leon Kennedy introduces Flashbang, a utility perk.
B-Tier Survivors and Their Perks
B-Tier survivors have perks that can be useful, particularly when integrated into specific builds or when playing with a coordinated team. While not as universally impactful as S or A-Tier perks, they can still provide strategic advantages. There are 9 survivors in B-Tier.
- Yui Kimura offers Lucky Break, a stealth perk.
- Felix Richter brings Built to Last, a utility perk.
- Élodie Rakoto has Power Struggle, a utility perk.
- Nea Karlsson features Balanced Landing, a chase perk.
- Quentin Smith provides Vigil, a utility perk.
- Ace Visconti offers Open-Handed, an info perk.
- Cheryl Mason contributes Repressed Alliance, a utility perk.
- Yun-Jin Lee introduces Smash Hit, a chase perk.
- Detective Tapp has Detective’s Hunch, an info perk.
FAQ
Is there a single “best” survivor in Dead by Daylight? No, there isn’t one single “best” survivor. All survivors have identical stats, so their mechanical performance is the same. What differentiates them are their three unique teachable perks. This tier list ranks survivors based on the strength of those signature perks in the current meta.
Which survivors should I unlock first for their perks? For the most immediate value, prioritize S-tier survivors. Bill Overbeck (Unbreakable), Meg Thomas (Sprint Burst, Adrenaline), and David King (Dead Hard) offer staple perks for strong builds. Laurie Strode (Decisive Strike), Mikaela Reid (Boon: Circle of Healing), Gabriel Soma (Made for This), Thalita Lyra (Background Player), and Zarina Kassir (Off the Record) also provide highly valuable perks.
Does my choice of survivor character affect gameplay beyond perks? Only through perks and cosmetic appearance. Hitboxes, movement speed, and health are consistent across all survivors. Once you have acquired the perks you desire through the Bloodweb or the Shrine of Secrets, your choice of character becomes a matter of personal preference.
What do the playstyle tags (e.g., Chase, Altruism) mean? These tags categorize the primary focus or benefit of a survivor’s signature perks. For example, “Chase” perks help with escaping the killer, “Altruism” perks benefit teammates, and “Stealth” perks aid in avoiding detection. You can use these tags to find survivors whose perks match your preferred playstyle.
How often does this survivor tier list get updated? The tier list is updated when perks are reworked or when new survivors are introduced to the game, reflecting the current meta. The latest community rankings for DBD Survivors were last updated on June 22, 2026.