Dead By Daylight: The Ultimate Guide For New Players

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey everyone, let's dive into Dead by Daylight (DbD), a game that's taken the horror world by storm! If you're new to the game, welcome! This guide is for you, covering everything from the basics to some sneaky tips to help you survive (or, you know, become the killer everyone fears). We'll break down the gameplay, characters, and strategies you'll need to know to survive the night. So, grab your flashlight (or your favorite weapon, killers!), and let's get started. Get ready to learn about the chilling world of DbD.

Understanding the Basics: Killer vs. Survivor

Alright, so at its heart, Dead by Daylight is a 4v1 asymmetrical horror game. This means one player takes on the role of the Killer, while the other four players become Survivors. The goal of the Survivors? To escape the trial grounds by repairing five generators to power the exit gates. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! The Killer, armed with unique abilities and a relentless drive, is constantly hunting you down. The Killers' goal is to sacrifice the survivors to the Entity.

Let's break down each side a bit more:

Survivors: You're a team of four, trying to outsmart the Killer. This involves repairing generators, rescuing teammates from hooks, and generally trying to stay alive. Teamwork is crucial, but so is knowing when to run! Every survivor has a set of perks that can help you survive a trial. Make sure you customize your load-out with the perks that best fit your play style. Remember, the killers will do their best to find you, and you must do everything you can to survive. Be careful, because killers will use their perks and abilities to find you.
Killers: You're the one doing the hunting! You have unique powers, like the ability to teleport, set traps, or stalk your prey. Your job is to find, chase, and hook the Survivors. Successfully hooking a survivor will bring you closer to sacrificing them to the Entity. Every Killer has different perks, abilities, and weapons. Make sure you learn all the different killers to master the game and gain the upper hand.

Now, both sides have challenges. Survivors need to work as a team, be stealthy, and make smart decisions. The Killers must learn how to track, anticipate, and outwit their prey. Both sides involve a unique style of play to master the game. It’s a battle of wits and reflexes!

The Characters: Meet the Survivors and Killers

Dead by Daylight boasts a huge roster of characters, each with their own unique perks and playstyles. It's like a big horror movie mashup, with characters from popular franchises like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Saw joining the fun. Let’s take a look.

The Survivors

These are your everyday heroes, thrust into a nightmare. They're all about stealth, teamwork, and quick thinking. There's a wide variety of survivors, each with unique perks that can help you with specific tasks, like healing, generator repair, or stealth. Popular survivors include:

Dwight Fairfield: The leader type, with perks that benefit teamwork.
Meg Thomas: A fast runner, perfect for those who love to get away.
Claudette Morel: Great for healing and staying hidden.
David King: A tank, good for taking hits and helping teammates.
And many more! Each survivor brings something different to the table, and experimenting with different survivors is part of the fun.

The Killers

These are the stars of the show! Each Killer has a unique power and a specific play style. They are designed to bring the most horrifying experience possible. Some of the most popular killers are:

The Trapper: Sets deadly bear traps to ensnare survivors.
The Wraith: Can turn invisible and sneak up on his prey.
The Hillbilly: A chainsaw-wielding powerhouse.
The Nurse: Can blink through walls, making her incredibly hard to escape.
The Shape (Michael Myers): Gains power as he stalks survivors, becoming more deadly.
And countless others! The variety of Killers keeps the game fresh, and mastering each one is a journey in itself. With each killer, comes a unique style of gameplay, so try to play each killer and see which one suits your play style.

Choosing your character is an important decision. Think about your playstyle. Are you more of a stealthy type? Or do you prefer to run and loop the killer? Are you looking to play solo or to play with a group of friends? The best part of the game is that there are many different options, and you can play how you want!

Gameplay Mechanics: How to Survive (or Kill)

Now, let's talk about the gameplay. Dead by Daylight has some core mechanics that both Survivors and Killers need to understand.

For Survivors

Generators: Your main objective. Repairing them powers the exit gates.
Healing: Can be done solo or with teammates. Healing is important so that you can keep playing and trying to escape. However, the Killer can easily find you. Therefore, it is important to be quick and stealthy.
Hooks: If caught by the Killer, you'll be hooked. Teammates can unhook you, but you'll get closer to death each time.
Stealth: Crucial for avoiding the Killer and completing objectives undetected. This is important to ensure that you are not found.
Looping: Running the Killer around obstacles to buy time for your teammates to work on generators. Looping is one of the most important aspects of surviving.

For Killers

Hunting: Finding and chasing Survivors is your main job. Look for scratch marks and listen for their breathing.
Hooking: Hang Survivors on hooks to sacrifice them to the Entity. This is the main way to get points and win the match.
Downing Survivors: Using your power to injure and knock down Survivors. This is how you will be able to hook them.
Patrolling: Moving between generators and hooks to catch Survivors and prevent them from completing objectives. Killers must patrol to ensure that the Survivors do not escape.
Using Your Power: Each Killer has unique abilities. Learn to use them effectively.

Perks and Items: Customizing Your Experience

Dead by Daylight allows you to customize your character's abilities and gear, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay. This is also important to consider as you play the game.

Perks

Survivors: Each Survivor has unique perks. You can also unlock teachable perks from other Survivors to use on your favorite character.
Killers: Similar to Survivors, Killers have their own set of perks that enhance their abilities. Perks are important because they can help you either survive or kill.
Leveling Up: You earn Bloodpoints by completing actions in a trial. You can then use them to level up your characters and unlock new perks and items.

Items

Flashlights: Can be used to blind the Killer.
Toolboxes: Speed up generator repairs.
Med-kits: Used for healing yourself or others.
Keys: Used to unlock the hatch, a secret escape route.
Maps: Help you track objectives.
Add-ons: Enhance the effectiveness of your items.
Offerings: Items that affect the trial, such as map offerings or items that give you more Bloodpoints.

Strategies and Tips: Level Up Your Game

Now, let's look at some strategies and tips that can help you become a better Survivor or Killer.

Survivor Strategies

Teamwork: Stick together, heal each other, and communicate. This will allow you to survive the trial.
Prioritize Generators: Get those generators done! This is your main goal. Do not give up!
Learn to Loop: Practice running the Killer around obstacles to buy time for your team.
Use Stealth: Stay hidden, especially when the Killer is nearby.
Know Your Perks: Customize your perks to match your playstyle.
Don't Give Up: Even if hooked, your teammates might be able to save you!
Always Be Aware: Pay attention to your surroundings. Always look behind to see if the killer is coming.

Killer Strategies

Patrol Generators: Prevent Survivors from completing objectives by patrolling generators. Patrolling is an essential strategy.
Use Your Power: Master your Killer's unique abilities.
Down Survivors Quickly: Quickly injure and hook Survivors.
Learn the Maps: Know where the best chase spots are and where generators are located.
Pressure the Survivors: Don't let them have a moment of peace.
Slug When Necessary: Sometimes, it's better to leave a Survivor on the ground to apply pressure.
Use Perks Strategically: Choose perks that complement your playstyle.
Listen to the Audio: The sound design is a huge advantage. Listen for footsteps, breathing, and generators being repaired.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To help you level up faster, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

Survivor Mistakes

Staying on a Generator When the Killer Is Close: This is a recipe for disaster. Get out of there!
Being Too Loud: Excessive running and failing skill checks can give away your position. Be stealthy.
Not Helping Teammates: Teamwork is key! Don't let your friends hang out on hooks.
Rushing: Take your time, plan your moves, and try not to panic.
Not Knowing the Maps: Knowing where the pallets and windows are is crucial for looping.

Killer Mistakes

Tunneling: Focusing solely on one Survivor can lead to the others completing generators.
Ignoring Generators: Letting Survivors repair generators unchecked gives them a huge advantage.
Giving Up On Chases: Sometimes, it's better to switch targets to apply pressure.
Not Using Your Power: Your power is your greatest asset. Use it effectively.
Not Checking Hooks: Make sure you are always checking hooks, so that you know whether or not a survivor is being unhooked.

Staying Up-to-Date: Keeping Up with the Meta

The meta in Dead by Daylight is always evolving. New perks, killers, and maps are constantly being added, so staying up-to-date is crucial.

Follow the Community: Watch streamers, read forums, and stay informed about the latest strategies and builds.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to try out new perks and builds.
Adapt: Be prepared to change your strategies as the meta evolves.
Read the Patch Notes: Know what's been changed and how it impacts the gameplay.

Conclusion: Embrace the Horror

So there you have it, folks! This guide should give you a solid foundation to start your Dead by Daylight journey. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun, experiment, and embrace the thrill of the hunt (or the terror of being hunted!). Whether you're a Survivor or a Killer, Dead by Daylight offers a unique and chilling experience. So, get out there, play the game, and most importantly, have fun!

Happy hunting (or surviving)!