Dead By Daylight Top 10 Killers Ranking 2024 Most Powerful And How To Play

As a long-time player of Dead by Daylight, I've spent countless hours immersed in its thrilling asymmetrical horror gameplay. The heart of the game lies in its diverse roster of Killers, each possessing unique powers, playstyles, and backstories that contribute to the overall terrifying experience. I have created my personal ranking of the Top 10 Most Wanted Killers in Dead by Daylight, delving into what makes these characters stand out and why they are so highly sought after by players.

1. The Nurse - A Master of Blink

The Nurse, also known as Sally Smithson, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and challenging Killers in Dead by Daylight. Her power, Spencer's Last Breath, allows her to blink through walls and short distances, enabling her to traverse the map quickly and catch Survivors off guard. Mastering The Nurse requires significant skill and practice, as her blinks can be difficult to control, and she becomes momentarily fatigued after each blink. However, in the hands of a skilled player, The Nurse is a formidable force capable of applying immense pressure and quickly downing Survivors. Her unique playstyle emphasizes map awareness, prediction, and precise movement, setting her apart from other Killers who rely more on chase mechanics. The Nurse’s backstory adds another layer of depth to her character. A former psychiatric nurse who succumbed to the horrors of her asylum, she is driven by a tormented past that manifests in her relentless pursuit of Survivors. This combination of gameplay strength and compelling lore makes The Nurse a consistently popular and highly desired Killer among Dead by Daylight enthusiasts. Her presence in a match often dictates the pace and strategy, forcing Survivors to adapt and play cautiously. The Nurse’s impact on the Dead by Daylight meta is undeniable, and her continued presence as a top-tier Killer ensures she remains a fixture in the game’s landscape.

2. The Spirit - Ethereal Agility and Deception

The Spirit, Rin Yamaoka, is a terrifying Killer known for her ethereal agility and deceptive abilities. Her power, Yamaoka's Haunting, allows her to phase-walk, moving at a significantly increased speed while becoming invisible to Survivors. During this phase-walk, The Spirit can traverse the map quickly, close the distance to Survivors, and launch surprise attacks. Her phasing ability is complemented by the fact that she can still hear Survivors, allowing her to track their movements even when they cannot see her. This combination of speed and stealth makes The Spirit incredibly unpredictable and challenging to counter. One of the key skills in playing The Spirit effectively is mastering the use of audio cues. Since Survivors cannot see her during her phase-walk, they must rely on their hearing to detect her presence. A skilled Spirit player can use this to their advantage, predicting Survivor movements and ambushing them with deadly precision. The Spirit’s backstory is equally haunting. The vengeful spirit of a young woman murdered by her father, Rin Yamaoka embodies rage and a thirst for retribution. This dark lore adds a layer of horror to her gameplay, making her encounters with Survivors all the more chilling. Her unique blend of stealth, speed, and terrifying backstory makes The Spirit a highly sought-after Killer in Dead by Daylight. She requires a different approach than many other Killers, emphasizing prediction, audio awareness, and strategic use of her power. This makes her both challenging and rewarding to play, cementing her place as one of the game's top-tier Killers.

3. The Blight - Unrelenting Speed and Map Control

The Blight, also known as Talbot Grimes, is a relentless Killer known for his incredible speed and map control. His power, Blight Rush, allows him to rapidly dash across the map by colliding with surfaces and launching himself in different directions. This unique movement ability makes The Blight one of the fastest Killers in the game, capable of quickly traversing long distances and applying intense pressure on Survivors. Unlike some other high-mobility Killers, The Blight’s power requires precise control and spatial awareness. Players must learn to effectively navigate the map, bouncing off surfaces at the right angles to maintain momentum and reach their targets. This learning curve can be steep, but the rewards are significant. A skilled Blight player can dominate matches, quickly downing Survivors and controlling the flow of the game. The Blight’s backstory is as tragic as his gameplay is terrifying. A brilliant but ethically compromised chemist, Talbot Grimes injected himself with a potent compound that granted him his speed and agility but also twisted his body and mind. This dark past is reflected in his grotesque appearance and his relentless pursuit of Survivors. Playing The Blight requires a different set of skills compared to many other Killers. It’s about understanding the map’s geometry, predicting Survivor movements, and executing precise rushes. This makes him both challenging and rewarding to play, appealing to those who enjoy a high-skill-ceiling Killer. The combination of his speed, map control, and tragic backstory makes The Blight a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

4. The Huntress - A Ranged Threat with Deadly Precision

The Huntress, Anna, is a formidable Killer known for her ranged attacks and her ability to pressure Survivors from a distance. Her power, Hunting Hatchets, allows her to throw hatchets at Survivors, dealing damage and potentially downing them. This ranged capability sets The Huntress apart from many other Killers who rely on close-quarters combat. Mastering The Huntress requires excellent aim and prediction skills. Players must learn to lead their shots, accounting for Survivor movement and the trajectory of the hatchets. A skilled Huntress can effectively control loops and force Survivors out of safe positions, making her a constant threat across the map. Her ability to injure or down Survivors from a distance adds a unique layer of strategy to her gameplay, making her a challenging but rewarding Killer to play. The Huntress's backstory is steeped in the grim folklore of the forest. Raised in isolation by her mother, a feral huntress, Anna learned to track and kill her prey with deadly efficiency. After her mother's death, Anna continued her brutal hunts, eventually becoming an entity herself, preying on anyone who strays into her territory. This haunting origin story adds depth to her character and reinforces her role as a terrifying predator. Playing as The Huntress requires a different mindset compared to other melee-focused Killers. It’s about positioning, timing, and the ability to predict Survivor movements. The satisfaction of landing a long-range hatchet throw is unmatched, and her ability to pressure Survivors from a distance makes her a consistently strong and popular choice among Dead by Daylight players.

5. The Deathslinger - A Bounty Hunter with a Harpoon Gun

The Deathslinger, Caleb Quinn, is a unique Killer known for his ranged attack and his ability to reel in Survivors. His power, The Redeemer, is a modified harpoon gun that allows him to shoot a spear at Survivors, attaching them to a chain. The Deathslinger can then reel in the Survivor, bringing them closer for a melee attack. This unique mechanic sets The Deathslinger apart from other Killers and adds a new dimension to chases and gameplay. Mastering The Deathslinger requires precision aiming and strategic timing. Players must learn to accurately shoot the harpoon, reel in Survivors effectively, and follow up with a melee attack. This makes him a challenging but highly rewarding Killer to play, especially for those who enjoy a more tactical and calculated approach. His ability to quickly close the distance and inflict damage can be devastating in the right hands. The Deathslinger's backstory is rooted in the Wild West, adding a distinctive flavor to his character. A former bounty hunter seeking revenge against those who wronged him, Caleb Quinn's grim determination and resourcefulness are reflected in his power and his playstyle. This unique background makes him stand out among the other Killers in Dead by Daylight, appealing to players who appreciate a different kind of horror narrative. Playing The Deathslinger effectively is about more than just landing shots; it’s about managing the chain, anticipating Survivor movements, and using the environment to your advantage. The ability to interrupt loops and quickly close the distance makes him a formidable opponent, and his unique gameplay style makes him a consistently popular and highly sought-after Killer.

6. The Hag - A Master of Traps and Ambush

The Hag, Lisa Sherwood, is a cunning Killer known for her trap-based gameplay and her ability to ambush Survivors. Her power, Blackened Catalyst, allows her to place phantom traps on the ground. When a Survivor triggers a trap, The Hag can teleport to it, allowing her to quickly close the distance and launch a surprise attack. This unique mechanic makes The Hag a master of map control and deception. Mastering The Hag requires strategic trap placement and a keen understanding of Survivor movement patterns. Players must learn to place traps in high-traffic areas and anticipate where Survivors are likely to go. The Hag's teleportation ability allows her to quickly react to triggered traps, turning the tables on unsuspecting Survivors. This trap-based gameplay makes her a challenging but rewarding Killer to play, particularly for those who enjoy a more strategic and patient approach. The Hag's backstory is steeped in dark folklore and ritualistic horror. Kidnapped and tortured in a secluded forest, Lisa Sherwood escaped her captors by making a pact with a dark entity, transforming her into the twisted creature known as The Hag. Her haunting origin story adds a chilling dimension to her character and reinforces her role as a terrifying predator. Playing The Hag effectively is about more than just placing traps; it's about controlling the map, anticipating Survivor behavior, and using her teleportation ability to its fullest potential. Her unique gameplay style and eerie presence make her a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

7. The Clown - A Master of Intoxication and Control

The Clown, Kenneth Chase, is a disturbing Killer known for his ability to intoxicate and disorient Survivors. His power, The Afterpiece Tonic, allows him to throw bottles of toxic gas that slow down and impair the vision of Survivors. This unique mechanic makes The Clown a formidable opponent in chases and allows him to control the flow of the game. Mastering The Clown requires strategic use of his Afterpiece Tonic and a good understanding of map layouts. Players must learn to throw bottles effectively, anticipate Survivor movements, and capitalize on their weakened state. His ability to disrupt Survivor loops and slow them down makes him a challenging Killer to play against, and his unique gameplay style is both terrifying and rewarding. The Clown's backstory is deeply unsettling, adding to his terrifying persona. A former circus performer with a penchant for collecting fingers from his victims, Kenneth Chase embodies a twisted and macabre form of entertainment. This dark origin story adds a chilling dimension to his character and reinforces his role as a sadistic and unpredictable Killer. Playing The Clown effectively is about more than just throwing bottles; it's about using his power to control chases, disrupt Survivor strategies, and create opportunities for downs. His unique gameplay style and unsettling character design make him a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

8. The Legion - A Frenzied Assault with Deadly Speed

The Legion is a group of Killers, consisting of four troubled teenagers, known for their frenzied assault and their ability to quickly traverse the map. Their power, Feral Frenzy, allows them to vault over pallets and windows and inflict the Deep Wound status effect on Survivors. This unique mechanic makes The Legion a highly mobile and aggressive Killer, capable of applying intense pressure across the map. Mastering The Legion requires effective use of their Feral Frenzy and a good understanding of map layouts. Players must learn to chain hits, track injured Survivors, and capitalize on their increased speed and mobility. Their ability to quickly traverse the map and injure multiple Survivors makes them a challenging Killer to play against, and their unique gameplay style is both chaotic and rewarding. The Legion's backstory is rooted in teenage angst and a desire for belonging, adding a unique layer to their terrifying persona. Driven by a need for acceptance and validation, the four members of The Legion turned to violence, becoming a twisted and dangerous group. This dark origin story adds a chilling dimension to their character and reinforces their role as unpredictable and ruthless killers. Playing The Legion effectively is about more than just using Feral Frenzy; it's about spreading damage, applying pressure, and capitalizing on the chaos they create. Their unique gameplay style and compelling backstory make them a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

9. The Plague - A Master of Infection and Debilitation

The Plague, Adiris, is a terrifying Killer known for her ability to infect Survivors and debilitate them with sickness. Her power, Vile Purge, allows her to spew a stream of infectious liquid that contaminates Survivors and objects. Infected Survivors suffer from the Broken status effect, preventing them from healing, and can become fully sick, making them vulnerable and easy to down. This unique mechanic makes The Plague a formidable opponent, particularly against coordinated Survivor teams. Mastering The Plague requires strategic use of her Vile Purge and a good understanding of map control. Players must learn to effectively infect Survivors and objects, forcing them to make difficult choices about cleansing themselves at Pools of Devotion. Cleansing, however, corrupts the Pools, allowing The Plague to use her Corrupt Purge, a more potent form of her power that inflicts direct damage. This risk-reward mechanic makes her gameplay highly strategic and engaging. The Plague's backstory is steeped in religious zealotry and ancient curses, adding a unique layer to her terrifying persona. A former high priestess who succumbed to a mysterious illness, Adiris made a pact with a dark entity, transforming her into The Plague. This tragic origin story adds a chilling dimension to her character and reinforces her role as a harbinger of disease and suffering. Playing The Plague effectively is about more than just infecting Survivors; it's about controlling the Pools of Devotion, applying pressure, and capitalizing on the opportunities created by her unique power. Her strategic gameplay and unsettling character design make her a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

10. The Oni - A Furious Warrior with Unstoppable Power

The Oni, Kazan Yamaoka, is a terrifying Killer known for his furious rage and his ability to transform into a powerful demon. His power, Yamaoka's Wrath, allows him to absorb blood orbs left behind by injured Survivors. Once he has absorbed enough blood, The Oni can activate his power, transforming into a hulking demon with increased speed, the ability to one-hit down Survivors with his kanabo, and the ability to dash across the map. This transformation mechanic makes The Oni a formidable opponent, particularly in the late game. Mastering The Oni requires aggressive gameplay and a good understanding of Survivor movement patterns. Players must learn to effectively chase and injure Survivors, absorb blood orbs, and time their transformation to maximize their impact. His ability to quickly down Survivors and traverse the map makes him a challenging Killer to play against, and his unique gameplay style is both exhilarating and rewarding. The Oni's backstory is rooted in samurai history and vengeful spirits, adding a unique layer to his terrifying persona. A descendant of The Spirit, Kazan Yamaoka was a powerful warrior who was betrayed and killed. Consumed by rage, he returned as The Oni, a vengeful demon seeking to punish those who wronged him. This tragic origin story adds a chilling dimension to his character and reinforces his role as an unstoppable force of nature. Playing The Oni effectively is about more than just transforming; it's about applying pressure, controlling the flow of the game, and using his transformation to secure decisive victories. His aggressive gameplay style and imposing presence make him a consistently popular and highly feared Killer in Dead by Daylight.

Conclusion

These Top 10 Most Wanted Killers in Dead by Daylight represent a diverse range of playstyles, abilities, and backstories. Each Killer offers a unique experience, challenging players to master their powers and adapt their strategies. Whether you prefer the strategic trap placement of The Hag, the ranged precision of The Huntress, or the furious aggression of The Oni, there is a Killer for every playstyle. The ongoing evolution of Dead by Daylight ensures that the meta will continue to shift, and new Killers will emerge to challenge the established hierarchy. However, these ten Killers have consistently proven their strength and versatility, solidifying their place as some of the most sought-after and feared characters in the game. As Dead by Daylight continues to grow and evolve, these Killers will undoubtedly remain a central part of its terrifying and thrilling gameplay experience.