Dead by Daylight: Best Killer Builds (2024)

The Killers of Dead by Daylight all hold unique backstories and abilities, with their roster ranging from deranged psychos like Michael Myers to inhuman monsters like The Dredge. All are terrifying in their own ways, and all are at a surprising disadvantage inside the game. Despite having incredible strengths and abilities over the Survivors, the Killer is often the one fighting to win a match. Good groups of Survivors can make even decent Killers seem like new players.

Killers will need any advantage they can get in Dead by Daylight. As of now, there are more than 100 usable killer perks that can be combined into several different builds. Because the Killers are all so unique, not every build will be as effective on one Killer as it might be on another. It's a good idea to research the different perks to build around the Killer you enjoy the most, but generalized builds can be very effective also.

Updated on July 16, 2024, by Lewis Smyth: Dead by Daylight is always evolving, and with each update, new and old perks are constantly changing the Killer meta. This updated guide aims to give Killer players a comprehensive look at the best perks and most synergistic builds to run in 2024 and beyond. Many different options have been made available to suit various playstyles, so gamers are sure to find a few builds that will appeal to them here.

The Beginner Build

Not every Dead by Daylight player has access to the game's ginormous suite of Killer perks purchased through DLC or the in-game store's Shrine of Secrets. For those who haven't yet invested in the Bloodwebs of the original Killers included in the base game, this build is designed to help newcomers. Slowing healing speeds with each basic attack with Sloppy Butcher, Spies from the Shadows, and Bitter Murmur will help track Survivors until Hex: No One Escapes Death activates in the endgame. A powerful combination of perks, this build doesn't require spending heaps of cash and Iridescent Shards on perks.

• Bitter Murmur (General Perk) – Each time a generator is completed, the auras of Survivors within 16 meters of that generator are revealed for 5 seconds. Once the last generator is complete, all Survivors’ auras are revealed for 10 seconds.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk) – After the final generator is completed, all Survivors suffer from the Exposed status ailment, and you gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.
• Sloppy Butcher (General Perk) – Basic attacks inflict the Mangled and Hemorrhage status ailments for 90 seconds, slowing down healing by 25% and regressing healing progress when left unfinished.
• Spies From the Shadows (General Perk) – When within 36 meters of a crow startled by a Survivor, you gain a loud noise notification.

Some perks simply perform well on every Killer. These perks are always a safe option for Killers looking for a winning combination, though be warned: Perks don't win games; players do. This build combines the aggressive generator regression of Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance with the early and endgame stalling of Corrupt Intervention and No Way Out. By blocking generators at the beginning of the match, Killers can find Survivors early and establish a three-generator setup to guard; meanwhile, The Trapper's Agitation can almost always guarantee Scourge Hook value, prevent hook sabotage plays, and assist in map control.

• Corrupt Intervention (The Plague) – At the start of the trial, the 3 generators furthest from the Killer's starting location are blocked for 120 seconds or until the first Survivor is downed.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – The Killer starts with four tokens. For each different Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook, lose one token and explode the generator with the most progress, causing it to lose 25% of its progress.
• Agitation (The Trapper) – While carrying a Survivor, the Killers’ movement speed is increased by 18% and their Terror Radius is increased by 12 meters.
• No Way Out (The Trickster) – When a Survivor interacts with an exit gate at the end of the trial, the Killer will receive a noise notification and the exit gates will be blocked for 12 seconds, plus another 12 seconds for each new Survivor hooked.

The Information Build

Knowing where to find the Survivors is half the battle of winning as the Killer. Survivors will often try to be stealthy and hide their position, even while injured. Players looking to find Survivors quickly and consistently should try and gather good information perks. This build will allow players to track the auras of generators being repaired with Hex: Ruin and Surveillance. Meanwhile, Hex: Undying and Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance will ensure lethal generator regression throughout the trial.

• Hex: Undying (The Blight) – Once per trial, when a Hex Totem is cleansed, the effect of that Hex is transferred to another Totem. Furthermore, Survivors standing within 4 meters of a Dull Totem have their auras revealed.
• Hex: Ruin (The Hag) – As long as the Hex Totem remains standing, all Survivors not working on progressed generators will immediately begin to regress. This effect is removed once the first Survivor is killed.
• Surveillance (The Pig) – Any regressing generator will be highlighted in white. If the generator begins to be worked on, it will be highlighted in yellow for the next 16 seconds. Generator repair noises are made audible by an additional 8 meters.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – The Killer starts with four tokens. For each different Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook, lose one token and explode the generator with the most progress, causing it to lose 25% of its progress.

The Slowdown Build

Looking to slow down generator speeds without the hassle of Scourge Hooks? This simple slowdown build employs the Entity's help to block generators and exit gates passively, without players having to worry too much about kicking generators. That doesn't let you off the hook, though – kicking progressed generators, even when Survivors are nearby, can always help. The Plague's Corrupt Intervention will force Survivors near you in the early game, while Deadlock and Grim Embrace work throughout the match to slow them down. In the end, No Way Out will block the exit gates longer for each hooked Survivor.

• Deadlock (The Cenobite) – After a generator is repaired, the generator with the most progress is blocked for 25 seconds.
• Grim Embrace (The Artist) – Each time The Killer hooks a new Survivor, all generators are blocked for 12 seconds after moving 16 meters away from the hook. Upon hooking each Survivor once, all generators are blocked for 40 seconds and the Obsession's aura is revealed for six seconds.
• No Way Out (The Trickster) – When a Survivor interacts with an exit gate at the end of the trial, the Killer will receive a noise notification and the exit gates will be blocked for 12 seconds, plus another 12 seconds for each new Survivor hooked.
• Corrupt Intervention (The Plague) – At the start of the trial, the 3 generators furthest from the Killer's starting location are blocked for 120 seconds or until the first Survivor is downed.

The Chase Build

On most maps as Killer, pesky pallets are always getting in the way of a short and fruitful chase. This build helps turn pallets into death traps, as Survivors that stun you become vulnerable to your attacks. With Enduring and Spirit Fury, after breaking two pallets, you can endure any stun and immediately shred pallets that hit you. At the same time, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and Corrupt Intervention work to slow down the game.

• Enduring (The Hillbilly) – Pallet stun duration is reduced by 50%.
• Spirit Fury (The Spirit) – After breaking 2 pallets, the next pallet stun will instantly break the pallet.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – The Killer starts with four tokens. For each different Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook, lose one token and explode the generator with the most progress, causing it to lose 25% of its progress.
• Corrupt Intervention (The Plague) – At the start of the trial, the 3 generators furthest from the Killer's starting location are blocked for 120 seconds or until the first Survivor is downed.

The Hex Build

Hex builds allow Killers to transform the Dull Totems hidden throughout the map into powerful Hex Totems. These Totems offer some of the best Killer perks in the entire game but at the risk of them being cleansed by Survivors, making the Hex Build one big gamble. Luckily, Hex: Pentimento ensures that even cleansed Totems maintain some value by slowing down generator speeds at one token. With Hex: Plaything, Survivors are forced to spend time cleansing Totems, lest they remain Oblivious to the Killer's Terror Radius. Meanwhile, Hex: Thrill of the Hunt slows Totem cleansing speeds so they can't be quickly removed without a fight. Finally: Hex: Devour Hope puts all Survivors in grave peril after it gains three tokens, giving you the chance to immediately down healthy Survivors and then kill them at five tokens.

• Hex: Thrill of the Hunt (General Perk) – For each Dull and Hex Totem remaining on the map, the Survivors' cleansing and blessing speed is reduced by 10%.
• Hex: Pentimento (The Artist) – Cleansed Totems can be rekindled for an additional effect, each decreasing repair, healing, recovery, and exit gate opening speeds by 30%.
• Hex: Devour Hope (The Hag) – When a Survivor is unhooked from at least 24 meters away, this perk gains a token. At 2 tokens, gain a 5% Haste effect for 10 seconds after hooking a Survivor. At 3 tokens, all Survivors suffer from the Exposed status effect. At 5 tokens, any Survivor, regardless of hook state, can be killed.
• Hex: Plaything (The Cenobite) – Upon hooking a Survivor for the first time a random Dull Totem on the map will become a Hex Totem, cursing the Survivor with the Oblivious status ailment until cleansed.

The Endgame Build

Like the Hex Build, the Endgame Build user adopts a riskier playstyle for a more devastating victory. Assuming Survivors have finished all the generators, getting the Obsession killed before the endgame will allow you to fully reap the rewards of Freddy Krueger's Remember Me and No Way Out, significantly slowing down exit gate opening speeds. All the while, Hex: No One Escapes Death will decimate Survivors' health states. While this build can feel satisfying, players are essentially putting all their eggs in one basket, so one shoulsn't feel too discouraged if they lose.

• Deadlock (The Cenobite) – After a generator is repaired, the generator with the most progress is blocked for 25 seconds.
• No Way Out (The Trickster) – When a Survivor interacts with an exit gate at the end of the trial, the Killer will receive a noise notification and the exit gates will be blocked for 12 seconds, plus another 12 seconds for each new Survivor hooked.
• Remember Me (The Nightmare) – Each time the Obsession loses a health state, you gain one of up to four tokens. For each token, exit gate opening speeds are slowed by 6 seconds, up to 24 seconds. The Obsession is not affected by this slowdown.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk) – After the final generator is completed, all Survivors suffer from the Exposed status ailment, and you gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.

​The Obsession Build

This build revolves around the Obsession – sneaking up on them, hooking them, and eventually, killing them. With Chucky's Friend's 'til the End, you'll expose the Obsession when you hook anyone but them, and when you catch them, the Obsession will transfer to someone else. Paired with Furtive Chase, you can silently sneak up on whoever screams with bonus movement speed. If you're already a stealth Killer, you could switch Furtive Chase for Play with Your Food or the Oni's Nemesis. Ultimately, Rancor and No Way Out should secure you an endgame kill with a spectacular Mori animation.

• Friends ‘til the End (The Good Guy) – After hooking a Survivor that is not the Obsession, the Obsession becomes Exposed for 20 seconds and reveals their aura for 10 seconds. After hooking the Obsession, another random Survivor screams, revealing their position and becoming the Obsession.
• Furtive Chase (The Ghost Face) – Upon hooking the Obsession, gain 5% Haste and become Undetectable for 18 seconds. When a Survivor unhooks the Obsession, they become the Obsession.
• Rancor (The Spirit) – Each time a generator is completed, the Killer sees all Survivors’ locations, and the Obsession sees the Killer’s aura for 3 seconds. Once all generators are completed, the Obsession is permanently Exposed and can be killed regardless of their hook stage.
• No Way Out (The Trickster) – When a Survivor interacts with an exit gate at the end of the trial, the Killer will receive a noise notification, and the exit gates will be blocked for 12 seconds, plus another 12 seconds for each new Survivor hooked.

The Stealth Build

Survivors can often hide to outlast the Killer in Dead by Daylight. However, Killers don't have to play The Shape or The Ghost Face to get the jump on Survivors. With this nifty build, Killers can just as easily surprise Survivors and bring the horror back to the game. With this build, kicking a generator will cause you to lose your Terror Radius and Expose any Survivor touching it. Nowhere to Hide will give you information on the nearby Survivors, and Pop Goes the Weasel will secure regression value after a hook.

• Trail of Torment (The Executioner) – After kicking a generator, become Undetectable until the generator stops regressing or a Survivor touches it. This effect can be triggered once every 30 seconds.
• Nowhere to Hide (The Knight) – Kicking a generator will reveal the aura of all Survivors within 24 meters for 5 seconds.
• Dragon’s Grip (The Blight) – If a Survivor interacts with a recently kicked generator within 30 seconds, they scream and become Exposed for 60 seconds. This effect can be triggered every 40 seconds.
• Pop Goes the Weasel (The Clown) – For 45 seconds after hooking a Survivor, damaging a generator will remove 20% of its current progress.

The Basem*nt Build

Niche but impactful, the Basem*nt Build facilitates a more territorial playstyle (and helps complete those tiresome Buried Underground tome challenges). Using a Bloodied Blueprint offering to spawn Basem*nt at the Killer Shack, Agitation will allow you to carry a Survivor to those more distant hooks, edging your way to the basem*nt. On the way there, body blockers will be punished by The Legion's Mad Grit. In the basem*nt itself, Scourge Hook: Monstrous Shrine will speed up dying and enshrine Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance value. This build is best used with an area-lockdown Killer like The Trapper or someone who can easily guard the basem*nt like The Huntress.

• Agitation (The Trapper) – While carrying a Survivor, the Killers’ movement speed is increased by 18%, and their Terror Radius is increased by 12 meters.
• Mad Grit (The Legion) – While carrying a Survivor, basic attacks have no cooldown, and hitting another Survivor pauses the carried Survivor’s wiggle progress for 4 seconds.
• Scourge Hook: Monstrous Shrine (General Perk) – Upon hooking a Survivor on one of four random white Scourge Hooks, the Survivor dies 20% faster when the Killer is not within 24 meters. Basem*nt hooks are transformed into Scourge Hooks.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – The Killer starts with four tokens. For each different Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook, lose one token and explode the generator with the most progress, causing it to lose 25% of its progress.

Dead by Daylight

Horror

Survival

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , Switch , Mobile

Released

June 14, 2016

Developer(s)

Behaviour Interactive