Dead by Daylight is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where every move could mean the difference between a daring escape or a brutal sacrifice. As an asymmetrical multiplayer horror experience, the game constantly evolves with new Killers, perks, mechanics, and meta shifts. Whether you’re a Survivor trying to outwit the Killer or a Killer looking to systematically eliminate your prey, understanding key strategies is crucial.
In this updated survival guide, we’ll break down essential tips for both sides, explore how to adapt to recent changes, and help you climb the ranks in Dead by Daylight.
Survivor Strategies: Outsmart the Killer and Escape the Trial
Survivors have one job: repair generators, open the gates, and escape while avoiding the Killer’s grasp. That sounds simple enough—until you’re being chased down by a relentless Michael Myers or caught off guard by The Knight’s guards. To improve your survival rate, focus on these core strategies:
1. Play Smart, Not Reckless
Survivors need to balance stealth, teamwork, and efficiency to outplay the Killer. Here’s how you can increase your odds of survival:
- Don’t sprint unless necessary – Running leaves scratch marks that the Killer can track. Move cautiously when near objectives.
- Crouch-walking or walking removes scratch marks – Useful for juking the Killer or hiding effectively.
- Use obstacles wisely – Vaulting windows, dropping pallets, and hugging walls can throw the Killer off your trail.
- Don’t always drop pallets immediately – Some Killers bait pallet drops early. Fake a vault or hesitate for a second before committing.
2. Master Map Awareness
Understanding the layout of each map and knowing where key locations are (like pallet loops, vault points, generators, and totems) can drastically improve your survivability.
- Killer Shack is your best friend – This structure often has a strong vault location and a reliable loop to stall time.
- Look for long jungle gyms – Structures with strong window vaults or pallet placements provide excellent chase potential.
- Don’t 3-gen yourself – Avoid leaving generators clustered together as the last three remaining; Killers can defend them easily.
3. Generator Efficiency and Teamwork
- Split up when repairing generators – If multiple Survivors work on different generators, the match progresses faster.
- Use Prove Thyself – This perk increases repair speed when working with others, but beware of making yourselves easy targets.
- Stay alert when a teammate is hooked – If two people rush to save while others aren’t on gens, progress slows down.
- Leave generators at 99% – Against Killers with Pop Goes the Weasel or Pain Resonance, delaying a full repair can be beneficial.
4. Chase and Looping Tactics
Survivors need to know how to stall the Killer, buying valuable seconds for teammates.
- Keep Killers guessing at loops – Double back at key windows and use “fake vaults” to trick the Killer.
- Understand when to pre-drop pallets – Against high-mobility Killers like The Blight or The Spirit, sometimes pre-dropping is the best option.
- Use Decisive Strike and Off The Record – If tunneling is a problem, these perks help counter repeated targeting.
5. Stealth and Hiding Tips
- Avoid hiding in lockers – Good Killers rarely check them unless you’re obvious about it.
- Use objects for line-of-sight blocking – Breaking vision forces Killers to guess your direction.
- Stay unpredictable – Mixing up your escape routes prevents Killers from reading your movement.
6. Endgame Survival
- Body block at exit gates – If a teammate is injured and trying to escape, a well-timed body block can ensure their survival.
- Don’t rush the unhook at endgame – Some Killers wait near hooks for easy downs. Be patient and coordinate saves.
Killer Strategies: Become an Unstoppable Force
Playing as the Killer isn’t just about chasing down Survivors—it’s about controlling the map, managing pressure, and forcing mistakes. Whether you’re playing a mind-game-heavy Killer like The Trickster or a powerhouse like The Oni, these strategies will elevate your playstyle.
1. Map Control and Generator Pressure
The best Killers control the trial instead of endlessly chasing Survivors.
- Always pressure multiple Survivors – If one gets away, apply pressure elsewhere instead of tunnel-visioning.
- Kick gens when possible – Perks like Call of Brine, Pain Resonance, and Jolt help slow down gen progression.
- Be mindful of 3-gen setups – Leaving three close generators for the late game can ensure victory.
2. Master Tracking and Mind Games
- Read Survivor movement – High-level players bait loops, fake vaults, and try to predict your swings.
- Utilize red stain mind games – Walking backward around a corner or moonwalking can trick Survivors into unsafe movements.
- Listen for sounds – Injured Survivors make noise, and scratch marks disappear quickly.
3. Chase Strategy and Loop Mind Games
- Vault windows if needed – Some Killers have faster vault speeds than Survivors.
- Break pallets efficiently – Perks like Spirit Fury and Enduring can help against pallet spamming Survivors.
- Corner mind games – Instead of following a Survivor’s path exactly, cut them off using prediction.
4. Hooking and Pressure Tactics
- Hook Survivors in high-traffic areas – Placing them near generators forces teammates to leave objectives.
- Slugging can be useful – If two or more Survivors are nearby, downing multiple can shift the advantage in your favor.
- Don’t overcommit to one Survivor – If a chase lasts too long, switch targets.
5. Utilizing Killer-Specific Strengths
Every Killer has a unique power, and using it properly can make you nearly unstoppable.
- The Nurse – Mastering her blinks lets you bypass loops completely.
- The Blight – Learning hug-tech and movement angles allows you to execute impossible hits.
- The Hag – Placing phantasm traps at loops punishes Survivors who try to run.
- The Spirit – Predicting Survivor movements while phasing takes practice but makes her terrifying.
6. Perk Synergies and Loadouts
A well-built perk loadout can amplify a Killer’s power.
- Meta Perks (2024-2025 Update):
- Pain Resonance – Instant gen regression.
- Scourge Hook: Floods of Rage – Reveals Survivor auras after hooks.
- Nowhere to Hide – Highlights Survivors after kicking gens.
- Sloppy Butcher – Slows down healing.
Pro Tip: Adapt your build based on the team you’re facing. If they rely on healing, use Sloppy Butcher. If they repair gens quickly, go for regression perks.
Final Thoughts: Adapt and Overcome
Dead by Daylight is a game where every match is different, requiring quick thinking, adaptability, and mastery of mechanics. Whether you play as a Survivor dodging Killers or a Killer eliminating the opposition, strategy is what separates the best from the rest.
If you’re looking to improve your gameplay, learn new strategies, and connect with fellow players, join the Dead by Daylight group on Absurd.link. Share your experiences, discuss tactics, and stay ahead of the ever-changing meta.
The Fog awaits. Are you ready to survive… or hunt?
