Dead by Daylight has grown into a massive roster-driven game, and survivors are a big part of that identity. As of March 2026, the game features 52 playable survivors, made up of a mix of original characters designed by Behaviour Interactive and guest characters pulled from well-known franchises. That blend is part of what keeps the game fresh. You can go from playing a completely original character like Claudette to someone like Leon or Nancy in the very next match.
This tier list is built around overall community perception, not just raw numbers on paper. That means it reflects how players actually feel about each survivor’s perks in real matches. It takes into account things like consistency, versatility, and how often a survivor’s perks show up in strong builds.
S Tier Survivors
These survivors are widely seen as the most valuable picks. Their perks either shape the meta or slot easily into high-level builds.
- Claudette Morel
- Feng Min
- Kate Denson
- Mikaela Reid
- Ada Wong
- Rebecca Chambers
- Zarina Kassir
- Vittorio Toscano
- Steve Harrington
- Nancy Wheeler
A Tier Survivors
A Tier survivors are still very strong. You’ll see them often, and their perks are reliable across different playstyles.
- Dwight Fairfield
- Meg Thomas
- Nea Karlsson
- Bill Overbeck
- Yui Kimura
- Felix Richter
- Élodie Rakoto
- Yun-Jin Lee
- Jill Valentine
- Leon Scott Kennedy
- Gabriel Soma
- Alan Wake
- Sable Ward
- Renato Lyra
- Ellen Ripley
- Lara Croft
B Tier Survivors
These survivors have good perks, but they tend to be more niche or require specific builds to shine.
- Jake Park
- David King
- Ace Visconti
- Adam Francis
- Jeff Johansen
- Jane Romero
- Cheryl Mason
- Thalita Lyra
- Nicolas Cage
- Trevor Belmont
- Rick Grimes
- Michonne Grimes
- Eleven
- Dustin Henderson
- Orela Rose
- Kwon Tae-young
C Tier Survivors
C Tier survivors are usable, but their perks often feel inconsistent or overshadowed by stronger options.
- Laurie Strode
- Quentin Smith
- David Tapp
- Haddie Kaur
- Taurie Cain
- Vee Boonyasak
- Yoichi Asakawa
D Tier Survivors
These survivors sit at the bottom in terms of current community perception.
- Jonah Vasquez
- Ash Williams
- Aestri Yazar & Baermar Uraz (The Troupe)
Final Thoughts
It’s important to keep one thing in mind: Dead by Daylight is still a skill-driven game. A strong player can perform well with any survivor, regardless of tier. That said, perks do matter, and the difference between tiers becomes more noticeable the higher you climb.
This list reflects how the community currently sees the roster. As new chapters release and perks get updated, placements will shift. That’s part of what keeps the game interesting.
