The Killers ofDead by Daylightall hold unique backstories and abilities, with their roster ranging from deranged psychos like Michael Myers toinhuman 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 decentKillers seem like new players.
Killers will need any advantage they can get inDead 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 players enjoy the most, but generalized builds can be very effective also.
Updated June 08, 2025, by Lewis Smyth:The Killer meta inDead by Daylighthas remained somewhat stagnant recently, though that doesn’t mean some overpowered perk combos aren’t facing the chop. This updated guide showcases the latest meta builds, and makes adjustments to others to reflect the state ofDead by Daylightas the year closes out.
The Beginner Build
Not everyDead by Daylightplayer has access to the game’s ginormous suite of Killer perkspurchased through DLCor 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 eachbasic attackwith 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 andIridescent Shards on perks.
The Meta Build
Some perks 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 theaggressive generator regressionof 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 Trickster’s No Way Out prevents Survivors from escaping in the endgame.
The Information Build
Knowing where to find the Survivors is half the battle of winning as the Killer. Survivors will often try tobe 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 allowplayers to track the aurasof generators being repaired with Hex: Ruin and Surveillance. Meanwhile, Hex: Undying and Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance will ensure lethal generator regression throughout the trial.
The Slowdown Build
Looking to slow down generator speeds without the hassle of Scourge Hooks? This simple slowdown buildemploys the Entity’s helpto block generators and exit gates passively, without players having to worry too much about kicking generators. That doesn’t let the Killer off the hook, though. Kicking progressed generators, even when Survivors are nearby, can always help.The Plague’s Corrupt Interventionwill force Survivors near the player 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.
The Chase Build
On most maps as Killer, pesky pallets are always getting in the way of a short and fruitful chase. This build helpsturn pallets into death traps, as Survivors that stun the Killer become vulnerable to the Killer’s attacks. With Enduring and Spirit Fury, after breaking two pallets, the player can endure any stun and immediately shred pallets that hit them. At the same time, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and Corrupt Intervention work to slow down the game.
The Hex Build
Hex builds allow Killers to transform the Dull Totems hidden throughout the map into powerful Hex Totems. These Totems offersome of the best Killer perksin the entire game, but at the risk of them being cleansed by Survivors, makingthe Hex Buildone big gamble. Luckily, Hex: Pentimento ensures that even cleansed Totems maintain some value by slowing down generator speeds at one token. With Corrupt Intervention, the Killer can further slow generator speeds at the start of a match. Meanwhile, Hex: Devour Hope puts all Survivors in grave peril after it gains three tokens, giving players the chance to immediately down healthy Survivors and then kill them at five tokens. Finally, Hex: Undying means Devour Hope cannot be quickly or easily cleansed.
The Endgame Build
Like the Hex Build, the Endgame Build user adopts a riskier playstyle for a more devastating victory. AssumingSurvivors have finished all the generators, getting the Obsession killed before the endgame will allow the player to fully reap the rewards ofFreddy Krueger’s Remember Meand 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.
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, the player will expose the Obsession when they hook anyone but them. When the Killer catches them, the Obsession will transfer to someone else. Paired with Furtive Chase, the Killer can silently sneak up on whoever screams with bonus movement speed. Players who arealready stealth Killerscould switch Furtive Chase for Play with Your Food orthe Oni’s Nemesis. Ultimately, Rancor and No Way Out should secure an endgame kill with a spectacular Mori animation.
The Stealth Build
Survivors can often hide tooutlast the Killer inDead by Daylight. However, Killers don’t have toplay The Shapeor 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 the player to lose their Terror Radius and Expose any Survivor touching it. Nowhere to Hide will give the Killer information on the nearby Survivors, and Pop Goes the Weasel will secure regression value after a hook.
The Basement Build
Niche but impactful, the Basement Build facilitates a more territorial playstyle (and helps complete those tiresome Buried Underground tome challenges). Using a Bloodied Blueprint offering to spawn Basement at the Killer Shack, Agitation will allow the Killer to carry a Survivor to those more distant hooks, edging their way to the basement. On the way there, body blockers will be punished byThe Legion’s Mad Grit.In the basement 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 basementlike The Huntress.
