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Dead by Daylightcontinues to show off impressive staying power. With more and more chapters for the game on the horizon, the future of the game looks exciting, fresh, andfull of new perks. As of now, there are over 100 survivor perks inDead by Daylight, and while many rarely see regular play, there are plenty of very powerful Survivor perk synergies that go underused.
There are numerous ways to play as a Survivor and plenty of niches that can be filled with the right builds. This guide breaks down multiple playstyles for Survivors looking to spice up their perks or try new builds.
Updated June 03, 2025 by Mara Cowley:Dead by Daylight is set to receive a huge quality-of-life update that seeks to improve the experience for all players overall, which is sure to not only keep their current player base active but to bring back long-term fans who took a much-needed break from the meta overrun by tunneling and slugging.
This, plus various new killers and survivors that are soon to be joined by more, pushed DbD further than any players imagined, bringing in even more perks for players to enjoy while making slight changes to the existing ones. This opens the door for moreDbD survivor builds.
Totem Hunter Build
Hexes Be Gone
Though the game requires players to evade the Killer and repair generators, Survivors can bag themselves more points by cleansing totems, and give themselves a break from the usual gameplay, which players who have accrued thousands of hours might just need. There are a number of perks that can help them track down totems if they are having difficulty recalling spawn points, and also might offer additional bonuses besides points for taking the time to do so, as well as disabling any nasty hexes the Killer might have.
Treasure Hunter
Bag Some Loot to Aid in the Trial
The Entity does offer some small mercies to the Survivors in the trials, as it does give them a chance to escape, and it even potentially betters their odds as they might be able to grab a useful item from one of the chests scattered around, with several Survivor perks upping their odds of getting some good loot. It could be a flashlight to blind the killer, a toolbox to speed up repairs, or a med kit to heal themselves up so they can get back in the fight.
Locker Build
Make Use of Hiding Spots in Trials
Lockers are one of the few ways players can hide from Killers, and while they do provide total cover and even obscure their Aura, it does leave them vulnerable to being pulled out by the Killer. Still, it might be worth hopping in one, not just to avoid getting BBQ’d, but to make use of some of the perks available that give lockers additional effects.
Altruism Build
Become the Hero
Altruism is not only a blood points category but an important aspect of the game as a whole, as the more players are alive, the more chances there are that everyone can make it out alive. In order to have the best chance possible, players might want to consider running an altruism build focused on saving the lives of others. With these perks that revolve around saving other survivors from the hook, players can better their chances for survival while bagging themselves more points.
Aura-Reading Build
One of the advantages Killers have is that sometimes Survivors just can’t see them coming, especially oncertain mapswhere tall structures of darkness work in their favor. It can also be hard to coordinate with other Survivors they are notin comms with, which is what makes solo playing so hard. But Survivors can even the playing field with aura-reading, keeping track of not only their fellow Survivors but the Killer as well.
Stun Build
Get Payback
There are a few ways for the Survivor to defend themselves against the Killer, as more often than not, they will have to flee and hope they can out-loop the Killer. There are a few ways they can gain the upper hand, one of the main ones being stunning the Killer. By dropping palettes at the right time or equipping certain perks, Survivors can stun the Killer to gain precious seconds to make their escape while getting some much-needed payback.
The Non-Teachable Build
Best For Newcomers
For players completely fresh to the game, they may not have access to other Survivors' teachable perks, as these arelocked behind DLC charactersor hours of investment into the Bloodweb. This build is made to accommodate those newcomers as they enter The Fog for the first time. While Kindred and Déjà Vuwork to provide informationto new players, We’ll Make It and Hope grant the player some impressive speed boosts that can help protect Survivors and escape during the endgame.
The Beginner Build
Beginner-Friendly, But With Access To More Perks
For players new toDead by Daylight,many of the confusing mapsand mechanics can be overwhelming. This build is targeted at players who are less familiar with the game but have access to some of the perks available to paid Survivors. Windows of Opportunity will allow newcomers to find nearby pallets and windows around which they can learn to loop Killers. Meanwhile, Kindred and Déjà Vu reveal auras that can greatly help to coordinate hook rescues andbreak up sets of generatorsto make patrolling them more difficult for The Killer. Finally, Overcome is helpful in the chase for any player not yet ready to learn the intricacies of other Exhaustion perks.
The Self-Heal Build
Looking Out For #1
In most situations, it’s faster to heal with another Survivor or use a Med-Kit than to solo heal. Regardless, some Survivors prefer the security of an extra health state when playingDead by Daylight. If that sounds like you, consider using this build. With Strength in Shadows, heading to the basement is less perilous and allows you to get fast heals away from the action. Botany Knowledge makes those heals even faster, while Bond and Resurgence work to coordinate body blocks and reduce the effectiveness of tunneling.
The Anti-Slug Build
Avoid Bleeding Out
Slugging is the name given to the tactic of leaving Survivors bleeding on the ground instead of wasting time hooking them. When the risk of losing the game rears its head, Killers will often leave more Survivors on the ground in an attempt to make a comeback. This build counters that strategy. Unbreakable prevents you from being slugged, while We’re Gonna Live Forever helps pick up other Survivors from the ground quickly. Sprint Burst and Decisive Strike further work to escape the Killer and counter tunneling.
The Endgame Build
Outrun The Killer In The Endgame
Despite the introduction of ananti-camp feature in 2023, Killers will often resort to camping and tunneling in the Endgame to secure a kill. This build seeks to counter the more brutal playstyles that Killers adopt in the Endgame Collapse. This build allows players to outrun The Killer in the Endgame. ByReassuring Survivors on the hook, players can extend the struggle timer, giving others more time to reset or cleanse any nasty endgame Totems. When paired withpowerful healing items, this build can ensure a speedy escape.
The Anti-Tunnel Build
Divert The Killer’s Focus Somewhere Else
Players who are sick ofgetting immediately chased after being unhookedmay want to consider running a certain set of perks that waste The Killer’s time when they choose to engage in those types of chases. Being hit off the hook will send players being tunneled into Deep Wounds, after which they can safely enter the dying state within one minute to allow Decisive Strike orBill Overbeck’s Unbreakableto hit The Killer. Better yet, if The Killer continues to tunnel, now out of Deep Wounds, players can hit a well-timed Dead Hard to utterly ruin the tunneler’s day. While this build takes a lot of skill and practice to pull off, when it works, it canmassively waste The Killer’s time.
The Runner Build
Can’t Catch Me
Being chased is the most thrilling aspect of Survivor inDead by Daylight. If you like being the center of the Killer’s attention, with Sprint Burst andLara Croft’s perk Finesse, you can elude the Killer’s attacks and bait them into missing. Blood Rush will further enhance your chase and deny tunneling Killers as you power through Exhaustion when unhooked. Finally, Window of Opportunity highlights nearby resources to make use of.
The Generator Build
A Gen-Rush and a Push
Generator speeds have been slowed over the past few years togive Killers a chance to catch Survivors. There are still a few great perks that allow you to speed up the game, however. Quick Gambit and Sprint Burst ensure that generator speeds increase as long as you remain in chase, uninjured. Meanwhile, Deja Vu and Prove Thyself make your own generators get done just a little faster.
The Wallhacks Build
The Key To Escape
A key with the Blood Amber add-on is the most powerful chase tool there is inDead by Daylight. To make the most of it, run Poised, Dark Sense, and Wicked to see the Killer almost constantly. Eyes of Belmont will extend each of these aura reads to keep the Killer in sight during those tense chases, andSable Ward’s Wickedcan help in escaping the basement.
