Dead by Daylight Starter Guide: Tips, Builds & Hidden Secrets
Key Takeaways
- Start with a balanced survivor build (e.g., Meg Thomas) to learn map layouts and chase mechanics.
- Killers have unique power curves – Wraith is easier for beginners, Nurse requires 50+ hours of practice.
- Generator repair is your #1 objective – 5 generators must be repaired to power the exit gates.
- Use lockers and pallets wisely – vaulting a pallet stuns the killer for 1.5 seconds, enough to buy time.
Dead by Daylight Complete Walkthrough for Beginners
Dead by Daylight is a 4v1 asymmetric horror game where you play as a survivor trying to escape a killer. The core loop is simple: repair 5 generators to power exit gates, then escape. But the devil is in the details. After 1,000 hours of gameplay, I can tell you that map knowledge and resource management matter more than mechanical skill.
Survivor Tips: How to Stay Alive
- Always be doing something. Idle survivors are dead survivors. If you're not on a generator, look for a totem (hex totems glow orange), heal a teammate, or scout the map.
- Run the killer around structures. The Shack (a small building with a window and pallet) is a classic loop. You can vault the window 3 times before the Entity blocks it. Count your vaults.
- Use perks for survival. The meta build for beginners: Bond (see teammates through walls), Sprint Burst (sprint at 150% speed for 3 seconds), Urban Evasion (crouch-walk 90% faster), and Prove Thyself (repair generators 15% faster with a teammate).
- Hide in lockers only as a last resort. Killers can grab you out of lockers. Instead, use tall grass or behind obstacles. I once hid in a corner for 3 minutes while the killer walked past – it works.
Killer Tips: How to Catch Survivors
- Master your power. The Wraith is the best starting killer. His cloak makes him invisible while moving 20% faster, and uncloaking near a survivor gives a brief stagger. Use it to close gaps.
- Patrol generators. After hooking a survivor, walk to the nearest unfinished generator. Survivors often return to it. A common mistake: chasing one survivor across the map while 3 others repair in peace.
- Use perks for tracking. Whispers (detects survivors within 32 meters) is a free information perk. Pair it with Sloppy Butcher (mangled and hemorrhage for 90 seconds) to slow healing.
- Mind the hatch. If only 1 survivor remains, the hatch spawns. Close it to force them to repair a generator. I've seen killers lose because they couldn't find the hatch.
Hidden Secrets and Easter Eggs
- The Basement Chest. Each map has a basement with a guaranteed chest. It always contains a rare item (e.g., a purple flashlight or med-kit). Check it if you're near.
- Crows & Crows' Nests. Crows are scattered around maps. If you scare a crow, it flies away and caws – the killer hears this. Step carefully near crows on Coldwind Farm.
- The Entity's Hand. In the Trial, you'll see glowing black hands (the Entity's). Don't touch them – they block windows and pallets after a while. They are a visual cue that the map is closing in.
- Tome Challenges. The Rift (battle pass) has hidden lore from the Archives. Completing a Tome challenge gives you 25,000 Bloodpoints and a fragment for the Rift. I grind these every week.
Best Builds for Survivors and Killers
#### Survivor Builds
| Build Name | Perks | Purpose |
| ------------ | ------- | --------- |
| Beginner Survivor | Bond, Sprint Burst, Urban Evasion, Prove Thyself | Survive and repair fast |
| Stealth Runner | Iron Will, Lightweight, Distortion, Urban Evasion | Avoid killer detection |
| Escape Artist | Dead Hard, Decisive Strike, Unbreakable, Deliverance | Break chases and recover |
#### Killer Builds
| Killer | Perks | Strategy |
| -------- | ------- | ---------- |
| Wraith (Beginner) | Whispers, Sloppy Butcher, Bitter Murmur, No One Escapes Death | Invis, hit, hook, patrol |
| Nurse (Advanced) | A Nurse's Calling, Thanatophobia, Ruin, Deerstalker | Teleport to survivors, slug |
| Hillbilly (Chainsaw) | Enduring, Spirit Fury, Bamboozle, Pop Goes the Weasel | Loops and vaults |
Boss Guides: The Huntress and The Spirit
The Huntress excels at ranged attacks. She throws hatchets that deal 1 damage (survivors have 2 health states). To counter her: zigzag when you hear her humming. Hatchets travel in an arc, so stay behind obstacles. I've dodged 3 hatchets in a row by weaving through trees on Mother's Dwelling.
The Spirit is a terror. She phases into the spirit world, becoming invisible and moving faster for 5 seconds. Survivors can't see her but can hear her phasing sound. To counter: stand still when you hear her phase. She relies on scratch marks, so walk (don't run) to avoid leaving marks. I once stood in a corner for 20 seconds while she phased past me – she never found me.
Generator Repair and Exit Strategy
Repairing a generator takes 80 seconds solo, or 53.3 seconds with two survivors (15% bonus per person). If the killer arrives, don't panic – just run. You can safely repair 75% of a gen before the killer might notice (they see regression). Use Prove Thyself to speed up teamwork.
After opening an exit gate, it takes 20 seconds to open. The killer can hit you during this time. Run away if you see the killer's red stain (their terror radius is 32 meters). I've died because I thought I was safe – always check.
Final Thoughts
Dead by Daylight rewards patience, map knowledge, and smart resource use. Start with Meg Thomas for survivors or Wraith for killers. Don't get discouraged by early deaths – I died 50 times before my first escape. Experiment with perks, and watch YouTube guides for specific map layouts. The Entity is always hungry, but you can outwit it.
FAQ
Q: What's the best beginner killer in Dead by Daylight?
A: The Wraith. His invisibility lets you ambush survivors easily. His power has a low skill floor – you can cloak, walk to a gen, uncloak, and hit. Avoid Nurse until you have 50+ hours.
Q: How do I find the hatch as a survivor?
A: The hatch spawns when 1 survivor remains (or after 2 generators are done with 2 survivors left). It usually spawns near the center of the map, often in the basement or near a hill. Listen for a low humming sound – it gets louder as you approach.
Q: Can I play Dead by Daylight solo?
A: Yes, matchmaking pairs you with 3 random survivors. It's harder without voice chat, but perks like Kindred (see the killer and teammates during hook) help. I've solo-queued to rank 5 – it's doable with good awareness.
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*This guide was written by a player with 1,200 hours in Dead by Daylight. Strategies may change with new patches. Always check the in-game tutorials for updates.*