Hey everyone! It's 2026, and can you believe it? Dead by Daylight has been going strong for a whole decade now! 🎉 That's right, the game that launched back in 2016 is still one of the most popular asymmetrical horror games out there. And let's be real, a huge part of that staying power comes from its absolutely insane lineup of crossover DLCs. Every few months, we get new Survivors, Killers, perks, and maps from some of the biggest names in horror. But here's the million-dollar question: which of these legendary crossovers are actually worth your time and cells? 🤔 I've been playing since launch, and today I'm breaking down every major crossover DLC from S-tier to F-tier based on their impact, fun factor, and overall quality. Let's dive in!

🏆 S-Tier: The Absolute GOATs (Greatest of All Time)

These crossovers aren't just good; they're essential Dead by Daylight experiences. They set the gold standard.

Resident Evil: Project W & The Original Chapter

Okay, let's start with the king. Capcom's collaboration with DBD is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of what a crossover can be. The first Resident Evil Chapter in June 2021 was a game-changer. We got:

• Killer: The Nemesis. Simple? Maybe. But smacking survivors with that iconic tentacle whip? Unbelievably satisfying. 😤

• Survivors: Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. Even in 2026, these two are considered top-tier picks. Their perks are versatile and strong.

• Map: The Raccoon City Police Department. This map is a love letter to RE2 Remake fans. It's detailed, atmospheric, and captures the panic of the original perfectly.

But wait, there's more! Resident Evil: Project W somehow managed to top it. How, you ask?

• Killer: ALBERT WESKER. Need I say more? His power, Virulent Bound, is one of the most fun and skill-expressive abilities in the game. Throwing survivors through walls will never not be hilarious.

• Survivors: Ada Wong and Rebecca Chambers. Again, both are fantastic with great perk kits. Ada's Wiretap and Rebecca's Reassurance are community staples.

The RE chapters are the complete package: iconic characters, fun gameplay, and stunning maps.

Stranger Things

After a scary hiatus due to licensing issues (we all remember the dark times when Hawkins was gone 😭), the Stranger Things chapter is back and better than ever. This DLC is pure 80s nostalgia.

• Killer: The Demogorgon. Portals! Shred attacks! Its power is not only super thematic (creating portals in the Upside Down) but also incredibly fun and strategic to use.

• Survivors: Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington. Are they the strongest survivors? Not really. But are they fan favorites who appear in nearly every other match? Absolutely. Their personalities shine through.

• Map: Hawkins National Laboratory. A claustrophobic, maze-like map that perfectly captures the show's vibe.

Alien

One of the newest heavy-hitters, and wow, did it deliver. The Alien Chapter proves that sometimes, quality over quantity is the way to go.

• Killer: The Xenomorph. Playing as the perfect organism is a power fantasy come true. Its tail attack and ability to traverse the map via tunnels (a nod to the vents in the films) make it terrifyingly effective. A bit OP on release? Maybe. But so, so fun.

• Survivor: Ellen Ripley. Her perks, like Lucky Star and Chemical Trap, are brilliantly themed around her resourceful, survivor spirit from the movies.

• Map: Nostromo Wreckage. You can feel the passion the developers had for the source material. It's dark, industrial, and full of iconic set pieces.

👍 A-Tier: Solid & Highly Recommended

These DLCs are excellent and add tremendous value to the game.

Saw

Don't let the "weaker" Killer tag fool you. The Saw Chapter has soul.

• Killer: The Pig (Amanda Young). Her Reverse Bear Trap mechanic is one of the most unique and psychologically terrifying in the game. The panic it induces in survivors trying to get the trap off their head? Priceless. 🐷

• Survivor: Detective David Tapp. A solid addition with decent perks.

• Map: The Game. It's a multi-level deathtrap that feels ripped straight from Jigsaw's workshop.

Silent Hill

A classic horror IP that brought some truly unique mechanics, even if it has a couple of rough edges.

• Killer: Pyramid Head. His trail-of-torment and cage-of-atonement powers are incredibly unique. He feels powerful and imposing, just like in the games.

• Survivor: Cheryl Mason. Her perks are a bit niche, but her model and cosmetics are fantastic for fans.

• Map: Midwich Elementary School. Here's the controversial part. The map looks amazing—it's the grimy, otherworldly Silent Hill aesthetic perfected. But man, is it confusing to navigate and can feel brutally unfair for survivors. It's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of place.

✅ B-Tier: Good, But Could Be Better

Fun additions that are held back by one or two factors, often a lack of content.

DLC	Strengths	Weaknesses
Halloween (The Shape)	The OG crossover! Michael Myers's stalk ability is iconic. Laurie Strode has Decisive Strike, a legendary perk.	Myers can be boring against good teams. Some perks/map elements feel dated.
Left 4 Dead	BILL! One of the best survivor perk sets in the game (Left Behind, Borrowed Time, Unbreakable). It's FREE!	Only one character. No Killer or map.
Sadako Rising (The Ring)	The Onryo has received great buffs! Her condemnation/video tape mechanic is super thematic and scary.	Has a steep learning curve. Yoichi is just... okay.
Child's Play	The creativity! Playing as a tiny, doll-sized Killer (The Good Guy) is hilarious and unique.	Only one character. His power can be frustrating to master.
Alan Wake	The most recent addition as of 2026! His perks (Champion of Light, Boon: Illumination) are wonderfully themed around light vs. dark. Model looks great.	Perks aren't meta-defining. Just one survivor.

😐 C-Tier: The Mediocre Middle

These packs have their fans, but they're overshadowed by better options or have significant flaws.

Texas Chain Saw Massacre

One of the earliest crossovers, and it shows. Leatherface (The Cannibal) is here, but... why would you play him when The Hillbilly exists? Billy essentially does everything Bubba does but better and with more mobility. The saving grace is his model and the iconic chainsaw sound, but as a Killer, he's consistently bottom-tier. A missed opportunity.

Scream

A weird one, legally speaking. We got Ghost Face, but he's technically an original character because of licensing. He's a fun stealth Killer, don't get me wrong! Marking and stalking survivors is a blast. But his power feels a bit like a mix of The Pig's stealth and The Shape's stalk, so he doesn't feel wholly unique.

Ash vs. Evil Dead

GROOVY. ...But that's about it. As a huge Evil Dead fan, this one hurt. Ash Williams is in the game, which is awesome, but his perks (Flip-Flop, Buckle Up, Mettle of Man) are incredibly situational and rarely see use in the modern meta. He's more of a cosmetic trophy than a viable pick, which is a shame for such an iconic character.

💀 D/F-Tier: The Disappointments

We have to talk about the crossovers that just didn't hit the mark.

Nightmare on Elm Street

Widely considered the worst DLC in DBD history. How do you mess up FREDDY KRUEGER?

• Killer: Freddy's power (dream snares/pallets) is clunky and ineffective. He feels weak and unthreatening, which is the opposite of what he should be.

• Survivor: Quentin. Has some of the worst perks in the entire game (Pharmacy, Vigil, Wake Up!).

• Map: The Springwood maps are free for everyone anyway, so they don't add value to the DLC purchase.

This pack is the definition of wasted potential.

Hellraiser

Another sad case. Pinhead (The Cenobite) is an amazing visual design, and his power (Summons of Pain with the Lament Configuration) is incredibly thematic. But in practice, it's overly complex and often frustrating to use effectively for both sides. The chain-hunt mechanic can feel random and uninteractive. It's clear the devs cared, but the execution landed in a confusing, unsatisfying place.

Final Thoughts in 2026

So, what's the verdict after a decade of crossovers? Behavior has honestly gotten better and better at these collaborations. The recent ones like Alien and Resident Evil: Project W show a mastery of blending iconic horror with fun, balanced DBD gameplay. The trend seems to be moving towards higher quality, even if it means fewer characters per chapter.

If you're a new player in 2026 wondering where to spend your Auric Cells, I'd say:

1. Start with the S-Tier. You can't go wrong with Resident Evil, Stranger Things, or Alien.

2. Fill out your roster with A and B-Tier based on which horror franchises you personally love.

3. Avoid the bottom tiers unless you're a completionist or a die-hard fan of that specific IP.

The future looks bright! Who do you want to see next in The Entity's realm? Until then, see you in the fog! 👻