Dead by Daylight Board Game: Ultimate Horror Experience

The iconic asymmetric horror video game Dead by Daylight has successfully made its transition to tabletop, offering fans and board game enthusiasts alike a physical manifestation of the tense cat-and-mouse gameplay that made the digital version so popular. As we move through 2025, the Dead by Daylight board game continues to captivate players with its faithful adaptation of the survival horror experience.

Game Overview

In Dead by Daylight board game, players engage in the same thrilling asymmetric gameplay that defines the video game version. A team of four resourceful Survivors faces off against a single supernatural Killer in a high-stakes battle of wits and strategy. The game perfectly captures the tension and atmosphere of the digital counterpart while creating a unique tabletop experience.

Survivors must work together to explore the trial grounds, discover useful props, and repair generators scattered across the map. The ultimate goal? Repair four generators to power the exit gates and escape. Meanwhile, the player controlling the Killer hunts down Survivors, wounds them, and places them on sacrificial hooks to summon The Entity. With enough sacrifices, the Killer can appease The Entity and claim victory.

How It Works

Each turn begins with players secretly planning their moves by selecting paths on the board. As players move, they reveal new features of the board called props, which they can interact with to further their objectives or hinder opponents.

Survivors have access to various props that aid in their survival and navigation, while Killers rely more on their unique powers and attacks. Each Killer has a different ability that dramatically changes gameplay dynamics, ensuring no two matches feel the same. Both Killers and Survivors have perks granting special abilities, and experienced players can customize their characters with various perk configurations for even greater replayability.

What's In The Box

The standard edition of the Dead by Daylight board game comes packed with content:

• 7 Survivor miniatures (Dwight, Meg, Claudette, Jake, Nea, Ace, and Feng Min)

• 6 Killer miniatures (The Trapper, The Wraith, The Hillbilly, The Nurse, The Hag, and The Doctor)

• 13 Player boards

• 1 Double-sided game board

• 89 Cards

• Various tokens including prop tokens, generator progress tokens, and bloodpoint tokens

• Specialized dice for skill checks and danger

Expansions and Add-ons

Since its initial release, the Dead by Daylight board game has received several expansions that further enhance the experience:

1. Malicious Expansion - Adds 4 new Survivors and 3 new Killers, plus 2 new maps (Forsaken Boneyard and Withered Isle).

2. Unbroken Expansion - Introduces 5 additional Survivors and 5 new Killers, along with new perks and setup options.

3. Upgrade Kit - Features premium components including high-quality Bloodpoint tokens, detailed Generator miniatures with progress tracking pegs, and horrifying Hook miniatures.

For collectors, there are even themed card sleeves featuring the distinctive Offering and Tally logos from the game.

Player Experience

What makes the Dead by Daylight board game particularly compelling is how it translates the digital experience into physical form. The game maintains the tension of the video game through its hidden movement mechanics and asymmetric gameplay. Survivors must coordinate their efforts, sharing information and working together to power generators, while the Killer player must anticipate their movements and set traps accordingly.

The game takes approximately 45 minutes to play, making it accessible for casual game nights while still offering enough depth for dedicated gaming sessions. With a light complexity rating, it's approachable for newcomers to board gaming, though fans of the video game will appreciate the numerous references and faithful adaptation of mechanics.

Whether you're a long-time fan of the video game or simply enjoy horror-themed board games with asymmetric gameplay, the Dead by Daylight board game offers a compelling tabletop experience that captures the essence of the digital original while creating something uniquely its own. As 2025 continues, this board game remains a standout choice for those looking to bring the horror of The Entity's realm to their gaming table.

Death is not an escape—but it sure makes for an entertaining game night!