There’s been a new, grand mode in the asymmetrical horror multiplayer game, Dead By Daylight, within the last year – two killers versus eight survivors. A mode of absolute madness occurs every second, compared to the traditional one-killer versus four-survivors setup, where both sides use a variety of unique perks to either kill the team or survive.

This time, in 2V8, the killers and survivors each have their own perk class to achieve their objectives.

While there is not much to say about the survivors, given that there are only four classes you can pick, there is a lot to say about the killers you face. Some killer duos are either absolutely menacing to deal with or just feel like pure satisfying fan service. Some are great to play with a friend as a fellow killer, although there is a bit of a 20+ minute wait to queue up for a killer match. Luckily, you can play a survivor match and hold your spot in the line.

Whether you’re a fan of 2V8 and want it permanently, or don’t like it, this mode definitely amps up the gameplay with now having two killers chasing you at the same time.

Here are some of the best unique duos. Since there are 13 killers, the list won’t fit an even number of unique killers, so it will include one trio group instead of creating multiple pairs. Instead, there is some versatility between killers that will be mentioned. We’ll also be looking at how easy it is to learn for Survivor mains/beginners.

6

The Hillbilly OR The Nurse OR The Spirit

Run & Surprise

The Hillbilly is known for his speedy one-shot chainsaw hits, although it was removed in exchange for speed in this mode. While you’re busy looping him, it’s perfect timing for either the Nurse or the Spirit to sneak up on you like a ninja, randomly. The Ghost Face or The Wraith could also be a good pair with The Hillbilly for their stealth.

However, the Nurse and the Spirit’s audio cue is just so daunting to hear mid-chase from a killer like the Hillbilly. You could also do a Nurse and Spirit duo to keep surprising everyone, as they have similar disappear and reappear abilities, especially if they both come at you at the same time. If The Cannibal ever gets released for 2V8, he’d be a great chainsaw duo with Hillbilly, and Nurse & Spirit would be their own category.

For survivor mains, these characters require some practice to master, especially since the Hillbilly moves so quickly. Maneuvering the Nurse’s blinks and The Spirit’s phase-walking takes predicting where survivors are going to head while looping.

5

The Oni & The Death Slinger

Speed & Distance

The Oni is known for his speedy blood rush ability, which allows him to take down others with demon strike instantly. While you’re busy looping, the Death Slinger can hit you from afar and keep you trapped, enabling the Oni to down you as you try to escape. It also doesn’t help that if the Oni hits you, you’ll emit droplets of blood, making it easier to see you.

You could pair the Oni with more stealthy killers, as survivors will be more focused on avoiding him. The Death Slinger could also pair with the Hillbilly, the Blight, or the Huntress as an alternative.

The Oni requires practice to improve due to its speed and timing, but it can be rewarding once you get the hang of it. With a friend playing alongside you, he’d be a good choice for learning during 2v8. The Death Slinger is best suited for those skilled in first-person shooter games who can accurately estimate their shooting range. However, if you’re not proficient, it presents a learning curve.

4

The Blight & The Legion

Speedy Killers

If you’re a Resident Evil fan, consider getting the William Birkin skin for The Blight & the Hunk skin for The Legion. Besides that, these killers offer a decent learning curve for survivors, creating intensity throughout the match.

Due to the speed of both killers, survivors will focus on making a run for it for most of the match. With the Legion, survivors need to get mended after a hit, and it’s hard to do that when the Blight and the Legion are charging at you.

You can’t even work on repairing a generator or healing other survivors until you mend yourself. Throwing pallets at the Legion requires timing and practice, as they can quickly jump over them during Feral Frenzy.

The Blight, however, can take time to master his movement speed, so it’s a good balance with The Legion to learn how to play as him. These killers are great at putting pressure, forcing survivors to complete generators as soon as possible.

3

The Ghost Face & The Huntress

Lethal Opposites

These two are opposites, yet together they form a deadly force. While The Ghost Face can quietly stalk enemies and eventually one-shot players, The Huntress is loud, and survivors are focused on moving to a different generator when they hear her lullaby.

If you invest in getting the Were-Elk skin, the lullaby is even harder for survivors to detect until you’re actually there. While the Huntress is busy chasing survivors and throwing hatchets, the Ghost Face can focus on sneaking up on survivors, as they are more distracted by her.

The Huntress and The Ghost Face offer a balance of play styles. If you’re good at first-person shooters, she’s easy to learn, but if you’re not, the Ghost Face is another option. If you like Myers like I do, he’s who I enjoy playing as the second best. The Trapper is a decent option for either of these killers, as if the Ghost Face has completely marked you, you’ll be so focused on looping that you’ll be caught off-guard by traps.

Likewise, you’ll be so busy dodging hatchets you’ll accidentally hit a trap. They’re versatile killers that will pair well with any partner, but together they’re stronger than the sum of their parts.

2

The Trapper & The Wraith

You’ll Never See It Coming

Technically, these killers both go well with everyone, but together they make a force of terror. The Trapper for beginners can be hard, but once you learn where to place traps, it becomes much easier to play. With another killer by your side, it’s easy for survivors to accidentally land in a trap, especially if they’re a loud killer like the Oni, Huntress, or Hillbilly.

Due to the Wraith’s Wailing Bell having an audio cue, it’s easier for the Wraith to sneak up on a survivor caught in a trap as opposed to coming to generators, as he’s partially invisible.

The Trapper will want to put his traps in pallets or windows near generators, while the Wraith will wish to patrol generators. They’re both great killers for friends learning the ropes together and putting pressure on survivors to complete generators, especially if you’re interested in learning how to use them in other modes.

Separately, they can be challenging to use solo, as survivors know how to counter them, such as scoping out pallets before working on generators. The Wraith involves constantly rotating the camera while looking about. However, together they make a menacing 2v8 experience.

1

The Nemesis & The Mastermind

Resident Evil Fan Service

Maybe it’s because I’m a Resident Evil fan, or I see so many Weskers and “Nemmies” in my survivor playthroughs. It’s hard to deny that Resident Evil is popular among many fans. It’s common to see characters from the series from both the killer and survivor sides. What makes this due perfect, in a pure fan service way, is if you’re on the Raccoon Police Department map.

There are enough unique Resident Evil cosmetics for each of the eight survivors to play a distinctive character from the series. Claire, Jill, Leon, Chris, Ada, Rebecca, Sheva, and Carlos are surviving it out in an alternative universe where they must repair generators… and deal with Nemesis and Wesker. They’re killers Resident Evil fans who are beginners in Dead by Daylight will try out, just for the sake of being fans.

Technically, you could pair either one with the Blight’s Birkin skin, or the Legion’s Hunk skin, and both killer experiences will put pressure on survivors while warming a Resident Evil fan’s heart. Nemesis and Wesker are the best, as Wesker excels at charging and infecting you. Meanwhile, Nemesis can easily destroy pallets with his tentacles, and his zombies can be a nuisance while looping or repairing generators.

Both can infect you, leaving you to spend time healing and potentially wasting the time you could have spent working on a generator. It takes some time to get good with Wesker, as if a survivor is good at looping, it’ll take practice to time his charges right. Nemesis is much easier, creating balance – and a great time if you and your friends are all Resident Evil fans.

Dead by Daylight

Released

June 14, 2016

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Engine

Unreal Engine 4