Best Dead by Daylight Xenomorph build (November 2023)

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Dead by Daylight Xenomorph growling
Credit: Behaviour Interactive, 505 Games

Ever since the introduction of the Xenomorph in Dead By Daylight's Chapter 29, Alien DLC, this horror game's fans have been over the moon! Its terrifying presence makes this villain a must-build for runs against Survivors. But the question is, which build best suits this quick-footed menace?

Dead by Daylight's Developer, Behavior Interactive, introduced the Xenomorph and Ellen Ripley as the killer and the survivor, respectively. And each has its unique perks. Xenomorph's killer agility and the Crawler Mode make it an indomitable foe to flee from. For example, it can make long-range attacks towards survivors, making its sacrifices to the Entity an easy task.

It always helps to learn the best tactics to control and play Xenomorph in Dead by Daylight. So, we will jot down Xenomorph's most powerful perks, builds, add-ons, and tricks for the best evil gameplay. Let's begin!

Dead by Daylight Xenomorph perks

Dead by Daylight Xenomorph moving through corridor
click to enlarge
Credit: Behaviour Interactive

The Xenomorph comes with three unique perks, making it a rank within the Medium Difficulty killers within the game. They are:

  • Alien Instinct
  • Rapid Brutality
  • Ultimate Weapon

By pressing these perks, players can raise Xenomorph's tier level. Fun Fact- These perks' names are influenced by the Alien movie to portray the lethality of Xenomorph's attacks.

  • Alien Instinct: Alien Instinct activates after you hook a Survivor. The Xenomorph can sense the aura of the farthest injured Survivor for 5 seconds. Additionally, that particular Survivor goes under the Oblivious status effect for 16, 18, or 20 seconds. The status stunts the Survivor's ability to detect Xenomorph's Terror Radius, which normally warns them of the approaching Killer.
  • Rapid Brutality: While this perk nullifies the Bloodlust ability that grants speed, it grants 5% Haste status for 8, 9, or 10 seconds after Killer successfully lands a Basic Attack on a Survivor.
  • Ultimate Weapon: This perk activates for 30 seconds after Killer opens a Locker. During this perk, Survivors entering the Terror Radius scream to reveal their location. Additionally, they suffer from Blindness Status for the same duration.

These traits make Xenomorph a bloodcurdling terror that roams and hunts down Survivors with murderous speed and strategies.

What is the best Dead by Daylight Xenomorph build?

While the abovementioned perks make Xenomorph a fearsome entity, Dead by Daylight has more perks to amp up his brutal hunts. These are global perks from other killers within the game franchise.

These perks are recommended for Xenomorph, as their bonuses can turn it deadlier than ever.

  • Corrupt Intervention: Belongs to Plague. Makes the 3 farthest Generators blocked by Entity at the beginning of the trial.
  • Fearmonger: Belongs to all the Dead by Daylight Killers. Every Survivor repairing the Generator receives an Exhaustion and Blindness status effect while the Repair Action is active.
  • Hubris: Belongs to the Knight. It afflicts a Survivor with an Exposed status bar for 20 seconds if they stun the Xenomorph.
  • Blood Echo: Belongs to Oni. When Xenomorph hooks one Survivor, then all other injured Survivors receive the Exhaustion and the Hemorrhage status for 45 seconds. Blood Echo triggers once every 60, 70, or 80 seconds.
  • Darkness Revealed: Belongs to Dredge. When Xenomorph opens a Locker, all Survivor Auras are within 8 meters of the Locker. The Auras stay active for 3, 4, or 5 seconds.
  • Franklin's Demise: Belongs to Cannibal. Xenomorph's Basic Attack impact makes Survivors drop their items, which Killer needs to pick up within 90, 120, or 150 seconds. Failing to do so makes the Entity deplete the item charges.
  • Iron Maiden: Belongs to Legion. Raises the Locker Search speed by 30, 40, or 50%. Also, any Survivor exiting the Locker suffers from an Exposed status effect.

Dead by Daylight Xenomorph powers

Xenomorph is powered by its excruciatingly haunting powers, which is the Lithe Arm. The Lithe Arm has 32 meters of Terror Radius, making it a terrifying presence for unprepared Survivors.

On top of this, it also holds 115% Movement Speed, which equates to movement of 4.6 meters/second. This speed meter is what makes its special moves so exponentially powerful, i.e.,

  • Tail Attack
  • Runner Mode

Now, these two Special Abilities work harmoniously, making Xenomorph a terrifying entity to face and escape. Whenever Xenomorph is not on cooldown, it triggers its Runner Mode- making it walk on all fours and with more stealthy moves.

During Runner Mode, Xenomorph's Terror Radius reduces to 24 meters. Fortunately, right as the Radius shrinks, out comes the Xenomorph's Tail Attack, with a 4.8-meter range to attack Survivors.

As the Tail Attacks activates, it also gives rise to other special powers like:

  • Special Prop: Control Stations: Xenomorphs can see the 7 Control Stations that spawn due to Hidden Pursuits. During this time, the Alien can target Control Stations, making them quick-to-teleport spots for the Killer.
  • Special Locomotive Tunnels: Xenomorph receives access from the Control Stations towards the tunnels under the map. This means that the Alien can traverse in and out of these tunnels and detect Survivors' movement within 16 meters.
  • Remote Flame Turret: One of Xenomorph's drawbacks is the Flame Turrets. While they can be deployed anywhere by Survivors, carrying them will give them Hindered, Incapacitated, and Exhausted status effects.

Best Dead by Daylight Xenomorph add-ons

Xenomorph's add-ons on Dead by Daylight help strengthen its hunting skills. It also reduces the effect of Flamethrowers and casts negative statuses on Survivors trying to stun them.

Here's a list of add-ons that best suit the Xenomorph build:

  • Kane's Helmet: If Xenomorph's Tail Attack hits a Survivor, they get the Mangled status. It uses the tail to mangle the target, which slows down a Survivor's healing speed by 25%.
  • Harpoon Gun: This is a very rare add-on that gives Xenomorph the ability to know Survivor's location. Its buff comes in handy as the Alien exits tunnels. If Xenomorph can hit a Survivor within 10 seconds of exiting the tunnel, it makes all Survivors scream and reveal their locations.
  • Ash's Innards: Ash's Innards is an uncommon add-on that works well with Xenomorph. It helps to increase the respawn timer for Turrets by 10 seconds after they are completely demolished. Meaning that survivors are more detectable for longer periods.
  • Moulted Skin: Each time Survivors deploy Turrets, they are inflicted with the Hindered and Exhausted status effects for 3 seconds. These debuffs make them vulnerable to Xenomorph's attacks for a few seconds.
  • Self-Destruct Mold: This rare add-on increases Xenomorph vault speed by 30% when it's in Crawler Mode.

Dead by Daylight Xenomorph tips and tricks

Playing Xenomorph exceptionally well comes with practice. Moreover, practising the right tips and tricks will make the Xenomorph playthrough more exciting with a higher win rate. Hence, here are a few tips to enhance your Xenomorph gameplay:

  1. If you hear generators underground, it means Survivors are working on them. You can also hear their noises when they are in pain. But you cannot spawn there. Their grunts are also audible when they open the exit gate. these help track Survivors down.
  2. The Xenomorph Tail Attack has a short range, hence a higher chance of missing a hit. The best time to use Tail Attack is when an enemy's movements are defuffed. Ensuring closeness to the Survivor increases the chance of a hit.
  3. When hitting a Survivor with a Tail Attack, slowly move the camera vertically. The up-and-down movement moves the hitbox for a more successful aim and slash.
  4. Angle your Tail Attacks towards Flame Turrets from behind obstacles to avoid being hit. These can hit you from behind pallets and over the walls. Hence planning your angles is crucial.
  5. Survivors' speed decreases when holding Turrets. Attacking them during this time can destroy the Turrets. For better chances, debuffing Survivors allows Xenomorph more opportunities.


All in all, Xenomorph is fun to play and makes one of the most fearsome Villains within the Dead by Daylight. Players can improve their Xenomorph gameplay by using crucial add-ons and benefits from the available perks by using these tips for the build.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Dead by Daylight page.