Dead By Daylight: Best Killers to Equip with Save The Best For Last Perk in 2026

In the ever-evolving landscape of Dead By Daylight, the chase remains the core of the Killer's gameplay. How quickly a pursuit ends often determines the match's outcome. Among the myriad of perks available, Save The Best For Last (STBFL), originating from The Shape, continues to be a cornerstone for many Killers even into 2026. This perk reduces the cooldown after a successful basic attack, allowing for faster follow-up strikes and minimizing the distance Survivors can create. But is every Killer equally suited to wield this powerful tool? The answer is a resounding no. While ranged specialists or those reliant on special-attack fatigue gain little, for a select group of Killers, STBFL transforms their chase potential from manageable to menacing.

11. Deathslinger

Deathslinger presents a unique case. Classified as a ranged Killer with a 4.4 m/s movement speed, his power doesn't directly inflict damage. Instead, he must harpoon a Survivor, reel them in, and then land a basic attack. Hitting a harpooned Survivor grants STBFL tokens (or loses them if they are the Obsession). The cooldown reduction here is crucial, allowing him to reload his gun faster or swiftly attempt a melee strike. This synergy creates deadly pressure: a Survivor hit in melee range is often perfectly positioned for a follow-up harpoon shot and a swift down.

10. The Pig

Known for her oppressive Reverse Bear Traps that dramatically slow generator progress, The Pig has historically struggled in direct chases. Her Ambush Dash can be tricky to land, and her stealth is considered mediocre. STBFL directly addresses her weakness. It increases her lethality after a successful hit, making follow-up takedowns far more likely. A key advantage? Her dash attack is not considered a basic attack. This provides a semi-reliable method to damage the Obsession without sacrificing precious STBFL tokens, allowing her to maintain maximum efficiency against other targets.

9. The Onryō (Sadako)

In the current 2026 meta, unless focusing solely on Condemnation, The Onryō can struggle to keep pace with efficient Survivor teams. Her hit-and-run, control-oriented playstyle demands quick chases to prevent generators from flying. STBFL provides the essential edge she needs. When combined with her ability to teleport via televisions to cut off Survivors and using her Demanifestation at loops for surprise attacks, the reduced attack cooldown makes her a relentless pursuer. It turns her hit-and-run tactics into hit-and-hit-again pressure.

8. The Trapper & The Hag

Both of these trap-setting Killers share a fundamental weakness: a subpar chase. Their power lies in area denial and surprise, not in prolonged pursuits. The Trapper can somewhat lock down loops with bear traps, and The Hag can teleport to triggered traps, but in a straight chase, they are basic M1 Killers. STBFL elevates their direct threat level significantly. Survivors are forced to split their attention between the Killer quickly closing in behind them and the potential traps lying ahead, creating a nerve-wracking dilemma with every step.

7. The Oni

STBFL typically has diminished value for Killers with one-hit-down abilities (like Hillbilly or Ghost Face), as they don't need a fast second hit. The Oni, however, is a fascinating exception. He must first build his power by collecting blood orbs from injured Survivors while in his normal, M1 state. During this critical buildup phase, STBFL makes him a far more effective chaser, allowing him to injure Survivors faster and transform into his demonic form more frequently. Furthermore, using his Demon Strike to down the Obsession does not consume STBFL tokens, perfectly synergizing with his kit.

6. The Shape (Michael Myers)

It's only fitting that his own perk works wonders for him. Unless utilizing specific add-ons to remain in Tier 1 or Tier 3 indefinitely, Michael Myers spends most of a match in Evil Within Tier 2—essentially a standard M1 Killer. STBFL shines brightest here, smoothing out his chases between moments of Tier 3 insta-down terror. It ensures that even when he's not an unstoppable killing machine, he remains a persistent and deadly threat, quickly recovering from attacks to maintain pressure.

5. The Nightmare & The Doctor

This duo shares a common trait: their primary powers aid in chase but do not deal direct health damage. The Nightmare's dream snares slow asleep Survivors, while The Doctor's Shock Therapy can interrupt actions. Ultimately, both rely on basic attacks for downs. The Nightmare gains a slight edge as his traps provide direct slowdown. The Doctor requires precise timing with his shocks to prevent vaults or pallet drops. For both, STBFL is the key to capitalizing on the openings their powers create, allowing them to land a hit and recover with startling speed to immediately continue the pursuit.

4. The Nemesis

The Nemesis's Tentacle Strike is powerful but conditional. It only damages infected Survivors, and leveling it up takes time. Survivors can cleanse the infection, forcing Nemesis to start the infection process over. So, what does a towering bioweapon do when he doesn't have time for fancy tentacle combos? He relies on his brutally efficient basic attack. This is where STBFL becomes indispensable, enabling devastating back-to-back M1 hits when the situation demands it. A smart Nemesis can even preserve his STBFL stacks by reserving his tentacle strikes exclusively for the Obsession.

3. The Artist

The Artist is a versatile Killer whose crows provide reconnaissance, ranged damage, and exceptional loop denial. Placing a Dire Crow at a loop creates a punishing 50/50 for a Survivor: risk taking crow damage by staying or flee into the open. STBFL makes the latter option a recipe for disaster. If the Survivor runs, The Artist can quickly close the gap. The first hit comes fast, and thanks to STBFL, the second hit arrives even faster, often before they can reach another safe tile.

2. The Clown

Similar to The Nightmare and Doctor, The Clown's power—his Afterpiece Tonics—assists in chase by slowing and blinding Survivors but doesn't deal damage. However, his power is notably more reliable for controlling loops and even harassing at a distance. STBFL perfectly complements his straightforward, aggressive playstyle. He aims to get close, throw a bottle to hinder movement, and then strike. The perk ensures that when he commits to a basic attack, he can swiftly follow up. Managing token gain and loss against the Obsession fits thematically with the juggling act of a clown, making him both deadly and deceptively swift in 2026.

Summary Table: STBFL Synergy Overview (2026)

Killer	Primary Power Type	How STBFL Enhances Them
Deathslinger	Ranged (Utility)	Faster reload/melee after harpoon hit.
The Pig	Stealth / Trap	Compensates for weak chase; dash doesn't lose tokens.
The Onryō	Teleport / Stealth	Enables faster hit-and-run pressure.
Trapper & Hag	Area Denial (Traps)	Makes their direct M1 chase significantly more dangerous.
The Oni	Transformation (One-shot)	Improves blood orb gathering phase; demon strike preserves tokens.
The Shape	Stalking (One-shot)	Optimizes his Tier 2 M1 gameplay between Tier 3 bursts.
Nightmare & Doctor	Chase Utility	Capitalizes on openings their powers create for basic attacks.
The Nemesis	Conditional Ranged	Provides reliable M1 combo when tentacle isn't viable.
The Artist	Ranged / Crow Control	Punishes Survivors forced out of loops by her crows.
The Clown	Chase Utility (Slow)	Amplifies his aggressive, close-quarters pressure.

Ultimately, Save The Best For Last remains a premier chase perk in 2026 for Killers whose gameplay frequently revolves around landing consecutive basic attacks. It turns weaknesses into strengths and amplifies existing pressure, proving that sometimes, the simplest tools—when applied to the right hands—are the most devastating. 🎯