Dying Light Tier List — Current Rankings

This Dying Light tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.

Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.

Characters Rankings

Detailed Characters Analysis

Survivor Tree (A-Tier)

The utility/crafting skill tree that improves inventory management, crafting efficiency, and lockpicking. Higher Survivor rank unlocks better blueprints and merchant access. Leveled through quest completion and supply drops.

Best with: Crafted weapons, lockpicks, medkits Stat focus: Crafting Blueprints, Merchant Access, Inventory Space

Agility Tree (S-Tier)

The parkour skill tree unlocking movement abilities — dodge, dropkick, vault-over, tic-tac, and the game-changing grappling hook. Leveled through parkour actions and nighttime traversal. The most impactful tree because mobility is survival.

Best with: Grappling Hook, Camouflage skill, UV Flares Stat focus: Grappling Hook unlock, Dodge, Vault-Over

Power Tree (A-Tier)

The combat skill tree increasing melee damage, adding combat moves (ground pound, dropkick, charge), and improving weapon handling. Leveled through killing zombies. The dropkick is arguably the best move in the game for its knockback and instakill potential.

Best with: Best available melee weapon, elemental upgrades, weapon repairs Stat focus: Dropkick, Stomp, Ground Pound

Legend Levels (S-Tier)

Post-max-level progression that adds stat points to specific categories (One-Handed Damage, Health, Stamina, etc.). Legend Levels are the true endgame grind where you specialize your character beyond the skill trees. Farmable through BTZS volatile farming.

Best with: Gold-tier weapons, Legend Level stat investments Stat focus: Weapon type damage (match your weapon), Health, Stamina

Driver Tree (B-Tier)

The Following DLC adds the Driver tree for buggy vehicle skills. The buggy has its own stats (engine, suspension, brakes, armor) upgraded through parts found in the countryside. The buggy's UV headlights are the best Volatile defense in the game.

Best with: Upgraded Buggy, performance parts, UV headlights, electric cage Stat focus: Engine Speed, Suspension, UV Light Range

Weapons Rankings

Weapons Analysis

EXPCalibur: An Easter egg weapon found by locating a specific rock on an island. Deals massive one-hit damage but breaks after a few uses. Mainly a novelty weapon for fun rather than practical use. Repairable with King mods.

Korek Machete: A craftable weapon using the Korek blueprint found on a rooftop near the Tower. One of the best early-game weapons with good damage and durability. The recipe requires duct tape, batteries, and a metal blade.

Last Hope: The highest base damage melee weapon in the base game, a gold-tier machete dropped by demolishers and in police vans. When modified with an elemental blueprint, it becomes the strongest craftable weapon available.

Rune Hammer: A legendary blueprint hammer that deals massive impact damage with built-in electrical effect. Found through Bozak Horde DLC challenges. The electrical stun effect chains between nearby enemies.

Gonunaba: A unique katana found in The Following DLC inside a cave with a specific quest. Fast attack speed combined with solid damage makes it one of the best weapons for sustained combat.

Meta Analysis

The current meta in Dying Light centers on parkour traversal and day-night cycle. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.

What's strong right now:

• Survivor Tree with EXPCalibur is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
• weapon crafting builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
• Power Tree remains essential for learning hard content.

What's underrated:

• Agility Tree is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
• Last Hope offers excellent performance for its investment level.

What's overhyped:

• Pure Driver Tree builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.

Quick Picks by Situation

For full build guides, see Dying Light builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.