Surviving the outbreak in Into the Dead Our Darkest Days isn’t just about luck — it’s about knowing who to trust, who to bring, and when to make the right call. Each character brings a unique mix of traits that can make or break your run, especially in the early days of the demo.
In this Into The Dead Our Darkest Days Characters Tier List & Duos guide, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the best starting duos, recruitable survivors, their locations, and a full character tier list. Whether you prefer building a stable base, clearing the undead with melee, or maximizing resource efficiency, there’s a strategy here for you.
Into The Dead Our Darkest Days Characters Tier List & Duos
Starting Duos
Sebastian and Diane
S Tier – Guns, Crafting, Low Maintenance, High Investment
This powerhouse duo starts strong with high base crafting and the lowest maintenance among all pairings. Sebastian is ideal for players wanting to invest in firearms early on. While gun availability in the demo is limited, Sebastian’s skills shine through short-term use.
His negative trait Jaded is easy to manage, making him even more effective. Diane, on the other hand, is the lowest-maintenance survivor in the game. Untiring lets her sleep less and do more, while her morale-boosting trait makes her a workhorse who doesn’t need breaks.
A top-tier team for players focused on gunsmithing and crafting efficiency.
Darrel and Leo
A Tier – Melee, Blunt Weapons, Beginner Friendly, Resource Dependent
Darrel and Leo make a solid melee-focused team, relying on scavenged blunt weapons and food management. Leo is a beast in combat but demands more food, requiring a cook or extra rationing to maintain.
When Leo is out of action, Darrel’s lack of combat perks can make things tricky unless you’ve picked up new survivors. Great for both newcomers and experienced players if you can juggle resources and roles effectively.
Hector and Kayla
S Tier – Investment, Veteran-Friendly, Strong Resource Management
This duo is for players who like to plan ahead. Neither has offensive perks, but they shine in utility and defense. Hector’s Gearhead and Kayla’s Escape Artist make them fantastic for efficient scavenging and defense.
Kayla boasts one of the highest effective HP stats thanks to Evasive, letting her avoid damage more often. Their traits complement resource optimization, but managing their negatives requires experience and strategic play.
Daphne and Penny
B Tier – Melee, Blade Weapons, Beginner Friendly
Penny leads scavenging while Daphne holds down the base with cooking and medical support. Penny’s Haunted trait can become a problem after combat, forcing her to recover while Daphne temporarily steps in. Still, if Penny clears most enemies first, Daphne can safely scavenge the rest.
Their synergy improves with a good cook in the early game. Perfect for players who want to ease into the mechanics while still having some flexibility.
Recruitable Survivors
Rahul
A Tier (Long-Term) – Crafter, Chemist, Double Negative
Found at the Church, Rahul brings incredible long-term value. His Chemist trait allows for double yields on alcohol and fuel — though their full use isn’t known yet.
He’s weakened by Feather Fist (less blunt weapon damage) and Sensitive Stomach (more prone to food poisoning), but if you keep him at base or send him to cleared zones, he becomes a powerhouse in future builds. A bit of a wildcard in the demo, but essential in longer sessions.
Aubrey
C Tier – Crafter, Bandage Specialist
Aubrey, found in the Taxi Zone, is a support-focused survivor. Her Veterinarian trait doubles bandage production, great for healing status conditions — but not HP.
This makes her better suited for extended gameplay where health states matter more. Her negative, Refined Taste, causes morale loss when eating basic food, so you’ll need a kitchen and good cooking to make her happy. Useful, but situational — not ideal for survival-first demo runs.
Joe (Gas Station)
S Tier – Scavenger, Crafter, Resource King
The Joe found at the Gas Station is easily a top-tier recruit. Strong Shoulders grants more backpack space, and Gearhead boosts your resource yield at the dismantling station.
His only downside, Depleted, makes him lose morale when hungry — but that’s easy to counter by feeding him early. Pair him with a chef and he’ll fuel your entire operation. Hands down the best all-around survivor for resource-focused players.
Frank (Fire Station)
A Tier – Cook, Blunt Fighter, Limited Inventory
Frank excels as your main cook, generating more food with his Good Cook trait. He’s also decent in melee combat thanks to Scrapper, but his Bad Back limits how much he can carry. Best left at base to handle the food supply. A solid, practical choice for building a stable camp.