If you're eager to explore the vast landscapes of Dead Sails and cover impressive distances without meeting an untimely end, you're in good company. Besides the gear you choose and the companions you select, your class can make or break your journey. That's why I've put together this ultimate Dead Rails class tier list to save you from endless trial-and-error. I've done the legwork so you can skip the hassle and dive straight into the fun.
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Table of contents
All Dead Rails Class Tier List S Tier Dead Rails Classes A Tier Dead Rails Classes B Tier Dead Rails Classes C Tier Dead Rails Classes D Tier Dead Rails Classes
All Dead Rails Class Tier List
I know this Dead Rails class tier list might stir some controversy, but it's the truth as I see it. You simply can't go wrong with the Vampire, even after numerous updates. However, the Survivalist has surged in popularity recently. It's a shame that the Zombie class remains underwhelming and still can't use Snake Oil. What's up with that? While teamwork does play a role, I'll only factor it in slightly. At the end of the day, it's about enjoying the game with your friends, not just about min-maxing every detail.
S Tier Dead Rails Classes
It's no surprise that this tier is all about sheer damage output. The Survivalist and Vampire stand out as the top dogs, with their unique abilities setting them apart. While the Ironclad is a strong contender, it's these two that truly dominate:
| **Name** | **Cost** | **Info** |
| Survivalist | 75 | The Survivalist starts with a Tomahawk and becomes more formidable as your health decreases. Even at full health, you deal more damage than most—although this might be nerfed soon. It excels against tough enemies that don't go down easily. Other classes can handle these foes, but none match the Survivalist's raw power. |
| Vampire | 75 | The Vampire thrives on speed and aggression. Faster than a horse or sprinting zombie, your melee attacks are devastating—most zombies fall after just three hits. Sunlight is a weakness, so stick to the shadows. You spawn with a Vampire Knife that heals you with each successful hit, making survival a matter of maintaining pressure. |
A Tier Dead Rails Classes
Here's where we find classes that are still excellent but not quite as dominant in solo survival scenarios. They offer strong damage and starting gear, though they shine more in group settings. In my view, the Ironclad has significant potential:
| **Name** | **Cost** | **Info** |
| Ironclad | 100 | The Ironclad comes equipped for battle with full armor, making you much harder to kill. The downside? You're about 10% slower. Not ideal for solo runs, but invaluable in a team setting, especially with shotguns for close-quarters combat. |
| Cowboy | 50 | The Cowboy starts strong with a revolver, ammo, and a horse. This setup makes early-game encounters easier and helps you survive chaotic situations, particularly during Blood Moon nights. With the Game Pass, you can even sell the revolver for extra cash to enhance your loadout. |
| Priest | 75 | The Priest wields Crucifixes and Holy Water—powerful against enemies but unsellable. You're immune to lightning, making storms irrelevant. Ideal for larger squads where your throwables can turn the tide, serving as spiritual support with a powerful throw. |
| Arsonist | 20 | The Arsonist excels in chaos, starting with Molotovs and increased fire damage. Perfect for quickly clearing groups or towns. It's most effective in smaller areas where you can control the pace, and a horse enhances the hit-and-run strategy. |
B Tier Dead Rails Classes
These classes are specialists, shining in specific situations. The Doctor, for example, is invaluable for its price and support capabilities, but not for direct damage. The same applies to the others, making them essential in group play:
| **Name** | **Cost** | **Info** |
| The Alamo | 50 | The Alamo is about fortification, starting with Sheet Metal, Barbed Wire, and a helmet. Ideal for securing the Train early and holding off enemy waves. Not flashy, but highly effective under pressure. |
| Doctor | 15 | The Doctor is your lifeline, equipped with healing supplies and the ability to revive teammates at the cost of half their health. Affordable and invaluable in group play, selling bandages and snake oil can give you a $40 boost. |
| Miner | 15 | The Miner is perfect for resource runs and nighttime exploration. With a helmet that lights the way and a Pickaxe that breaks ore in two swings, they're the fastest at gathering materials. They also come with Coal to start you off. |
C Tier Dead Rails Classes
This tier offers good utility but limited solo value. The Conductor is almost essential in a five-stack, while the Horse Class is more of a novelty than a reliable choice:
| **Name** | **Cost** | **Info** |
| Conductor | 50 | The Conductor drives the Train, starting with Coal and reaching a top speed of 84. No melee weapon at spawn makes them vulnerable early on, so they need protection. They're crucial for keeping the squad moving and no longer suffer health penalties. |
| Horse | Unlockable through the Horsing Around gamemode | The Horse Class transforms you into a horse. Unlocked via the 2025 April Fools “Horsing Around” event, it offers standard horse stats but struggles in tight spaces. You can ride other players, but not the train or other horses. |
| High Roller | 50 | The High Roller earns 1.5x money from bags, perfect for quickly gearing up. However, it increases your chance of being struck by lightning during storms. A high-risk, high-reward choice for those looking to stack cash early. |
D Tier Dead Rails Classes
At the bottom of the barrel, we have the default and Zombie classes. The default class is straightforward and ideal for beginners, while the Zombie remains frustratingly ineffective:
| **Name** | **Cost** | **Info** |
| None | Free | The None class is the default, starting you with just a shovel. No perks, no drawbacks—a blank slate perfect for beginners to find their playstyle before choosing a class. |
| Zombie | 75 | The Zombie heals by feeding on corpses and can move stealthily. However, without access to Bandages or Snake Oil, it's still underwhelming and struggles to be effective. |
That's the wrap-up! I hope this Dead Rails class tier list helps you break records and tackle mobs with ease. Don't forget to use our Dead Rails codes and check out Dead Rails challenges. Who knows what the next update will bring?
