Ultimate Dead Rails Class Guide & Tier List: Alpha Edition

Ultimate Dead Rails Class Guide & Tier List: Alpha Edition

Understanding Classes in Dead Rails

In Dead Rails, your class plays a crucial role by determining your starting items (like revolvers or helmets) and passive bonuses (such as the ability to revive players without using bandages). You can view your current class above your character’s head while in the lobby. By default, you start with no class (None).

Dead Rails Class Rankings

Below is our class tier list for Dead Rails, where we categorize all classes from best to worst based on their overall strength, suitable for both solo play and team setups. Generally, classes that require more Bonds to unlock tend to be stronger. However, exceptions exist, such as the Ironclad class, which, despite its high cost, is relatively weak. Here’s an overview of our Dead Rails class rankings:

  • SS-tier: Werewolf, Vampire
  • S-tier: Survivalist, Conductor, Packmaster
  • A-tier: Necromancer, High Roller, Zombie, Ironclad, Cowboy
  • B-tier: Horse, Priest, Musician
  • C-tier: Doctor, Miner, Arsonist
  • D-tier: The Alamo
Dead Rails Class Tier List
Class rankings in Dead Rails according to tier strength – Image via TierMaker

Optimal Classes for Solo Gameplay

If you’re keen on playing Solo and wish to amass a large amount of Bonds, consider unlocking the Vampire, Survivalist, or Zombie classes. The Vampire stands out as the best class for solo play due to its exceptional survivability and speed. However, its unique playstyle may require teammates to adapt if they do not choose the same class.

Complete Class Overview in Dead Rails – Details, Pros, and Cons

Listed below are all the classes in Dead Rails, including their cost, starting items, and unique passive bonuses. We’ve also included pros and cons for each class to provide clarity to the tier list mentioned above.

Class Details Starting Items Pros & Cons Price (EUR)
Werewolf class in Dead Rails • 2x speed, damage, and HP at night.
• 0.9x stats during the day.
• Shovel + Great at night
+ High survivability
Weaker during daytime
12.12 EUR
Vampire Class in Dead Rails • Boosts movement speed and melee damage.
• Takes damage from sunlight.
• Shovel
• Vampire Knife
+ Top class for solo play
+ Very high survivability
Unique playstyle
Less effective in parties
18.18 EUR
Survivalist Class in Dead Rails • Damage increases as your health lowers. • Shovel
• Tomahawk
+ High damage potential
Risky playstyle
18.18 EUR
Conductor Class in Dead Rails • Train speed increases by 30% while driving. • Coal x2 + Excellent for team play
+ Good for speedruns
No starting weapon
12.12 EUR
Packmaster Class in Dead Rails • Starts with three tamed wolves. Attackers become tamed. • Shovel + Strong in both solo and team play
+ Immune to wolf attacks
Vulnerable without wolves
10.61 EUR
Necromancer Class in Dead Rails • Defeated enemies have a 25% chance of reincarnation with a downside of losing 10 HP. • Shovel + Potential to revive strong foes
High-risk playstyle
10.61 EUR
High Roller Class in Dead Rails • Collecting moneybags yields 50% more cash but increases lightning strike chances by 10x. • Shovel + Effective for boosting economy
+ Suitable for team play
Vulnerable during storm nights
12.12 EUR
Zombie Class in Dead Rails • Regain health by consuming corpses, stealthy movement, but cannot use bandages. • Shovel + High survivability
+ Good for solo farming
Dependent on food source (bodies)
18.18 EUR
Ironclad Class in Dead Rails • Movement speed decreased by 10% with full body armor provided. • Helmet
• Chestplate
• Left & Right Shoulder Armor
• Shovel
+ High survivability
+ Strong defense from the start
Lacks agility
18.18 EUR
Cowboy Class in Dead Rails • Grants a tamed horse upon spawning. • Shovel
• Revolver
• Revolver Ammo x2
• Saddle
+ Great choice for solo play
+ Strong initial gear
Lacks passive bonuses
12.12 EUR
Horse Class in Dead Rails • Take on the appearance and traits of a horse. • Shovel + Useful for some challenges
+ Very fast
Cannot ride the train
0.00 EUR
Priest Class in Dead Rails • Immune to lightning strikes. • Shovel
• Holy Water x2
• Crucifix x2
+ Exceptionally useful during storms
Weak for solo gameplay
18.18 EUR
Musician Class in Dead Rails • Playing a banjo heals nearby players over time. • Banjo + Great fun to play
+ Supportive class for parties
Lacking offensive capability
6.06 EUR
Doctor Class in Dead Rails • Revive teammates for half HP sacrifice. • Shovel
• Bandage x2
• Snake Oil x2
+ Perfect for team play
+ Ideal for assisting beginners
Lacks offensive bonuses
6.06 EUR
Miner Class in Dead Rails • Equipped with a headlamp for illumination. • Pickaxe
• Mining Helmet
• Coal x2
+ Best early-game class
+ Headlight is invaluable at night
Weak in combat
6.06 EUR
Arsonist Class in Dead Rails • Doubled fire damage. • Shovel
• Molotov x4
+ Effective against crowds
Limited Molotov availability
6.06 EUR
The Alamo Class in Dead Rails • No specific bonuses. • Helmet
• Metal Sheet x3
• Barbed Wire x3
• Shovel
+ Decent starting items
Lacks unique benefits
12.12 EUR

How to Unlock and Swap Your Class in Dead Rails

  • Tailor shop in Dead Rails
    Visit the Tailor shop to change classes.
  • Tailor classes menu in Dead Rails
    Purchase and equip classes from the Tailor menu.



In Dead Rails, you can acquire new classes or alter your current class at the Tailor NPC located in the main lobby. Each class requires a certain amount of Bonds to unlock, and class changes can only be made before starting a run.

If you’re a newcomer to Dead Rails, it’s advisable to accumulate all Bonds you find and invest them into unlocking new classes. This strategy ensures you maintain an effective starting loadout and gain powerful passive abilities.

Guide to Farming Bonds

Bonds found on shelves in Dead Rails
Bonds can be found on bookshelves in the castle located at the 40km mark.

If you want to unlock a class in Dead Rails, you need to gather Bonds. The best locations for finding Bonds are the castle at the 40km mark and the bank vaults in various Burning Towns alongside the railway. For an in-depth approach on how to engage with these areas, refer to our guide on farming Bonds in Dead Rails.

This wraps up our comprehensive Dead Rails class and tier list guide. If you’re still uncertain about selecting your ideal weapon, check out our Dead Rails weapons tier list to discover your new favorite!


FAQs About Dead Rails Class System

How do you unlock new classes in Dead Rails?

Classes can be unlocked by spending Bonds at the Tailor shop located in the main lobby.

What are the best classes for team play?

Optimal classes for group engagement include Conductor, High Roller, Musician, and Doctor.

What are the best classes for solo and cooperative group play?

For solo exploration or when your entire group selects the same class, the top classes are Werewolf, Vampire, Conductor, Zombie, and Cowboy.