Dead Rails offers a variety of classes, each with unique perks, gear, and playstyles. Some are great for solo play, others shine in team support, and a few are just plain hard mode. Below, you’ll find a complete breakdown of every class, how to use them, and a tier list ranking them from best to worst based on overall performance.
Eggslinger
Horse
Zombie
Arsonist
Werewolf
Conductor
Priest
Cowboy
Packmaster
Vampire
Ironclad
Musician
Survivalist
Miner
Necromancer
High Roller
Alamo🎖️ Tier List: All Dead Rails Classes Ranked
S Tier: Survivalist, Vampire, Cowboy
A Tier: Doctor, Conductor
B Tier: High Roller, Alamo
C Tier: Arsonist, Priest, Miner
D Tier: Ironclad, Zombie
F Tier: None (Zombie is nearly here)
🧪 S Tier Classes
1. Survivalist
Perks: The lower your health, the more damage you deal
Why it’s OP: Deals insane damage when hurt — can one-shot zombies and destroy bosses like Tesla. In the right hands, this class turns Nightmare Mode into Easy Mode.
Tips: Sell your tomahawk, buy a revolver + ammo, and stock up on healing. This class snowballs hard after you find your first gun.
2. Vampire
Perks: Heals by hitting enemies, super fast movement speed
Why it’s OP: Faster than a horse, great for solo town clears, and completely shreds enemies at night.
Downsides: Sunlight drains HP — always stay in the shade or indoors.
Tips: Use objects (like newspapers) to block sunlight. Keep snake oils to stay alive during the day.
3. Cowboy
Perks: Starts with a horse, revolver, and ammo
Why it’s great: Fantastic early game. Horse helps kite enemies, revolver lets you clear towns immediately.
Tips: Great starter class for new players — safe, strong, and easy to use.
💉 A Tier Classes
4. Doctor
Perks: Revives teammates without bandages, starts with 2 bandages and 2 snake oils
Why it’s great: One of the best team support roles. Can also sell all items for a powerful early-game economy.
Tips: In solo runs, sell everything for a rifle and ammo.
5. Conductor
Perks: Can drive the train faster and more efficiently
Why it’s great: A must-have in team runs. Saves fuel and speeds up progress.
Downsides: Half HP and no starting weapon — fragile in solo play.
Tips: Always have teammates protect and supply you early on.
💰 B Tier Classes
6. High Roller
Perks: Sells items for 1.5x more money
Why it’s decent: Strong early economy, great for supplying the team
Downsides: 10x chance to get struck by lightning
Tips: Never go outside in storms. Maximize profits early or it’s wasted potential.
7. Alamo
Perks: Starts with 3 metal sheets, 3 barbed wires, and a helmet
Why it’s decent: Lets you defend your train from day one
Tips: Armor your cabin to protect against Outlaw ambushes. Works well in both solo and team runs.
🔥 C Tier Classes
8. Arsonist
Perks: Fire damage deals double, immune to fire
Why it’s okay: With a horse, you can group zombies and nuke them with Molotovs.
Downsides: Requires setup, Molotovs are limited and hard to restock.
Tips: Always carry Molotovs and bait enemies with a horse if possible.
9. Priest
Perks: Immune to lightning, starts with 2 crucifixes and 2 holy waters
Why it’s okay: Crucifixes and holy water are good against groups and werewolves
Downsides: Items are single-use and can’t be sold
Tips: Use holy water for zombie groups and crucifixes for emergencies.
10. Miner
Perks: Headlamp for night raids, 2 coal, pickaxe
Why it’s mid: Headlamp is nice but rarely needed. Coal helps early game.
Tips: Save money for revolver + ammo early. Great for mining updates.
🪓 D Tier Classes
11. Ironclad
Perks: Full iron armor
Why it’s weak: 20% movement speed penalty is lethal. You’re slower than zombies.
Tips: Only useful in teams. Requires a horse to negate the movement penalty.
12. Zombie
Perks: Eats corpses to heal, reduced alert radius
Why it’s awful: Can’t use bandages or snake oil. Eating corpses heals barely anything and takes time.
Tips: Treat this class as a challenge run. It’s worse than having no class.
🧭 How to Unlock Classes in Dead Rails
– Most classes can be purchased with **Bonds**, earned by playing matches
– Some classes (like Cowboy) may be unlocked through in-game **challenges or quests**
– You can equip classes before starting your run at the **spawn screen**
💡 General Class Tips
– Always plan your build around your class’s **strengths**
– In **solo play**, prioritize classes with strong early game setups (Cowboy, Survivalist)
– In **team play**, mix support (Doctor, Conductor) and combat (Vampire, Arsonist)
– Don’t waste Bonds early on — **unlock Cowboy or Doctor first**