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I am not a stranger to law enforcement professionals. I have learned to…spot them. To recognize their posture and sway. Now, one seems to inhabit this, my new home. He looks worn down, but just like me, he refuses to simply lay down and await the coming pain and death. The struggle is the only thing that keeps him sane – something to focus on. Just as you can recognize the hardship of a law enforcer, many times you can also spot a man that has experienced what others never come near. Beatings and violence, determination. Maybe this new man seeks justice? Maybe he still carries a badge? Whatever might he be looking for here, at this place that lacks justice or an end?
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~ Unknown (Potentially Benedict Baker) |
David Tapp | |
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Gender | Man |
Role | Obsessed Detective |
Origin | African American |
DLC | CHAPTER 7: The SAW™ Chapter |
Voice Actor | Dave Blake (BHVR) |
Cost | 500 Auric Cells![]() ![]() ![]() |
CharID | S12 |
Detective David Tapp is one of 45 Survivors currently featured in Dead by Daylight
.
He was introduced as the Survivor of CHAPTER 7: The SAW™ Chapter, a Chapter DLC released on 23 January 2018.
He originates from the 2004 Horror Movie franchise of the same name, SAW.
Overview

David Tapp is an obsessed Detective, able to locate and complete Objectives faster.
His personal Perks, Tenacity, Detective's Hunch
, and Stake Out
, make him objective-focused and able to rapidly recover.
His Perks are all about determination and not giving up. You are dead set on reaching your goal and survive no matter what.
Lore

- Additional Lore can be found in Tome 10 - SAW: Desecration of the Heart.
Detective David Tapp was one of the good guys. His determination to see Killers brought to justice and their victims avenged had led him through a long and respected career.
When he first saw the details of the Jigsaw case, it seemed like many others. More grisly and macabre, sure, but just another lunatic with a penchant for the over-dramatic, who would soon be behind bars.
A stroke of insight brought Tapp, and his partner Detective Stephen Sing, to an abandoned mannequin factory, where they discovered Jigsaw’s lair. They apprehended the man but he managed to escape before being unmasked, slashing Tapp's throat as he did so. Leaving his partner, Sing went in pursuit but fell victim to a booby trap. Tapp had failed to go by the book on this one occasion, entering the lair without a warrant, and it had resulted in a Detective's death. He was discharged from the force and left with a ruined throat and crippling guilt.
He channelled that guilt into an obsession: he would find the killer, stop the murders, vindicate himself, and avenge his friend and colleague. Following the evidence trail brought him to Dr Lawrence Gordon and he staked out the doctor’s apartment, sure that he would find some evidence of guilt.
Then he saw a stranger at Gordon's window and heard gunshots. Tapp confronted him and the man fled, with the pursuit leading to an industrial building.
Tapp's age caught up with him, a fight that he would easily have won in his younger days ended with Tapp taking a bullet to the chest. Slumping to the floor, he saw only failure. He had failed his partner and the other victims. Whoever the killer was, Tapp had been unable to stop him. More would die and it would be his fault.
He let the rage and guilt consume him and closed his eyes for the final time. Beneath him, the concrete floor softened. He dug his fingers into the ground, feeling dirt and leaves. Where his chest had been wet with blood, the shirt was now dry and the pain had gone. His eyes opened onto a darkened sky and the jagged, searching fingers of branches.
Screams echoed through the forest and a new determination filled him. His mind was clear for the first time in months. Victims needed to be avenged, killers thwarted. He didn’t know what this place was, but he was still a cop, and he always would be. He had a job to do.
Load-out
Unique Perks
Tapp comes with 3 Perks that are unique to him:
Detective's Hunch | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability. Each time a Generator is completed, the Auras
"Are you able to tell us where you were last night?" — Detective David Tapp | |
---|---|---|
Stake Out | Getting close to the Killer fills you with determination. Every 15 seconds you are within the Killer's Terror Radius
"I had you, I had you on your knees. You're runnin' scared because we had you. We're gonna close this case!" — Detective David Tapp | |
Tenacity | There is nothing stopping you.
Your ferocious tenacity in dire situations allow you to benefit from the following effects:
"What the hell is this? I'm taking this bastard down!" — Detective David Tapp |
Prestige
Prestiging Tapp will automatically add Tier I of his Unique Perks to the inventories of all other Survivors and unlock the ability for their higher-tiered versions to spawn in their Bloodweb.
Prestige Tapp twice more to automatically add Tier II and Tier III respectively into the other Survivors' inventories.
Achievements
- Main article: Achievements
There is 1 Achievement related to Tapp:
Icon | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
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Adept Tapp | Playing as David Tapp, escape a Trial using only his 3 Unique Perks: Tenacity, Detective's Hunch, and Stake Out |
Cosmetic Options
Players can choose from a variety of Cosmetic options to customise Tapp:
Base Cosmetics
Default
Prestige
Perk Charms
Prestige Level 7 Reward | Prestige Level 8 Reward | Prestige Level 9 Reward |
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A keepsake gained upon mastery of a particular skill. |
Alternatives
Event
Icon | Name | Body | Rarity | Description | Event | Exclusive to Event Participation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Detective David Tapp's Mask | ![]() |
Event | A mask he found himself wearing at the masquerade ball. Through the spectacle of his own torment, he has always been hiding from the truth. | Twisted Masquerade 2024 | Yes |
DLC
Icon | Name | Body | Rarity | Description | DLC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Investigation Tapp | ![]() |
Common | It's only a matter of time before he gets you. | CHAPTER 7: The SAW™ Chapter |
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Investigation Suit | ![]() |
Common | One of many sober outfits in Tapp's wardrobe. | CHAPTER 7: The SAW™ Chapter |
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Duty Jeans | ![]() |
Common | Comfortable blue jeans decorated with the City Homicide badge. | CHAPTER 7: The SAW™ Chapter |
Rift
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What could be if David Tapp gave up his obsession of Jigsaw? Perhaps he could finally relax and enjoy the summer days.
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In-Game Store
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What could be if David Tapp gave up his obsession of Jigsaw? Perhaps he could finally relax and enjoy the summer days.
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Learning advanced tactics and improving crisis management skills at a police retreat. Being prepared requires hours of training and practice.
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Detective Tapp has had a long and varied career, including time undercover.
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Before he was a Detective, Tapp walked the beat, like most other cops.
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There was something suspicious nagging him. He couldn't focus on anything else, not even taking a well-deserved break during holidays; he had to investigate the matter further.
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DLC
Tapp is part of 1 DLC:
Change Log
Patch 5.1.0
- Rework: updated facial model and texture as part of The Realm Beyond - Part 6 Graphical Update.
Trivia
- Tapp is the eighth licensed Character and the fourth licensed Survivor to be introduced.
- Tapp shares his first name with David King, which is why in-game and on this Wiki, he is uniquely referred to by his last name.
- It was originally planned to add Eric Matthews from the "Saw" series to Dead By Daylight instead of Tapp.
As a consequence of this decision, Tapp continues to use the codename "Eric" in the game code.
Gallery
For more go to Tapp's Gallery
In-game assets
-
David Tapp
-
David Tapp (Portrait render)
-
David Tapp (Background image)
Official art
-
Store banner for SAW Collections 1 "Undercover Cop"
-
Store banner for SAW Collections 2 "Beat Cop"
Models
-
David Tapp's model
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David Tapp's prestige model
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David Tapp's head model
Old assets
-
David Tapp's previous portrait
Screenshots