The kit matters less than the items
Items decide how strong you get. The survivor sets your range, your mobility, and your rhythm. That is why a strong player can win with a plain kit and a weak player can lose with a flashy one.
Pick a survivor you can read at a glance, then let the items do the heavy work.
Commando
Commando fires a hitscan rifle and carries a dodge roll. The kit is direct: shoot, roll away from danger, repeat. Nothing about it needs a setup.
That simplicity makes it the usual first pick. You learn monster patterns and stage layouts without a gimmick in the way.
Huntress
Huntress trades raw health for speed and auto-aim. Attacks seek targets, so you aim by moving rather than pointing.
The kit rewards players who keep distance. It punishes anyone who stands still.
MUL-T
MUL-T is a heavy frame with two weapon modes and a transport dash. It hits hard and moves slowly in one mode, then swaps for a different feel.
The swap mechanic asks you to plan both forms. New players often forget the second half of the kit.
Engineer
Engineer drops turrets and supports them from range. Damage comes from placed machines, not from a steady stream of shots.
Turret placement decides fights. A turret in the open dies fast and teaches the wrong lesson.
Reading a new kit
Every survivor has a primary, a secondary, a utility, and a special. Find the mobility button first, because staying alive teaches you more than any damage number.
Start with survivor ability basics, then see how a full run flows in how a run works.