This Dead by Daylight guide details optimal builds for The Shape (Michael Myers), categorized by perk type and including add-on recommendations. While considered a weaker Killer, recent buffs have improved his viability.
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- The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
- The Shape: Best Build (2025)
- The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)
The Shape, Dead by Daylight's first licensed Killer, is a terrifying stalker, eliminating Survivors one by one. This guide covers builds for players of all skill levels, utilizing both teachable and non-teachable perks. Updated January 13, 2025.
The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
This build compensates for the lack of teachable perks. Save the Best for Last reduces chase times, Sloppy Butcher passively slows the game, and Bitter Murmur/Hex: No One Escapes Death dominate the endgame.
- Save the Best for Last (The Shape): Hitting a non-Obsession Survivor grants tokens (-4% cooldown reduction per token, max 32%). Hitting the Obsession costs two tokens.
- Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk): After the final generator, Survivors are Exposed, and the Killer gains 4% Haste until the Totem is cleansed.
- Bitter Murmur (General Perk): Reveals Survivor auras near completed generators (16m radius, 5 seconds). Reveals all auras for 10 seconds after the last generator.
- Sloppy Butcher (General Perk): Basic attacks inflict Mangled and Hemorrhage, slowing healing by 25% and regressing unfinished heals.
The Shape: Best Build (2025)
This build prioritizes generator slowdown and strong early-game performance, addressing The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer aids early Survivor location, while Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance, Deadlock, and Coup de Grâce control generator progress and chases.
- Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds at the start; all aura readings are increased by 2 seconds.
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Four tokens; hooking different Survivors on white Scourge Hooks destroys the most progressed generator (25% regression).
- Deadlock (The Cenobite): Completing a generator blocks the most progressed one for 25 seconds (white aura).
- Coup de Grâce (The Twins): Two tokens per completed generator; use one to increase lunge range by 80%.
The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)
Here are some top add-on choices for The Shape, categorized by rarity and effect:
Memorial Flower (Common)
Increases stalking speed by 11%. A solid, reliable boost.
Dead Rabbit (Uncommon)
Reduces Terror Radius in Evil Within II but increases it in Evil Within III. Use with caution, ideally alongside perks that modify Terror Radius.
J. Myers Memorial (Rare)
Increases stalking gain rate by 25%. Often paired with Tombstone Piece.
Hair Bow (Rare)
Increases Evil Within III duration. Good for consistent map pressure.
Tombstone Piece (Ultra Rare)
Instantly downs any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. Extremely powerful.
Lock of Hair (Ultra Rare)
Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III and increases stalk rate. A viable alternative to Hair Bow.
Fragrant Tuft of Hair (Ultra Rare)
Grants infinite Evil Within III but significantly reduces stalking rate. Consistent insta-downs, but requires strategic play.
