This Dead by Daylight guide details optimal builds for The Shape (Michael Myers), categorized by perk type and including add-on recommendations. The Shape, while historically weaker, has received buffs making him more viable.
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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 both teachable and non-teachable perk builds for players of all skill levels.
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 loses 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 healing.
The Shape: Best Build (2025)
This build emphasizes generator control and early-game strength, addressing The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer aids early Survivor location, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and Deadlock hinder generator progress, and Coup de Grâce improves looping capabilities.
- Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds at the match start, with a 2-second aura-reading bonus.
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Four tokens; hooking different Survivors on white Scourge Hooks consumes tokens and regresses the most progressed generator by 25%.
- Deadlock (The Cenobite): Completing a generator blocks the most progressed generator for 25 seconds (revealed by a 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)
The following add-ons significantly enhance The Shape's effectiveness:
Memorial Flower
Increases stalking speed by 11%, a valuable boost to his slow stalk.
Dead Rabbit
Reduces Terror Radius in Evil Within II by 25%, but increases it in Evil Within III. Use with caution, ideally alongside perks that modify Terror Radius.
J. Myers Memorial
Provides a 25% bonus to stalking gain rate. Often paired with Tombstone Piece.
Hair Bow
Increases the threat level during Evil Within III. Excellent when combined with J. Myers Memorial.
Tombstone Piece
Instantly downs any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. A powerful ability.
Lock of Hair
Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III, and increases stalk rate during Evil Within III. A viable alternative to Hair Bow.
Fragrant Tuft of Hair
Grants infinite Evil Within III, albeit with a significant reduction in stalking speed. Allows for consistent insta-downs.
