Dead by Daylight: Best Builds for The Shape (2025)

This Dead by Daylight guide details optimal builds for The Shape (Michael Myers), categorized by perk type and including add-on recommendations. Updated January 13, 2025, to reflect recent buffs.

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• Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
• Best Build (2025)
• Best Add-Ons (2025)

The Shape, Dead by Daylight's first licensed Killer, is a formidable opponent known for his relentless stalking and devastating attacks. This guide provides builds for players of all skill levels.

The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

This build excels without relying on teachable perks. It utilizes Save the Best for Last for faster attack cooldowns, Sloppy Butcher to hinder healing, and Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death for powerful endgame pressure.

• Save the Best for Last (The Shape): Hitting non-Obsession Survivors 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 a 4% Haste effect until the Totem is cleansed.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk): Reveals Survivor auras near completed generators (16 meters for 5 seconds, all Survivors 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 prioritizes generator control and early-game aggression, compensating for The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer provides initial Survivor location, while Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance, Deadlock, and Coup de Grâce disrupt generator progress and enhance attack power.

• Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds at the start, plus a 2-second bonus to all aura readings.
• 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 (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)

Memorial Flower

A common rarity add-on providing an 11% stalking speed increase.

Dead Rabbit

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

Grants a 25% bonus to stalking gain rate.

Hair Bow

Increases the threat level during Evil Within III. Excellent when paired with J. Myers Memorial.

Tombstone Piece

Instantly downs any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. A powerful game-changer.

Lock of Hair

Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III and increases its stalk rate. A viable alternative to Hair Bow.

Fragrant Tuft of Hair

Provides infinite Evil Within III but significantly reduces stalking speed (-200%). A high-risk, high-reward option.