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

This Dead by Daylight guide details optimal builds for The Shape (Michael Myers), categorized for varying player skill levels. Recent buffs in Patch 8.4.0 have improved his viability.

Quick Links

• 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 formidable stalker. His power lies in relentlessly tracking Survivors before striking. This guide covers both teachable and non-teachable perk builds.

The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

This build compensates for the lack of teachable perks. Save the Best for Last accelerates attack cooldowns, while Sloppy Butcher hinders healing. Bitter Murmur reveals Survivor auras near completed generators, and Hex: No One Escapes Death exposes all Survivors after the final generator is powered, securing late-game kills.

• 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, all Survivors are Exposed, and the Killer gains a 4% Haste effect until the Totem is cleansed.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk): Reveals Survivor auras within 16 meters of a completed generator for 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 aggression, addressing The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer provides initial Survivor aura reveals, while Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance destroys generators. Deadlock blocks generators, and Coup de Grâce extends lunge range.

• Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Initially reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds; extends all aura-reading by 2 seconds.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Four tokens; hooking a Survivor on a white Scourge Hook consumes a token and regresses the most progressed generator by 25%.
• Deadlock (The Cenobite): Blocks the most progressed generator for 25 seconds after a generator is completed.
• Coup de Grâce (The Twins): Gains two tokens per completed generator; use one token to increase lunge range by 80%.

The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)

The following add-ons significantly enhance The Shape's gameplay:

Memorial Flower

Increases stalking speed by 11%. A solid, common rarity option.

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

Increases stalking gain rate by 25%. Often paired with Tombstone Piece.

Hair Bow

Increases the threat level during Evil Within III. Effective when combined with J. Myers Memorial.

Tombstone Piece

Instantly downs a Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. A powerful, game-changing add-on.

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

Grants infinite Evil Within III, but significantly reduces stalking speed. Provides consistent insta-downs.