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

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• The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

• The Shape: Best Build (2025)

• The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)

Dead by Daylight's first licensed Killer, The Shape—better known as Michael Myers—is a terrifying force. His chilling ability to stalk Survivors, building ferocity with each successful track, makes him a relentless predator. This guide explores optimal builds for The Shape, including both teachable and non-teachable perks to cater to players of all skill levels.

Updated January 13, 2025, by Siddarth Narasimman: While Michael Myers remains a popular choice, particularly among newer players, recent buffs in Patch 8.4.0 have significantly improved his viability. This update reflects these changes and offers the best builds and add-ons for this iconic horror villain.

The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

Mastering The Shape without access to other Killers' perks presents a challenge, but this build makes it manageable. Save the Best for Last drastically reduces chase times, while Sloppy Butcher passively slows the game. Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death dominate the endgame, eliminating Survivors without relying solely on prolonged stalking.

• Save the Best for Last (The Shape): Hitting a Survivor who isn't the Obsession grants a token (up to eight), each reducing basic attack cooldown by 4% (maximum 32%). Hitting the Obsession costs two tokens.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk): After the final generator is completed, all Survivors are Exposed, and you gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk): Completed generators reveal nearby Survivor auras for 5 seconds; after the last generator, all Survivor auras are revealed for 10 seconds.
• 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 regression, providing a strong early game advantage—crucial given The Shape's limited mobility and early-game weakness. Focus on controlling generator clusters, tracking progress, and utilizing The Artist's and The Cenobite's perks for maximum disruption. Lethal Pursuer ensures a swift start, while Coup de Grâce enhances looping capabilities.

• Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): At the match start, see all Survivor auras for nine seconds; all aura-reading is increased by two seconds.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Start with four tokens. Each Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook consumes a token and regresses the most progressed generator by 25%.
• Deadlock (The Cenobite): Completed generators block the most progressed generator for 25 seconds (revealed by a white aura).
• Coup de Grâce (The Twins): Each completed generator grants two tokens; use one to increase lunge attack distance by 80%.

The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)

Memorial Flower

This common add-on provides an excellent 11% increase to stalking speed, a significant boost to The Shape's otherwise slow stalking.

Dead Rabbit

While decreasing Terror Radius in Evil Within II, it increases it in Evil Within III. Use this with perks like Monitor & Abuse to manage Terror Radius effectively.

J. Myers Memorial

A strong add-on granting a flat 25% bonus to stalking gain rate. Pair it with the Tombstone Piece to mitigate the increased time to reach Evil Within III.

Hair Bow

Enhances The Shape's threat level in Evil Within III. Combining it with J. Myers Memorial maintains consistent map pressure.

Tombstone Piece

Arguably The Shape's best add-on, instantly killing any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. This surpasses even the Ultra Rare Judith’s Tombstone by omitting the speed debuff.

Lock Of Hair

Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III (10 more than Hair Bow) while increasing the stalk rate for Evil Within III. A viable alternative to Hair Bow, especially with Lethal Pursuer and J. Myers Memorial.

Fragrant Tuft of Hair

Despite a massive 200% reduction in stalking rate, this add-on grants infinite Evil Within III, allowing for instant downs without stalking.