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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The Shape, Dead by Daylight's first licensed Killer, is a formidable opponent known for his relentless stalking and powerful endgame presence. This guide offers build options for players of all skill levels.
Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
This build compensates for The Shape's lack of access to teachable perks. It leverages Save the Best for Last to reduce cooldown times, Sloppy Butcher to hinder healing, and Bitter Murmur/Hex: No One Escapes Death for a devastating endgame.
- 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. Reveals all auras after the final generator.
- Sloppy Butcher (General Perk): Basic attacks inflict Mangled and Hemorrhage, slowing healing by 25% and regressing unfinished healing.
Best Build (2025)
This build prioritizes generator control and early-game aggression, addressing The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer aids in early Survivor location, while Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance, Deadlock, and Coup de Grâce disrupt generator progress and enhance chase potential.
- Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds at the start, plus a 2-second bonus to all aura-reading.
- 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%.
Best Add-Ons (2025)
These add-ons significantly enhance The Shape's gameplay:
Memorial Flower
A common add-on offering 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
Provides a 25% stalking gain rate bonus.
Hair Bow
Increases the threat level during Evil Within III. Pairs well with J. Myers Memorial.
Tombstone Piece
Instantly downs any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. Superior to Judith's Tombstone due to the lack of a speed debuff.
Lock of Hair
Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III and increases the stalk rate for Evil Within III. A viable alternative to Hair Bow.
Fragrant Tuft of Hair
Grants infinite Evil Within III despite a significant reduction in stalking speed. Allows for consistent instant downs.
