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 ability to build ferocity. This guide covers builds for players of all skill levels, utilizing both teachable and non-teachable perks.
The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
This build compensates for the lack of teachable perks. Save the Best for Last reduces cooldown on attacks, Sloppy Butcher slows healing, and Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death dominate the endgame.
- Save the Best for Last (The Shape): Hitting a Survivor (excluding the Obsession) 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 auras of Survivors 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 prioritizes generator control and early-game aggression, addressing The Shape's weaknesses. Lethal Pursuer provides initial aura reading, Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance sabotages generators, Deadlock blocks generators, and Coup de Grâce enhances lunge range.
- Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Initial 9-second aura reveal of all Survivors; all aura reads are increased by 2 seconds.
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Four tokens; hooking different Survivors on white Scourge Hooks consumes tokens and destroys the most progressed generator (25% regression).
- Deadlock (The Cenobite): Completing a generator blocks the most progressed one for 25 seconds (white aura reveal).
- 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
Increases stalking speed by 11%. A solid common add-on.
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 threat level in Evil Within III. Synergizes well with J. Myers Memorial.
Tombstone Piece
Instantly downs any Survivor upon reaching Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. A powerful add-on.
Lock of Hair
Adds 40 seconds to Evil Within III and increases stalk rate. A viable alternative to Hair Bow.
Fragrant Tuft of Hair
Grants infinite Evil Within III despite a significant reduction in stalking rate. Allows for consistent insta-downs.
