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The Shape, also known as Michael Myers, is Dead by Daylight's first licensed Killer. His terrifying power lies in his relentless stalking, building ferocity to swiftly eliminate Survivors. This guide explores optimal builds for The Shape, including both teachable and non-teachable perks, catering to players of all skill levels.
Updated January 13, 2025, by Siddarth Narasimman: Despite being historically one of the weaker Killers, Michael Myers remains popular, especially among newer players. Recent buffs in Patch 8.4.0 have significantly improved his viability, making this an ideal time to optimize his builds and add-ons.
The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)
Mastering The Shape without access to other Killers' perks presents a challenge, but this build offers a viable solution. Save the Best for Last significantly 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 (excluding the Obsession) grants tokens (max 8), each reducing basic attack cooldown by 4% (max 32%). Hitting the Obsession removes two tokens.
- Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk): After the final generator is completed, all Survivors are Exposed, and the Killer gains a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.
- Bitter Murmur (General Perk): Completed generators reveal nearby Survivor auras (16 meters) 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 to offset The Shape's inherent weaknesses in map mobility. Focus on controlling a generator cluster, tracking progress, and leveraging powerful perks.
Lethal Pursuer provides an immediate Survivor location advantage, crucial for The Shape's early game. Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and Deadlock effectively hinder generator progress. Finally, Coup de Grâce enhances looping capabilities.
- Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis): Reveals all Survivor auras for 9 seconds at the match start, with a 2-second bonus to all aura-reading instances.
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist): Starts with four tokens. Hooking different Survivors on white Scourge Hooks consumes tokens and regresses the most progressed generator by 25%.
- Deadlock (The Cenobite): Completing a generator blocks the most progressed generator for 25 seconds (revealed by a white aura).
- Coup de Grâce (The Twins): Gains two tokens per completed generator. Use a token to increase lunge attack distance by 80%.
The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)
Memorial Flower
This common add-on provides an 11% increase to stalking speed, a valuable boost to The Shape's slow natural stalking rate.
Dead Rabbit
Reduces Terror Radius by 25% in Evil Within II but increases it in Evil Within III. Use strategically with perks affecting Terror Radius to manage Survivor awareness.
J. Myers Memorial
Grants a 25% bonus to stalking gain rate. Often paired with Tombstone Piece to mitigate the increased time to reach Evil Within III.
Hair Bow
Increases the threat level during Evil Within III. Excellent when paired with J. Myers Memorial for consistent map pressure.
Tombstone Piece
Arguably The Shape's strongest add-on. Instantly kills 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 (10 more than Hair Bow) and increases 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 200% reduction in stalking rate, this add-on grants infinite Evil Within III, allowing for consistent instant downs without stalking.
