The Shape's Top Builds in Dead by Daylight (2025)

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

• The Shape: Best Build (2025)

• The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)

The Shape, famously known as Michael Myers, is the first licensed Killer introduced to Dead by Daylight. His relentless pursuit and ability to stalk Survivors from a distance make him a truly terrifying presence on the map. As he tracks his prey, The Shape builds his ferocity, which is key to his gameplay strategy. This guide aims to enhance your experience playing as The Shape by detailing the best builds and add-ons, suitable for players of all skill levels.

Updated on January 13, 2025, by Siddarth Narasimman: Although Michael Myers is often considered one of the weaker Killers in Dead by Daylight, his popularity among new players remains strong. The recent buffs in Patch 8.4.0 have significantly improved his gameplay, making him a more viable choice. This is the perfect time to explore the best builds and add-ons to maximize your effectiveness with this iconic horror character.

The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

Playing The Shape without access to other Killers' perks can be challenging, yet rewarding with the right strategy. This build utilizes Save the Best for Last to reduce chase times, while Sloppy Butcher slows down the game by hindering Survivor healing. Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death then enable a devastating endgame, allowing you to finish off remaining Survivors without the need for extensive stalking.

• Save the Best for Last (The Shape) – Earn a token (up to eight) for hitting a non-Obsession Survivor. Each token reduces your attack cooldown by 4% (up to 32%). Hitting the Obsession loses two tokens.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk) – Once the final generator is completed, all Survivors become Exposed and gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk) – Reveal the auras of Survivors within 16 meters of a completed generator for 5 seconds. When the last generator is completed, reveal all Survivors' auras for 10 seconds.
• Sloppy Butcher (General Perk) – Inflict Mangled and Hemorrhage status effects with basic attacks, slowing healing by 25% and causing regression if healing is interrupted.

The Shape: Best Build (2025)

This build is designed to hinder generator progress and provide a strong start, countering The Shape's weak early-game mobility. By focusing on a cluster of generators, you can use Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and Deadlock to disrupt Survivor efforts. Lethal Pursuer helps you quickly locate and stalk Survivors, while Coup de Grâce enhances your ability to navigate loops effectively.

• Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis) – See all Survivors' auras for nine seconds at the match start. All aura-reading effects last two seconds longer.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – Start with four tokens. Hooking different Survivors on a Scourge Hook consumes one token and causes the generator with the most progress to lose 25% of its progress.
• Deadlock (The Cenobite) – When a generator is completed, block the generator with the most progress for 25 seconds, revealing it with a white aura.
• Coup de Grâce (The Twins) – Gain two tokens per completed generator. Use a token to increase your lunge attack distance by 80%.

The Shape: Best Add-Ons (2025)

Memorial Flower

At common rarity, the Memorial Flower stands out as the best add-on for The Shape, offering an 11% increase in stalking rate, which is vital for his gameplay.

Dead Rabbit

Despite its macabre nature, the Dead Rabbit reduces the Terror Radius by 25% in Evil Within II, though it increases it in Evil Within III. Pair it with perks like Monitor and Abuse to manage your Terror Radius effectively.

J. Myers Memorial

This add-on boosts The Shape's stalking gain rate by 25%, making it an excellent choice. Combine it with the Tombstone Piece to mitigate the time needed to reach Evil Within III.

Hair Bow

Increase your threat level during Evil Within III with the Hair Bow. When paired with the J. Myers Memorial, you can maintain consistent pressure across the map.

Tombstone Piece

Arguably The Shape's most powerful add-on, the Tombstone Piece allows for immediate kills in Evil Within III, regardless of the Survivor's hook state. It's more effective than Judith’s Tombstone as it doesn't come with a speed penalty.

Lock Of Hair

Adding 40 seconds to Evil Within III and boosting the stalk rate, the Lock of Hair is a strong choice, especially when used alongside Lethal Pursuer and J. Myers Memorial.

Fragrant Tuft of Hair

Despite reducing the stalking rate by 200%, the Fragrant Tuft of Hair provides infinite Evil Within III. This means you can insta-down Survivors without needing to stalk them, simplifying your gameplay strategy.