"Top Builds for The Shape 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, was the first licensed Killer to be introduced to Dead by Daylight. His chilling presence and unique stalking mechanics make him a terrifying force on the map. As The Shape, players can increase their ferocity by carefully tracking Survivors from a distance, setting the stage for a relentless pursuit that eliminates them one by one.

This guide delves into the most effective builds for playing The Shape in Dead by Daylight, covering both teachable and non-teachable perks. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player, these builds will help you maximize your potential as this iconic horror character.

Updated on January 13, 2025, by Siddarth Narasimman: Despite being considered one of the weaker Killers, Michael Myers remains a favorite among new players. The recent buffs in Patch 8.4.0 have significantly enhanced his gameplay, making him a more viable option. Now is the perfect time to explore the best builds and add-ons for this horror legend.

The Shape: Best Non-Teachable Build (2025)

Without the advantage of other Killers' perks, playing The Shape can be challenging, yet rewarding. This build leverages Save the Best for Last to shorten chase times and Sloppy Butcher to slow down Survivors' healing. Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death provide a powerful endgame strategy, allowing you to swiftly take down remaining Survivors without the need for constant stalking.

• Save the Best for Last (The Shape) – Earn tokens by hitting non-Obsession Survivors, up to eight. Each token reduces basic attack cooldown by -4%, up to 32%. Hitting the Obsession removes two tokens.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk) – Once the final generator is done, all Survivors become Exposed and gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk) – Reveals Survivor auras within 16 meters of a completed generator for 5 seconds. After the last generator, reveals all Survivor auras for 10 seconds.
• Sloppy Butcher (General Perk) – Inflicts Mangled and Hemorrhage status effects, slowing healing by 25% and causing healing regression if not completed.

The Shape: Best Build (2025)

This build focuses on controlling the game's pace by slowing generator progress while leveraging early-game advantages. The Shape's limited mobility and weaker early game necessitate a territorial strategy, protecting clusters of generators with The Artist's Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance and The Cenobite's Deadlock. The Nemesis's Lethal Pursuer helps quickly locate Survivors for initial stalking, and Coup de Grâce improves The Shape's performance around loops.

• Lethal Pursuer (The Nemesis) – See all Survivor auras at the match start for nine seconds, with an additional two seconds to all aura-reading effects.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – Start with four tokens. Hooking different Survivors on Scourge Hooks consumes one token and causes the most progressed generator to lose 25% progress.
• Deadlock (The Cenobite) – Completing a generator blocks the most progressed remaining generator for 25 seconds, visible by a white aura.
• Coup de Grâce (The Twins) – Gain two tokens per completed generator. Each token increases 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% boost to stalking speed, enhancing this core mechanic without being overwhelming.

Dead Rabbit

Although it requires a trade-off, the Dead Rabbit reduces The Shape's Terror Radius by 25% in Evil Within II, making stealth easier. Pair it with perks like Monitor and Abuse to manage the increased Terror Radius in Evil Within III effectively.

J. Myers Memorial

This add-on offers a significant 25% increase to stalking gain rate, making it a top choice. It pairs well with the Tombstone Piece to mitigate the time needed to reach Evil Within III.

Hair Bow

Enhancing The Shape's threat in Evil Within III, the Hair Bow is excellent for maintaining pressure on the map. Combining it with J. Myers Memorial ensures frequent Evil Within III activations.

Tombstone Piece

Considered The Shape’s most powerful add-on, the Tombstone Piece enables instant kills in Evil Within III, regardless of hook state. This ability can drastically change the game's outcome, surpassing the Ultra Rare Judith’s Tombstone by avoiding the associated speed penalty.

Lock Of Hair

While the Hair Bow is typically preferred, the Lock of Hair offers 40 additional seconds in Evil Within III and increases stalking rate. It's a good alternative, especially when combined with 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 add-on eliminates the need for stalking, allowing instant downs throughout the game.