The Animatronic - William Afton/Springtrap from Five Nights at Freddy’s - is Dead by Daylight’s haunted animatronic killer who places phantom animatronics around the map to hunt survivors and applies containment status. He deploys phantom animatronics that patrol and detect survivors, builds containment on survivors to slow and expose them, and uses haywire mode for enhanced tracking. The Animatronic excels at map pressure, tracking, and forcing survivors to manage containment.
The Animatronic rewards strategic phantom placement, containment management, and capitalizing on haywire interrupts. Let’s break down how to master him.
The Animatronic’s Power: Remnant
Ability: The Animatronic deploys phantom animatronics (ghost-like entities) that patrol the map and hunt survivors.
Phantom Animatronics (M2)
How phantoms work:
- Press M2 to deploy a phantom animatronic at your location
- Phantoms appear as translucent, glowing animatronic figures
- You can deploy up to 3 phantoms maximum
- Deploying a 4th phantom destroys the oldest phantom
- Phantoms patrol autonomously (AI-controlled)
Phantom behavior:
- Phantoms wander around the area where deployed
- When they detect survivors (within ~16 meters), they chase them
- Chasing phantoms apply Containment status to survivors
- Phantoms can’t damage survivors directly
- Phantoms last indefinitely unless destroyed
How survivors counter phantoms:
- Survivors can stun phantoms with pallets
- Survivors can blind phantoms with flashlights
- Stunned/blinded phantoms are disabled for ~20 seconds
- Phantoms respawn if destroyed
Key concept: Phantoms patrol areas and apply Containment to survivors. They’re AI assistants.
Containment Status
Survivors chased by phantoms or near The Animatronic gain Containment.
How Containment works:
- Survivors have a Containment meter (3 levels)
- Meter fills when:
- Chased by phantom animatronics
- Within The Animatronic’s Terror Radius for extended time
- Hit by The Animatronic’s attacks
- At Level 3 Containment (fully contained), survivors are:
- Hindered (movement speed reduced by 5%)
- Exposed (one-hit down)
- Suffer visual/audio distortions
Removing Containment:
- Survivors can interact with Reboot Stations (5 spawn on map)
- Using a Reboot Station removes all Containment levels (takes 8 seconds)
- Each Reboot Station can only be used once
- Limited supply (only 5 uses total per match)
Key concept: Containment builds up, eventually Exposing survivors. They must use limited Reboot Stations to remove it.
Haywire Mode (Ctrl or M2 when phantom is chasing)
How Haywire works:
- When a phantom is chasing a survivor, you can trigger Haywire
- Press Ctrl (or secondary button) to activate Haywire on that phantom
- The phantom enters Haywire Mode:
- Moves MUCH faster (chases survivors faster)
- Applies Containment faster
- Disrupts survivor actions (interrupts repairs, healing, etc.)
- Lasts ~8 seconds
Haywire effects:
- Phantom chases survivor much more aggressively
- Builds Containment rapidly
- Can interrupt survivors from gens/healing
- Creates loud audio/visual effects (scary)
Haywire cooldown: ~20 seconds between Haywire activations
Key concept: Haywire makes phantoms more aggressive and builds Containment faster.
Playing The Animatronic: The Strategy
The Animatronic’s gameplay loop is:
- Deploy phantom animatronics at key locations (gens, loops, hooks)
- Phantoms patrol and chase survivors
- Survivors gain Containment from phantoms
- Build Containment to Level 3 (Exposed status)
- Down Exposed survivors with one hit
- Trigger Haywire to make phantoms more aggressive
- Repeat
Key concept: Phantoms build Containment on survivors, eventually Exposing them for easy downs.
Phantom Placement Strategy
Phantom placement is critical for The Animatronic.
Where to Place Phantoms
1. Near generators with progress:
- Place phantoms at gens survivors are working on
- Phantoms detect and chase survivors at gens
- Builds Containment passively
2. At loops:
- Place phantoms at jungle gyms, LT-walls, and pallets
- Survivors looping encounter phantoms
- Forces them to deal with phantoms while looping you
3. Between generators (3-gen setup):
- Place phantoms between 3 close gens
- Control the area with phantom patrols
- Survivors get Containment trying to do gens
4. Near hooks:
- Place phantoms near hooked survivors
- Phantoms chase rescuers and build Containment
5. High-traffic areas:
- Pathways between gens
- Center of the map
- Common survivor routes
Where NOT to Place Phantoms
Dead zones with no objectives:
- Phantoms should patrol important areas
- Don’t waste them in corners
Too close together:
- Spread phantoms out for better coverage
- Don’t cluster them in one spot
Open areas survivors can avoid:
- Phantoms work best in areas survivors MUST visit
- Don’t place in wide open dead zones
Containment Strategy
Building Containment is The Animatronic’s primary goal.
How to Build Containment
Deploy phantoms everywhere:
- More phantoms = more Containment buildup
- Keep all 3 phantoms active
Chase survivors near phantoms:
- Your Terror Radius builds Containment
- Herd survivors toward phantom patrol areas
- Double Containment (you + phantom)
Trigger Haywire:
- When phantoms chase survivors, activate Haywire
- Builds Containment MUCH faster
- Forces survivors to use Reboot Stations
Target survivors with high Containment:
- Check survivors’ Containment levels (UI indicator)
- Focus on survivors at Level 2-3
- They’re close to Exposed
Capitalizing on Level 3 Containment
Exposed survivors:
- Level 3 Containment = Exposed status
- One hit downs them (regardless of health state)
- Prioritize Exposed survivors
Hindered survivors:
- Level 3 also applies Hindered (5% slower)
- Easier to catch in chases
Snowball potential:
- Multiple survivors at Level 3 = multiple one-hit downs
- Chain downs quickly
Haywire Strategy
Haywire makes phantoms more aggressive.
When to Trigger Haywire
Phantom is chasing a survivor:
- Activate Haywire to make phantom faster
- Builds Containment rapidly
Survivors on generators:
- Phantom detects survivor on gen
- Activate Haywire
- Phantom interrupts repair and builds Containment
Multiple survivors together:
- Phantom chasing a group
- Activate Haywire
- Builds Containment on everyone nearby
High-priority targets:
- Survivor already at Level 2 Containment
- Activate Haywire
- Push them to Level 3 (Exposed)
Haywire Tips
Don’t waste Haywire:
- Haywire has 20-second cooldown
- Only activate when phantom is actively chasing
- Don’t activate randomly
Combine with your chase:
- Phantom Haywire chases survivor
- You chase same survivor
- They’re pressured from two directions
Force Reboot Station usage:
- Haywire builds Containment fast
- Forces survivors to use limited Reboot Stations
- Only 5 uses per match
Reboot Station Strategy
Reboot Stations are survivors’ counter to Containment.
How to handle Reboot Stations:
- Survivors MUST use them or stay Exposed
- Each station can only be used once (5 total)
- After 5 uses, survivors can’t remove Containment anymore
Strategy:
- Build Containment aggressively early game
- Force survivors to use Reboot Stations
- Once all 5 are used, Containment is permanent
- Survivors are stuck at whatever Containment level they have
Protecting Reboot Stations:
- Place phantoms near Reboot Stations
- When survivors try to use them, phantoms interrupt
- Makes it harder for survivors to remove Containment
Early Game Strategy
The Animatronic’s early game is about deploying phantoms.
Opening sequence:
- Identify 3 close gens - Find your 3-gen setup
- Deploy 3 phantoms - Place between the 3 gens
- Chase survivors - Herd them into phantom areas
- Build Containment - Phantoms + your Terror Radius
- Trigger Haywire - Make phantoms aggressive
Goal: Get phantoms deployed and build Containment on everyone within 2-3 minutes.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where The Animatronic dominates with Containment.
Phantom network:
- All 3 phantoms should be active
- Replace destroyed phantoms immediately
Containment pressure:
- Multiple survivors at Level 2-3 Containment
- Some survivors are Exposed
- Easy one-hit downs
Haywire spam:
- Trigger Haywire frequently
- Build Containment on everyone
- Force Reboot Station usage
Reboot Station exhaustion:
- Survivors have used 3-4 Reboot Stations
- Only 1-2 left
- Survivors can’t remove Containment much longer
Endgame Strategy
The Animatronic is VERY strong endgame with Containment.
Permanent Containment:
- If all 5 Reboot Stations are used, Containment is permanent
- Survivors stuck at high Containment levels
- Multiple Exposed survivors
Phantoms at exit gates:
- Place phantoms at exit gates
- Build Containment on survivors opening gates
One-hit downs endgame:
- Survivors at Level 3 are Exposed
- Easy one-hit downs at gates
Best Perks for The Animatronic
The Animatronic wants perks that capitalize on Containment and phantoms.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. The Animatronic applies pressure with phantoms, so Ruin gets value.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to deploy phantoms.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time.
Make Your Choice - Survivors who unhook others become Exposed for 60 seconds if you’re 32+ meters away. Pairs with Containment for multiple Exposed survivors.
Strong Perks
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Reliable slowdown.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you who to build Containment on next.
Surveillance - Regressing gens are highlighted. Pairs well with phantom patrol areas.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find them and deploy phantoms near them.
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for The Animatronic):
- Hex: Ruin
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Make Your Choice
Exposed Build:
- Make Your Choice
- Hex: Ruin
- Barbecue & Chili
- Surveillance
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Barbecue & Chili
- Lethal Pursuer
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
The Animatronic’s add-ons modify phantoms, Containment buildup, and Haywire.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Remnant (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Survivors at Level 3 Containment scream and reveal their location periodically. Always know where Exposed survivors are. VERY strong.
Corrupted Circuit Board (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Containment buildup rate. Survivors reach Level 3 much faster.
Haywire Chip (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Haywire duration (from 8 seconds to ~12 seconds). Phantoms stay aggressive longer.
Strong Add-Ons
Phantom Endoskeleton (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Containment buildup rate. Budget version of Corrupted Circuit Board.
Glitched Voice Box (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases phantom detection range. Phantoms detect survivors from farther away.
Springlock Mechanism (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Containment buildup rate.
Rusty Animatronic Parts (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases phantom movement speed.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Broken Audio Lure - Slightly reduces phantom detection range. You WANT more detection, not less. Avoid.
Sample Add-On Combos
Fast Containment Build: Corrupted Circuit Board + Phantom Endoskeleton (extremely fast Containment buildup)
Haywire Build: Haywire Chip + Glitched Voice Box (long Haywire + long detection)
Tracking Build: Iridescent Remnant + Corrupted Circuit Board (reveal Exposed survivors + fast Containment)
Budget Build: Phantom Endoskeleton + Glitched Voice Box (decent buildup + decent detection)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make The Animatronic work harder.
They use Reboot Stations efficiently: Survivors coordinate Reboot Station usage. Counter by building Containment aggressively to force multiple uses.
They stun phantoms: Survivors stun phantoms with pallets. Counter by deploying phantoms in areas with fewer pallets.
They avoid phantom areas: Survivors stay away from phantoms. Counter by placing phantoms at gens they MUST repair.
They split on gens: The Animatronic has decent coverage with phantoms. Keep all 3 phantoms active.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate Reboot Station usage. Counter by building Containment faster with Haywire.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not deploying enough phantoms: Deploy all 3 phantoms. More phantoms = more Containment.
Placing phantoms in bad locations: Place at gens, loops, hooks. Not randomly.
Not triggering Haywire: Haywire builds Containment fast. Use it frequently.
Ignoring Containment levels: Check who has high Containment. Target them for easy downs.
Letting phantoms get stunned repeatedly: If phantoms are getting stunned constantly, reposition them.
Not protecting Reboot Stations: Place phantoms near Reboot Stations to interrupt survivors.
Chasing survivors away from phantoms: Herd survivors TOWARD phantom areas, not away.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for The Animatronic. Tight corridors make phantom patrols deadly. Survivors can’t avoid phantoms easily.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for The Animatronic. Phantoms patrol effectively. Containment builds on survivors doing gens.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for The Animatronic. Huge maps mean phantoms cover less area. Focus on 3-gen setups.
Small Maps - ANY small map is strong for The Animatronic. Less space = easier phantom coverage.
Why Play The Animatronic?
Pros:
- Phantoms provide passive pressure (AI assistants)
- Containment eventually Exposes survivors
- Haywire makes phantoms aggressive
- Iconic FNAF character
- Strong with 3-gen setups
- Reboot Stations are limited (only 5 uses)
Cons:
- Phantoms can be stunned/blinded
- Requires good phantom placement
- Containment takes time to build
- Survivors can remove Containment (until Reboot Stations run out)
- AI phantoms can be unpredictable
Advanced Tips
Deploy phantoms at gens: Always place phantoms at gens. Survivors must go there.
Haywire spam: Trigger Haywire whenever phantoms are chasing. Builds Containment fast.
Target Level 2 Containment survivors: They’re one level away from Exposed. Focus them.
Protect Reboot Stations: Place phantoms near stations. Interrupt survivors trying to use them.
Iridescent Remnant tracking: With Iridescent Remnant, Exposed survivors scream and reveal location. Always know where they are.
Corrupted Circuit Board speed: With Corrupted Circuit Board, Containment builds VERY fast. Multiple Exposed survivors per match.
3-gen from start: Identify 3-gen early. Place all phantoms between them.
Haywire + chase combo: Haywire phantom chases survivor, you chase same survivor. Double pressure.
Exhaust Reboot Stations: Force survivors to use all 5 Reboot Stations early. Then Containment is permanent.
Learning Curve and Practice
The Animatronic has a moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning phantom placement. Understanding Containment. Triggering Haywire.
Hours 10-30: Phantom placement improving. Building Containment effectively. Winning matches.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with The Animatronic. Containment pressure is strong. Dominating matches.
Hours 60+: Animatronic main. Perfect phantom placement. Unstoppable Containment.
Practice tips:
- Place phantoms at strategic locations (gens, loops)
- Trigger Haywire frequently (builds Containment fast)
- Target survivors with high Containment levels
- Learn 3-gen setups for maximum phantom coverage
- Watch FNAF streamers
Final Thoughts
The Animatronic (Springtrap/William Afton) is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique killers with his phantom animatronics and Containment system. He rewards strategic phantom placement, Containment management, and capitalizing on Exposed survivors.
The Animatronic dominates with phantom pressure and Containment buildup. Master phantom placement, trigger Haywire aggressively, and embrace the haunted animatronic terror.
Practice your phantom deployment, build Containment relentlessly, and dominate with FNAF horror.
Good luck, and may your phantoms always hunt their prey.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025