The Demogorgon is Dead by Daylight’s Stranger Things killer who creates portals to travel across the map and uses powerful Shred attacks to damage survivors. It places portals around the map, teleports between them, and becomes Undetectable when emerging. The Demogorgon excels at map pressure, anti-loop with Shred, and stealth plays from portals.
Demogorgon rewards strategic portal placement, Shred timing, and capitalizing on Undetectable. Let’s break down how to master it.
The Demogorgon’s Power: Of the Abyss
Ability: The Demogorgon can place portals around the map, teleport between them, and use Shred attacks.
Portal Placement (M2)
How it works:
- Press M2 to place a portal at your current location
- Portals appear as Upside Down rifts in the ground
- You can place up to 6 portals maximum
- Placing a 7th portal destroys the oldest portal
- Portals last indefinitely
Portal details:
- Portals are visible to survivors (they glow and make noise)
- Survivors can seal portals by interacting with them (takes 12 seconds)
- Sealed portals cannot be used for teleportation
- You can break seal by interacting with sealed portals (takes 1.5 seconds)
Key concept: Portals are your teleportation network. Place them strategically.
Portal Teleportation (M2 near portal)
How it works:
- Approach any portal and press M2 to enter it
- While in the portal, you see all other portals on the map
- Select a destination portal
- Teleport to that portal (takes ~2 seconds)
- You emerge from the destination portal
Teleportation effects:
- You become Undetectable for 3 seconds after emerging (no Terror Radius, no red stain)
- Survivors within 8 meters of the destination portal scream and reveal their location
- Teleporting makes a loud roaring sound
Key concept: Teleport between portals for map pressure and Undetectable stealth.
Shred Attack (Hold M2)
How it works:
- Hold M2 to charge a Shred attack
- Charging takes ~1 second
- Release M2 to lunge forward
- Lunge distance: ~10 meters
- Hitting a survivor damages them (injures or downs)
- Shred can break pallets
Shred details:
- You move at increased speed during Shred
- You can turn slightly during Shred (limited steering)
- Hitting survivors with Shred damages them
- Missing has a brief cooldown
Key concept: Shred is your anti-loop tool. Use it at pallets and loops to damage survivors.
Playing Demogorgon: The Strategy
Demogorgon’s gameplay loop is:
- Place portals around key locations (gens, loops, hooks)
- Chase survivors normally
- Use Shred at loops to damage them
- Teleport through portals for map pressure
- Emerge Undetectable and surprise survivors
- Repeat
Key concept: You’re building a portal network and using Shred for anti-loop.
Portal Placement Strategy
Portal placement is critical for Demogorgon.
Where to Place Portals
1. Near generators with progress:
- Place portals near gens at 50%+
- Teleport to them to interrupt repairs
2. At strong loops:
- Shack, main buildings, jungle gyms
- Teleport there during chases
- Cut off survivors at strong loops
3. Near hooks:
- Place portals near hooks
- Teleport back for unhook attempts
- Emerge Undetectable for surprise hits
4. Central locations:
- Center of the map
- Easy to reach all areas from central portals
5. Between generators:
- Pathways connecting multiple gens
- Fast travel between gen clusters
Where NOT to Place Portals
Dead zones:
- Corners of the map with no objectives
- Wasted portal slots
Too close together:
- Spread portals out for better coverage
- Don’t cluster them in one area
In the open where survivors easily seal them:
- Portals in wide open areas get sealed quickly
- Place in hidden or protected spots when possible
Shred Attack Strategy
Shred is Demogorgon’s anti-loop tool.
When to Use Shred
At pallets:
- Survivors at dropped pallets
- Shred BREAKS the pallet and hits survivor
- This is Shred’s primary use
At windows:
- Survivors vaulting windows
- Shred lunges forward to hit them mid-vault
In the open:
- Survivors running in straight lines
- Shred closes distance quickly
At short loops:
- Jungle gyms, LT-walls
- Shred around loops to hit survivors
Shred Tips
Charge while approaching pallets:
- Start charging Shred as you approach a pallet
- Release when survivor drops pallet
- Breaks pallet and hits survivor in one action
Predict survivor movement:
- Survivors will juke left/right
- Aim Shred where they’ll be, not where they are
Don’t over-commit:
- Missing Shred has a cooldown
- Only Shred when confident
Practice steering:
- You can turn slightly during Shred
- Practice steering to hit survivors who juke
Portal Teleportation Strategy
Portal teleportation is your map pressure.
When to Teleport
To pressure distant gens:
- Teleport to portals near gens with progress
- Interrupt repairs
After hooking:
- Hook someone
- Teleport to opposite side of map
- Pressure distant gens
During chases:
- Survivor runs to a strong loop
- Teleport to a portal near that loop
- Emerge Undetectable and surprise them
To check portals:
- Portals reveal survivors within 8 meters when you teleport
- Use teleportation to scout areas
Undetectable Plays
Emerging from portals:
- You’re Undetectable for 3 seconds after emerging
- No Terror Radius, no red stain
- Sneak up on survivors
Surprise hits:
- Teleport to portals near survivors
- Emerge Undetectable
- Get free hits before they hear you
Hook camping alternative:
- Place portal near hook
- Patrol away
- Teleport back when someone goes for unhook
- Emerge Undetectable for surprise hits
Early Game Strategy
Demogorgon’s early game is about placing portals.
Opening sequence:
- Place 5-6 portals around the map
- Focus on gens - Place portals near gens with progress
- Find survivors - Patrol and use Shred in chases
- Teleport - Start using portals for pressure
Goal: Get a full portal network established within 2-3 minutes.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Demogorgon dominates with portals and Shred.
Portal network:
- All 6 portals should be active
- Replace sealed portals when needed
Teleportation pressure:
- Teleport frequently between portals
- Keep pressure on multiple gens
Shred chases:
- Use Shred at every pallet and loop
- End chases quickly
Undetectable abuse:
- Emerge from portals Undetectable
- Get surprise hits constantly
Endgame Strategy
Demogorgon is strong endgame with portals.
Portals at exit gates:
- Place portals near exit gates
- Teleport between gates to check them
Undetectable at gates:
- Emerge from portals Undetectable
- Survivors don’t hear you coming
Shred at gates:
- Use Shred on survivors opening gates
- Quick damage
Best Perks for Demogorgon
Demogorgon wants perks that capitalize on portals and Shred.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Demogorgon applies pressure with portals, so Ruin gets value.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to place portals.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you where to teleport next.
Save the Best for Last (STBFL) - Recover faster after basic attacks. Demogorgon gets frequent hits with Shred and M1. This is Demogorgon’s teachable perk.
Strong Perks
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Demogorgon can teleport to gens.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find them and place portals near them.
Surge - When you down a survivor, nearby gens explode and regress. Pairs well with Shred downs. This is Demogorgon’s teachable perk.
Mindbreaker - Survivors repairing gens below 50% are Exhausted. Prevents Exhaustion perks. This is Demogorgon’s teachable perk.
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for Demogorgon):
- Hex: Ruin
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Save the Best for Last
Portal Pressure Build:
- Barbecue & Chili
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Save the Best for Last
- Surge
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Barbecue & Chili
- Save the Best for Last
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Demogorgon’s add-ons modify portal teleportation, Shred, and Undetectable duration.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Leprose Lichen (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Survivors who seal portals become Oblivious for 60 seconds. Punishes sealing portals. Very strong.
Red Moss (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Undetectable duration after teleporting (from 3 seconds to ~6 seconds). Much longer stealth window.
Rat Liver (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Shred movement speed. You move MUCH faster during Shred. Easier to land hits.
Strong Add-Ons
Deer Lung (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Undetectable duration. Budget version of Red Moss.
Sticky Lining (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Shred movement speed. Budget version of Rat Liver.
Barb’s Glasses (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Undetectable duration.
Rotten Pumpkin (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Shred movement speed.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Lifeguard Whistle - Slightly increases portal sealing time for survivors. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Stealth Build: Red Moss + Deer Lung (very long Undetectable duration)
Shred Build: Rat Liver + Sticky Lining (extremely fast Shred movement)
Anti-Seal Build: Leprose Lichen + Red Moss (punish sealing + long stealth)
Budget Build: Deer Lung + Sticky Lining (decent stealth + decent Shred)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Demogorgon work harder.
They seal portals: Sealed portals can’t be used for teleportation. Counter by breaking seals or placing new portals.
They predrop pallets: Good. Use Shred to break pallets and hit them simultaneously.
They avoid portal areas: Survivors stay away from portals. Counter by placing portals they MUST visit (gens, hooks).
They split on gens: Demogorgon has good mobility. Teleport between gens constantly.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate portal sealing. Counter by replacing sealed portals and teleporting frequently.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not placing enough portals: Place all 6 portals. More portals = better coverage.
Placing portals in bad locations: Place at gens, loops, hooks. Not randomly.
Not teleporting enough: Teleport constantly. It’s your map pressure.
Missing Shred attacks: Practice your aim. Only Shred when confident.
Not using Undetectable: You’re Undetectable for 3 seconds after teleporting. Use this for surprise hits.
Ignoring sealed portals: Break seals on important portals. Don’t let survivors shut down your network.
Not using Shred at pallets: Shred BREAKS pallets. Use it at every dropped pallet.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Demogorgon. Tight corridors make Shred deadly. Portals work perfectly indoors.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for Demogorgon. Shred works at loops. Portals provide good mobility.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Still good for Demogorgon. Portals cover huge maps. Other killers struggle, Demogorgon doesn’t.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Great for Demogorgon. Portals work on all floors. Teleport between levels instantly.
Why Play Demogorgon?
Pros:
- Excellent map pressure (portal teleportation)
- Strong anti-loop (Shred breaks pallets)
- Undetectable stealth (after teleporting)
- Iconic Stranger Things aesthetic
- Good on most maps
- Unique portal gameplay
Cons:
- Portals can be sealed by survivors
- Shred requires good aim
- Portal placement requires strategy
- Missing Shred is punishing
- No longer available for purchase (licensing ended)
Advanced Tips
Shred at every pallet: Breaks pallet and hits survivor. Always do this.
Place portals at gens: Portal near every gen with progress. Teleport to check them.
Undetectable abuse: Teleport, emerge Undetectable, surprise hit. Repeat constantly.
Red Moss dominance: With Red Moss, Undetectable lasts 6 seconds. Huge stealth window.
Portal mind games: Sometimes DON’T teleport when survivors expect it. Fake them out.
Rat Liver speed: With Rat Liver, Shred is EXTREMELY fast. Very easy to land hits.
Hook portals: Always place portal near hooks. Teleport back for unhooks.
STBFL stacks: Avoid hitting obsession to maintain STBFL stacks. Shred them instead.
Break sealed portals: Don’t let survivors shut down your network. Break seals on important portals.
Learning Curve and Practice
Demogorgon has a moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning portal placement. Understanding Shred timing.
Hours 10-30: Portal network improving. Landing Shreds consistently. Winning matches.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with Demogorgon. Teleporting efficiently. Dominating most matches.
Hours 60+: Demogorgon main. Perfect portal management. Unstoppable Shred pressure.
Practice tips:
- Place portals at strategic locations (gens, loops, hooks)
- Practice Shred aim (at pallets especially)
- Teleport constantly (map pressure)
- Use Undetectable for surprise hits
- Watch Demogorgon streamers (Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Demogorgon is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique and well-balanced killers. It rewards strategic portal placement, Shred timing, and capitalizing on Undetectable.
Demogorgon dominates with portal mobility and anti-loop Shred attacks. Master your portal network, land your Shreds, and embrace the Upside Down.
Practice your portals, Shred at every pallet, and dominate with the Demogorgon.
Good luck, and may your hunts be successful.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025