The Hag is Dead by Daylight’s trap-based killer who places Phantasm Traps around the map and teleports to them when survivors trigger them. She excels at controlling territory, defending hooks, and punishing survivors who wander into her web of traps. The Hag rewards strategic trap placement, map control, and capitalizing on survivors’ mistakes.
Hag has one of the highest skill ceilings in DBD but becomes nearly unstoppable when mastered. Let’s break down how to dominate with her.
The Hag’s Power: Blackened Catalyst
Ability: The Hag places Phantasm Traps on the ground. When survivors trigger them, she can teleport to that trap.
Trap Mechanics (M2)
How traps work:
- Press M2 to place a trap at your feet
- Traps are mud sigils drawn on the ground
- You have 10 traps maximum
- When a survivor walks/runs over a trap, it triggers
- A Phantasm (illusion) of the Hag appears at the trap
- You can press M2 to teleport to the triggered trap
Trap details:
- Traps last indefinitely (don’t expire)
- Survivors see traps if they’re looking down
- Flashlights can destroy traps
- Traps have a ~4-meter trigger radius
- Crouching survivors do NOT trigger traps
Teleportation:
- When a trap triggers, you have ~5 seconds to teleport
- Press M2 to teleport to the Phantasm
- You appear where the trap was placed
- Brief cooldown between teleports (~5 seconds)
Key concept: You create a web of traps. Survivors trigger them, you teleport and attack.
Movement Speed
Hag is a 110% movement speed killer (4.4 m/s). This makes her SLOWER than standard 115% killers.
What this means:
- You CANNOT chase survivors normally without traps
- You MUST set up trap webs to be effective
- Holding W in a straight line is strong against Hag
- You need to play DEFENSIVELY around your trap web
Trap Placement Strategy
Trap placement is THE MOST IMPORTANT skill for Hag.
Where to Place Traps
1. Around hooks:
- Place 3-4 traps in a web around hooked survivors
- Triangle pattern works well (one in front, two on sides)
- Survivors MUST walk through traps to unhook
- You teleport and hit them
This is Hag’s signature strategy - hook defense with traps.
2. At loops and pallets:
- Place traps at jungle gyms, LT-walls, and pallets
- When survivors loop you, they trigger traps
- You teleport and hit them mid-loop
3. Between gens:
- Place traps on pathways between nearby gens
- Survivors traveling between gens trigger traps
- You know where they are and can teleport
4. At vault locations:
- Place traps on the landing side of windows
- Survivors vault, trigger trap, you teleport and hit them
5. In tall grass/corn:
- Traps are VERY hard to see in grass
- Survivors walk over them unknowingly
- Easy teleports and hits
Where NOT to Place Traps
Open areas survivors can avoid:
- Don’t place traps in wide open spaces
- Survivors walk around them
Random locations far from objectives:
- Traps should control important areas
- Don’t waste traps in corners of the map
Too close together:
- One flashlight can destroy multiple traps
- Spread traps out
In obvious spots:
- Survivors expect traps directly at hook feet
- Place them slightly away from obvious locations
Playing Hag: The Strategy
Hag is NOT a chase killer. She’s a SETUP and DEFENSE killer.
The Hag Gameplan
1. Early game - Setup phase:
- Place 8-10 traps around the center of the map
- Focus on gens that are close together
- Create a “territory” of traps
2. Mid game - Defense phase:
- Patrol within your trap web
- When survivors trigger traps, teleport and attack
- Hook survivors WITHIN your trap web
- Trap around hooks
- Force survivors to come to you
3. Late game - Lockdown phase:
- 3-gen setup with traps everywhere
- Survivors can’t do gens without triggering traps
- You teleport constantly
- Nearly unbeatable if done correctly
Key concept: Hag creates a ZONE of control. Don’t chase survivors outside your zone. Make THEM come to YOU.
Teleportation Strategy
Knowing when to teleport is critical.
When to Teleport
Survivor triggers trap near a hooked survivor:
- Always teleport
- Hit the rescuer or the unhooked survivor
Survivor triggers trap at a gen:
- Teleport if the gen is important
- Interrupt their progress
Survivor triggers trap during a chase:
- Teleport if you’re not making progress in current chase
- Switch targets efficiently
Multiple traps trigger in quick succession:
- Teleport to the most important one
- Survivors are splitting your attention
When NOT to Teleport
You’re about to hit a survivor:
- Don’t teleport if you’re about to down someone
- Finish your current chase first
Trap triggered far outside your web:
- Don’t teleport to traps outside your territory
- You’ll waste time traveling back
Survivor triggered trap on purpose to waste your time:
- Some survivors bait teleports
- Don’t fall for it if you’re busy
Hook Defense Strategy
Hag is THE BEST hook defender in the game.
How to trap hooks:
- Hook a survivor
- Place 3-4 traps around the hook
- Patrol nearby (within ~20 meters)
- Wait for unhook attempt
- Trap triggers, teleport, hit rescuer or unhooked survivor
Triangle trap pattern:
- One trap in front of hook
- One trap to the left
- One trap to the right
- Survivors MUST trigger at least one trap to unhook
Advanced pattern:
- Place traps 4-5 meters away from hook (not right at hook feet)
- Survivors trigger them while approaching
- You teleport before they even unhook
Why Hag hook defense is strong:
- Survivors can’t unhook safely
- You’re not camping (you’re patrolling nearby)
- You teleport instantly when they try to save
- Forces survivors to bring flashlights or coordinate
3-Gen Strategy
Hag is one of the BEST killers for 3-gen setups.
What is 3-genning:
- Identify 3 generators close together
- Trap between all 3 gens heavily
- Force survivors to complete these 3 gens last
- Defend them with traps and teleportation
- Survivors can’t complete gens without triggering traps
How to 3-gen with Hag:
- Early game, identify 3 close gens
- Place 8-10 traps between them
- Don’t chase survivors far from your 3-gen
- Hook survivors NEAR your 3-gen
- Late game, patrol between the 3 gens
- Survivors trigger traps constantly
- You teleport and interrupt gens
- Nearly impossible for survivors to break
This is Hag’s strongest strategy - 3-gen lockdown.
Early Game Strategy
Hag’s early game is about setting up traps.
Opening sequence:
- Find 3 close gens - Identify your territory
- Place 8-10 traps - Create a trap web around these gens
- Patrol within your web - Don’t chase outside your territory
- Wait for trap triggers - Survivors eventually enter your web
- Teleport and hit - Capitalize on triggers
Goal: Establish your territory within the first 2-3 minutes. Don’t chase randomly.
Common mistake: Chasing survivors across the map. Hag is 110% speed - you can’t catch survivors in the open. TRAP and DEFEND.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Hag dominates.
Trap web maintenance:
- If survivors destroy traps, replace them
- Always have 8-10 active traps
- Keep your web intact
Hook defense:
- Hook survivors WITHIN your trap web
- Trap around hooks
- Teleport to hit rescuers
Teleport efficiency:
- Teleport to important traps (hooks, key gens)
- Don’t teleport to every trap
- Prioritize strategically
3-gen setup:
- Identify which 3 gens survivors struggle with
- Reinforce those gens with more traps
- Lock down the 3-gen
Endgame Strategy
Hag is VERY strong endgame if you’ve set up correctly.
3-gen lockdown:
- If you have a 3-gen setup, survivors can’t complete gens
- They trigger traps constantly
- You teleport and interrupt
- Nearly unbeatable
Traps at exit gates:
- Place traps at both exit gates
- Survivors trigger them while opening gates
- Teleport and hit them
Hook defense endgame:
- If someone’s hooked and gates are powered, trap the hook
- Survivors MUST save
- You teleport and down them
Best Perks for Hag
Hag wants perks that help her defend territory and capitalize on traps.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Hag defends a small territory, so Ruin forces survivors to stay on gens (where your traps are).
Hex: Undying - Transfers Ruin to another totem when cleansed. Makes Ruin last longer.
Make Your Choice - Survivors who unhook others become Exposed for 60 seconds if you’re 32+ meters away. Pairs PERFECTLY with Hag’s hook defense. Teleport, hit the Exposed rescuer for an instant down. This is Hag’s teachable perk.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Forces survivors into your trap web early.
Strong Perks
Monitor & Abuse - Reduces Terror Radius outside of chases. Hag’s Terror Radius is already small. M&A makes it smaller. Survivors don’t hear you coming.
Hex: Devour Hope - Gain tokens for hooks away from survivors. At 3 tokens, survivors are Exposed. At 5 tokens, you can Mori. Pairs with Hag’s playstyle (hook, trap, leave, teleport back).
Sloppy Butcher - Survivors heal slower. Keeps them injured, making teleport hits more lethal.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time to reinforce your trap web.
Franklin’s Demise - Survivors drop items when hit. Counters flashlights (which destroy traps). Strong on Hag.
Sample Builds
3-Gen Build (Best for Hag):
- Hex: Ruin
- Hex: Undying
- Make Your Choice
- Corrupt Intervention
Hook Defense Build:
- Make Your Choice
- Monitor & Abuse
- Hex: Devour Hope
- Franklin’s Demise
Slowdown Build:
- Hex: Ruin
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Sloppy Butcher
Beginner Build:
- Make Your Choice
- Corrupt Intervention
- Sloppy Butcher
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Hag’s add-ons modify her trap behavior, teleportation, and effects.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Mint Rag (Pink - Ultra Rare) - You can teleport to traps WITHOUT them being triggered. You can teleport at will to ANY trap. EXTREMELY strong for map pressure.
Rusty Shackles (Purple - Very Rare) - Phantasms and teleportation are SILENT (no terror radius during teleport). Survivors don’t know you’re coming. VERY strong for surprise hits.
Waterlogged Shoe (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases movement speed (from 110% to ~115%). You move at normal killer speed. Easier chases.
Scarred Hand (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Traps are no longer triggered when survivors walk over them, BUT you can manually trigger them by pressing M2. Survivors don’t know when traps will activate. Very strong for mind games.
Strong Add-Ons
Dried Cicada (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases trap trigger range. Larger trigger radius = easier triggers.
Cracked Turtle Egg (Green - Rare) - Phantasms that spawn from traps last longer. More time to teleport.
Rope Necklet (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases trap setting speed. Place traps faster.
Bog Water (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases trap trigger range.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Half Eggshell - Slightly increases trap setting speed. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Silent Teleport Build: Rusty Shackles + Dried Cicada (silent teleports + large trigger range)
Mint Rag Build: Mint Rag + Dried Cicada (teleport at will + large trigger range)
Speed Build: Waterlogged Shoe + Dried Cicada (normal speed + large trigger range)
Mind Game Build: Scarred Hand + Rusty Shackles (manual triggers + silent teleports)
Budget Build: Dried Cicada + Cracked Turtle Egg (decent trigger range + decent teleport window)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Hag work harder.
They crouch over traps: Crouching doesn’t trigger traps. Counter by placing traps in unexpected locations where they can’t crouch easily.
They bring flashlights: Flashlights destroy traps. Counter with Franklin’s Demise or trap in tall grass (harder to see and destroy).
They trigger traps on purpose: Some survivors bait teleports to waste your time. Don’t teleport to every trigger.
They avoid your trap web: Smart survivors do gens outside your territory. Counter by identifying which gens they’re working on and expanding your web.
They 99% gens: Survivors bring gens to 99% but don’t complete them to avoid 3-gen. Counter by pressuring those gens earlier.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate flashlight trap destruction and unhooks. Counter by trapping in hidden locations and using Make Your Choice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chasing survivors across the map: Don’t chase far from your trap web. You’re 110% speed - you’ll lose.
Not trapping enough: You should have 8-10 traps placed within the first 3-4 minutes. Don’t be stingy.
Placing traps randomly: Traps should control key areas (gens, hooks, loops). Don’t place them randomly.
Teleporting to every trap: Not every trap trigger deserves a teleport. Prioritize important ones.
Not doing a 3-gen: Hag’s strongest strategy is 3-genning. Always identify your 3-gen early.
Trapping directly at hook feet: Survivors expect this. Place traps 4-5 meters away from hooks.
Not replacing destroyed traps: If survivors destroy traps, replace them immediately.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Hag. Tight corridors force survivors through traps. Hag dominates indoor maps.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Harder for Hag. Survivors can avoid traps more easily. Focus on tight 3-gen setups.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for Hag. Huge maps + 110% speed = hard to patrol. Focus on defending a small territory.
Swamp Maps - VERY strong for Hag. Tall grass hides traps perfectly. Survivors can’t see them.
Small Maps - ANY small map is strong for Hag. Less space = easier territory control.
Why Play Hag?
Pros:
- Best hook defender in the game
- Incredible 3-gen potential
- Teleportation is unique and satisfying
- Strong when set up correctly
- Rewards strategic thinking
- Nearly unbeatable in late game with good setup
Cons:
- 110% movement speed (slow)
- VERY weak without traps
- Requires good trap placement (high skill floor)
- Countered by flashlights
- Crouching survivors don’t trigger traps
- Defensive playstyle (some find it boring)
- Takes time to set up
Advanced Tips
Triangle trap patterns: Place 3 traps in a triangle around objectives. Survivors trigger at least one.
Trap at window landings: Place traps where survivors land after vaulting. They can’t avoid triggering.
Tall grass traps: Traps in grass are nearly invisible. Abuse this.
Make Your Choice timing: Hook someone, walk 32+ meters away, wait for unhook, teleport back, hit Exposed rescuer.
3-gen from the start: Identify your 3-gen in the first minute. Set up around it immediately.
Don’t chase outside your web: If a survivor leaves your territory, let them go. Defend your zone.
Trap loops aggressively: When chasing, place traps at loops. Survivors trigger them, you teleport and hit.
Fake teleports: Sometimes DON’T teleport when a trap triggers. Survivors expect it and waste time.
Mint Rag pressure: With Mint Rag, you can teleport to any trap at will. Check distant gens instantly.
Rusty Shackles stealth: Silent teleports mean survivors don’t hear you coming. Free hits.
Learning Curve and Practice
Hag has a moderate to high learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning trap placement. Understanding territory control. Struggling to chase.
Hours 10-30: Trap placement improving. Understanding 3-gen setups. Teleporting efficiently.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with Hag. 3-genning consistently. Winning most matches.
Hours 60-100: Strong Hag player. Trap webs are optimized. Dominating late game.
Hours 100+: Hag main. Nearly unbeatable in 3-gen scenarios. Perfect trap placement.
Practice tips:
- Focus on 3-gen setups (this is Hag’s strongest strategy)
- Don’t chase survivors outside your trap web
- Practice triangle trap patterns around hooks
- Watch Hag streamers (Space Coconut, Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Hag is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique and strategic killers. She rewards patience, trap placement, and defensive play. When set up correctly, Hag becomes nearly unstoppable.
Hag is NOT a chase killer. She’s a SETUP and CONTROL killer. Master trap placement, embrace the 3-gen strategy, and dominate survivors who enter your web.
Practice your trap webs, defend your territory, and become the trap master.
Good luck, and may your traps always find their prey.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025