The Hillbilly is one of Dead by Daylight’s most iconic killers. He’s fast, he’s deadly, and his chainsaw can instantly down survivors across the map. Billy has been a top-tier killer since the game’s launch, and mastering him is one of the most rewarding experiences in DBD.
He has a high skill ceiling - learning to curve around obstacles, predict survivor movements, and use your chainsaw effectively takes practice. But once you get good with Billy, you’ll understand why he’s considered one of the best-designed killers in the game.
The Hillbilly’s Power: The Chainsaw
Ability: The Hillbilly wields a chainsaw that can sprint across the map and instantly down survivors.
How it works:
- Hold M2 to rev the chainsaw (takes about 1 second)
- Release M2 to sprint forward at high speed
- Hitting a survivor with the chainsaw instantly downs them (regardless of health state)
- Hitting an object (wall, tree, pallet) stuns you briefly and ends the sprint
- No cooldown between chainsaw uses (but overheating exists - explained below)
The goal: Use the chainsaw to traverse the map quickly, pressure gens, and instantly down survivors. Hillbilly excels at map pressure and ending chases fast.
Basic Chainsaw Mechanics
Understanding how the chainsaw works is critical to playing Billy well.
Chainsaw Sprint
When you sprint with the chainsaw:
- You move at 230% speed (extremely fast)
- You can turn while sprinting, but turning is limited
- Hitting a survivor instantly downs them
- Hitting an object stuns you for about 2 seconds
- You can sprint indefinitely until you hit something or cancel
Key detail: You can’t attack with M1 while holding the chainsaw. You must either chainsaw or cancel and M1.
Overheat Mechanic
Hillbilly’s chainsaw has an overheat meter. If you rev the chainsaw too long without using it, the chainsaw overheats and you can’t use it for several seconds.
How overheat works:
- The chainsaw heats up when you rev it
- The chainsaw heats up (slower) when you sprint with it
- If the meter fills completely, the chainsaw overheats and locks for 5 seconds
- The chainsaw cools down when you’re not using it
How to avoid overheat:
- Don’t rev the chainsaw for extended periods without committing
- Don’t feather the chainsaw (repeatedly tapping M2) - this builds heat fast
- Use your chainsaw decisively - commit to sprints instead of hesitating
Reality: Overheat rarely matters in normal gameplay. It mainly punishes facecamping with the chainsaw or excessive revving. Play normally and you’ll almost never overheat.
Chainsaw Collision
The chainsaw stuns you if you hit objects. Learning what you can and can’t chainsaw through is essential.
You collide with:
- Walls
- Trees
- Rocks
- Pallets (dropped or standing)
- Breakable walls
- Most solid objects
You can chainsaw through:
- Corn stalks
- Tall grass
- Bamboo
- Fog
Tip: On Coldwind Farm (corn maps), you can chainsaw through corn without collision. This makes Billy extremely strong on those maps.
Chainsaw Techniques
Billy has several advanced techniques that separate good players from great ones.
1. Backrev
What it is: Revving the chainsaw BEFORE you’re close to a survivor, then sprinting into them when they’re locked in an animation (vaulting, dropping a pallet, etc.).
How to do it:
- Survivor is running toward a window or pallet
- Start revving your chainsaw early (while they’re still running)
- As they vault/drop the pallet, your chainsaw finishes revving
- Sprint forward and hit them mid-animation
Why it works: Survivors are locked in animations and can’t dodge. You get a guaranteed chainsaw down.
When to use it: At pallets, windows, and when survivors are locked in animations.
2. Curve Billy
What it is: Curving your chainsaw sprint around obstacles to hit survivors who think they’re safe behind cover.
How to do it:
- Survivor is running around a short loop (jungle gym, LT-wall, etc.)
- Rev your chainsaw while following them
- As you sprint, turn sharply around the obstacle
- Hit the survivor on the other side
Why it works: Survivors expect you to bump into the wall. Curving lets you cut them off and land chainsaws where they think they’re safe.
How to practice: Go into custom matches and practice curving around jungle gyms, shack, and LT-walls. It takes time to learn the angles, but it’s essential for high-level Billy play.
Advanced tip: You can curve almost 90 degrees if you start wide and cut in sharply.
3. Drift Billy
What it is: Flicking your camera sharply mid-sprint to change direction quickly.
How to do it:
- Sprint forward
- Flick your camera left or right
- Your sprint direction changes instantly
Why it works: Lets you react to survivors juking or dodging. You can adjust mid-sprint to hit survivors who try to sidestep.
When to use it: When survivors juke at the last second or when you need to adjust your angle mid-sprint.
4. Feathering (Advanced)
What it is: Tapping M2 repeatedly to rev the chainsaw in short bursts, keeping it partially charged.
Why it’s risky: Feathering builds overheat fast. Use it sparingly.
When to use it: When you’re RIGHT behind a survivor and need to chainsaw instantly. Feathering keeps the chainsaw almost fully revved so you can sprint immediately when they commit to a vault or pallet.
Warning: Overuse causes overheat. Only feather when you’re confident you’ll get the down.
5. Insta-Saw (with Add-Ons)
With certain add-ons (Tuned Carburetor, Primer Bulb), you can rev the chainsaw almost instantly. This makes backrevs and close-range chainsaws much easier.
More on this in the Add-Ons section below.
Early Game Strategy
Hillbilly’s early game is all about using his mobility to find survivors fast and apply pressure.
Opening sequence:
- Chainsaw to the center of the map - Don’t walk. Sprint with the chainsaw to cover ground quickly.
- Check 3-4 gens rapidly - Chainsaw between gens, look for survivors
- Get your first chainsaw down - Land a backrev or curve on the first survivor you find
- Hook and patrol - Chainsaw to nearby gens, apply pressure
Key concept: Billy is one of the fastest killers in the game. Use that speed to find survivors before gens start popping.
Common mistake: Walking instead of chainsawing. You should be sprinting with the chainsaw constantly to patrol. Walking wastes your mobility.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Billy dominates. You’re landing chainsaws, hooking survivors, and pressuring multiple gens at once.
Chainsaw between chases: After hooking someone, chainsaw to the next gen with survivors on it. You can cross the map in 5-10 seconds.
Backrev at loops: When survivors run to pallets or windows, backrev them. Good Billy players rarely chase normally - they force survivors into positions where chainsaws are guaranteed.
Curve at short loops: Jungle gyms, LT-walls, and short loops become free downs if you can curve. Practice this and survivors can’t loop you.
Don’t overcommit to long chases: If someone’s looping you at a super safe structure (shack with pallet up, main building), chainsaw to another gen and pressure someone else.
Snowball potential: Billy’s instant downs let you snowball fast. If multiple survivors are injured and together, you can chainsaw multiple downs in quick succession.
Endgame Strategy
Billy is extremely strong endgame because of his mobility and instant downs.
Chainsaw between exit gates: You can patrol both gates in seconds. Survivors can’t open gates without you knowing.
Insta-down injured survivors: One chainsaw and they’re down. No second chance.
Bodyblock gates with chainsaw: Rev your chainsaw in front of someone opening a gate. They have to commit or leave.
NOED synergy: If you run NOED (controversial but effective), Billy becomes unstoppable endgame. Chainsaw OR M1 = instant down.
Best Perks for Hillbilly
Billy wants perks that help him find survivors, maintain pressure, and capitalize on his speed.
Top Tier Perks
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Lets you chainsaw directly to survivors and get your first down fast. Perfect for Billy’s early game.
Enduring - Reduces pallet stun time by 75%. Makes Billy nearly immune to pallets. You can backrev through pallets and if they stun you, you recover almost instantly. One of Billy’s best perks.
Lightborn - Immune to flashlight blinds. Billy is vulnerable to flashlight saves while picking up survivors. Lightborn completely counters this. Highly recommended if you see multiple flashlights in the lobby.
Tinkerer - Get alerted when a gen hits 70% progress and become Undetectable. Lets you chainsaw across the map and surprise survivors. Great for Billy’s mobility.
Strong Perks
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Tells you exactly where to chainsaw next. Perfect for Billy’s playstyle.
Eruption - Kick a gen, then down a survivor. The kicked gen explodes and regresses. Good for passive gen pressure.
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Pairs well with Billy’s mobility - hook someone, chainsaw to a gen, Pop it, move on.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Forces survivors toward you early game. Helps Billy get his first down before gens pop.
Shadowborn - Increases FOV. Makes it easier to see survivors during chainsaw sprints and curves. Many Billy players swear by this for better visibility.
Sample Builds
Aura Reading Build (Best for Billy):
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
- Tinkerer
- Shadowborn
Anti-Loop Build:
- Enduring
- Lightborn
- Brutal Strength
- Bamboozle
Slowdown Build:
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Tinkerer
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
Beginner Build:
- Lethal Pursuer
- Enduring
- Lightborn
- Shadowborn
Best Add-Ons
Billy’s add-ons range from game-changing to useless. Here are the best:
Top Tier Add-Ons
Engravings (Purple/Pink) - Increase chainsaw sprint speed. Makes you even faster, making it easier to catch survivors and land chainsaws. Iridescent Brick (Pink) is the best version.
Tuned Carburetor (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Reduces chainsaw charge time by 18%. Lets you backrev almost instantly. One of Billy’s best add-ons.
Apex Muffler (Purple - Very Rare) - Reduces chainsaw noise significantly. Survivors don’t hear you revving from far away. Great for surprise chainsaws.
Doom Engravings (Green - Rare) - Increases sprint speed by 12% but increases charge time. Still strong because the speed boost is massive.
Primer Bulb (Green - Rare) - Reduces charge time by 18%. Makes backrevs easier and faster.
Strong Add-Ons
LoPro Chains (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Chainsaws no longer instantly down, but hitting objects doesn’t stun you. VERY situational. Most Billy players avoid this because losing instant downs is a huge nerf.
Dad’s Boots (Green - Rare) - Reduces chainsaw terror radius. Survivors don’t hear you coming until you’re close. Good for stealth chainsaws.
Black Grease (Yellow - Uncommon) - Reduces charge time by 8%. Cheap and effective.
Speed Limiter (Yellow - Uncommon) - Chainsaws only injure instead of downing, but you get 100% more bloodpoints. Only use this for farming or challenges. Never in serious matches.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Carburetor Tuning Guide - Slightly increases sprint speed. Effect is too minor to notice.
Vegetable Oil - Slightly reduces chainsaw noise. Effect is too small.
Award-Winning Chili - Slightly reduces charge time. Better options exist.
Sample Add-On Combos
Speed Build: Iridescent Brick + Doom Engravings (insane sprint speed)
Insta-Saw Build: Tuned Carburetor + Primer Bulb (instant chainsaw charges)
Stealth Build: Apex Muffler + Dad’s Boots (silent chainsaw)
Beginner Build: Primer Bulb + Black Grease (faster charges, easier backrevs)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Billy work harder, but he’s still strong with the right adjustments.
They predrop pallets: Good. Break the pallet and continue chasing. Billy breaks pallets with M1 just like any killer. Predropping means they’re wasting resources.
They hug corners and walls: This makes curving harder. Be patient, force them into the open, then chainsaw.
They use flashlight saves: Run Lightborn. Problem solved.
They split on gens: Chainsaw between gens and interrupt them. Billy’s mobility counters gen splitting.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them call out your position and coordinate. Counter by being unpredictable and landing chainsaws fast before they can coordinate saves.
They use exhaustion perks: Sprint Burst, Lithe, Balanced Landing all let survivors create distance. Bait out their exhaustion perk, then chainsaw them when it’s on cooldown.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chainsawing in the open without a plan: Don’t just sprint at survivors in open areas. They’ll sidestep and you’ll miss. Set up backrevs and curves instead.
Bumping into objects constantly: Learn the maps. Know where you can and can’t chainsaw. Bumping wastes time.
Overheating: Don’t rev the chainsaw for 10 seconds without committing. Rev, sprint, or cancel. Don’t hesitate.
Not using M1: Billy has a basic attack too. If a survivor is right next to you with no time to chainsaw, just M1 them.
Camping hooks with chainsaw: You’re wasting Billy’s mobility. Hook someone, chainsaw to another gen, apply pressure.
Chainsawing at strong loops without angles: Don’t chainsaw at shack when the pallet is up. You’ll bump and get stunned. Wait for them to drop the pallet, break it, then backrev them later.
Giving up on chainsaw downs: New Billy players give up on chainsaws and just M1. Keep practicing chainsaws. They’re what make Billy strong.
Map-Specific Tips
Coldwind Farm (Corn Maps) - Billy’s BEST maps. Chainsaw through corn without collision. Survivors can’t see you coming. Abuse this.
MacMillan Estate - Solid for Billy. Open areas, few obstacles. Easy chainsaws.
Autohaven Wreckers - Decent for Billy. Lots of cars and debris, but still plenty of open areas.
Red Forest (Mother’s Dwelling) - Huge map, rough for Billy. Trees everywhere. Chainsaw for mobility but expect to M1 more.
The Game (Saw Map) - Bad for Billy. Indoor, tight corridors, lots of collision. Use M1 more than chainsaw.
Midwich Elementary - Mixed. Long hallways are great for chainsaw sprints. Classrooms have lots of collision.
Lery’s Memorial Institute - Bad for Billy. Tight corridors, tons of collision. Indoor maps in general are rough for chainsaw killers.
Swamp Maps - Decent for Billy. Open areas but lots of clutter. Trees and stumps cause collision.
Advanced Tips
Chainsaw for mobility, not just downs: Even if you don’t land a chainsaw hit, using it to traverse the map is worth it. Billy’s mobility is his greatest strength.
Bait Dead Hard: When chasing an injured survivor, fake a chainsaw rev. If they Dead Hard, wait it out, then chainsaw them after.
Chainsaw through windows: You can chainsaw through windows on vaults. If a survivor is vaulting, backrev and chainsaw them mid-vault.
Flick to hit 360s: Survivors will try to 360 (spin around you). Flick your camera to track them mid-sprint.
Use chainsaw sounds to mindgame: Rev the chainsaw at a loop, then cancel and M1. Survivors expect you to commit and will make mistakes.
Chainsaw over hills and ramps: You can chainsaw over small elevation changes. Practice this for better mobility on uneven terrain.
Why Play Hillbilly?
Pros:
- Extremely high mobility
- Instant down potential
- No cooldown on power (unlike Nurse, Blight)
- High skill ceiling - always room to improve
- Fun and satisfying when you land chainsaws
- Strong on most maps
- Great for learning map pressure
Cons:
- High skill floor - hard for new players
- Weak on indoor maps
- Collision can be frustrating
- Survivors can dodge chainsaws in open areas
- Requires good map knowledge
- Vulnerable to flashlight saves (unless running Lightborn)
Final Thoughts
Hillbilly is one of the most rewarding killers in Dead by Daylight. He has a steep learning curve, but once you master backrevs and curves, you’ll dominate matches and feel unstoppable.
Don’t get discouraged if you bump into walls constantly at first. Everyone does. Focus on learning one technique at a time - start with backrevs at pallets, then move on to curves, then drifts. Over time, you’ll develop muscle memory and chainsaws will become second nature.
Billy teaches you map pressure, prediction, and precision. Master him, and you’ll understand what it means to be a truly oppressive killer.
Good luck, and may your chainsaws always find their mark.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025