The Houndmaster is Dead by Daylight’s newest killer who commands Snug, a loyal hound, to hunt survivors. She can send Snug to chase survivors, redirect his attacks mid-chase, and use him to search for hidden survivors. The Houndmaster excels at anti-loop, tracking, and applying pressure with two entities on the field simultaneously.
Houndmaster rewards good dog management, prediction, and understanding when to send Snug vs when to chase manually. Let’s break down how to master this unique killer.
The Houndmaster’s Power: Snug
Ability: The Houndmaster commands Snug (her dog) to chase survivors, search areas, and attack.
Basic Dog Mechanics
Snug follows you:
- Snug walks beside you by default
- He follows your movement
- He does NOT attack on his own
Commanding Snug:
- Press M2 to send Snug forward
- Snug runs in the direction you’re aiming
- He chases survivors he encounters
- He can be redirected mid-chase
Key concept: You control Snug. He’s an extension of your attacks, not an independent AI.
Chase Command (M2)
How it works:
- Press M2 to send Snug forward in a straight line
- Snug runs at high speed (~140% / 5.6 m/s)
- If Snug collides with a survivor, he grabs them
- Grabbed survivors are immobilized for ~3 seconds
- You can M1 the grabbed survivor for a hit
- After attacking (or missing), Snug returns to you
Chase mechanics:
- Snug runs in a straight line initially
- You can REDIRECT Snug mid-chase (see below)
- Snug can vault windows and pallets
- Snug ignores most obstacles
Cooldown: ~12 seconds after Snug returns
Key concept: Send Snug to chase survivors, grab them, then M1 for damage.
Redirect Command (M2 during Chase)
How it works:
- While Snug is chasing, press M2 again
- Snug changes direction toward where you’re aiming
- You can redirect Snug multiple times per chase
- Each redirect has a brief cooldown (~2 seconds)
Why redirect is strong:
- Survivors juke Snug by running unpredictably
- Redirecting lets you correct Snug’s path
- You can guide Snug around obstacles
- Essential for landing grabs at loops
Key concept: Redirecting is CRITICAL for Houndmaster. You must redirect Snug to land grabs.
Search Command (Hold M2)
How it works:
- Hold M2 to send Snug into Search Mode
- Snug sniffs the ground and searches for survivors
- If Snug detects a survivor within ~24 meters, he barks and reveals their location
- You see Killer Instinct on the survivor (heartbeat detection)
Search mechanics:
- Snug searches in a cone in front of where you aim
- Search lasts ~6 seconds
- Reveals hidden survivors
When to use Search:
- You lost a survivor and don’t know where they went
- Checking areas for hiding survivors
- Finding survivors after they break line of sight
Cooldown: ~15 seconds
Key concept: Search Mode is for TRACKING, not chasing.
Playing Houndmaster: The Loop
Houndmaster’s gameplay loop is:
- Chase survivor manually until they reach a loop
- Send Snug (press M2) to chase them
- Redirect Snug mid-chase to correct his path
- Snug grabs survivor (immobilizes them for 3 seconds)
- M1 attack the grabbed survivor
- Repeat
Key concept: You’re coordinating with Snug. Send him, redirect him, and capitalize when he grabs.
Chase Strategy
Basic Chase
Standard combo:
- Find survivor
- Chase them to a loop
- Send Snug (M2)
- Snug chases them
- Redirect Snug if they juke
- Snug grabs them
- M1 for damage
This is your bread-and-butter chase pattern.
Redirecting at Loops
Loop scenario:
- Survivor is running around a jungle gym
- Send Snug around one side
- Survivor runs to the other side
- REDIRECT Snug to follow them
- Snug grabs them mid-loop
Why this works: Survivors can’t outrun Snug. Redirecting corrects for their jukes.
Snug Vaulting
Vault mechanics:
- Snug can vault windows and dropped pallets
- He vaults FASTER than survivors
- Survivors can’t escape loops by vaulting
Strategy: Send Snug through windows and over pallets. He ignores these obstacles.
Pincer Attacks
Advanced tactic:
- Send Snug one direction around a loop
- You chase the other direction
- Survivor is trapped between you and Snug
- Either Snug grabs them or you M1 them
Why this works: Survivors can’t run both directions. They’re forced to commit and make mistakes.
Early Game Strategy
Houndmaster’s early game is about using Snug to get first hits quickly.
Opening sequence:
- Patrol gens - Check 3-4 gens
- Find survivors - Spot someone on a gen
- Send Snug - Chase them with Snug
- Redirect to grab - Correct Snug’s path
- M1 hit - Attack the grabbed survivor
- Hook and patrol - Hook them, use Search to find others
Goal: Get first hits quickly with Snug grabs. Build pressure.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Houndmaster dominates with Snug pressure.
Snug spam:
- Send Snug at every loop
- Redirect aggressively
- Land grabs constantly
- Chain downs quickly
Search Mode usage:
- After hooking, use Search to find the next survivor
- Don’t waste time patrolling blindly
- Snug reveals hidden survivors
Multi-tasking:
- While chasing with Snug, check other areas
- You and Snug are two entities
- Pressure multiple survivors
Endgame Strategy
Houndmaster is strong endgame with Snug.
Snug at exit gates:
- Send Snug at survivors opening gates
- He grabs them, you M1
- Down them before they escape
Search at gates:
- Use Search Mode to find survivors hiding near gates
- Snug reveals their location
Patrol with Snug:
- Send Snug to check one gate
- You check the other
- Cover both gates simultaneously
Best Perks for Houndmaster
Houndmaster wants perks that help her capitalize on Snug’s pressure.
Top Tier Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Houndmaster applies pressure well with Snug, so Ruin gets value.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to find survivors and use Snug.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find your first target immediately and send Snug.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you where to send Snug next.
Strong Perks
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Reliable slowdown.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time.
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance - Hooking on scourge hooks regresses the gen with most progress.
Sloppy Butcher - Survivors heal slower. Keeps them injured longer.
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for Houndmaster):
- Hex: Ruin
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Lethal Pursuer
Information Build:
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Sloppy Butcher
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Houndmaster’s add-ons modify Snug’s speed, grab duration, search range, and cooldowns.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Collar (Pink - Ultra Rare) - When Snug grabs a survivor, all other survivors within 16 meters scream and reveal their location. Shows you where to pressure next. Very strong.
Reinforced Harness (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases grab duration (from 3 seconds to ~5 seconds). More time to position and hit grabbed survivors.
Tracking Harness (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Search Mode detection range. Find survivors from farther away.
Strong Add-Ons
Leather Leash (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Snug’s chase speed. He runs faster and catches survivors more easily.
Bite Sleeve (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases grab duration. Budget version of Reinforced Harness.
Whistle (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly reduces Snug command cooldown. Use Snug more frequently.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Worn Collar - Slightly increases grab duration. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Grab Build: Reinforced Harness + Bite Sleeve (very long grab duration)
Speed Build: Leather Leash + Whistle (fast Snug + short cooldown)
Information Build: Iridescent Collar + Tracking Harness (reveals survivors + long search range)
Budget Build: Leather Leash + Bite Sleeve (decent speed + decent grab)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Houndmaster work harder.
They juke Snug: Survivors zigzag to avoid Snug. Counter by REDIRECTING aggressively.
They predrop pallets: Good. Send Snug to vault over pallets and grab them anyway.
They break line of sight: Use Search Mode to find them.
They split on gens: Houndmaster has decent mobility with Snug. Send him to check distant gens.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate. Counter by applying constant Snug pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not redirecting: You MUST redirect Snug. Don’t just send him and hope he hits.
Sending Snug at bad times: Don’t send Snug when survivors are right next to you. M1 is faster.
Not using Search Mode: Search reveals hidden survivors. Use it after losing survivors.
Ignoring Snug cooldown: Track your cooldown. Don’t try to send Snug when he’s on cooldown.
Not capitalizing on grabs: When Snug grabs a survivor, M1 them IMMEDIATELY. Don’t waste the immobilize.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - Strong for Houndmaster. Tight corridors make Snug grabs easy. Survivors can’t avoid him.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for Houndmaster. Snug works well in open areas. Use Search to find survivors.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for Houndmaster. Huge maps mean more patrolling. Use Snug to check distant areas.
Why Play Houndmaster?
Pros:
- Unique dog companion gameplay
- Strong anti-loop (Snug grabs)
- Tracking with Search Mode
- Can pressure multiple areas (you + Snug)
- Satisfying when redirects land
- Fun and unique playstyle
Cons:
- Requires good redirect timing
- Snug can be juked
- Moderate skill ceiling
- Cooldown limits Snug spam
- Weak without Snug available
Advanced Tips
Redirect multiple times: Don’t just redirect once. Keep redirecting until Snug grabs.
Pincer attacks: Send Snug one way, chase the other. Trap survivors.
Search after hooks: Use Search to find your next target immediately.
Snug vaulting: Don’t respect windows/pallets. Send Snug through them.
Grab positioning: When Snug grabs, position yourself for the best M1 angle.
Final Thoughts
The Houndmaster is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique killers with her dog companion. She rewards coordination, prediction, and mastering redirect timing.
Practice your redirects, use Search Mode to track, and embrace the companion gameplay. Houndmaster is incredibly satisfying when Snug lands grabs consistently.
Good luck, and may Snug always find his targets.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025