The Nemesis is Dead by Daylight’s Resident Evil killer who uses his Tentacle Strike to infect and damage survivors while commanding two AI zombies that patrol the map. He gains mutation tiers by infecting survivors, making his Tentacle Strike more powerful. The Nemesis excels at anti-loop, passive pressure through zombies, and forcing survivors into a contaminated state.
Nemesis rewards smart Tentacle usage, infection management, and capitalizing on zombie pressure. Let’s break down how to master him.
The Nemesis’s Power: T-Virus
Ability: The Nemesis has three main mechanics - Tentacle Strike, T-Virus infection, and zombie AI companions.
Tentacle Strike (Hold M2)
How it works:
- Hold M2 to charge Tentacle Strike
- Charging takes ~1 second
- Release M2 to whip your tentacle forward
- Tentacle range: ~5 meters (Tier 1), ~6 meters (Tier 2/3)
- Hitting survivors infects or damages them
- Tentacle goes through pallets and low obstacles
Tentacle mechanics:
- Against healthy survivors: First hit INFECTS them (applies Contaminated status)
- Against infected survivors: Hit DAMAGES them (injures or downs)
- Tentacle breaks pallets when hitting them
- Tentacle destroys breakable walls
- Missing has a brief cooldown (~2 seconds)
Key concept: First Tentacle hit infects, second hit damages. Hit through pallets.
T-Virus Contamination
Survivors hit by Tentacle Strike become Contaminated.
Contaminated status effects:
- Survivors cough periodically (reveals location)
- Second Tentacle hit damages them
- Contamination lasts entire match (cannot be removed)
Contamination sources:
- Hit by Tentacle Strike
- Damaged by zombies
- Using vaccine (removes Contamination but rare)
Vaccines:
- 4 Vaccine Chests spawn on the map
- Each chest has 1 vaccine
- Using vaccine removes Contamination
- Limited supply (only 4 vaccines total)
Key concept: Contamination is permanent. Survivors waste time finding vaccines or stay contaminated.
Mutation Tiers
Nemesis has 3 mutation tiers. He gains tiers by contaminating survivors.
Tier 1 (Start of match):
- 5-meter Tentacle range
- Basic Tentacle Strike
Tier 2 (After 4 contaminations):
- 6-meter Tentacle range (longer)
- Increased movement speed while charging Tentacle (115% → 120%)
- Tentacle charges slightly faster
Tier 3 (After 8 contaminations):
- 6-meter Tentacle range
- Even faster movement speed while charging (120% → 125%)
- Tentacle charges even faster
- Zombies move 10% faster
How to gain tiers:
- Hit survivors with Tentacle Strike (+1 contamination per survivor)
- First hit on each of 4 survivors = Tier 2
- Contaminate all 4 survivors twice (8 total) = Tier 3
Key concept: Rush Tier 2 ASAP (infect everyone once). Tier 2 is a major power spike.
Zombies (Passive AI)
Two AI zombies patrol the map constantly.
Zombie behavior:
- Zombies wander the map randomly
- They detect survivors within ~8 meters
- When detecting survivors, zombies chase and attack
- Zombie attacks contaminate survivors
- Zombie attacks injure survivors (if already contaminated)
Zombie mechanics:
- Zombies are indestructible
- Survivors can stun zombies (pallet, flashlight, etc.)
- Stunned zombies are disabled for ~15 seconds
- Zombies respawn in different locations if stuck
- You cannot control zombies directly
Key concept: Zombies provide passive pressure. They patrol, detect, and attack survivors automatically.
Playing Nemesis: The Strategy
Nemesis’s gameplay loop is:
- Hit survivors with Tentacle Strike to contaminate them
- Rush to Tier 2 (contaminate all 4 survivors once)
- Use Tentacle at loops to hit through pallets
- Second hit damages contaminated survivors
- Zombies provide passive pressure (patrol and attack)
- Reach Tier 3 for maximum power
- Repeat
Key concept: Get to Tier 2 ASAP, then use Tentacle to dominate loops.
Tentacle Strike Strategy
Tentacle Strike is Nemesis’s anti-loop tool.
When to Use Tentacle
At pallets:
- Survivors at dropped pallets
- Use Tentacle to hit THROUGH the pallet
- Hits survivor AND breaks pallet simultaneously
- This is Tentacle’s primary use
At windows:
- Survivors vaulting windows
- Tentacle hits them during vault animation
At short loops:
- Jungle gyms, LT-walls, short tiles
- Tentacle reaches over loops to hit survivors
In the open:
- Contaminated survivors running away
- Tentacle reaches 6 meters (at Tier 2/3)
Tentacle Tips
Always Tentacle at pallets:
- Don’t M1 break pallets
- Tentacle breaks pallet AND hits survivor
- Huge time saver
First hit = contamination only:
- First Tentacle hit on healthy survivor doesn’t damage them
- They become contaminated (cough periodically)
- Second hit damages them
Tier 2 is critical:
- Tier 1 Tentacle is weak (5 meters, slow)
- Tier 2 Tentacle is MUCH better (6 meters, faster charge)
- Rush Tier 2 by infecting everyone once
Don’t over-commit to Tentacles:
- Missing has a cooldown
- Only use Tentacle when confident
Mutation Tier Strategy
Getting to Tier 2 quickly is critical.
Rushing Tier 2
Early game priority:
- Find all 4 survivors
- Hit each survivor ONCE with Tentacle
- All 4 are now contaminated
- You reach Tier 2
Why Tier 2 matters:
- 6-meter range (20% longer)
- Faster charge time
- Faster movement while charging
- MUCH stronger in chases
Goal: Reach Tier 2 within first 2-3 minutes.
Tier 3 Benefits
Tier 3 requires 8 contaminations:
- Hit all 4 survivors twice with Tentacle
- Harder to achieve than Tier 2
Tier 3 benefits:
- Fastest charge time
- Fastest movement while charging
- Zombies move 10% faster
- Maximum power
Not critical: Tier 3 is nice but not essential. Tier 2 is the important breakpoint.
Zombie Strategy
Zombies provide passive pressure automatically.
How Zombies Help
Passive patrol:
- Zombies wander the map
- Detect survivors within 8 meters
- Chase and attack survivors
Gen defense:
- Zombies patrol gens randomly
- Interrupt repairs if they detect survivors
Tracking:
- If a zombie starts chasing, you know a survivor is there
- Follow zombie chases
Contamination:
- Zombie attacks contaminate survivors
- Helps you reach Tier 2/3 faster
Zombie Weaknesses
Survivors can stun them:
- Pallets, flashlights, etc. stun zombies
- Stunned zombies are disabled for 15 seconds
Random AI:
- You can’t control zombies
- They sometimes wander into dead zones
- Unreliable
Can be avoided:
- Good survivors hear zombies and avoid them
- Zombies aren’t guaranteed pressure
Key concept: Zombies are a bonus, not your main pressure. Don’t rely on them.
Early Game Strategy
Nemesis’s early game is about rushing Tier 2.
Opening sequence:
- Find all 4 survivors - Patrol gens to find everyone
- Tentacle each survivor once - Contaminate them
- Reach Tier 2 - After 4 contaminations
- Now chase with Tier 2 Tentacle - Much stronger
Goal: Reach Tier 2 within 2-3 minutes. Prioritize contaminating everyone over committing to long chases.
Common mistake: Chasing one survivor for too long in Tier 1. Spread contamination first.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Nemesis dominates with Tier 2/3 Tentacle.
Tentacle at every pallet:
- Use Tentacle at dropped pallets
- Hits survivor AND breaks pallet
- End chases quickly
Everyone is contaminated:
- All survivors are contaminated
- Second Tentacle hit damages them
- No longer “wasting” first hit
Work toward Tier 3:
- Hit contaminated survivors again
- Reach 8 contaminations total for Tier 3
Zombie pressure:
- Zombies patrol and attack
- Passive pressure on gens
Endgame Strategy
Nemesis is strong endgame with Tentacle.
Tentacle at exit gates:
- Survivors opening gates are stationary
- Easy Tentacle hits
Zombies at gates:
- Zombies patrol near gates sometimes
- Provide extra pressure
Tier 3 power:
- If you reached Tier 3, Tentacle is maximum strength
- Fast charge, long range
Best Perks for Nemesis
Nemesis wants perks that capitalize on Tentacle and contamination.
Top Tier Perks
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find everyone immediately to rush Tier 2. This is Nemesis’s teachable perk.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to contaminate everyone and reach Tier 2.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time.
Save the Best for Last (STBFL) - Recover faster after basic attacks. Nemesis gets frequent M1 hits after using Tentacle.
Strong Perks
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Nemesis applies pressure, so Ruin gets value.
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Reliable slowdown.
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance - Hooking on scourge hooks regresses the gen with most progress.
Eruption - Kicking a gen marks it. When you down a survivor, marked gens explode. This is Nemesis’s teachable perk.
Hysteria - When you injure a survivor, injured survivors are Oblivious for 30 seconds. Pairs with Tentacle hits. This is Nemesis’s teachable perk.
Sample Builds
Tier Rush Build (Best for Nemesis):
- Lethal Pursuer
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
- Save the Best for Last
Slowdown Build:
- Hex: Ruin
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Deadlock
- Lethal Pursuer
Beginner Build:
- Lethal Pursuer
- Corrupt Intervention
- Save the Best for Last
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Nemesis’s add-ons modify Tentacle, zombies, and contamination.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Umbrella Badge (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Zombies that damage survivors become enraged (move faster, detect farther). VERY strong for zombie pressure.
Mori’s Bloody Scrap (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Tentacle Strike range. Much easier to hit survivors.
Licker Tongue (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases zombie detection range (from 8 meters to ~12 meters). Zombies detect survivors much earlier.
Strong Add-Ons
Tyrant Gore (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Tentacle Strike range. Budget version of Mori’s Bloody Scrap.
Zombie Heart (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases zombie movement speed. Zombies patrol faster.
Plant 43 Vines (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Tentacle Strike range.
Depleted Ink Ribbon (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases zombie detection range.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Broken Recovery Coin - Slightly reduces Tentacle cooldown on miss. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Range Build: Mori’s Bloody Scrap + Tyrant Gore (extremely long Tentacle range)
Zombie Build: Iridescent Umbrella Badge + Licker Tongue (enraged zombies + long detection)
Balanced Build: Mori’s Bloody Scrap + Licker Tongue (long Tentacle + zombie detection)
Budget Build: Tyrant Gore + Zombie Heart (decent range + decent zombie speed)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Nemesis work harder.
They use vaccines: Survivors remove contamination with vaccines. Counter by re-contaminating them (only 4 vaccines total).
They stun zombies: Survivors stun zombies to disable them. Counter by pressuring with your own chases (don’t rely on zombies).
They predrop pallets: Good. Use Tentacle to break pallet and hit them simultaneously.
They avoid being contaminated: Survivors try to stay healthy to avoid second Tentacle hit. Counter by rushing Tier 2 and contaminating everyone.
They split on gens: Nemesis has decent pressure. Use Tentacle efficiently to end chases quickly.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate. Counter by applying constant Tentacle pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not rushing Tier 2: Hit all 4 survivors once with Tentacle ASAP. Tier 2 is critical.
Missing Tentacles at pallets: Tentacle at every dropped pallet. Breaks pallet AND hits survivor.
Over-relying on zombies: Zombies are a bonus, not your main pressure. Don’t count on them.
Wasting time on vaccines: Don’t camp vaccine chests. Just re-contaminate survivors if they use vaccines.
Not using Tentacle enough: Use Tentacle at loops constantly. It’s your anti-loop tool.
Chasing too long in Tier 1: Tier 1 is weak. Contaminate everyone quickly to reach Tier 2.
Not running Lethal Pursuer: Lethal Pursuer is ESSENTIAL for Nemesis. Always run it.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Nemesis. Tight corridors make Tentacle unavoidable. Zombies patrol effectively indoors. Nemesis dominates indoor maps.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for Nemesis. Tentacle works at loops. Zombies patrol effectively in open areas.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for Nemesis. Huge maps mean zombies get lost. Tentacle is still strong at loops.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Good for Nemesis. Tentacle works on all floors. Zombies patrol all levels.
Why Play Nemesis?
Pros:
- Strong anti-loop (Tentacle through pallets)
- Passive zombie pressure
- Contamination is permanent
- Iconic Resident Evil aesthetic
- Tier 2/3 power spikes are satisfying
- Good on most maps
Cons:
- Tier 1 is weak (rush Tier 2 ASAP)
- First Tentacle hit doesn’t damage (only contaminates)
- Zombies are unreliable
- Requires good Tentacle aim
- Missing Tentacle is punishing
Advanced Tips
Tentacle every pallet: Breaks pallet AND hits survivor. Always do this.
Lethal Pursuer rush: Use Lethal to find all 4 survivors. Contaminate everyone for Tier 2.
Tier 2 breakpoint: Tier 2 is the critical upgrade. Rush it within 2-3 minutes.
Zombie tracking: If a zombie starts chasing, go there. Survivor is nearby.
STBFL synergy: Avoid hitting obsession with M1. Use Tentacle on them instead.
Vaccines are limited: Only 4 vaccines exist. After they’re used, contamination is permanent.
Mori’s Bloody Scrap dominance: With range add-ons, Tentacle reaches VERY far. Hit survivors from far away.
Iridescent Umbrella Badge: Enraged zombies are MUCH stronger. Chase survivors into zombies.
Contamination tracking: Contaminated survivors cough. Listen for coughs to track them.
Learning Curve and Practice
Nemesis has a low to moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning Tentacle timing. Understanding Tier system. Rushing Tier 2.
Hours 10-30: Tentacle aim improving. Hitting through pallets consistently. Winning matches.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with Nemesis. Tier 2 rush is efficient. Dominating most matches.
Hours 60+: Nemesis main. Perfect Tentacle aim. Unstoppable anti-loop.
Practice tips:
- Always run Lethal Pursuer (rush Tier 2)
- Use Tentacle at every pallet (break + hit)
- Rush Tier 2 within 2-3 minutes
- Don’t rely on zombies (they’re a bonus)
- Watch Nemesis streamers (Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Nemesis is one of Dead by Daylight’s most satisfying killers with his Tentacle Strike and zombie companions. He rewards smart Tentacle usage, rushing to Tier 2, and capitalizing on contamination.
Nemesis dominates with anti-loop Tentacle and passive zombie pressure. Master Tentacle timing, rush Tier 2, and embrace the T-Virus.
Practice your Tentacles, contaminate everyone, and dominate with S.T.A.R.S. destruction.
Good luck, and S.T.A.R.S. beware.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025