The Onryo - better known as Sadako from The Ring - is Dead by Daylight’s TV-teleporting killer who builds up Condemnation on survivors to kill them without hooking. She can teleport to TVs around the map, become invisible, and force survivors to manage their Condemned status or face instant death. The Onryo excels at stealth, map pressure, and alternative win conditions.
Sadako rewards strategic TV usage, Condemnation management, and knowing when to manifest vs stay invisible. Let’s break down how to master her.
The Onryo’s Power: Deluge of Fear
Ability: The Onryo has three main mechanics - TV Teleportation, Manifestation/Demanifest, and Condemnation.
TV Teleportation (M2)
How it works:
- TVs spawn around the map (7 total)
- Hold M2 near a TV to teleport to another random TV
- Teleportation takes ~1.5 seconds
- You emerge from the target TV
- Survivors within 16 meters of the TV gain 1 Condemned stack
- The TV you teleported TO becomes inactive for 60 seconds
TV details:
- TVs spawn near generators
- Survivors can turn off TVs by taking a tape (prevents teleportation to that TV)
- Survivors with tapes are Oblivious (can’t hear Terror Radius)
- Survivors must return tapes to different TVs to remove Condemned
Key concept: Teleport between TVs for mobility. Teleporting adds Condemned to nearby survivors.
Manifestation and Demanifest (Ctrl/Left Bumper)
How it works:
- Press Ctrl to toggle between Manifested and Demanifested
- Manifested: Visible, normal killer (can attack with M1)
- Demanifested: Invisible, no Terror Radius, cannot attack
- Switching takes ~1.5 seconds
Demanifested state:
- You’re INVISIBLE to survivors (they see a faint shimmer)
- NO Terror Radius (Undetectable)
- Move at normal speed (115%)
- Cannot attack
- Survivors within 16 meters are Oblivious (can’t hear you if you manifest)
Manifested state:
- You’re VISIBLE
- Normal Terror Radius (24 meters)
- Can attack with M1
Key concept: Demanifest for stealth, Manifest to attack. Toggle constantly.
Condemnation (Alternative Kill Mechanic)
How Condemnation works:
- Survivors have a Condemned meter (7 stacks maximum)
- Survivors gain Condemned stacks when:
- You teleport to a TV within 16 meters of them (+1 stack)
- They are holding a tape for too long (+1 stack every 70 seconds)
- At 7 stacks (FULLY CONDEMNED), survivors can be killed by your hand
- Press M1 near a fully Condemned survivor to kill them (Mori)
- Kills them INSTANTLY without hooking
How to remove Condemned:
- Take a tape from one TV
- Return it to a DIFFERENT TV
- Removes all Condemned stacks (resets to 0)
Key concept: Condemnation is an ALTERNATIVE win condition. Kill survivors without hooking them.
Playing Sadako: The Strategy
Sadako’s gameplay loop is:
- Demanifest for stealth
- Teleport to TVs to pressure gens and build Condemned
- Manifest when near survivors to attack
- Build Condemned on survivors by teleporting near them
- Kill Condemned survivors when they reach 7 stacks
- Repeat
Key concept: You’re building Condemned while pressuring gens. Eventually, survivors are Condemned and you can kill them.
Teleportation Strategy
TV teleportation is Sadako’s map pressure tool.
When to Teleport
To pressure distant gens:
- Teleport to TVs near gens with progress
- Manifest and interrupt repairs
- Build Condemned on survivors working on those gens
After hooking:
- Hook someone, teleport to the opposite side of the map
- Pressure distant gens while someone unhooks
To build Condemned:
- Teleport to TVs near multiple survivors
- They all gain Condemned stacks
To cut off survivors:
- Survivors running toward an area
- Teleport to a TV in their path
- Manifest and intercept them
When NOT to Teleport
Mid-chase when you’re about to hit:
- Don’t teleport if you’re about to down someone
- Finish the chase first
To a TV with no survivors nearby:
- Teleporting adds Condemned to nearby survivors
- If no survivors are near, teleport is less valuable
When the TV is turned off:
- Survivors can turn off TVs by taking tapes
- You can’t teleport to turned-off TVs
Manifestation Strategy
Toggling between Manifested and Demanifested is key.
When to Demanifest
Approaching survivors:
- Demanifest when approaching gens or survivors
- You’re invisible with no Terror Radius
- Sneak up on survivors
Patrolling:
- Demanifest while patrolling gens
- Move stealthily between areas
After teleporting:
- Teleporting automatically puts you in Demanifested state
- Stay Demanifested to sneak up on survivors
When to Manifest
To attack:
- You MUST be Manifested to attack
- Manifest when you’re close to a survivor
- Attack immediately
Survivors see you:
- If survivors already know your location, manifest
- No point staying invisible if they see you
Breaking pallets/walls:
- You must be Manifested to break pallets and walls
- Manifest, break, then Demanifest again
Condemnation Strategy
Building Condemned is Sadako’s unique strength.
How to Build Condemned
Teleport near survivors constantly:
- Every teleport within 16 meters adds +1 Condemned
- Teleport to TVs near survivors frequently
- Build Condemned passively
Force survivors to hold tapes:
- Survivors who take tapes gain Condemned over time
- They’re also Oblivious (can’t hear your Terror Radius)
- Pressure survivors holding tapes
Target survivors with high Condemned:
- Check survivors’ Condemned stacks (UI shows stacks)
- Target survivors at 5-6 stacks
- Build them to 7 for the kill
Killing Condemned Survivors
At 7 stacks (Fully Condemned):
- Survivor is FULLY CONDEMNED (white aura around portrait)
- You can kill them WITHOUT hooking
- Down them normally (M1)
- Press M1 near downed survivor to perform Mori
- They die INSTANTLY
Why this is strong:
- Skips hooks entirely
- No Decisive Strike, no hook perks
- Instant removal from the match
- Very powerful
Early Game Strategy
Sadako’s early game is about building Condemned and pressuring gens.
Opening sequence:
- Demanifest - Start invisible
- Teleport to a TV - Pressure a distant gen
- Manifest if survivors are there - Attack them
- Teleport again - Keep pressuring multiple gens
- Build Condemned - Teleport near survivors repeatedly
Goal: Build Condemned on everyone while pressuring gens. Multiple survivors at 3-4 stacks within first few minutes.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Condemned pressure builds.
Teleport spam:
- Teleport constantly (every 60 seconds when TVs reactivate)
- Build Condemned on everyone
- Survivors are forced to manage tapes
Target high Condemned survivors:
- Check who has 5-6 stacks
- Teleport near them repeatedly
- Push them to 7 stacks for the kill
Stealth attacks:
- Demanifest and sneak up on survivors
- Manifest and attack suddenly
- Survivors can’t hear you coming
Endgame Strategy
Sadako is strong endgame with Condemned and teleportation.
Teleport to exit gates:
- TVs often spawn near gates
- Teleport to gates to check them
- Build Condemned on survivors at gates
Kill Condemned survivors:
- If anyone is Fully Condemned endgame, focus them
- Down and kill them instantly
Stealth at gates:
- Demanifest at gates
- Survivors can’t hear you
- Manifest and attack suddenly
Best Perks for Sadako
Sadako wants perks that help her capitalize on stealth and Condemned.
Top Tier Perks
Call of Brine - After kicking a gen, it regresses faster and you get notifications when survivors touch it. Sadako can kick gens frequently with teleportation.
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Sadako applies pressure with teleportation, so Ruin gets value.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to build Condemned.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time to teleport and pressure.
Strong Perks
Monitor & Abuse - Reduces Terror Radius outside of chases. Sadako already has stealth with Demanifest. M&A makes her Terror Radius even smaller when Manifested.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Teleport to TVs near them immediately.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you where to teleport next.
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Sadako can teleport to gens and kick them.
Merciless Storm - When a gen hits 90%, survivors face continuous skill checks. Pairs with Sadako’s gen pressure.
Sample Builds
Slowdown Build (Best for Sadako):
- Hex: Ruin
- Call of Brine
- Corrupt Intervention
- Deadlock
Condemned Build:
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
- Corrupt Intervention
- Monitor & Abuse
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Call of Brine
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Sadako’s add-ons modify her Condemned, teleportation, and Manifestation.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Iridescent Videotape (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Survivors cannot see TVs. They don’t know where TVs are or which are on/off. Makes Condemned management nearly impossible. VERY strong.
Ring Drawing (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably increases Condemned gained from teleportation (from +1 to +2 stacks). Builds Condemned MUCH faster.
Tape Editing Deck (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably reduces TV reactivation time (from 60 seconds to ~40 seconds). Teleport more frequently.
Iri Videotape + Ring Drawing is considered one of the strongest add-on combos in the game for Condemned kills.
Strong Add-Ons
Bloody Fingernails (Green - Rare) - Moderately increases Condemned gained from teleportation. Budget version of Ring Drawing.
VCR (Green - Rare) - Moderately reduces TV reactivation time. Budget version of Tape Editing Deck.
Mother’s Comb (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Condemned gained from teleportation.
Telephone (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly reduces TV reactivation time.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Well Water - Slightly increases Manifestation time. You WANT to manifest faster, not slower. Avoid.
Sample Add-On Combos
Condemned Build: Iridescent Videotape + Ring Drawing (invisible TVs + fast Condemned)
Teleport Build: Tape Editing Deck + VCR (extremely fast TV reactivation)
Fast Condemned Build: Ring Drawing + Bloody Fingernails (very fast Condemned buildup)
Budget Build: Bloody Fingernails + VCR (decent Condemned + decent teleport speed)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Sadako work harder.
They manage Condemned well: Survivors take tapes and return them to remove Condemned. Counter by teleporting frequently to rebuild Condemned.
They turn off TVs: Survivors turn off TVs to prevent teleportation. Counter by pressuring survivors holding tapes (they’re Oblivious).
They split on gens: Sadako has good mobility with teleportation. Teleport between gens constantly.
They see you while Demanifested: Good survivors spot the shimmer. Counter by approaching from unexpected angles.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them coordinate tape management. Counter by building Condemned faster with add-ons.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not teleporting enough: Teleport CONSTANTLY. It’s your map pressure and Condemned builder.
Not toggling Manifest/Demanifest: Toggle constantly. Demanifest for stealth, Manifest to attack.
Ignoring Condemned: Check survivors’ Condemned stacks. Target high-stack survivors.
Manifesting too early: Stay Demanifested until you’re close to survivors. Don’t manifest from far away.
Not tracking TVs: Know where TVs are and which are on/off. Plan your teleports.
Chasing while Demanifested: You can’t attack while Demanifested. Manifest before chasing.
Not going for Condemned kills: If someone is Fully Condemned, PRIORITIZE killing them. It’s an instant removal from the match.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Sadako. TVs are harder to find. Demanifest stealth is deadly in tight corridors.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Decent for Sadako. Teleportation is strong for mobility. Demanifest stealth is weaker in open areas.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Still good for Sadako. Teleportation covers huge maps. Other killers struggle, Sadako doesn’t.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Great for Sadako. TVs on multiple floors. Teleportation works everywhere.
Why Play Sadako?
Pros:
- Excellent stealth (Demanifest, no Terror Radius)
- Good map pressure (TV teleportation)
- Alternative win condition (Condemned kills)
- Can kill survivors without hooking
- Bypasses hook perks (DS, BT, etc.)
- Unique and fun playstyle
Cons:
- Condemnation can be managed by good survivors
- Requires good TV management
- Demanifest shimmer can be seen
- Weak if survivors manage tapes well
- Learning curve for Condemned kills
Advanced Tips
Teleport spam: Teleport every 60 seconds (or faster with add-ons). Constant map pressure.
Demanifest stealth: Stay Demanifested as much as possible. Manifest only to attack.
Condemned targeting: Target survivors at 5-6 stacks. Get them to 7 for the kill.
TV planning: Know where all 7 TVs are. Plan teleports strategically.
Oblivious abuse: Survivors with tapes are Oblivious. They can’t hear you. Easy hits.
Iridescent Videotape dominance: With Iri Videotape, survivors don’t know where TVs are. Condemned kills become much easier.
Condemned kills > hooks: If someone is Fully Condemned, prioritize killing them over hooking someone else.
Demanifest at hooks: Demanifest at hooks, wait for unhook, manifest and attack. Surprise hits.
Ring Drawing snowball: Ring Drawing makes Condemned build FAST. Multiple kills per match possible.
Learning Curve and Practice
Sadako has a moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Learning TV teleportation. Understanding Condemned. Toggling Manifest/Demanifest.
Hours 10-30: Teleporting efficiently. Building Condemned. Getting occasional kills.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with Sadako. Multiple Condemned kills per match. Winning matches.
Hours 60+: Sadako main. Perfect TV management. Dominating with Condemned.
Practice tips:
- Teleport constantly (every 60 seconds)
- Toggle Manifest/Demanifest frequently
- Track Condemned stacks on all survivors
- Learn TV spawn locations on each map
- Watch Sadako streamers (Otzdarva)
Final Thoughts
The Onryo is one of Dead by Daylight’s most unique killers with her alternative kill condition. She rewards stealth, teleportation, and strategic Condemned management.
Sadako can kill survivors without hooking them, bypassing all hook perks. Master TV teleportation, build Condemned aggressively, and dominate with instant kills.
Practice your stealth, teleport constantly, and embrace the Condemned kills.
Good luck, and may your Condemnation always bring death.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025