The Shape - better known as Michael Myers - is Dead by Daylight’s original stalking killer who grows stronger as he watches survivors. Michael starts extremely weak in Tier 1, stalks survivors to reach Tier 2, then activates Tier 3 for instant down attacks. The Shape rewards patience, stalking management, and capitalizing on Tier 3 power spikes.
Michael is one of the most iconic killers in DBD with a simple but effective power. Let’s break down how to master him.
The Shape’s Power: Evil Within
Ability: Michael has three tiers of power. He stalks survivors to gain Evil and advance through tiers.
The Three Tiers
Tier 1 (Start of match):
- 105% movement speed (SLOWER than survivors)
- 6-meter Terror Radius (tiny)
- Cannot lunge attack (short M1 range)
- Basically VERY weak
Tier 2 (After gaining ~5 seconds of stalk):
- 115% movement speed (normal)
- 16-meter Terror Radius (small)
- Normal lunge attack
- Standard killer strength
Tier 3 (After gaining full stalk meter):
- 115% movement speed (normal)
- 32-meter Terror Radius (normal)
- INSTANT DOWN attacks (one hit downs healthy survivors)
- Increased vault speed
- Lasts ~60 seconds, then returns to Tier 2
Key concept: You start WEAK (Tier 1), stalk to become NORMAL (Tier 2), then activate Tier 3 for INSTANT DOWNS.
Stalking Mechanics
How to stalk:
- Press and hold M2 to stalk
- Look at survivors while stalking
- Your Evil Within meter fills
- Once the meter is full, you advance to the next tier
Stalking details:
- Each survivor has a limited amount of stalk (~43 seconds total)
- Once a survivor is fully stalked, you can’t gain more Evil from them
- You can stalk multiple survivors at once (meter fills faster)
- Stalking range: ~40 meters
- Stalking is faster when closer to survivors
Tier advancement:
- Tier 1 → Tier 2: Requires ~5 seconds of stalking
- Tier 2 → Tier 3: Requires ~35-40 seconds of stalking
- Tier 3 → Tier 2: Automatic after ~60 seconds
Key detail: Each survivor has LIMITED stalk. Don’t waste stalk on survivors you’ve already stalked fully.
Tier 1 Strategy
Tier 1 is Michael’s weakest phase. You’re SLOWER than survivors.
What to do in Tier 1:
- Find survivors - Patrol gens quietly (6-meter Terror Radius means stealth)
- Stalk them - As soon as you see survivors, STALK
- Reach Tier 2 quickly - Get out of Tier 1 ASAP (~5 seconds of stalk)
DON’T chase in Tier 1: You’re 105% speed. Survivors outrun you easily. STALK first.
Stealth advantage: Your 6-meter Terror Radius lets you sneak up on survivors. Use this to get close and stalk.
Goal: Reach Tier 2 as quickly as possible. Tier 1 is a huge disadvantage.
Tier 2 Strategy
Tier 2 is Michael’s “normal” phase. You’re a standard 115% killer.
What to do in Tier 2:
- Chase survivors normally - You’re now a normal killer
- Stalk while chasing - Build toward Tier 3
- Don’t activate Tier 3 yet - Wait for a good opportunity
- 99% your Tier 3 - Stalk until you’re ONE SECOND away from Tier 3
99% Strategy (CRITICAL):
- Stalk survivors until your Tier 3 meter is almost full
- STOP stalking before it fills completely
- You’re now “99%” - one tap away from Tier 3
- When you’re ready (multiple survivors nearby, good position), stalk for 1 second to activate Tier 3
Why 99% is strong: You control WHEN Tier 3 activates. Don’t waste it randomly.
Tier 3 Strategy
Tier 3 is Michael’s power spike. INSTANT DOWNS for 60 seconds.
When to activate Tier 3:
- Multiple survivors nearby - Down 2-3 survivors in one Tier 3
- Survivor at a strong loop - Tier 3 lets you end the chase quickly
- Unhook scenarios - Down the rescuer and the unhooked survivor
- Endgame - Down survivors at exit gates
What to do in Tier 3:
- Chase aggressively
- One hit downs everyone
- Don’t waste time - you only have 60 seconds
- Get as many downs as possible
After Tier 3 ends:
- You return to Tier 2
- Continue stalking to build another Tier 3
- Repeat the cycle
Goal: Get 2-3 downs per Tier 3 activation. Maximum value.
Stalking Management
Managing stalk is CRITICAL for Michael.
Who to Stalk
Early game: Stalk everyone a little bit. Don’t fully stalk one person.
Mid game: Focus on survivors you haven’t stalked much. Save “fresh” survivors for later.
Endgame: If you’ve fully stalked everyone, you can’t reach Tier 3 anymore. Manage stalk carefully.
Who NOT to Stalk
Survivors behind objects: You can’t stalk through walls. Don’t waste time.
Survivors you’ve fully stalked: Once a survivor is drained, stalking them does nothing.
Survivors too far away: Stalking is slower at range. Get closer for faster stalk.
Early Game Strategy
Michael’s early game is about escaping Tier 1 quickly.
Opening sequence:
- Patrol gens stealthily - 6-meter Terror Radius lets you sneak
- Find survivors - Spot someone on a gen
- Stalk immediately - Reach Tier 2 (~5 seconds of stalk)
- Chase normally - You’re now a standard killer
- Build toward Tier 3 - Stalk while chasing, but 99% it
Goal: Reach Tier 2 within the first 30-60 seconds. Don’t stay in Tier 1.
Mid-Game Strategy
Mid-game is where Michael dominates with Tier 3.
99% Tier 3:
- Stalk until Tier 3 is almost full
- Wait for a good opportunity
- Activate when multiple survivors are nearby
Tier 3 activation:
- Activate when you see 2+ survivors
- Down them all in one Tier 3
- Hook them and build another Tier 3
Stalk management:
- Don’t fully drain one survivor
- Spread stalk across multiple survivors
- Save stalk for later Tier 3s
Endgame Strategy
Michael is VERY strong endgame with Tier 3.
Tier 3 at exit gates:
- Activate Tier 3
- One hit down survivors at gates
- They can’t escape
99% endgame:
- Keep Tier 3 at 99%
- Activate when gates are open
- Maximum pressure
NOED synergy:
- If you run NOED + Tier 3, you’re unstoppable endgame
- One hit downs from both NOED and Tier 3
Best Perks for Michael
Michael wants perks that help him capitalize on Tier 3 and stalk.
Top Tier Perks
Save the Best for Last (STBFL) - Recover faster after basic attacks (up to 8 stacks). Michael benefits hugely from STBFL because Tier 3 gives you instant downs. You can chain downs quickly with fast recovery. This is Michael’s teachable perk.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds. Gives you time to stalk and reach Tier 2 without losing gens.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start for 9 seconds. Find survivors immediately and start stalking.
Hex: Ruin - Gens not being repaired regress at 200% speed. Michael applies pressure with Tier 3, so Ruin gets value.
Strong Perks
Monitor & Abuse - Reduces Terror Radius outside of chases. Pairs with Michael’s already small Terror Radius in Tier 2 (16 meters). Sneak up on survivors easily. This is one of Michael’s teachable perks.
Play With Your Food (PWYF) - Gain tokens when you chase your obsession and let them go. Increases movement speed. Pairs with Tier 1 (where you’re slow) and helps you reach survivors faster. This is Michael’s teachable perk.
Pop Goes the Weasel - After hooking, kick a gen to regress it by 30%. Reliable slowdown.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Shows you who to stalk next.
Deadlock - Blocks the gen with most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. Buys you time to stalk and activate Tier 3.
Sample Builds
Tier 3 Build (Best for Michael):
- Save the Best for Last
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Hex: Ruin
Stealth Build:
- Monitor & Abuse
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Barbecue & Chili
Beginner Build:
- Corrupt Intervention
- Lethal Pursuer
- Save the Best for Last
- NOED
Best Add-Ons
Michael’s add-ons modify his stalk rate, Tier 3 duration, and special abilities.
Top Tier Add-Ons
Judith’s Tombstone (Pink - Ultra Rare) - In Tier 3, you can kill survivors by hand (Mori) without hooking them. EXTREMELY strong but increases stalk requirement and decreases movement speed. Pair with other add-ons to compensate.
Fragrant Tuft of Hair (Pink - Ultra Rare) - Tier 3 lasts forever (no time limit). Requires significantly more stalk. VERY strong for infinite instant downs.
J. Myers Memorial (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably reduces stalk requirement for Tier 3. Reach Tier 3 faster. Great for getting multiple Tier 3s per match.
Dead Rabbit (Purple - Very Rare) - Considerably reduces Terror Radius in Tier 2 (from 16 meters to 8 meters). Extreme stealth. Sneak up on survivors easily.
Strong Add-Ons
Scratched Mirror (Green - Rare) - You’re locked in Tier 1 permanently BUT you can see survivors’ auras within 32 meters while stalking. ONLY use on indoor maps (The Game, Lery’s). Jumpscare build.
Vanity Mirror (Green - Rare) - Locked in Tier 2 permanently BUT you can see survivors’ auras within 16 meters while stalking. Wallhack build.
Boyfriend’s Memo (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases stalking speed. Budget stalk add-on.
Memorial Flower (Yellow - Uncommon) - Slightly increases Tier 3 duration. Budget duration add-on.
Avoid These Add-Ons
Blond Hair - Slightly increases stalking distance. Effect is too minor.
Sample Add-On Combos
Infinite Tier 3 Build: Fragrant Tuft of Hair + J. Myers Memorial (infinite Tier 3, reduced stalk requirement)
Tombstone Build: Judith’s Tombstone + J. Myers Memorial (kill survivors by hand, reduced stalk requirement)
Fast Tier 3 Build: J. Myers Memorial + Boyfriend’s Memo (fast Tier 3 activation)
Stealth Build: Dead Rabbit + Monitor & Abuse perk (8-meter Terror Radius in Tier 2)
Jumpscare Build (Indoor only): Scratched Mirror + Dead Rabbit (wallhacks + 0-meter Terror Radius)
Budget Build: Boyfriend’s Memo + Memorial Flower (decent stalk speed + decent duration)
Playing Against Good Survivors
Good survivors make Michael work harder.
They avoid being stalked: Survivors break line of sight to prevent stalk. Counter by stalking multiple survivors at once.
They predrop pallets: Good. Michael in Tier 3 ends loops quickly with instant downs.
They split on gens: Michael has no mobility. Counter by using Tier 3 efficiently to get multiple downs.
They hide when you’re Tier 3: Survivors hide to wait out your Tier 3. Counter by 99%ing Tier 3 and activating at the perfect moment.
They’ve all been fully stalked: If you drain everyone, you can’t reach Tier 3 anymore. Manage stalk carefully early game.
They’re in a SWF: Comms let them call out your Tier. Counter by 99%ing and activating unpredictably.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chasing in Tier 1: Don’t chase. You’re too slow. STALK to reach Tier 2 first.
Not 99%ing Tier 3: Always 99% Tier 3. Activating randomly wastes it.
Fully stalking one survivor early: Don’t drain one person completely. Spread stalk across multiple survivors.
Wasting Tier 3 on one survivor: Tier 3 should get you 2-3 downs. Don’t use it for one person unless necessary.
Activating Tier 3 at bad times: Activate when multiple survivors are nearby or at strong loops. Don’t activate randomly.
Stalking through walls: You can’t stalk through solid objects. Don’t waste time.
Not running Save the Best for Last: STBFL is ESSENTIAL on Michael. Always run it.
Map-Specific Tips
Indoor Maps (The Game, Lery’s, Midwich, RPD) - VERY strong for Scratched Mirror build (wallhacks). Normal Michael is decent - tight corridors make stalking easy.
Open Maps (Coldwind, MacMillan, Autohaven) - Strong for Michael. Lots of open sight lines for stalking. Tier 3 dominates open areas.
Large Maps (Mother’s Dwelling, Red Forest) - Rough for Michael. Huge maps + no mobility = hard to patrol. Focus on 3-genning.
Multi-Level Maps (The Game, Midwich) - Decent for Michael. Stalking works on all floors. Tier 3 pressure is strong.
Why Play Michael?
Pros:
- Iconic killer (Halloween)
- Simple power (easy to understand)
- Instant downs in Tier 3 (very strong)
- Stealth in Tier 1 and 2 (small Terror Radius)
- Satisfying when you pop Tier 3 and snowball
- Fun Tombstone builds (kill survivors by hand)
Cons:
- VERY weak in Tier 1 (slow)
- No mobility
- Limited stalk (can run out if you drain everyone)
- Survivors can avoid being stalked
- Weak against gen splitting
- Requires good stalk management
Advanced Tips
99% Tier 3 religiously: Never activate Tier 3 randomly. Always 99% and activate strategically.
Stalk multiple survivors: If 2-3 survivors are together, stalk them all at once. Meter fills faster.
Tier 1 stealth: Use your 6-meter Terror Radius in Tier 1 to sneak up on survivors before stalking.
Save the Best for Last stacking: Avoid hitting your obsession to maintain STBFL stacks. Use Tier 3 instant downs instead.
Tier 3 multi-downs: Always aim for 2+ downs per Tier 3. Hook one, chase another, down them before Tier 3 ends.
Stalk management: Early game, spread stalk across everyone. Don’t fully drain one survivor.
Tombstone plays: With Judith’s Tombstone, you can kill survivors without hooking. Massive time saver.
Infinite Tier 3: Fragrant Tuft of Hair gives you permanent Tier 3. Takes forever to build up but unstoppable once active.
Monitor & Abuse synergy: Michael’s Terror Radius is already small. M&A makes it even smaller. Extreme stealth.
Learning Curve and Practice
Michael has a low to moderate learning curve.
Hours 0-10: Understanding tiers. Learning to stalk efficiently. 99%ing Tier 3.
Hours 10-30: Stalk management improving. Activating Tier 3 strategically. Winning matches.
Hours 30-60: Comfortable with all tiers. Snowballing with Tier 3. Understanding add-ons.
Hours 60+: Michael main. Perfect stalk management. Dominating with Tier 3.
Practice tips:
- Always 99% Tier 3 (never activate randomly)
- Run Save the Best for Last every match
- Practice stalking multiple survivors at once
- Learn when to activate Tier 3 (multiple survivors nearby)
- Watch Michael streamers (Otzdarva, Stalky Boi)
Final Thoughts
The Shape is one of Dead by Daylight’s most iconic and satisfying killers. He rewards patience, stalk management, and strategic Tier 3 activation.
Michael is simple to understand but has depth in stalk management and timing. Master the 99% strategy, use Tier 3 efficiently, and snowball matches with instant downs.
Practice your stalking, manage your Evil, and embrace the iconic Halloween killer fantasy.
Good luck, and may your Tier 3 always bring devastation.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025