Pop Goes the Weasel (often called “Pop” or “PGTW”) is one of the most reliable gen slowdown perks in Dead by Daylight. It’s been a staple in killer builds since its release and remains one of the best ways to control gen progress.
If you’re new to playing killer, Pop should be one of the first perks you unlock and learn to use effectively.
What Does Pop Goes the Weasel Do?
Effect: After hooking a survivor, the next generator you damage is instantly reduced by 30% of its current progress. You have 45 seconds to use Pop after hooking someone.
Teachable Perk: Unlocked from The Clown at level 35.
How it works:
- Hook a survivor
- Pop activates for 45 seconds (you’ll see the perk icon light up)
- Walk to a generator and kick it
- That generator loses 30% of its current progress instantly
- Pop deactivates until you hook someone again
Key detail: Pop removes 30% of current progress, not total progress. A generator at 90% loses 27 seconds of progress. A generator at 10% only loses 3 seconds.
Why Pop Goes the Weasel is Strong
Reliable and consistent: Unlike hex perks that can be cleansed, Pop always works. Every hook = guaranteed gen regression if you use it.
High value: 30% regression is massive. That’s 24+ seconds of survivor work erased instantly (on a high-progress gen).
Flexible: Works on any killer. You don’t need to build around it or change your playstyle.
Snowball potential: Pop gets stronger as the match goes on. Survivors repair gens to 90%+ and you can erase huge chunks of progress.
Forces decisions: After hooking someone, you choose which gen to Pop. Do you target the gen with the most progress? Or the gen closest to your 3-gen? Strategic decisions matter.
How to Use Pop Effectively
Pop is simple but requires smart decision-making to maximize value.
Target High-Progress Generators
Always Pop the generator with the most progress, not the closest generator.
Example: You hook someone. There’s a gen at 20% nearby and a gen at 80% across the map. Walk to the 80% gen and Pop it. You’ll erase 24 seconds of work instead of 6 seconds.
Exception: If you’re defending a 3-gen, Pop the gen that threatens your setup even if it’s lower progress.
Use Pop Before It Expires
You have 45 seconds after hooking to use Pop. That’s plenty of time, but don’t waste it.
Common mistake: Hooking someone, then immediately chasing another survivor and forgetting to Pop a gen. The perk expires and you wasted it.
Solution: After hooking, quickly check nearby gens. Pop one, THEN start your next chase.
Combine Pop with Patrol Routes
After hooking someone, patrol 2-3 nearby gens on your way to the next chase. Pop the gen with the most progress as you pass by.
This creates a gameplay loop:
- Down a survivor
- Hook them
- Pop a nearby gen
- Start your next chase
You’re constantly regressing gens while maintaining pressure.
Don’t Camp Hooks to Use Pop
Bad play: Hook someone, stand near the hook, wait for Pop to activate, then kick a nearby gen.
Why it’s bad: You’re wasting time camping when you could be chasing and pressuring multiple survivors.
Better play: Hook someone, immediately patrol nearby gens, Pop the best one, then move on to your next chase.
Prioritize 3-Gen Setups
In the mid-to-late game, identify your 3-gen (three generators close together that survivors need to complete). Pop generators that threaten your 3-gen to maintain control.
Example: There are 2 gens left. One is in your 3-gen setup, one is far away. If the far gen is completed, you still have a strong 3-gen. Pop the gen IN your 3-gen to protect it.
Pop Goes the Weasel Synergies
Pop works well with other slowdown and information perks.
Strong Synergies
Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance - Pain Res automatically regresses the gen with the most progress when you hook on a scourge hook. Then you can walk over and Pop that same gen for even more regression. Stacking these two perks is extremely oppressive.
Deadlock - Deadlock blocks the gen with the most progress for 30 seconds when a gen completes. This gives you time to walk over and Pop that gen after Deadlock expires.
Corrupt Intervention - Blocks the 3 farthest gens for 120 seconds at the start. Gives you time to build pressure and start getting Pop value early.
Barbecue & Chili (BBQ) - See survivors’ auras after hooking. Use the information to decide which gen to Pop based on where survivors are working.
Lethal Pursuer - See all survivors at the start. Find your first chase quickly, get your first hook, and start using Pop early.
Sample Builds with Pop
Meta Slowdown Build:
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance
- Deadlock
- Corrupt Intervention
Information + Slowdown Build:
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Barbecue & Chili
- Lethal Pursuer
- Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance
Beginner-Friendly Build:
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Brutal Strength
- Sloppy Butcher
- NOED
Killers That Benefit Most from Pop
Pop works on every killer, but some killers get more value than others.
High Mobility Killers
Killers who move quickly across the map can reach high-progress gens before Pop expires.
Best killers for Pop:
- Blight - Extremely fast, can rush across the map and Pop distant gens
- Hillbilly - Chainsaw sprint lets him cover huge distances quickly
- Wraith - Cloaked speed lets him patrol and Pop gens efficiently
- Nurse - Teleports let her reach any gen instantly
- Oni - Blood Fury sprint covers the map fast
3-Gen Killers
Killers who defend small areas and force 3-gens get tons of Pop value.
Strong 3-gen killers with Pop:
- Hag - Traps near gens, teleports to defend them, Pops gens to maintain control
- Trapper - Sets traps near gens, controls a small area, Pops gens repeatedly
- Knight - Guards can patrol gens while you Pop others
- Skull Merchant - Drones lock down areas, Pop keeps gens regressed
Killers That Struggle with Pop
Slow killers on large maps: Killers like Huntress (110% speed) or Trickster struggle to reach distant gens before Pop expires on huge maps like Mother’s Dwelling or Red Forest.
Solution: Pair Pop with Corrupt Intervention to shrink the map early, making it easier to reach gens.
Counters and Limitations
Pop is strong, but it has weaknesses.
Survivors Can Counterplay Pop
Survivors tap gens: If a gen is at 95% and you’re walking over to Pop it, a survivor can tap it for 1 second and complete it before you arrive. Always prioritize gens with 70-90% progress over 95%+ gens.
Survivors split pressure: If survivors spread out on 4 different gens, you can only Pop one. The other 3 gens continue progressing. Pop is weaker against coordinated teams.
Survivors use Repressed Alliance: This perk lets survivors block gens from being kicked. Rare, but it completely counters Pop.
Pop Doesn’t Work on Blocked Gens
If a gen is blocked by Deadlock, Grim Embrace, Corrupt Intervention, or Thrilling Tremors, you can’t kick it and can’t use Pop on it.
Tip: Don’t pair Pop with Thrilling Tremors (which blocks all gens survivors aren’t on when you pick up a survivor). You’ll have fewer gens to Pop.
Pop Requires Hooks
If you’re struggling to get hooks, Pop doesn’t activate. This makes Pop weaker in matches where you’re getting looped hard or survivors are very good.
Solution: Pair Pop with chase perks like Brutal Strength or Enduring to help you get hooks faster.
Pop Goes the Weasel vs Other Slowdown Perks
How does Pop compare to other gen regression perks?
Pop vs Pain Resonance:
- Pain Res is automatic (no walking required), but only works on scourge hooks (25% of hooks)
- Pop works on every hook, but requires you to walk to a gen
- Verdict: Use both together for maximum slowdown
Pop vs Eruption:
- Eruption requires you to kick a gen BEFORE downing a survivor, then it regresses when you down someone
- Pop is simpler and more reliable
- Verdict: Pop is easier to use and more consistent
Pop vs Hex: Ruin:
- Ruin automatically regresses all gens not being worked on, but can be cleansed
- Pop is reliable and can’t be removed
- Verdict: Ruin is stronger if it stays up, but Pop is more consistent
Pop vs Call of Brine:
- Call of Brine makes gens regress faster after kicking (200% speed), but survivors can tap it to stop regression
- Pop gives instant regression that can’t be stopped
- Verdict: Pop is better for instant value, Call of Brine is better for long-term pressure
Common Mistakes with Pop
Popping low-progress gens: Popping a gen at 10% only removes 3 seconds of progress. Walk farther and Pop a high-progress gen.
Forgetting to use Pop: Hooking someone and immediately chasing without Popping a gen wastes the perk.
Camping hooks to use Pop: You’re better off patrolling and chasing than sitting near a hook waiting to Pop.
Popping gens about to be completed: If a gen is at 99%, survivors will just finish it before you arrive. Focus on gens at 70-90%.
Not adapting to the match: If survivors are spread out and all gens are low progress, Pop is weak. Focus on chasing and downing survivors instead of walking around kicking gens.
Is Pop Worth Running?
Yes, absolutely. Pop is one of the most reliable slowdown perks in the game. It works on every killer, requires no setup, and gives consistent value every match.
Best for:
- Killers learning slowdown perks
- High mobility killers
- 3-gen strategies
- Matches where you get consistent hooks
Weaker on:
- Slow killers on huge maps
- Matches where you struggle to get hooks
- Against survivors who complete gens instantly (though even then, Pop helps)
Final Thoughts
Pop Goes the Weasel is a staple killer perk for a reason. It’s simple, reliable, and effective. Every hook gives you a chance to erase significant gen progress, and over the course of a match, Pop can add 2-3 extra minutes to the game.
If you’re new to killer, unlock Pop from Clown and add it to your builds. Pair it with Pain Resonance and Deadlock for maximum slowdown, or use it with chase perks to maintain pressure while regressing gens.
Pop teaches you to think strategically about gen pressure and patrol routes. Master it, and you’ll understand how to control matches and prevent survivors from rushing gens.
Good luck, and may your kicks always Pop the right generators.
Last Updated: Patch 9.3.0 - November 2025