Stranger Thingshas had a tumultuous history inDead by Daylight. First arriving in The Fog back in 2019, the license was revoked a little over two years later, much to the disappointment of its many fans. Now returned toDead by Daylightagain, players can stepback into the role of The Demogorgon, the fearsome interdimensional demon that haunts the Upside Down.
The Demogorgon is a Killer that is easy to learn and difficult to master; as such, it’s important to know what synergistic perks work well onthe iconicStranger Thingsmonster. This guide will inform players of a couple ofbuilds that pair well with The Demogorgon’s “Of the Abyss” powerinDead by Daylight, including a build featuring non-teachable perks only for players who are newer to the game.
Updated June 19, 2025, by Lewis Smyth:With upcoming nerfs to some of the most effective generator regression perks in Dead by Daylight, the best builds on each Killer have changed. This revised guide features new builds for The Demogorgon, alongside a best add-on list.
The Demogorgon: Best Non-Teachable Build (2024)
The Demogorgon comes with some excellent basekit perks that have seen a number of buffs since becoming general perkswhenStranger Thingsleft. While Surge can be effective, since it doesn’t work with Special Attacks like The Demogorgon’s Shred, Mindbreaker and Cruel Limits are much more effective at slowing down Survivors and cutting off their resources. Finally, Bitter Murmur and Hex: No One Escapes Death pair nicely together when it comes to locating Survivors and slaughtering them in the Endgame.
The Demogorgon: Best Build (2024)
Since The Demogorgon has no standout abilities besides its Shred and Portals, this Killer needs a decent amount of slowdown tomaintain pressure on Survivors. As such, this build uses three ofthe most effective Slowdown perksinDead by Daylight– Corrupt Intervention, Grim Embrace, and Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance. Combined, these will greatly stall generator progress. Finally, Bamboozle gives The Demogorgon a little more lethality at loops, closing off Survivor resources and opening them up to being zoned.
The Demogorgon Best Add-Ons
For Demogorgon players looking for the strongest add-ons to run on this fan-favoriteDead by DaylightKiller, this section of the guide covers the best selections from each rarity.
Black Heart
Somewhat likeThe Shape’s Save the Best for Last, the Black Heart Add-On for Of the Abyss decreases the cooldown of The Demogorgon’s Shred attack by10%. This enables you to catch up to Survivors a little faster after a successful special attack, and makes this add-on among the most popular for adept Demogorgon players.
Mew’s Guts
The Mew’s Guts Add-On increases the total number of portals available by 1, while also decreasing the missed Shred attack cooldown by11%. With greater map coverage and a lesser penalty for missed special attacks, the Mew’s Guts are a good choice forDead by Daylightbeginners.
Barb’s Glasses
Barb’s Glasses decrease the Shred attack pallet break cooldown by10%. This add-on essentially allows you to break pallets faster with The Demogorgon’s special attack, and is often paired with the Black Heart for reduced cooldowns across the board.
Thorny Vines
A simple add-on that encourages a defensive playstyle, the Thorny Vines increase the time it takes for Survivors toseal The Demogorgon’s portals, and increase the distance at which they are detected by portals while charging Of the Abyss. If you’re struggling to maintain map pressure and locate Survivors on generators, the Thorny Vines Add-On might help.
Eleven’s Soda
Another great add-on for locating Survivors withoutaura-reading perks, Eleven’s Soda reveals theaura of generatorsbeing worked on while teleporting.
Vermillion Cap
If stealth and surprise attacks are more your style, try hiding your portals near hooked Survivors and generators; the Vermillion Webcap will extend the duration of Undetectable when exiting a portal by3 seconds, giving you ample time to sneak up on unaware Survivors.
Upside Down Resin
Pairing nicely with the Thorny Vines, the Upside Down Resin increases portal seal times by40%, strongly discouraging lone Survivors from destroying them, and giving The Demogorgon greater map coverage.
Lifeguard Whistle
With the Thorny Vines or Upside Down Resin, a more territorial-focused Demogorgon can use the Lifeguard Whistle to better apply pressure around the map. This whistle, used byMax’s brother inStranger Things, reveals Survivorsnear portals passivelyat the minor cost of a reduced detection range.
Red Moss
An upgraded version of the Vermillion Webcap, the Red Moss increases the Undetectable status duration when exiting portals by8 seconds. Moreover, exiting a portal is silent, though you do it 15% slower. If you hide your portals well enough and correctly assess where Survivors are, this add-on can give you great value.
Leprose Lichen
Though nerfed somewhat, The Demogorgon’s Ultra Rare Leprose Lichen remains an effective information add-on. Revealing the auras of all Survivors while teleporting, emerging from the Upside Down will show you the location of all Survivors near an active portal for a further3 seconds. This powerful ability can be used to reliably track Survivors, and allow you to pressure them with some well-placed portals.
