Dead by Daylight: Best Builds for The Hillbilly (2024)

Once among the most powerful Killers in Dead by Daylight, following a string of nerfs and updates to map layouts, Max Thompson Jr. – better known as The Hillbilly – has become one of the most notoriously difficult Killers to master. With a Chainsaw that can send him sprinting over vast distances and the ability to instantly down the Survivors he hits, The Hillbilly can create a lot of pressure for Survivors when paired with the right builds.

This guide will show Dead by Daylight players some of the most effective perks to run on The Hillbilly to fully maximize his Chainsaw wielding abilities.

UPDATE: 2024/03/18 12:44 EST BY LEWIS SMYTH

Dead by Daylight: Best Builds for The Hillbilly

The Hillbilly received plenty of changes to his base kit in 2024. One major change was the complete removal of his Overheat mechanic, instead allowing the Killer to Overdrive his Chainsaw, allowing for stupendous cooldown reduction and movement speed. This updated guide highlights the best perks to run on this new version of The Hillbilly, as well as his strongest Add-Ons.

The Hillbilly: Best Non-Teachable Build (2024)

Players with more limited access to other DLC may try some base kit perks to help enhance their abilities. The Hillbilly’s own Tinkerer and Enduring perks will keep track of generator progress and help resist pallet stuns. Meanwhile, Hex: No One Escapes Death will endanger Survivors in the endgame as Bitter Murmur shows their auras.

• Tinkerer (The Hillbilly) – When a generator reaches 70% progress, The Killer will receive a noise notification and be granted the Undetectable status effect for 16 seconds.
• Enduring (The Hillbilly) – Pallet stun duration is reduced by 50%.
• Bitter Murmur (General Perk) – Each time a generator is completed, the auras of Survivors within 16 meters of that generator are revealed for 5 seconds. Once the last generator is complete, all Survivors’ auras are revealed for 10 seconds.
• Hex: No One Escapes Death (General Perk) – After the final generator is completed, all Survivors suffer from the Exposed status ailment and players gain a 4% Haste effect until the Hex Totem is cleansed.

The Hillbilly: Best Build with Teachable Perks (2024)

For players with access to other DLC, the most devastating build to run with The Hillbilly includes The Clown’s perk “Bamboozle” for zoning Survivors and blocking windows, as well as Pop Goes the Weasel and Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance to help slow down generators after hooking a Survivor. Finally, his own perk, “Tinkerer,” will allow him to get the jump on Survivors working on nearly completed generators.

• Tinkerer (The Hillbilly) – When a generator reaches 70% progress, The Killer will receive a noise notification and be granted the Undetectable status effect for 16 seconds.
• Pop Goes the Weasel (The Clown) – After hooking a Survivor, kicking a generator in the next 45 seconds will remove 30% of its current progression.
• Bamboozle (The Clown) – Vault speed is increased by 15%, and performing a vault will block the window for 16 seconds.
• Scourge Hook: Pain Resonance (The Artist) – The Killer starts with four tokens. For each different Survivor hooked on a white Scourge Hook, lose one token and explode the generator with the most progress, causing it to lose 25% of progress.

The Hillbilly: Best Add-Ons

Steel Toe Boots

Beginning with The Hillbilly’s Uncommon Add-Ons, the Steel Toe Boots decrease recovery time after hitting an object with the Chainsaw by 10%. This means that newer Dead by Daylight Killers who are prone to colliding with obstacles while chasing Survivors can more quickly return to the chase.

Dad’s Boots

While somewhat a matter of preference, the Dad’s Boots Add-On increases Chainsaw Sprint turn rate by 30%. This allows for more accurate handling while maneuvering with the Chainsaw.

Spiked Boots

Moving onto the Uncommon Add-Ons, the Spiked Boots increase The Hillbilly’s turn rate even further while using Chainsaw Sprint.

Greased Throttle

Similar to the Steel Toe Boots, the Greased Throttle decreases the recovery time of the Chainsaw by 5%, provided you don’t end your sprint by colliding with an obstacle.

The Thompsons’ Mix

An upgraded version of the Greased Throttle, The Thompsons’ Mix decreases recovery time by 10% while not in Overdrive.

Low Kickback Chains

A good choice for Dead by Daylight beginners, the Low Kickback Chains operate like the Steel Toe Boots by decreasing Chainsaw Sprint collision time by 15%.

Filthy Slippers

For players with an inclination towards stealth, the Filthy Slippers function spectacularly on wide-open maps. They grant the Undetectable status effect to The Hillbilly after maintaining Chainsaw Sprint for 2 seconds. This gives players the chance to down Survivors from a distance without ever alerting them to your presence.

Apex Muffler

Pairing very well with the Filthy Slippers, or any other Dead by Daylight stealth build, the Apex Muffler Add-On makes the Chainsaw silent for any Survivors outside the Terror Radius. When The Hillbilly is made Undetectable, or Survivors are made Oblivious by any means, they will never hear the roaring of the Chainsaw.

Lo Pro Chains

The Hillbilly’s most popular Add-On allows The Killer to shred through pallets and continue their Chainsaw Sprint through them, damaging any Survivors on the other side. This valuable piece of kit makes chases with The Hillbilly all the more viable at pallet-focused loops.

Iridescent Engravings

By far the Hillbilly’s most powerful add-on, the Iridescent Engravings increase his Chainsaw Sprint speed by 20%, at the cost of a 12% increase to Chainsaw charge time. This exceptional Add-On makes The Hillbilly travel great distances in the blink of an eye, giving Survivors even less time to react to his immense speed.