Mask Up
Swap to a random mask every 30 seconds for a full minute on activation. Each mask carries its own ability, and swapping applies a Hindered effect that stops him interacting with survivors or props.
Taking orders from a voice on an answering machine, he recreates the Miami slaughters of 1989 to 1991. The most flexible killer in the game: his mask decides whether he is a stealth killer, a chaser or a one-shot executioner.
Power
Masks
Richard (Rooster)
Default mask. Grants no ability.
Tony (Tiger)
Lethal Punches, drops the bat for bare fists, disabling lunge in exchange for a punch that instantly downs a survivor.
Brandon (Panther)
Walk Faster, a flat speed boost of 5% after the October nerf.
Jake / Dennis (Cobra)
Increased Lunge, swaps the bat for a knife, extending lunge. Lunge duration is now 0.6 seconds at 36 speed.
Richter (Rat)
Complete Stealth, removes the red stain and the intent radius. The chase theme still plays, so it is not silent.
Graham (Rabbit)
Faster Vaults, a vault animation comparable to The Killer mid-frenzy. Now 0.75 seconds after the nerf.
Alex (Swan)
Chainsaw Time, a chainsaw that winds up and then charges forward, instantly downing anyone hit. Breaks pallets in 1.5 seconds, moves at 27, lasts 3.6 seconds.
Personal perks
Hard Swing
Level 15
Basic attacks apply Winded to the survivor for 20 / 25 / 30 seconds, denying their speed perks.
Combo Streak
Level 30
Landing a basic attack grants 5% speed for 11 / 12 / 13 seconds.
Crackdown
Level 45
Generator kicks remove an extra 3 / 6 / 9 charges.
How to play it
Mask Up at the start of the round, not mid-chase: opening on Panther or Rat gives you either patrol speed or a free ambush, and Tony or Alex give free downs. With one-shot masks, get everyone in the area before you pick the first body up. Alex is not only an execution tool, it traverses the map at absurd speed. Hard Swing plus Combo Streak plus Panther is the build that breaks groups.
How to beat it
Read the mask, his current ability is literally on his face. He is briefly slowed every time he swaps, which is your gap to break line of sight, and after swapping back he cannot change again for 30 seconds. Hug objects and buildings to blunt the chainsaw rush, and never stand where the Tiger can reach two of you at once.
Where it sits
Wins the most, for the least effort
Seven kill kits in one body. Tony punches you down in one hit, Alex does the same with the chainsaw, Rat removes the red stain entirely and Panther just walks faster, and the only cost of swapping is a moment of Hindered. Nothing else on the roster answers as many situations.
This is the guide's own read of the late-2026 patch state, built from the powers, cooldowns and counterplay listed above, not a measured win-rate table. Alpha numbers move, so re-read a killer's page before you commit to buying him.
The other killers
Every killer on the roster, with its tier band. Open one to read its full page.