FromThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s cannibalistic killer, Leatherface, toRingu’s vengeful videotape spirit, Sadako,Dead by Daylightenables fans of all horror subgenres to inhabit the role of their favorite antagonist, includingHellraiser’s lead Cenobite and Hell Priest, commonly known as Pinhead. Despite a few bugs present on release, Pinhead’s arrival was met with positivity by theDead by Daylightcommunity, perfectly capturing the spirit of the character while implementing unique and interesting mechanics for fans to play around with.
This guide will show players the best buildsandperks available to Pinheadthat make the most of his Lament Configuration passive slowdown and chain-hunting abilities. These builds will featureteachable and non-teachable perksfor Killers with varying levels of prestige.
Updated on 26 July 2025 by Lewis Smyth:The Cenobite has remained largely untouched since their arrival in Dead by Daylight back in 2021. Since then, the meta has shifted considerably, and this updated guide reflects those changes by introducing new builds that make use of the latest, most powerful perks for 2024.
The Cenobite: Best Beginner Build (2024)
The Cenobite is a fantastic Killer forDead by Daylightnewcomers to unlock as – despite his high skill ceiling – he comes with three great perks that help with slowdown and remaining undetected. This build focuses on The Cenobite’s slowdown abilities,keeping Survivors injured and generators pressuredwhile sneaking up on the unwary.
The Cenobite: Best Build (2024)
This build shows the best perks that synergize withPinhead’s ability to send chainsto interrupt the solving of the Lament Configuration. WithSloppy ButcherandScourge Hook:Pain Resonance, the Killer can force Survivors to lose progress on healing and completing generators. Meanwhile,Lethal PursuerandBarbecue & Chili allow the Cenobite to track the Lament Configuration and trigger a Chain Hunt, keeping constant pressure onDead by Daylight’s Survivorsto complete the box.
The Cenobite: Best Add-Ons
With the following add-ons, ordered by rarity, players canmaximize The Cenobite’s powerto bring pain and pleasure toThe Entity’s trials.
Lively Crickets
For newer players learning to get to grips with The Cenobite’s Summons of Pain, the Lively Crickets can prove useful incourse-correcting misaligned chains.
Wriggling Maggots
When paired with the Lively Crickets, the Wriggling Maggots similarly help youcurve possessed chainsonto targets mid-chase. These two add-ons can assist in getting more value out of dodged chains, though you should generally aim to spawn chains on top of Survivors to make them unavoidable.
Skewered Rat
Another good add-on forDead by Daylightbeginners, the Skewered Rat reduces the cooldown on Summons of Pain by9%after possessing a chain. This makes missed chains less costly and allows you to slow down Survivors more frequently.
Liquified Gore
Interrupting the solving of the Lament Configuration is a key component of advanced Pinhead play. By finding the box, or downing the Survivor carrying it, The Cenobite can stall the game almost indefinitely as Survivors struggle to progress generators while harassed by the Chain Hunt. The Liquified Gore gives youan extra secondduring which you can interrupt the solving with a well-placed possessed chain, making this add-on very valuable.
Larry’s Remains
Like the Liquified Gore, Larrry’s Remains extends the box solve duration by2 seconds. This add-on is frequently used by Cenobite mains to more consistently interrupt the solving of the Lament Configuration, extending the Chain Hunt further into the match.
Frank’s Heart
Pairing well with Larry’s Remains or the Liquified Gore, the Rare Frank’s Heart Add-On effectivelyincreases the rangefrom which The Cenobite can interrupt the box. As smart Survivors will regularly take the Lament Configuration into a distant corner to solve it, the best Cenobites will predict their movements and send a chain to interrupt. Though less useful in chase, on larger maps especially, Frank’s Heart can give you an edge when you play around the Lament Configuration.
Original Pain
A clear-cut add-on, the Original Paininflicts Deep Woundon injured Survivors hit by possessed chains. This can place increased pressure on Survivors by resetting healing progress and nullifying the effects ofpowerful Survivor perkslike Off The Record and Dead Hard, as well as Medkit add-ons like Anti-Hemorrhagic Syringes and Styptic Agents.
Impaling Wire
Pinhead’s possessed chain slowdown can be largely negated when Survivors use the environment to break their chains, which can be easily done on indoor maps or around windows. The Impaling Wire ensures you get more value from possessed chains by targeting Survivors who break them on the environment withan additional chain.
Greasy Black Lens
Butterball’s Greasy Black Lens reveals theauras of Survivorshit by a possessed chain for6 seconds, giving you useful information on their movements as they try to remove their bondage.
Iridescent Lament Configuration
As aforementioned, the Chain Hunt is a core component of The Cenobite’s basekit slowdown. The Iridescent Lament Configuration Add-On provides more consistent Chain Hunt value as Survivorsstruggle to find the boxbefore it begins, particularly inDead by Daylight’s larger realms.
Engineer’s Fang
A powerful ability, more so when paired with one of his Very Rare Add-Ons, The Cenobite’s Engineer’s Fang Add-Oninjures Survivors hit by possessed chainsat the cost of reducing the ability’s slowdown. This has the unfortunate effect of weakening The Cenobite’s chase potential against injured Survivors but creates a wealth of pressure when paired with a stealth build to sneak up on them.
