Game Tips

Comprehensive Game Tips for Phasmophobia

Beginner Tips: Survive Your First Hunts

1. Always have an exit plan. Before entering the ghost room, mentally map the nearest hiding spots (closets, lockers, behind beds) and know the quickest route to the front door. During a hunt, sprinting is loud — if the ghost is close, hide immediately rather than trying to run far.

2. Leave the front door open. A common rookie mistake is closing the door behind you. An open door gives you a clear line of sight to escape if a hunt starts right as you enter. In larger maps, open interior doors as you go to avoid dead ends.

3. Turn off your flashlight and electronics. Electronics (flashlight, EMF reader, UV light, parabolic mic, video camera) emit a sound and light that the ghost can track. When you hear the ghost signature or see lights flickering, switch to your unpowered gear (just a video camera or head-mounted camera) or turn everything off. The ghost still knows your last location but won't lock onto you if you break line of sight and hide.

4. Use the “S” key to walk slowly. Walking (default shift) is silent and leaves no footsteps. Always walk inside the building; running outside is fine but inside alerts the ghost to your position if it's wandering.

5. Identify the ghost room with multiple tools. The ghost room is where the ghost spends most of its time. Use EMF Reader (level 5 spike), Thermometer (below 10°C / 50°F visible breath), and Video Camera (orb detection) together. If you find cold breath, check the thermometer; if it's 3°C or below, you're likely in the ghost room.

Exploration & Investigation Tips

6. Sound is your best friend. Use the Parabolic Microphone to hear ghost sounds (footsteps, whispers, interactions) from up to 30 meters away. Point it toward suspected rooms. Also use the built-in directional audio headset — close your eyes and listen for doors opening or objects being thrown.

7. Use Salt to confirm ghost movement. Ghosts cannot pass through a salt pile without leaving footprints (visible under UV light). Place salt in doorways of the ghost room. If salt is disturbed, you've confirmed the ghost's pathing and can set up motion sensors.

8. Motion Sensors and Sound Sensors for large maps. In maps like Brownstone High School or Asylum, place motion sensors in hallways to track the ghost's path. This helps you triangulate the ghost room and avoid ambushes during a hunt.

9. Ghost Orbs are not always in the ghost room? (Clarify: Since recent updates, ghost orbs are tied to the ghost's roaming area. They can appear in adjacent rooms. Use them as a general area indicator, then cross-reference with freezing temperatures or EMF 5.)

10. Take photos of everything. Each photo (fingerprints, bone, disturbed salt, ghost, crucifix burn) gives money and experience. Use the photo camera with flash, and prioritize the ghost photo (if safe). A perfect photo set (3-star) earns maximum cash.

Survival & Evasion (Combat category)

11. Smudge Sticks – your only “weapon”. Smudge sticks (bought from the shop) temporarily blind the ghost for 6 seconds (12 with Tier III). Light a smudge stick with a lighter and walk near the ghost during a hunt to break its line of sight. After smudging, move immediately to a hiding spot because the effect ends quickly.

12. Crucifix prevents hunts. Place a crucifix (Tier I: 3m radius, Tier II: 4m, Tier III: 5m) in the ghost room. If the ghost tries to start a hunt within that radius, the crucifix is consumed and the hunt is cancelled. Use this to protect the team while gathering evidence.

13. Hiding spots: closets and lockers are safest. Enter a closet or locker and close the door from inside—the ghost cannot open it unless it knows you're there (if it saw you enter). Hold the door shut? No, just close it. Do not speak or use any electronics. The ghost will pass by if it didn't see you.

14. If cornered during a hunt, break line of sight. Round a corner and immediately put a wall between you and the ghost. Crouch and stay still. The ghost's AI requires direct vision to chase. If you break sight and hide behind a door or a large object, it will wander off.

15. Learn the ghost's hunt threshold. Each ghost type has a sanity threshold at which it can hunt. Average is 50%, but some (Demon: 70%) hunt early, others (Spirit: 50% but longer cooldown). Use sanity pills only when necessary to push investigations.

Resources & Economy (Building a Loadout)

16. Never buy all T1 gear. The starter equipment (Tier I) is free but limited. Instead, invest in the van items first: Video Camera (Tier II or III) and Head-Mounted Camera (allows others to see your view). The video camera is critical for orbs and ghost photos.

17. Focus upgrades on high-value items. Priority upgrade list: EMF Reader (T2 gives 5-reading, T3 gives 4-reading with screen), Thermometer (T2 shows instant reading, T3 has radius), and Parabolic Microphone (T2 range, T3 noise filter). Avoid upgrading UV Light — the T1 works fine.

18. Make money by taking photos. The most lucrative part of each investigation is the photo rewards. Focus on: Bone photo ($10 base), Fingerprints ($10 each), Ghost photo ($20), Disturbed Salt ($10), Interaction ($5). A full album of 3-star photos can net $70-$100 per contract.

19. Sell cursed possessions for cash. During investigation, you can find cursed possessions (Ouija Board, Music Box, Summoning Circle, etc.). If you find one and complete the objective without using it, you can sell it for $50-$100 at the shop. That’s free money.

20. Don't buy sanity pills every round. Sanity pills (T1 restores 40%, T2 50%, T3 60%) are expensive. Use them only when you need to prevent a hunt while still gathering evidence, or during a challenge where sanity drains fast (e.g., Jinn, Oni).

Ghost Behavior & Identification

21. Use ghost writing for definitive proof. A Book placed in the ghost room can reveal writing if the ghost is that type. If you get writing, you eliminate all ghosts that don't have it. Combined with orbs and spirit box, you narrow down to 2–3 possibilities.

22. Listen to the ghost's footsteps speed. Some ghosts (Revenant, Jinn) have unique footstep speed. Revenant is slow when far but incredibly fast when hunting line of sight. Hantu moves faster in cold rooms. Use this to identify without tools.

23. Spirit Box works only if you are alone in the ghost room. The ghost will only respond to players who are alone (no other living player within ~3m). If you get a response, you've confirmed Spirit Box evidence. Use a secondary player to stand just outside the room.

24. Ghost events vs. hunts. A ghost event (apparition, airball, door bang) doesn't drain sanity much but can reveal the ghost's face. If you see a ghost event, do NOT run to a hiding spot — it's not a hunt. Save your crucifix for actual hunts.

25. Learn the D.O.T.S. mechanic. D.O.T.S. Projector (Tier I throws light, Tier II projects pattern). Ghosts that have D.O.T.S. evidence will appear as a silhouette when passing through the projector's beam when the ghost is not hunting. Place it in the ghost room and watch via a camera in the van.

Advanced Strategies & Optimizations

26. Perfect Investigation Strategy. On Professional or higher, you must collect all three pieces of evidence to identify the ghost. Use the following order: 1) Set up video camera with night vision in ghost room for orbs. 2) Place book and EMF reader. 3) Use Spirit Box while alone. 4) Test for freezing temps (breath + thermometer). 5) Look for fingerprints (UV light on doors/windows). This covers all evidence types efficiently.

27. No-Evidence Challenges (Nightmare/Insanity). On these difficulties, the ghost only gives 2 evidence pieces. You must use behavior cues. For example: Mimic has ghost orbs (unique), Wraith never steps in salt, Phantom disappears when photographed, Banshee targets one player. Memorize the unique behaviors for each ghost.

28. Cursed Possession Tactics. Use the Ouija Board to ask for the ghost's location (“Where are you?”) — this drains sanity but pinpoints the ghost room. The Music Box can force a ghost event, giving you a photo opportunity. The Summoning Circle summons the ghost for a photo (be ready to smudge and hide). The Voodoo Doll can force interactions.

29. Solo Strategy (extended). In solo, take it slow. Before entering, place a Motion Sensor at the front door to detect any ghost leaving. Keep sanity high with pills. Use the Parabolic Mic from the entrance to listen for early sounds. When you find the ghost room, drop all gear and use only one item at a time.

30. Team Roles for Efficiency. Assign roles: Investigator (carries EMF, thermometer, book), Sludge (carries salt, UV light, motion sensor), Camera Operator (carries video camera, head cam, D.O.T.S.), Support (carries smudge sticks, lighter, crucifix, sanity pills, photo camera). This covers all evidence types and survival needs in minimal trips to the van.

Map-Specific Tips

31. Small maps (Tanglewood, Willow, Edgefield, Grafton, Bleasdale): The ghost room is usually one of the bedrooms or living room. Check hot spots: kitchen fridge (opens), nursery (ball bounces). Use sound to quickly pinpoint. Hide in closets or behind beds. Avoid the basement if possible — it's a death trap.

32. Medium maps (Prison, Sunny Meadows Mental Institution): These have long corridors with many rooms. Bring a Parabolic Microphone to sweep hallways. Place motion sensors at crossroads. The ghost room can be far from the entrance — set up a base camp in a nearby room with a crucifix.

33. Large maps (Brownstone High School, Willow Street Houses?): Actually, large maps are Asylum (Sunny Meadows) and High School. In these, the ghost room might be on a different floor. Use many flashlights and leave a trail of open doors to mark your path. Use the van to cross-reference evidence cameras. Consider using the Global Chat? Not really — rely on voice communication.

34. Sunny Meadows (Restricted): The cursed possession spawns more often (Ouija Board in the chapel). The ghost has many hiding spots. Use the hallway lockers as safe hides. The ghost can roam far — use the Parabolic Mic on the second floor.

Economy & Progression

35. Money Management. You earn money per contract based on objectives, photos, and survival. The best way to grind money is to play on Professional (1.5x multiplier) with a full team. Take every photo opportunity. Do not waste money on hundreds of smudge sticks — buy only 1 per player per contract for emergencies.

36. Experience points boost your level. Higher levels unlock Tier II and Tier III equipment. To level up fast, complete optional objectives (e.g., prevent hunt with crucifix, escape a hunt). Use cursed possessions to force objectives: for example, use the Ouija Board to trigger a ghost event for photo objective.

37. Apocalypse Challenge. For the ultimate prestige, attempt the Apocalypse challenge on Sunny Meadows (with all modifiers: no flashlight, no sprint, etc.). This requires knowing every ghost behavior perfectly. Use the Summoning Circle to quickly identify the ghost via its response to smudge or movement speed.

Final Progression Tips

38. Always enter with a plan of evidence to collect. Write down (or mentally note) the three evidence types you're aiming for. Don't run around gathering everything; finish one piece before moving to the next. Time is money.

39. Use tier upgrades wisely. Tier II items are generally a huge improvement over Tier I. Save money to buy Tier II of EMF, Thermometer, Video Camera first. Tier III is a luxury but provides quality-of-life (e.g., Thermo T3 shows both temps). Don't rush to Tier III of items you rarely use.

40. Learn from death. Every death is a lesson. Review the ghost type after death and think: did you miss a behavior? Did you hide in a bad spot? Use the journal to take notes on ghost types and their tells.

Remember: The goal is not to kill the ghost—it's to identify it and survive. Patience, communication, and a methodical approach will make you a master investigator.