Phasmophobia Explained: The Basics and Beyond for New Players

Phasmophobia Explained: The Basics and Beyond for New Players

Phasmophobia, the co-op psychological horror game from Kinetic Games, has taken the streaming world by storm. It’s a terrifying and deeply rewarding experience, but it can also be incredibly daunting for new players. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get started, from the absolute basics to more advanced tactics.

I. The Core Gameplay Loop: Hunting the Ghost

The entire game revolves around a simple, yet suspenseful, premise: you and up to three other players are paranormal investigators hired to identify the type of ghost haunting a location. You don’t fight the ghost directly (at least, not usually). Your goal is to gather evidence and use it to deduce the ghost’s identity. The loop breaks down like this:

1. Load into the Location (Truck & Briefing): You start in a truck equipped with monitors, tools, and supplies. Here, you’ll:

   • Choose your Difficulty: Amateur (longer setup time, less aggressive ghost), Intermediate, Professional, and Nightmare (progressively shorter setup time, more aggressive ghost, fewer clues). Start with Amateur!
   • Read the Objective Board: This board provides vital information:
     • Ghost Name: Knowing the ghost’s name is important (more on this later).
     • Optional Objectives: These offer bonus cash and XP. Examples include taking a picture of the ghost, witnessing a ghost event, cleansing the area with smudge sticks, etc.
     • Location Name: This may offer a hint at the ghost’s activity or preferred areas.
   • Choose Your Equipment: Each player can select three items (more slots unlock as you level up). Key equipment is detailed below.
   • Monitor Sanity: Your sanity is a crucial mechanic. As it drops (due to being in the dark, witnessing paranormal activity, or using certain equipment), the ghost becomes more active and hunts become more frequent. You can monitor your team’s sanity in the truck.

2. Investigate the Location:

   • Find the Ghost Room: The ghost will primarily reside in one room, known as the “ghost room.” This is where you’ll gather most of your evidence. Clues to find it include:
     • Temperature Drops: Use the Thermometer (see equipment below). Temperatures below 10°C (50°F) are a strong indicator, and freezing temperatures (below 0°C/32°F) are concrete evidence.
     • EMF Spikes: Use the EMF Reader (see equipment below). EMF Level 5 is concrete evidence.
     • Ghostly Activity: Flickering lights, objects moving, whispers, etc., are all signs you’re getting close.
     • Spirit Box Responses: The Spirit box is an item that needs to be used in the dark, close to the ghost and only when one person is in the room.
   • Gather Evidence: Once you’ve located the ghost room, you need to use your equipment to identify the type of ghost. Each ghost type has a unique combination of three pieces of evidence.

3. Identify the Ghost (Journal):

   • Open Your Journal (J key): This is your best friend. It contains:
     • Evidence Page: Mark off the evidence you find. The journal will automatically narrow down the possible ghost types as you gather more clues.
     • Ghost Information: Read the descriptions of each ghost type. This can help you understand their behaviors and predict their actions.
     • Photo Section: Store photos you’ve taken for evidence or optional objectives.
     • Map: A basic layout of the location.

4. Escape (or Die Trying):

   • Once you’ve identified the ghost (or run out of time/sanity), get back to the truck and close the door. If you’re correct, you get paid! If you’re wrong, you get less. If everyone dies, you lose a significant portion of your earnings and any equipment you brought.

II. Essential Equipment: Your Ghost Hunting Toolkit

Understanding your equipment is crucial to success. Here’s a breakdown of the core items:

• EMF Reader: Detects electromagnetic fields. Readings fluctuate, but a Level 5 reading is concrete evidence.
• Thermometer: Measures temperature. Below 10°C/50°F is a strong indicator of ghost activity. Freezing temperatures (below 0°C/32°F) are evidence of a specific ghost type or that the ghost is present.
• Spirit Box: Allows you to communicate with the ghost (some ghost types). Must be used in the dark, near the ghost, and with only one person in the room. Ask questions like, “Where are you?” “How old are you?” “Are you friendly?”
• Ghost Writing Book: Place it in the ghost room. Some ghosts will write in it, providing evidence.
• UV Flashlight (or Glowstick): Used to reveal fingerprints or footprints, which are evidence for certain ghosts.
• Video Camera (and Tripod): Place it in the ghost room and view it from the truck. Look for “Ghost Orbs,” small, floating orbs of light that are evidence. Crucially, the room lights must be OFF to see Ghost Orbs.
• Flashlight (Strong/Regular): Essential for navigating the dark and maintaining sanity. Strong flashlights are better but drain batteries faster.
• Photo Camera: Take pictures of evidence (fingerprints, bone, etc.), the ghost itself (hard!), or for optional objectives.
• Crucifix: Prevents a hunt if placed within a certain radius of the ghost before the hunt begins. It has two uses before breaking. Does not stop a hunt in progress.
• Smudge Sticks (and Lighter): When lit and used near the ghost, they temporarily deter it and prevent it from hunting for a short period (longer for certain ghost types). Useful for escaping a hunt or completing objectives.
• Sanity Pills: Restore a portion of your sanity. Use them strategically.
• Salt: Place it on the floor. Some ghosts will walk through it, leaving footprints visible under UV light. This isn’t primary evidence but can be helpful.
• Motion Sensor: Detects movement (both player and ghost). Useful for tracking ghost activity and completing objectives.
• Sound Sensor: Detects sound. Useful for pinpointing the ghost room and identifying noisy ghosts.
• Head Mounted Camera: Lets other players in the truck see what you see.
• D.O.T.S Projector: A device that is placed that allows players to see a silhouette of the ghost walking through it. This is a type of evidence.

III. Ghost Types and Evidence: The Paranormal Zodiac

There are many different ghost types in Phasmophobia, each with unique behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses. Here’s a quick overview of the evidence types and a few example ghosts:

• EMF Level 5: Strong electromagnetic field.
• Spirit Box: Ghost responds to questions.
• Fingerprints: Visible under UV light.
• Ghost Orbs: Small, floating lights visible on video cameras (lights off!).
• Ghost Writing: Ghost writes in the book.
• Freezing Temperatures: Thermometer reads below 0°C/32°F.
• D.O.T.S Projector: Allows players to see the ghost’s silhouette.

Example Ghosts (and their Evidence):

• Spirit: EMF Level 5, Spirit Box, Ghost Writing (Most common ghost, no special abilities)
• Wraith: EMF Level 5, Spirit Box, D.O.T.S Projector (Can teleport, doesn’t leave footprints in salt)
• Phantom: Spirit Box, Fingerprints, D.O.T.S Projector (Looking at it drains sanity quickly, taking a photo makes it disappear temporarily)
• Poltergeist: Spirit Box, Fingerprints, Ghost Writing (Throws many objects at once)
• Banshee: Fingerprints, Ghost Orbs, D.O.T.S Projector (Targets one player at a time, can be heard screaming through a parabolic microphone.)
• Jinn: EMF Level 5, Fingerprints, Freezing Temperatures (Faster when far from its target, can lower the sanity of players nearby by interacting with the fuse box.)
• Mare: Spirit Box, Ghost Orbs, Ghost Writing (More active in the dark, less active in the light.)
• Revenant: Ghost Writing, Ghost Orbs, Freezing Temperatures (Very slow when not hunting, extremely fast when hunting a player)
• Shade: EMF Level 5, Ghost Writing, Freezing Temperatures (Shy, less active when multiple players are nearby, hunts at lower sanity)
• Demon: Ghost Writing, Freezing Temperatures, Fingerprints (Aggressive, can hunt at higher sanity, Crucifixes are less effective)
• …and many more!

IV. Hunts: Surviving the Ghost’s Wrath

When your sanity drops low enough (or the ghost is provoked), it will enter a “hunt” phase. This is when the ghost becomes visible, the lights flicker, and it actively tries to kill players.

• Recognizing a Hunt:

  • Flickering lights (all lights in the location, including flashlights).
  • Radio static (your walkie-talkie will go crazy).
  • Doors slam shut and lock.
  • You can hear the ghost’s footsteps and heartbeat.

• Surviving a Hunt:

  • Hide: Break line of sight. Crouch in a closet, behind furniture, or in a room with a closed door. Turn off your flashlight! The ghost can see it.
  • Run: If you can’t hide, run away. Try to break line of sight around corners.
  • Smudge Sticks: If you have them, light them and walk through the smoke near the ghost. This will temporarily disorient it and give you a chance to escape.
  • Don’t Speak: The ghost can hear you through your microphone during a hunt.

V. Advanced Tips and Tricks

• Learn the Maps: Familiarize yourself with the layouts of each location. Knowing where to hide is crucial.
• Listen Carefully: Sound is incredibly important. Listen for footsteps, whispers, object interactions, and ghost events.
• Communicate: Talk to your teammates! Share information about evidence, sanity levels, and ghost activity.
• Manage Your Sanity: Stay in well-lit areas when possible, use sanity pills wisely, and avoid unnecessary risks.
• Use the Ouija Board (Carefully): The Ouija board can provide valuable information (like the ghost’s location), but it drains sanity quickly and can anger the ghost.
• Understand Ghost Behaviors: Each ghost type has unique behaviors. Learning these behaviors can help you predict their actions and avoid hunts. The journal provides hints.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Die: Death is part of the game. Learn from your mistakes and try again.
• The Bone: There is a bone that spawns on every map. Finding this and photographing/collecting it provides extra cash and XP.
• Cursed Possessions: Each map spawns with one of the following cursed possessions. Use with care as these will lower your sanity:
  • Ouija Board:
  • Voodoo Doll:
  • Tarot Cards:
  • Haunted Mirror:
  • Summoning Circle:
  • Music Box:

Phasmophobia is a game of careful observation, teamwork, and nerve-wracking suspense. By understanding the basics and gradually learning the more advanced mechanics, you’ll become a seasoned ghost hunter in no time. Good luck, and try not to scream too loudly!