Conquer the Ghost: Mastering “Do As I Command” in Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia’s “Do As I Command” update introduced a powerful, yet often misunderstood, feature: voice commands. These commands allow you to interact with the ghost and environment in new ways, opening up strategic possibilities and potentially provoking responses. This guide breaks down how to use “Do As I Command” effectively, covering the required setup, different command types, and strategies for maximizing their use.
1. Setting Up Voice Recognition:
Before you can start bossing the ghost around, you need to ensure Phasmophobia’s voice recognition is working correctly.
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In-Game Settings:
- Go to Options > Audio.
- Voice Recognition Mode: There are three options:
- Windows: Uses your built-in Windows Speech Recognition. This is generally the most reliable and recommended option.
- Vosk: A built-in, offline speech recognition engine. It can be less accurate than Windows, especially with accents, but it’s a good fallback if Windows isn’t working.
- Text: Uses text recognition.
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Windows Speech Recognition (Recommended):
- Ensure your microphone is properly set up and selected as the default recording device in your Windows sound settings.
- Train your Windows Speech Recognition: This is crucial for accuracy.
- Type “Speech Recognition” into the Windows search bar and open “Windows Speech Recognition.”
- Click “Train your computer to better understand you.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts, reading the text aloud clearly. Repeat this process several times (it really does make a difference!). Pay close attention to how you pronounce words like “Ouija,” “spirit,” and any other words you plan to use with the ghost.
- Microphone Quality: A clearer microphone will drastically improve accuracy. Avoid using built-in laptop microphones if possible; a headset microphone or dedicated desktop microphone is preferred.
- Background Noise: Minimize background noise. Close doors, turn off fans, and mute any other audio sources.
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Testing Voice Recognition:
- In the lobby, go to the whiteboard in the room to the right. Click the microphone icon next to the “Sanity” label.
- Say something simple, like “Hello.” If the game correctly recognizes your speech, it will display what you said.
- Experiment with different pronunciations and speaking speeds until you find what works best for you.
2. Understanding Command Types:
“Do As I Command” allows you to interact with the ghost, the Ouija Board, and the Monkey Paw (if applicable). Here’s a breakdown of the command types and examples:
A. General Ghost Interactions:
These commands are designed to provoke the ghost or elicit a response. They can be used anywhere in the haunted location.
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Provocation/Aggression:
- “Show yourself.”
- “Give us a sign.”
- “We know you’re here.”
- “Are you here?”
- “Can you speak?”
- “Do something.”
- “Show us.”
- “I’m scared.” (This can increase activity, but also your sanity drain)
- “Hide and seek.”
- “Knock.” (can trigger a knock response on a nearby surface)
- “Turn on/off the light.”
- “Open/close the door.”
- “Are you friendly?”
- “Are you angry?”
- “Are you old?”
- “Are you young?”
- “How old are you?”
- “What do you want?”
- “Can you write?”
- Saying the ghost’s name (Repeatedly saying the ghost’s name can significantly increase activity, but it’s also very risky and can trigger a hunt).
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Location Specific:
- “Where are you?”
- “Are you in this room?”
B. Ouija Board Interactions:
The Ouija Board receives the most specific and impactful set of voice commands. Remember to activate the board by saying, “Goodbye,” when you’re finished. The spirit box must be close to the board for these commands to work.
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Question Asking:
- “Who did you kill?”
- “How old are you?”
- “Are you here?”
- “Where are you?”
- “Are you male or female?”
- “Are you a child?”
- “Are you old?”
- “What is your name?”
- “Are you friendly?”
- “Do you want to hurt us?”
- “Where is the bone?” (high risk, but can pinpoint the bone location)
- “How did you die?”
- “Where did you die?”
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Board Control (Less common, but possible):
- “Move the planchette.” (This rarely works, but it’s worth a try)
C. Monkey Paw Interactions (Tanglewood Street House, Sunny Meadows Mental Institution – Restricted, Prison, and Camp Woodwind Only):
The Monkey Paw is a cursed possession that grants wishes, but at a cost. You can now use voice commands to make wishes.
* Wishes:
* “I wish to see the ghost.” (Triggers a ghost event, but lowers your sanity significantly)
* “I wish for activity.” (Increases ghost activity, but can be dangerous)
* “I wish to be sane.” (Restores sanity, but has a negative consequence depending on the ghost type)
* “I wish to trap the ghost.” (Temporarily traps the ghost in its current room, but it breaks something important)
* “I wish for life.” (Revives a dead teammate, but you will die)
* “I wish for knowledge.” (Provides clues about the ghost type, but severely impairs your vision)
* “I wish for the weather to change to…” (followed by “clear,” “fog,” “rain,” “snow,” or “windy”) (Changes the weather, but with unpredictable side effects)
* “I wish I was safe” (Unlocks the outside door during a hunt, but increases ghost speed.)
* “I wish for sanity” (Brings teammates’ sanity to 50%, but can have bad side effects.)
* “I wish to leave” (Removes the exit door, but ghost can’t hunt for a time.)
3. Strategic Usage and Tips:
- Patience is Key: Ghosts don’t always respond immediately. Try repeating commands, varying your phrasing, and waiting patiently for a response.
- Sanity Management: Provoking the ghost with voice commands can drain your sanity quickly, especially if you’re repeatedly saying the ghost’s name. Monitor your sanity closely and be prepared to use sanity pills.
- Hunt Awareness: Be mindful of your surroundings. If the ghost starts hunting, prioritize finding a hiding spot immediately. Don’t keep talking to the ghost during a hunt.
- Evidence Gathering: Use voice commands to try and trigger specific ghost behaviors that can provide evidence. For example, asking “Can you write?” might encourage the ghost to write in a Ghost Writing Book. Asking “Turn on the light” in a room with a motion sensor can help you catch the ghost.
- Teamwork: Coordinate with your teammates. One person can focus on asking questions while others monitor equipment and look for evidence.
- Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try different commands and see what happens. Phasmophobia is a game of trial and error, and you might discover new ways to interact with the ghost.
- Don’t Spam: Rapid-fire commands are less likely to be recognized and can actually hinder the ghost’s ability to respond. Speak clearly and deliberately.
- Listen Carefully: Even if a command doesn’t produce an obvious response, listen closely for subtle sounds like whispers, footsteps, or objects moving.
- Context Matters: The ghost’s type and current activity level will influence its responsiveness. A more aggressive ghost is more likely to react to provocative commands.
- Vosk Issues: If using Vosk, be aware that it struggles with longer phrases or questions. Keep your commands short and simple.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll be able to effectively use “Do As I Command” to your advantage in Phasmophobia, turning from a frightened investigator into a ghost-commanding professional. Good luck, and happy hunting!