Phasmophobia is one of the most popular cooperative horror games where you and your friends investigate haunted locations, gather paranormal evidence, and identify the ghost before it claims your life. While the premise may sound straightforward, surviving and winning in Phasmophobia requires strategy, communication, and careful use of equipment.
This comprehensive Phasmophobia guide covers everything from beginner tips to advanced ghost-hunting strategies, making it ideal for both newcomers and seasoned hunters. By the end of this walkthrough, you will know how to set up your gear, identify ghost types, manage sanity, and complete contracts efficiently.
1. Understanding the Basics of Phasmophobia
Before diving into detailed strategies, let’s go over the basics:
- Objective of the Game: Enter haunted locations, gather evidence, and determine which type of ghost is present.
- Team Size: You can play solo or with up to 4 players. Multiplayer cooperation is highly recommended.
- Core Gameplay Loop:
- Choose a contract/location.
- Select and equip ghost hunting gear.
- Investigate the site to find ghost activity.
- Collect three pieces of evidence.
- Identify the ghost type and escape alive.
Understanding this loop is critical for success. Let’s break down each part in detail.
2. Choosing the Right Equipment
Phasmophobia provides a wide variety of tools, each useful in detecting specific paranormal activity. Here’s a breakdown of the most important Phasmophobia equipment:
- EMF Reader – Detects electromagnetic activity (Levels 2–5). Ghost evidence often includes EMF Level 5.
- Spirit Box – Lets you communicate with ghosts via voice questions. Evidence: Spirit Box Response.
- Ghost Writing Book – Ghosts may write symbols, words, or messages inside. Evidence: Ghost Writing.
- Video Camera – Used to detect Ghost Orbs in a room.
- UV Flashlight/Glowstick – Reveals ghost fingerprints or footprints. Evidence: Fingerprints.
- Thermometer – Measures room temperature to detect Freezing Temperatures.
- D.O.T.S Projector – Projects a grid of green lights; some ghosts reveal themselves by passing through it.
- Crucifix – Prevents ghost hunts within a radius if placed correctly.
- Smudge Sticks – Repel ghosts temporarily, useful for survival and objectives.
Pro Tip: Always bring at least one EMF Reader, a Thermometer, and a Spirit Box. These are beginner-friendly and essential for narrowing down ghost types quickly.
3. Step-by-Step Ghost Hunting Walkthrough
Now let’s go through a detailed Phasmophobia step-by-step walkthrough you can follow in every game:
Step 1: Preparation Before Entering
- Check the whiteboard in the truck for ghost’s name, type of interactions, and bonus objectives.
- Plan your gear loadout: split equipment between teammates to maximize efficiency.
- Assign roles: e.g., one player with EMF, another with Thermometer, one with Spirit Box, and one setting cameras.
Step 2: Initial Sweep
- Enter the location and turn on the breaker if needed (restores lights).
- Sweep with the Thermometer to locate cold spots.
- Use EMF Reader in each room for spikes of activity.
- Place video cameras in suspect rooms facing corners for maximum coverage.
Step 3: Narrowing Down the Ghost Room
- Once you identify the ghost room (room with the most activity, temperature drops, or EMF readings), set up your equipment there.
- Place the D.O.T.S Projector and Ghost Writing Book in the room.
- Ask questions with the Spirit Box like “Are you here?” or “How old are you?”
Step 4: Gathering Evidence
You need three pieces of evidence to identify the ghost type. Examples include:
- EMF Level 5 reading.
- Ghost Orb seen on camera.
- Freezing Temperature readings (-0.6°C or below).
- Spirit Box voice response.
- Fingerprints on windows, doors, or switches.
- Ghost Writing in the book.
- D.O.T.S apparition.
Step 5: Managing Sanity & Survival
- Keep lights on where possible to preserve sanity.
- Avoid staying in the dark too long.
- Monitor sanity levels on the truck screen. Ghosts become more aggressive as your sanity decreases.
- Use Smudge Sticks when the ghost becomes active to calm it temporarily.
Step 6: Completing Objectives & Exiting
- Once you collect enough evidence, open the journal and select the ghost type.
- Optionally complete secondary objectives for extra cash (e.g., prevent a hunt with Crucifix, cleanse area with Smudge Sticks, capture ghost photo).
- Escape alive to maximize rewards.
4. Ghost Types and Evidence Combinations
Phasmophobia currently has over 20 ghost types, each with unique traits. Here are a few examples:
- Spirit: Evidence – EMF Level 5, Spirit Box, Ghost Writing. Weakness: Easily repelled by Smudge Sticks.
- Phantom: Evidence – Spirit Box, D.O.T.S, Fingerprints. Weakness: Taking a photo makes it disappear temporarily.
- Jinn: Evidence – EMF Level 5, Fingerprints, Freezing Temps. Strength: Moves quickly if the breaker is on.
- Banshee: Evidence – Fingerprints, Ghost Orb, D.O.T.S. Unique: Targets one player specifically.
- Revenant: Evidence – Ghost Orb, Ghost Writing, Freezing Temps. Strength: Extremely fast during hunts if target is visible.
Pro Tip: Memorize common ghost weaknesses. For example, using Smudge Sticks effectively against Spirits or keeping lights off against Jinn can mean the difference between life and death.
5. Beginner Tips for Phasmophobia Players
If you’re new to the game, here are some essential Phasmophobia beginner tips:
- Don’t Rush – Move slowly and methodically. Running blindly into rooms can trigger hunts.
- Stay Together Early On – Ghosts are less aggressive when multiple players are present.
- Learn Ghost Behaviors – Different ghosts have unique patterns. For example, a Revenant is deadly fast during a chase.
- Communicate Constantly – Use in-game voice chat to share evidence and warn teammates.
- Hide Effectively – During a hunt, turn off electronics, crouch, and hide in closets or behind furniture.
6. Advanced Multiplayer Strategies
For experienced players, teamwork and coordination are crucial. Here’s how to master Phasmophobia multiplayer strategy:
- Divide and Conquer: Split into two teams to sweep different sections of the building faster.
- Chain Smudging: Have multiple players ready with Smudge Sticks to delay ghost hunts repeatedly.
- Sacrifice Tactics: Sometimes one player distracting the ghost can save the team and secure objectives.
- Silent Runs: Use push-to-talk sparingly during hunts to avoid drawing attention.
7. Sanity Management in Phasmophobia
Sanity is your invisible lifeline. Here’s how to manage sanity effectively:
- Staying in darkness drains sanity faster.
- Interactions with ghosts (appearances, whispers, events) reduce sanity.
- Sanity Pills restore sanity—always bring them for long hunts.
- Certain ghosts like Yurei specifically lower sanity more quickly.
Maintaining sanity above 50% drastically reduces the chances of ghost hunts.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the Breaker: Without power, temperatures may mislead you. Always check the breaker.
- Ignoring Secondary Objectives: These bring in extra money to buy more gear.
- Using Spirit Box Incorrectly: Ensure lights are off, and you are in the ghost room.
- Poor Hiding Choices: Hiding behind doors often fails. Always seek closets, lockers, or corners.
9. Final Thoughts on Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a thrilling and terrifying game that rewards patience, observation, and teamwork. By following this detailed Phasmophobia walkthrough, you can improve your ghost-hunting skills, maximize your rewards, and survive even the deadliest hunts.
Whether you are a beginner learning how to use equipment or a veteran memorizing ghost evidence combinations, these Phasmophobia tips and strategies will help you master the game in 2025.
Grab your EMF Reader, keep your sanity in check, and may your ghost hunts end in victory instead of tragedy.
