Phasmophobia Beginners Guide - 20 Pro Tips & Tricks (July 2025)

I've spent over 500 hours hunting ghosts in Phasmophobia, and let me tell you – nothing prepared me for the sheer terror of my first few investigations. If you're new to ghost hunting or struggling to survive those intense hunts, I've compiled 20 essential tips that will transform you from a frightened rookie into a seasoned paranormal investigator.

With the recent Chronicle Update v0.13 completely revolutionizing how we capture evidence, there's never been a better time to master these game-changing strategies. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, these tips will help you identify ghosts faster, survive longer, and earn those coveted Perfect Investigation bonuses.

1. Always Play the Tutorial First

I know you're eager to jump into the action, but trust me – the tutorial is absolutely essential. The tutorial is packed full of useful information that can help new players learn by doing. You'll learn the basic controls, understand how equipment works, and get a feel for the game's mechanics without the pressure of a real ghost hunting you down. This 10-minute investment will save you hours of confusion later.

2. Master One Map Before Moving On

Here's a rookie mistake I see constantly: trying to learn all maps at once. For beginners, 6 Tanglewood Drive tends to be an easy place to start. Stick with this single-story house until you can navigate it blindfolded. You'll memorize hiding spots, learn the layout, and understand where ghosts typically spawn. Once you're comfortable, graduate to 13 Willow Street for your first multi-floor experience.

3. Find the Ghost Room Immediately

The most important thing for players to do at the start of the match in Phasmophobia is to locate the ghost's room. This is where you'll find most evidence and where the ghost spends the majority of its time. Split up your team with different equipment:

• Player 1: EMF Reader
• Player 2: Thermometer
• Player 3: Video Camera (with night vision)
• Player 4: Spirit Box or UV Light

The ghost room will always be significantly colder than other rooms, making the thermometer particularly effective for quick identification.

4. Manage Your Sanity Like Your Life Depends On It

Because it literally does! Most ghosts will start hunting as team sanity drops to around 50%. Here's how to protect your sanity:

• Stay in well-lit areas whenever possible
• Turn on lights as you explore (but don't overdo it – you'll blow the fuse)
• Take Sanity Pills when available (unlocked at level 5)
• Return to the truck periodically for a sanity break

Remember, the ghost checks your team's average sanity, not individual levels. One player with 0% sanity can trigger hunts for everyone!

5. Turn Off ALL Electronics During Hunts

This tip has saved my life countless times. When a ghost hunts in Phasmophobia, it can find players in one of three ways: line of sight to their character model's head and shoulders, player voices, and electronic equipment. The moment you hear that hunt starting:

1. Find a hiding spot (closet, locker, or room)
2. Cycle through your inventory
3. Turn off EVERYTHING electronic
4. Stay absolutely silent

Non-electronic items include Crucifixes, Smudge Sticks, Lighters, Salt, and Sanity Pills – everything else needs to be OFF.

6. Listen to the Ghost's Footsteps

During hunts, ghosts' footsteps can often help players determine what kind of specter they're dealing with without needing to have all the evidence. Each ghost has unique hunting behaviors:

• Revenant: Slow when it doesn't see you, incredibly fast when it does
• Deogen: Always knows where you are but moves very slowly when close
• Thaye: Fast when young, slows down over time
• Hantu: Faster in cold rooms, slower in warm ones

Learning these audio cues can help you identify ghosts even without all three pieces of evidence.

7. Never Say the Ghost's Name (Unless You Want Chaos)

In general, saying a ghost's first name in the Spirit Box or just aloud in the building is enough to anger it and potentially cause it to hunt. While this can be useful for completing objectives or getting photo evidence, new players should avoid it until they're comfortable with hunt mechanics. If you must use the name, make sure:

• Your sanity is high
• You have an escape route planned
• Crucifixes are placed strategically
• Your team is ready for a potential hunt

8. Take Photos of EVERYTHING

One of the best ways to earn extra money in Phasmophobia is by taking photos. You can photograph:

• Ghost events and appearances
• Fingerprints and footprints
• Ghost Writing in books
• Disturbed salt piles
• Dirty water in sinks
• Used Crucifixes
• Dead teammates (morbid but profitable)
• Bone and Cursed Possessions
• EMF readings
• D.O.T.S. Projector ghost

Pro tip: Take photos within seconds of interactions for them to count. If it doesn't say "Interaction" under the photo, vote to remove it.

9. Learn Your Starter Equipment Inside-Out

Before spending money on fancy gear, master the basics:

• EMF Reader: Running around with an EMF Reader is one of the fastest ways to find the ghost, as it will pick up activity
• Spirit Box: Only works in the dark, and some ghosts only respond when you're alone
• Ghost Writing Book: Place it in the ghost room and wait – patience is key
• Video Camera: Essential for spotting Ghost Orbs (only visible through the camera)
• UV Light: Shows fingerprints on doors, windows, and light switches
• Thermometer: Your best friend for finding the ghost room quickly

10. Understand the Setup Phase

The startup phase at the lowest difficulty level lasts for 5 minutes and during this time ghosts will not attack players. Use this time wisely:

• Amateur: 5 minutes of safety
• Intermediate: 2.5 minutes
• Professional and above: No setup phase at all!

During setup, focus on finding the ghost room and placing equipment. Don't waste time gathering evidence until you know where to look.

11. Start on Higher Difficulties Sooner

This might sound crazy, but hear me out. The more difficult the contract, the more active the ghost will be at the start, and the more information players can get right away. Playing on Intermediate or Professional forces you to:

• Learn hunt mechanics quickly
• Identify ghosts by behavior, not just evidence
• Develop better survival instincts
• Earn significantly more money and XP

Yes, you'll die more often initially, but you'll become a better player much faster.

12. Manage Your Equipment Budget Wisely

If you die on professional or higher, you're just out of that money and that equipment. Here's how to play it smart:

• Never bring more than you can afford to lose
• Split equipment costs among team members
• Prioritize essential items over luxury gear
• Keep a financial buffer for replacing lost equipment
• On higher difficulties, consider bringing minimal gear until you're confident

13. Know When to Cut Your Losses

If you die, all of the equipment that you brought along will be lost. Sometimes the smartest play is to leave with partial objectives completed. Signs it's time to go:

• Average sanity below 30%
• Multiple hunt attempts in quick succession
• Team members already dead
• You've identified the ghost but objectives are too risky
• The ghost is exhibiting aggressive behavior patterns

Living to hunt another day is always better than losing all your equipment.

14. Use Cursed Possessions Strategically

Each haunted location in Phasmophobia will have a Cursed Object that can be located somewhere random throughout. These powerful items can make or break your investigation:

• Ouija Board: Ask questions but beware – wrong questions drain sanity fast
• Tarot Cards: Random effects from forced hunts to revealing the ghost room
• Haunted Mirror: Shows the ghost room but drains sanity while looking
• Music Box: Lures the ghost but triggers a cursed hunt if it catches you
• Summoning Circle: Brings the ghost to you for easy evidence/photos
• Voodoo Doll: Forces interactions but can trigger hunts
• Monkey Paw: Grants wishes with terrible consequences

New players should observe experienced teammates using these before attempting solo.

15. Optimize Your Truck Time

The truck isn't just a safe space – it's your command center. One player should always monitor:

• Team sanity levels
• Activity readings
• Camera feeds for Ghost Orbs or D.O.T.S. evidence
• Sound sensors on larger maps
• Overall ghost activity patterns

This "truck person" can guide the team to the ghost room and warn about increasing activity levels.

16. Understand Light Management

Turning on too many lights can blow a fuse and leave the team in total darkness until the breaker is turned back on. Follow these lighting rules:

• Only turn on lights along your main path
• Turn off unnecessary lights to prevent overload
• Always know where the breaker is located
• Keep candles or glowsticks as backup light sources
• Remember that flashlights don't protect sanity

17. Master the Art of Smudging

Smudge Sticks (Incense) are your "get out of jail free" card during hunts. When lit:

• Ghosts are blinded for 6 seconds (most ghosts)
• Spirits won't hunt for 180 seconds if smudged
• Demons only get 60 seconds of hunt prevention
• Always carry a lighter when bringing smudge sticks
• Practice the timing – too early wastes it, too late means death

18. Learn Evidence Combinations

Each ghost requires three specific pieces of evidence. Memorizing common combinations helps narrow down possibilities quickly:

• EMF 5 + Fingerprints + Freezing = Jinn
• Spirit Box + Fingerprints + Ghost Writing = Shade
• EMF 5 + Spirit Box + D.O.T.S. = Oni

Keep the journal open or use an external cheat sheet until you memorize these patterns.

19. Communicate Constantly (But Know When to Shut Up)

If your team is not communicating what they are doing and where they are doing it, you may spend too much time trying to find the ghost's haunted room. Effective communication includes:

• Calling out temperature readings
• Announcing EMF spikes
• Sharing ghost room discoveries immediately
• Warning about ghost events
• Going silent instantly during hunts

Remember: ghosts can hear you during hunts through your actual microphone, even without push-to-talk!

20. Embrace the Fear and Have Fun

Part of the learning curve involves getting scared, dying, and experimenting to learn what playstyle feels right. Phasmophobia is meant to be scary! Don't get frustrated by deaths – each one teaches you something valuable. The game is best experienced with friends, especially if you're all learning together.

Bonus Tips for Chronicle Update 2025

Since the Chronicle Update, evidence gathering has evolved significantly:

• The new Sound Recorder captures paranormal audio for bonus rewards
• Video evidence now counts toward Perfect Investigations
• The Media tab replaces the old Photos section
• Duplicate evidence provides reduced rewards
• You need all unique evidence types for perfect scores

Essential Equipment Priority List

For new players wondering what to buy first:

1. EMF Reader (Tier 2 when available)
2. Thermometer (Tier 2 for faster readings)
3. Strong Flashlight
4. Photo Camera
5. Video Camera
6. Smudge Sticks
7. Crucifix
8. Sound Sensors (for larger maps)

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Hoarding equipment: If you're not using it, leave it for teammates
• Ignoring sanity: Low sanity = more hunts = more deaths
• Playing solo too early: Learn with friends or public lobbies first
• Skipping objectives: They provide valuable bonus money
• Not using push-to-talk: Your mic is always active in-game
• Panicking during hunts: Stay calm, hide, turn off equipment
• Forgetting the truck exists: It's your safe space – use it!

Final Thoughts

Mastering Phasmophobia takes time, patience, and a willingness to face your fears. These 20 tips represent hundreds of hours of ghost-hunting experience condensed into actionable advice. Start with the basics, gradually incorporate advanced techniques, and remember that even veteran hunters still jump at unexpected ghost events.

The beauty of Phasmophobia lies in its unpredictability. No two investigations are exactly alike, and each ghost encounter teaches you something new. Whether you're hunting alone in 6 Tanglewood Drive or tackling Sunny Meadows with a full squad, these tips will keep you alive and earning money.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Check out our Phasmophobia Chronicle Update guide for the latest features, or explore more horror game content if you're craving more scares. Remember to bookmark this guide for reference during your investigations – you never know when a quick tip might save your life!

Now grab your EMF reader, steel your nerves, and show those ghosts who's boss. Happy hunting, and may your sanity stay high and your evidence be plentiful!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best ghost for beginners to learn?

Start with Spirits – they're the most "normal" ghosts with predictable behavior. They hunt at standard sanity thresholds and have a special weakness to Smudge Sticks (180-second hunt prevention vs. the normal 90 seconds).

Should I play Phasmophobia in VR as a beginner?

While VR is incredibly immersive, I recommend learning the game in non-VR first. Master the mechanics, maps, and ghost behaviors before adding the extra challenge (and terror) of VR.

How do I get better at identifying ghosts without all evidence?

Focus on learning ghost speeds, unique abilities, and behavioral patterns. Watch experienced players on Twitch or YouTube to see how they identify ghosts through behavior alone. The official Discord is also great for learning from veterans.

What's the most important piece of equipment for beginners?

The EMF Reader is invaluable for finding the ghost room quickly. Pair it with a thermometer for the fastest ghost room identification. Everything else comes after you know where to focus your investigation.

Can I play Phasmophobia solo as a beginner?

First, as you start this game, you will have no money to spend so you will need to tag along with other players on their own hunts. Solo play is possible but significantly harder. Start with multiplayer to learn from others, build confidence, and earn initial funds before attempting solo investigations.

How long does it take to get good at Phasmophobia?

Most players feel comfortable after 20-30 hours of gameplay. You'll know basic ghost behaviors, evidence patterns, and survival techniques by then. True mastery – speedrunning, no-evidence runs, and professional solo play – takes hundreds of hours.