Phasmophobia Halloween 2026: Crimson Eye Complete Guide
Welcome, Ghost Hunters! The Blood Moon rises once again as Phasmophobia’s most terrifying annual event makes its chilling return. I’ve gathered all the essential information about the Crimson Eye Halloween Update 2025 patch notes to help you survive the haunted nights and claim those exclusive rewards. Whether you’re a veteran investigator or new to the paranormal investigations, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of this limited-time event.
Quick Overview: Crimson Eye Event (March 2026)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Crimson Eye Halloween Event |
| Duration | October 9 – October 31, 2025 |
| Main Feature | Blood Moon Weather System |
| Event Maps | 7 Maps with rotating Blood Moon |
| Reward Types | Community Goals & Personal Goals |
| Bonus Reward | 10% increased rewards during Blood Moon |
Phasmophobia Halloween Update (2026) Patch Notes
The Crimson Eye event represents Kinetic Games’ annual Halloween celebration, bringing back the beloved Blood Moon mechanics with several improvements based on player feedback from previous years. As someone who’s participated in every Phasmophobia Halloween event since launch, I can tell you this year’s iteration promises to be the most rewarding yet.
Event Duration and Schedule
The Crimson Eye Halloween event runs from October 9th to October 31st, 2025, giving ghost hunters exactly three weeks to complete all challenges and claim every available reward. This timeframe aligns perfectly with the Halloween season, creating an immersive atmosphere as you investigate haunted locations under the blood-stained moon.
According to the official Kinetic Games blog, the developers have made “several adjustments to the previous iteration of the event to make sure those taking part in the event have both an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
Blood Moon Weather System: The Core Mechanic
At the heart of the Crimson Eye event lies the Blood Moon Weather System, a game-changing mechanic that dramatically alters your investigation experience. When the Blood Moon rises, you’ll face significantly increased danger but also reap greater rewards for your bravery.
Blood Moon Effects:
- Increased Ghost Speed: Ghosts move faster during hunts, making escape more challenging
- Accelerated Sanity Drain: Your sanity decreases more rapidly, requiring more careful management
- 10% Bonus Rewards: All investigations completed under Blood Moon conditions grant additional rewards
The Blood Moon isn’t just a visual effect—it fundamentally changes how you approach each investigation. You’ll need to adapt your strategies, bring more sanity pills, and coordinate more effectively with your team to survive these enhanced paranormal encounters.
Event Maps: Where the Blood Moon Rises
For the 2025 Crimson Eye event, seven specific maps will feature guaranteed Blood Moon weather on a rotating schedule. This rotation system keeps the event fresh and encourages players to explore different locations throughout the event duration.
Crimson Eye Event Maps:
- 6 Tanglewood Drive
- Camp Woodwind
- Grafton Farmhouse
- Bleasdale Farmhouse
- Point Hope
- 42 Edgefield Road
- 13 Willow Street
Daily Rotation System:
Unlike previous events where certain maps always had Blood Moon weather, the 2025 implementation introduces a daily rotation system. Each day, 4 maps from the event pool will have guaranteed Blood Moon weather, while the remaining 3 maps will have only a random chance of Blood Moon conditions.
This rotation serves multiple purposes:
- Prevents players from grinding the same “easiest” map repeatedly
- Encourages exploration of different locations
- Creates daily variety in challenge levels
- Allows players to choose their preferred difficulty level each day
Crimson Eye Rewards: What You Can Earn?
The reward structure for the 2025 Crimson Eye event follows the proven formula of previous Phasmophobia events, offering both Community Goals and Personal Goals. This dual-reward system ensures that both collaborative play and individual effort are recognized and rewarded.
Community Goals: United We Stand
Community goals require the entire Phasmophobia player base to work together to achieve massive objectives. These goals foster a sense of global cooperation and typically reward all participants equally, regardless of individual contribution levels.
Community Goal Rewards:
Community Goal 1 Reward: Child of the Cult ID Card & Badge Set
- This exclusive cosmetic item set identifies you as a participant in the Crimson Eye event
- The ID Card features unique artwork themed around the Blood Moon cult
- The matching badge displays your event participation status
- Available to all players once the community goal is reached
Community Goal 2 Reward: The Blood Moon Trophy
- A prestigious trophy commemorating your participation in the Blood Moon event
- Important Note: If you already earned the Blood Moon Trophy during the 2024 Halloween event, you won’t receive another one in 2025
- This prevents duplicate rewards while maintaining exclusivity for veteran players
- The trophy serves as a permanent reminder of your Crimson Eye participation
Personal Goals: Individual Achievement
Personal goals reward your individual effort and dedication during the event. These goals are tracked separately and allow dedicated players to earn additional rewards beyond what the community achievements offer.
Personal Goal Rewards:
Personal Goal 1 Reward: Animated Child of the Cult ID Card
- An enhanced version of the Community ID Card with animated effects
- Features subtle animations that bring the Blood Moon cult artwork to life
- Distinguishes dedicated players who complete personal objectives
- The animation effects are exclusive to this event and won’t be available afterward
Personal Goal 2 Reward: Upgrade the Crimson Eye Trophy
- Allows you to upgrade your Crimson Eye trophy up to 3 times
- Each upgrade level enhances the trophy’s visual appearance and prestige
- Multiple upgrade levels provide progression for dedicated players
- Fully upgraded trophies represent maximum event participation
Auto-Claim System: Hassle-Free Rewards
One of the quality-of-life improvements for the 2025 Crimson Eye event is the auto-claim system. Unlike some previous events where players had to manually claim their rewards, the Crimson Eye implementation automatically delivers all earned rewards directly to your inventory.
How Auto-Claiming Works:
- Complete the required objectives during investigations
- Rewards are automatically added to your inventory when goals are met
- No need to visit specific locations or perform additional actions
- Eliminates the risk of missing rewards due to forgetting to claim them
This system ensures that every player receives their earned rewards without additional hassle, allowing you to focus on the investigations rather than reward management.
2026 Strategic Guide: Surviving the Blood Moon
Surviving the Crimson Eye event requires more than just bravery—it demands strategy, preparation, and teamwork. Based on my experience with previous Blood Moon events and the information provided in the patch notes, here are the essential strategies for maximizing your success during the Crimson Eye Halloween event.
Pre-Investigation Preparation
The key to surviving Blood Moon investigations begins before you even enter the location. Proper preparation can mean the difference between a successful investigation with maximum rewards and a quick retreat with nothing to show for your efforts.
Essential Equipment Loadout:
Sanity Management Items:
- Sanity Pills: Bring at least 4-6 pills per team member
- Strong Flashlights: Help maintain sanity in dark areas
- Candles: Provide temporary sanity boosts when placed strategically
Evidence Gathering Tools:
- EMF Reader: Essential for detecting EMF 5 events
- Spirit Box: Crucial for communication evidence
- D.O.T.S. Projector: Visual evidence that works well in Blood Moon conditions
- UV Flashlight: For fingerprint evidence and ghost identification
Safety Equipment:
- Crucifix: More important than ever with faster ghost speeds
- Smudge Sticks: Essential for creating escape windows during hunts
- Motion Sensors: Early warning system for ghost activity
- Sound Sensors: Detect ghost movement through walls
Team Composition Strategies:
The Blood Moon’s increased difficulty makes team composition more critical than ever. Here are the optimal team setups for Crimson Eye investigations:
4-Player Team (Recommended):
- 2 Primary Investigators (Evidence gathering specialists)
- 1 Support Player (Sanity management and safety equipment)
- 1 Scout/Runner (Quick reconnaissance and escape coordination)
3-Player Team:
- 1 Primary Investigator
- 1 Support/Utility Player
- 1 Flexible Player who can switch roles as needed
2-Player Team (Challenging but viable):
- Both players should be versatile and carry multiple equipment types
- Focus on complementary equipment rather than specialization
During Investigation: Blood Moon Tactics
Once you’re inside the investigation location, the Blood Moon’s effects begin to influence every aspect of your gameplay. These tactics will help you adapt to the enhanced difficulty while maximizing your reward potential.
Sanity Management Under Blood Moon:
The accelerated sanity drain during Blood Moon events requires constant attention and proactive management. Here’s how to maintain your sanity:
Active Sanity Preservation:
- Keep your flashlight on at all times when in dark areas
- Use voice communication sparingly—talking drains sanity faster
- Stay in lit areas whenever possible, even if it means taking longer routes
- Use sanity pills proactively rather than waiting for critical levels
Strategic Positioning:
- Designate “sanity safe zones” where team members can recover
- Place candles in frequently used areas for passive sanity restoration
- Avoid staying in the ghost room for extended periods
- Use the truck as a sanity recovery point when needed
Ghost Hunting Strategies:
Faster ghost speeds during hunts require different approaches to evidence gathering and survival:
Evidence Collection Priority:
- EMF 5: Most reliable evidence during Blood Moon events
- Spirit Box: Communication evidence remains consistent
- D.O.T.S. Projector: Visual evidence works well with increased ghost activity
- Fingerprints: May be harder to obtain due to faster ghost movement
- Freezing Temperatures: Requires careful thermometer placement
Hunt Survival Tactics:
- Place crucifixes preemptively in high-traffic areas
- Use smudge sticks immediately when hunts begin
- Designate escape routes before entering the ghost room
- Keep doors closed between rooms to slow ghost progression
- Use hiding spots strategically—closets and lockers are your friends
Advanced Strategies for Maximum Rewards
For players looking to maximize their efficiency and reward potential during the Crimson Eye event, these advanced strategies will help you complete objectives faster and earn more rewards.
Speed Running Techniques:
Objective Prioritization:
- Identify the ghost type as quickly as possible
- Complete optional objectives for bonus rewards
- Document evidence thoroughly for the 10% Blood Moon bonus
- Exit cleanly to preserve all earned rewards
Team Coordination:
- Assign specific roles before entering the location
- Use voice communication effectively and efficiently
- Share equipment when necessary to cover all evidence types
- Coordinate exit timing to ensure all team members escape safely
Risk vs. Reward Calculations:
The 10% bonus reward during Blood Moon conditions creates interesting risk/reward scenarios:
High-Risk, High-Reward Strategies:
- Stay longer in active ghost areas for more evidence
- Attempt difficult optional objectives for maximum points
- Use minimal safety equipment to carry more investigation tools
- Investigate during active hunts for unique evidence opportunities
Conservative Approaches:
- Focus on safe, reliable evidence gathering
- Exit immediately after identifying the ghost type
- Prioritize team survival over maximum evidence collection
- Use all available safety equipment to ensure survival
Platform-Specific Considerations in 2026
The Crimson Eye Halloween event is available across all Phasmophobia platforms, but each platform has unique considerations that can affect your event experience. Whether you’re playing on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PS VR2, these platform-specific tips will help you optimize your Crimson Eye participation.
PC (Steam) Players
As the original platform for Phasmophobia, PC players have the most mature experience with the game’s mechanics and the most options for customization.
Advantages:
- Full keyboard and mouse control precision
- Access to community mods and tools (where permitted)
- Typically receives updates first
- Largest player base for matchmaking
PC-Specific Strategies:
- Use keybinds for quick equipment switching
- Take advantage of higher frame rates for better reaction times
- Utilize Discord for superior team communication
- Consider graphics settings that prioritize visibility over visual fidelity
Console Players (PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S)
Console players enjoy a more standardized experience with optimized controls for their respective platforms.
Advantages:
- Standardized controller experience
- Optimized performance for each platform
- Integrated voice chat systems
- Cross-platform play availability
Console-Specific Strategies:
- Master the controller layout for quick equipment access
- Use the integrated party chat for team communication
- Take advantage of aim assist features for precise equipment use
- Consider using a headset for better audio cues
PS VR2 Players
VR players experience Phasmophobia in its most immersive form, with the Crimson Eye event being particularly terrifying in virtual reality.
Advantages:
- Fully immersive horror experience
- Natural equipment interaction
- Enhanced spatial awareness
- More intense and memorable gameplay
VR-Specific Strategies:
- Take regular breaks to prevent VR fatigue
- Use the play area effectively for equipment management
- Leverage head tracking for better environmental awareness
- Consider comfort settings if motion sickness is an issue
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Crimson Eye
Even experienced players can fall into common traps during the intense Crimson Eye event. Based on community feedback and my own experience, here are the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them.
Sanity Management Errors
Mistake 1: Ignoring Early Sanity Warnings
- Problem: Waiting until sanity is critically low before using pills
- Solution: Use sanity pills at 50-60% to maintain optimal investigation capacity
- Why It Matters: The Blood Moon’s accelerated drain makes recovery more difficult
Mistake 2: Overusing Voice Communication
- Problem: Excessive talking drains sanity faster during Blood Moon events
- Solution: Use brief, efficient communication and text chat when possible
- Why It Matters: Every word counts when sanity drains more quickly
Equipment Mismanagement
Mistake 3: Bringing the Wrong Equipment
- Problem: Failing to adapt equipment loadout for Blood Moon conditions
- Solution: Prioritize sanity management and safety equipment
- Why It Matters: Standard equipment setups may not suffice under enhanced difficulty
Mistake 4: Poor Equipment Distribution
- Problem: Team members bringing duplicate equipment
- Solution: Coordinate loadouts to cover all evidence types and safety needs
- Why It Matters: Efficient equipment use maximizes investigation success
Strategic Errors
Mistake 5: Underestimating Ghost Speed
- Problem: Assuming ghosts behave normally during Blood Moon events
- Solution: Treat every ghost as if it’s faster than normal
- Why It Matters: The increased speed can catch even experienced players off guard
Mistake 6: Poor Exit Timing
- Problem: Staying too long trying to gather extra evidence
- Solution: Exit promptly after completing objectives to preserve rewards
- Why It Matters: The 10% bonus isn’t worth losing all rewards to a failed investigation
2026 Community Resources and Additional Information
To enhance your Crimson Eye experience and stay updated with the latest event information, these community resources are invaluable:
Official Sources
Kinetic Games Blog
- The official source for all patch notes and event announcements
- Regular updates during the event period
- Developer insights and behind-the-scenes information
Official Phasmophobia Discord
- Real-time community discussion and strategy sharing
- Direct developer communication in announcement channels
- Team finding and event coordination
Steam Community Hub
- Player guides and discussions
- Event-specific strategy threads
- Screenshots and experiences from the community
Community Resources
Phasmophobia Wiki
- Comprehensive information about all game mechanics
- Event-specific guides and strategies
- Regularly updated with new information
Content Creator Streams
- Many creators will be streaming Crimson Eye content
- Live strategy demonstrations and gameplay tips
- Community events and challenges
FAQ: Crimson Eye Halloween Event
When does the Phasmophobia Halloween update 2025 start?
The Crimson Eye event starts on October 9, 2025 and runs until October 31, 2025, giving players three weeks to participate in the Halloween festivities and earn exclusive rewards.
What maps are included in the Crimson Eye event?
Seven maps feature guaranteed Blood Moon weather on rotation: 6 Tanglewood Drive, Camp Woodwind, Grafton Farmhouse, Bleasdale Farmhouse, Point Hope, 42 Edgefield Road, and 13 Willow Street. Four maps have guaranteed Blood Moon each day, rotating daily.
Can I get another Blood Moon Trophy if I earned one in 2024?
No, if you already earned the Blood Moon Trophy during the 2024 Halloween event, you won’t be able to earn another one in 2025. This maintains the trophy’s exclusivity while allowing new players to earn it.
How do I claim my Crimson Eye rewards?
All Crimson Eye rewards are automatically claimed when you complete the required objectives. There’s no need to manually claim them—they’ll appear in your inventory automatically once goals are met.
What are the main differences between Crimson Eye 2025 and previous events?
The 2025 Crimson Eye event features a daily map rotation system, auto-claimed rewards, and several quality-of-life improvements based on player feedback from previous years. The core Blood Moon mechanics remain similar but with enhanced reward structures.
Is the Crimson Eye event available on all platforms?
Yes, the Crimson Eye Halloween event is available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PS VR2. Cross-platform play is supported, allowing players on different platforms to participate together.
What happens to the Blood Moon weather after the event ends?
The Blood Moon weather becomes a random occurrence rather than a guaranteed feature on specific maps. Players who earned the Blood Moon Trophy in previous years will retain access to this weather type.
Can I still earn rewards if I start playing late in the event?
Yes, you can earn rewards throughout the entire event duration, but some community goals may be completed earlier by the collective player base. Personal goals remain available until the event ends on October 31st.
Conclusion: Embrace the Crimson Eye
The Phasmophobia Halloween Update 2025 brings the most refined Crimson Eye event yet, with improved mechanics, better rewards, and enhanced community features. Whether you’re hunting for exclusive cosmetics, chasing the Blood Moon Trophy, or simply enjoying the enhanced horror atmosphere, this event offers something for every type of player.
Remember to bookmark this guide for quick reference during the event, and check out our other Phasmophobia guides for more tips and strategies. The Blood Moon rises soon—will you answer its call?
Happy Hunting, Ghost Hunters!
Looking for more gaming guides? Check out our Ultimate Horror Games Guide or explore our PC Gaming Guides section for more expert tips and strategies!