Phasmophobia is Kinetic Games' cooperative ghost hunting horror game where 1-4 players investigate haunted locations to identify ghost types using paranormal equipment. The game uses voice recognition — ghosts can hear you through your microphone, respond to questions, and hunt based on sound. With 24 ghost types each having unique behaviors and evidence, every investigation is a puzzle of observation and deduction while managing the terror of being hunted by an increasingly aggressive entity.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | B | Standard investigation, use smudge sticks for extended safety windows. | Smudge sticks (extra effective), Spirit Box, UV Light |
| Wraith | A | Place salt and check for lack of footprints to confirm Wraith. | Salt (won't leave footprints — diagnostic), Spirit Box, DOTS |
| Phantom | A | Photograph the ghost to temporarily banish it, avoid eye contact during hunts. | Photo Camera (makes it disappear), avoid looking at it during hunts |
| Poltergeist | B | Place items in ghost room, observe for multiple simultaneous throws. | Items placed in ghost room (for throwing test), EMF Reader |
| Banshee | S | Figure out who the Banshee targets, keep that player safe, collect evidence from the safer players. | Parabolic Microphone (unique scream), Crucifix near target player |
B-Tier: Spirit
The default ghost type. Smudge sticks prevent hunting for 180 seconds (double the normal 90). Has no special strengths. Spirit Box, Fingerprints, and Ghost Writing are its evidence. The easiest ghost to identify and counter.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | EMF Reader | Detects ghost activity on a 1-5 scale. |
| Core Gear | Smudge sticks (extra effective), Spirit Box, UV Light | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Evidence gathering > smudge timing | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | ghost identification | Each of the 24 ghost types has 3 evidence types from a pool of 7 (EMF 5, Spirit Box, Fingerprints, Ghost Orbs, Writing, Freezing Temps, DOTS Projector). |
How to Play Spirit
Standard investigation, use smudge sticks for extended safety windows.
The default ghost type. Smudge sticks prevent hunting for 180 seconds (double the normal 90). Has no special strengths. Spirit Box, Fingerprints, and Ghost Writing are its evidence. The easiest ghost to identify and counter.
What makes this build work: The synergy between EMF Reader and ghost identification creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Smudge sticks (extra effective), Spirit Box, UV Light amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Evidence gathering > smudge timing) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Wraith
Can teleport to random players regardless of distance. Doesn't leave UV footprints when stepping in salt. EMF 5, Spirit Box, and DOTS Projector evidence. Dangerous because it can appear anywhere without warning.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Spirit Box | A radio device that responds to voice questions in the ghost room. |
| Core Gear | Salt (won't leave footprints — diagnostic), Spirit Box, DOTS | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Salt test > EMF monitoring > Spirit Box | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | sanity management | Your average sanity starts at 100% and decreases in darkness, during ghost events, and near the ghost. |
How to Play Wraith
Place salt and check for lack of footprints to confirm Wraith.
Can teleport to random players regardless of distance. Doesn't leave UV footprints when stepping in salt. EMF 5, Spirit Box, and DOTS Projector evidence. Dangerous because it can appear anywhere without warning.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Spirit Box and sanity management creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Salt (won't leave footprints — diagnostic), Spirit Box, DOTS amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Salt test > EMF monitoring > Spirit Box) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Phantom
Looking at the Phantom during a hunt drains sanity rapidly. Taking a photo makes it temporarily disappear (but hunt continues). Ghost Orbs, Fingerprints, and DOTS evidence. Less visible during hunts — flickers more.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | DOTS Projector | Projects a grid of green dots on a wall. |
| Core Gear | Photo Camera (makes it disappear), avoid looking at it during hunts | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Photo evidence > Ghost Orb check > fingerprint scan | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | equipment usage | Equipment includes EMF Reader (detects ghost activity), Spirit Box (voice communication with ghost), Thermometer (finds ghost room via cold spots), UV Light (reveals fingerprints), DOTS Projector (shows ghost silhouette), Video Camera (captures ghost orbs), Ghost Writing Book, and more. |
How to Play Phantom
Photograph the ghost to temporarily banish it, avoid eye contact during hunts.
Looking at the Phantom during a hunt drains sanity rapidly. Taking a photo makes it temporarily disappear (but hunt continues). Ghost Orbs, Fingerprints, and DOTS evidence. Less visible during hunts — flickers more.
What makes this build work: The synergy between DOTS Projector and equipment usage creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Photo Camera (makes it disappear), avoid looking at it during hunts amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Photo evidence > Ghost Orb check > fingerprint scan) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Poltergeist
Can throw multiple objects simultaneously, creating loud, chaotic ghost events. During hunts, it throws objects at players for damage. Fingerprints, Ghost Writing, and Spirit Box evidence. Identify by the volume and frequency of thrown objects.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Ghost Writing Book | Place in the ghost room and the ghost may write in it. |
| Core Gear | Items placed in ghost room (for throwing test), EMF Reader | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Object interaction monitoring > evidence gathering | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | difficulty scaling | Amateur gives all 3 evidence. |
How to Play Poltergeist
Place items in ghost room, observe for multiple simultaneous throws.
Can throw multiple objects simultaneously, creating loud, chaotic ghost events. During hunts, it throws objects at players for damage. Fingerprints, Ghost Writing, and Spirit Box evidence. Identify by the volume and frequency of thrown objects.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Ghost Writing Book and difficulty scaling creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Items placed in ghost room (for throwing test), EMF Reader amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Object interaction monitoring > evidence gathering) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
S-Tier: Banshee
Targets one specific player and hunts only that person until they die or leave. Non-targets are relatively safe during hunts. EMF 5, Fingerprints, and Ghost Orbs evidence. The Banshee's unique scream can be heard through the Parabolic Mic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | UV Light | Reveals fingerprints on doors, windows, and light switches the ghost has interacted with. |
| Core Gear | Parabolic Microphone (unique scream), Crucifix near target player | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Identify target player > protect that player > evidence | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | photo rewards | Taking photos of ghost activity, interactions, dirty water, voodoo dolls, and the ghost itself awards bonus money. |
How to Play Banshee
Figure out who the Banshee targets, keep that player safe, collect evidence from the safer players.
Targets one specific player and hunts only that person until they die or leave. Non-targets are relatively safe during hunts. EMF 5, Fingerprints, and Ghost Orbs evidence. The Banshee's unique scream can be heard through the Parabolic Mic.
What makes this build work: The synergy between UV Light and photo rewards creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Parabolic Microphone (unique scream), Crucifix near target player amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Identify target player > protect that player > evidence) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Wraith — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Spirit once you understand core mechanics and have access to EMF Reader
- Keep a Phantom setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Banshee for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Always check ghost room temperature first — freezing temperatures (below 3°C) are one of the easiest evidence types to confirm. Use the thermometer in each room.
- Smudge sticks prevent hunting for 90 seconds (180 for Spirit). Light them and use them during hunts to escape or before triggering ghost events for safety.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
