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.
Combat in Phasmophobia rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works — and how they interact — is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. 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). Gather evidence using equipment and cross-reference to identify the ghost. Higher difficulties hide evidence, requiring behavioral analysis.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. sanity management
Your average sanity starts at 100% and decreases in darkness, during ghost events, and near the ghost. Below 50% sanity, hunts become frequent. Sanity pills restore 40% sanity. Lights in the building slow sanity drain. Managing when to take pills vs when to leave is critical.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. 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.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. difficulty scaling
Amateur gives all 3 evidence. Intermediate starts with lower sanity. Professional and Nightmare progressively hide evidence (Nightmare only shows 2 of 3), requiring behavioral identification. Higher difficulties also increase ghost aggression, hunt frequency, and reduce grace periods.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. photo rewards
Taking photos of ghost activity, interactions, dirty water, voodoo dolls, and the ghost itself awards bonus money. The photo camera is essential for maximizing income. Each photo is graded 1-3 stars based on quality and subject.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
Mechanic Synergies
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
ghost identification + sanity management
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). When combined with sanity management, your average sanity starts at 100% and decreases in darkness, during ghost events, and near the ghost. This combination is the core of every effective build.
equipment usage + difficulty scaling
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. Paired with difficulty scaling, amateur gives all 3 evidence. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
photo rewards as a Multiplier
Taking photos of ghost activity, interactions, dirty water, voodoo dolls, and the ghost itself awards bonus money. The photo camera is essential for maximizing income. Each photo is graded 1-3 stars based on quality and subject. This system amplifies everything else — the better your photo rewards optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Spirit (B-Tier)
Combat approach: Standard investigation, use smudge sticks for extended safety windows. Key equipment: EMF Reader Primary mechanic: ghost identification
The default ghost type. Full setup in our builds guide.
Wraith (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Place salt and check for lack of footprints to confirm Wraith. Key equipment: Spirit Box Primary mechanic: sanity management
Can teleport to random players regardless of distance. Full setup in our builds guide.
Phantom (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Photograph the ghost to temporarily banish it, avoid eye contact during hunts. Key equipment: DOTS Projector Primary mechanic: equipment usage
Looking at the Phantom during a hunt drains sanity rapidly. Full setup in our builds guide.
Poltergeist (B-Tier)
Combat approach: Place items in ghost room, observe for multiple simultaneous throws. Key equipment: Ghost Writing Book Primary mechanic: difficulty scaling
Can throw multiple objects simultaneously, creating loud, chaotic ghost events. Full setup in our builds guide.
Banshee (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Figure out who the Banshee targets, keep that player safe, collect evidence from the safer players. Key equipment: UV Light Primary mechanic: photo rewards
Targets one specific player and hunts only that person until they die or leave. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit ghost identification for maximum damage windows
- Chain sanity management and equipment usage for combo damage
- Use difficulty scaling to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- 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.
- Position using ghost identification to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness — Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression — One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation — Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing — Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring sanity management — This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation — Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths — Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting — Trading hits works in Tanglewood Street House but will get you killed in Point Hope.
More Phasmophobia Guides
- Phasmophobia Phasmophobia Overview
- Phasmophobia Best Builds
- Phasmophobia Tier List
- Phasmophobia Walkthrough
- Phasmophobia Beginner's Guide
- Phasmophobia Tips & Tricks
- Phasmophobia Weapons Guide
- Phasmophobia Boss Guide
- Phasmophobia Maps & Locations
- Phasmophobia Crafting Guide
- Phasmophobia Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Phasmophobia, check out these related guides:
- Lethal Company Combat Guide — horror game with similar mechanics
- Dead by Daylight Combat Guide — horror game with similar mechanics
- R.E.P.O. Combat Guide — horror game with similar mechanics
