Phasmophobia is a horror co-op game on Steam and is very popular. We at MeinMMO will tell you what the various items can do that help you identify the ghosts.
How does Phasmophobia work? In the horror game, you take on the role of a ghost hunter and embark on an adventure with up to 3 other players. Phasmophobia is well-received on Steam primarily due to its atmosphere.
You start in a van and receive some information about the mission, as well as secondary objectives. Your task is to identify the ghost in a house. There are various items for this purpose.
What items are there? In Phasmophobia, there are numerous items, some of which are available at the start, while others can only be unlocked by you over time.
- Flashlight and a stronger flashlight
- EMF Reader
- Thermometer
- Spirit Box
- A photo and a video camera
- Ghost Writing Book
- UV Light / Glowstick
- Motion Sensor
- Cross
- Lighter and candle or matches
- Glow Stick
- Pills for mental health
However, since the game currently offers a rather mediocre tutorial, we will introduce the items in more detail and categorize them into two categories: items for identifying ghosts and items for survival.
Items to Identify Ghosts
To determine the type of ghost, you need to learn more about its identity. You need to figure out what kind of ghost it is (e.g., a Poltergeist) and what it has done in the past.
You can carry up to 3 items at the same time. Some of these items fall under the “starter items” and are available right from the start of the round, including the flashlight, EMF Reader, or cameras.
Flashlights
- Useful for: Lighting up the environment, as the houses are usually very dark.
- Provides proof: None
In the game, there are two different flashlights: the standard version and an improved one that illuminates a larger area. Flashlights are important and should always have a place in your inventory.
EMF Reader
- Useful for: Measuring electromagnetic fields and thus locating the ghost
- Provides the following proof: From level 5 it provides an entry
The EMF Reader is also an essential tool. You activate it by using the right mouse button and then sweep through the house. A high EMF value just means there are paranormal activities. However, from level 5 it counts as proof that you can record in your journal.
Thermometer
- Useful for: Finding the ghost
- Provides proof: Cold temperatures
The thermometer is not part of the standard equipment and must be purchased separately. However, we highly recommend it. If the temperatures in a room drop below 10 degrees, you have a good chance of having a ghost nearby. If the temperature even drops below freezing, you have found proof.
However, you can theoretically also recognize the low temperature by your breath. The thermometer makes it easier and more accurate.
Spirit Box
- Useful for: Communication with the ghost
- Provides proof: Spirit Box
The Spirit Box is one of the most interesting tools in the game. You place it in a room, turn off the light, and try to talk to the ghost. You use your microphone for this and ideally speak in English, even though the ghost may understand German in some situations.
You can ask several questions. Here is a small selection:
- Open a door.
- Turn on the light.
- Are there any ghosts?
- Give us a sign.
- Show us.
- Can you speak?
- Make a noise.
- Would you like to talk?
- Are you happy?
- Are you male or female?
- Do you want us to leave?
- Can you make a sound?
- Show us your presence.
- Make a sound.
- Throw something.
- Talk to us.
- We are friends.
The ghost can respond by speaking or performing an action. A conversation counts as proof, an action does not. However, it shows that the ghost is nearby.
Furthermore, ghosts can kill you if you insult them.
If the ghost does not respond, it may not be willing to talk to you, which some ghosts actually do not, or you are not alone or it is too noisy in the house.
Video Camera
- Useful for: Filming paranormal activities
- Provides proof: Ghost Orb
The video camera is especially worthwhile when you have already identified the room where the ghost is located. Then you leave one of the other items in your van and take the camera with you. Position it so that it captures as much of the room as possible. Also, remember to activate the camera before returning to the van. The green light means it is recording, the red means it is in standby mode.
Ghost Writing Book
- Useful for: Communication with the ghost
- Provides proof: Ghostwriting
Like the video camera, the book is only worthwhile when you have identified the room with the ghost. Place the book in the middle of the room and wait for the ghost to write in it. It is best to combine the book with the video camera and sit in the van to observe the activities.
UV Light / Glowstick
- Useful for: Finding fingerprints
- Provides proof: Fingerprints
The UV light becomes really interesting later in the game and can initially be left in the van. At the beginning, there are rarely fingerprints to find. However, the more paranormal activities take place, the more useful the item becomes. Fingerprints are usually found on light switches, doors, or windows.
The glowstick works on exactly the same principle.
Camera
- Useful for: Photographing the ghost and completing side missions
- Provides proof: None
The camera does not provide any proof but is useful for many side missions. For example, you may be tasked with taking a photo of the ghost.
Items That Can Ensure Your Survival
In addition to the aforementioned items to successfully complete the mission, there are also items that can ensure your survival. The more paranormal activities take place, the more “sanity” or mental health you lose.
Moreover, ghosts can attack and kill you. You can partially protect yourself from this.
Cross
- Useful for: Survival
- Provides proof: None
A cross can be used against a ghost to protect yourself from death. To do this, you lay it on the ground beforehand. If the ghost walks over it, it disappears; however, the radius for this is quite small.
Crosses are more effective against certain types of ghosts than others. Moreover, really aggressive ghosts that are already hunting you will not be impressed by it.
Lighter and matches/candles
- Useful for: Light, side missions, and survival
- Provides proof: None
Lighters can be used to light matches and candles. You can either do it yourself or have another player light them with a lighter.
Since flashlights start to flicker with high ghost activity, these items are useful to ensure there is still light. Moreover, you can throw them to temporarily protect yourself from the ghost. Lastly, they are needed for some side missions.
Motion Sensor
- Useful for: Side missions
- Provides proof: None
The motion sensor is mainly part of side missions and is supposed to capture the movements of the ghost. However, it does not provide proof and is useful only when the room has already been located.
Sanity Pills
- Useful for: Maintaining sanity
- Provides proof: None
During a round of Phasmophobia, your “sanity level” decreases due to ghost activities. At 30-40 percent sanity, you start to see strange things, like flickering lights or shadows. Additionally, the likelihood of the ghost attacking you increases. At 0% sanity, the risk is extremely high that the ghost will hunt and kill you.
The pills, in turn, ensure that the percentage increases again.
As if Phasmophobia itself weren’t scary enough, hackers have found a way to terrorize players and streamers with jump scares.
