Surviving in Phasmophobia may seem overwhelming at first, but with a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics and the right preparation, you’ll increase your odds of staying alive—and successfully identifying the ghost. This guide walks you through everything from what causes death to how to avoid it using smart tools and tactics.

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🪦 Ways You Can Die

1. Ghost Hunts
   • The ghost enters hunting mode and catches you.
2. Tarot Card – The Hanged Man
   • Instantly kills the player who draws it.
3. Monkey Paw – Wish for Life
   • Revives a teammate but may cost you your own life.

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🔥 What Triggers a Hunt?

1. Cursed Possessions
   • Using cursed items (e.g., Summoning Circle, Ouija Board) can instantly start a cursed hunt, regardless of sanity.
2. Low Sanity
   • Most ghosts hunt when the average team sanity drops below 50%.
   • Some ghosts hunt earlier:
     • Demon: Can hunt above 70%.
     • Mare: Hunts more often in darkness.
     • Yurei: Can drain sanity quickly with its ability.
3. Ghost Events
   • Prolonged exposure to ghost events (like whispers or object throws) lowers sanity and may lead to a hunt.
4. Player Deaths
   • If a teammate dies, the rest of the team loses 15% sanity.

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🧠 Managing Sanity

1. Monitor Sanity
   • Regularly check your sanity in the truck. Drop below 50%, and you’re in danger. Use sanity pills as needed.
2. Stay in the Light
   • Lit rooms reduce sanity drain. Avoid turning on too many lights at once or you’ll trip the breaker.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Events
   • Ghost events (e.g., hissing, apparitions) deplete sanity—don’t linger when they occur.
4. Use Firelight
   • Candles and lighters help reduce passive sanity loss in the dark. Use them in ghost rooms or key hallways.

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🚫 How to Prevent Hunts

1. Crucifixes
   • Prevent hunts if placed properly:
     • Tier 1: Stops 1 hunt.
     • Tier 2 & 3: Stops up to 2 hunts and can prevent cursed hunts.
   • Must be within 3 meters (or 5m for Banshees) of ghost’s spawn point to be effective.
2. Smudge Sticks
   • Temporarily prevents hunts when used on the ghost:
     • 90 seconds for most ghosts.
     • 180 seconds for Spirits.
     • 60 seconds for Demons.
3. Setup Timer (Lower Difficulties)
   • On Amateur and Intermediate, there’s a grace period at the start:
     • 5 minutes on Amateur, 2 minutes on Intermediate.
     • Hunts can’t occur during this time unless cursed items are used.

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🏃‍♂️ What to Do During a Hunt

1. Recognize a Hunt
   • Key signs:
     • Main door locks shut.
     • Lights flicker.
     • Ghost makes audible sounds (growling, footsteps).
2. Differentiate Ghost Events
   • Ghost events can mimic hunts but don’t lock the door. When in doubt, treat it like a hunt.
3. Break Line of Sight
   • Use walls, corners, and furniture to block the ghost’s vision.
4. Find a Hiding Spot
   • Hide in closets, lockers, or behind furniture.
   • Close doors fully and hold them shut during hunts.
5. Turn Off Electronics
   • Turn off flashlights, cameras, and other gear. Even items in your offhand can attract the ghost.
   • Drop cameras if they can’t be turned off.
6. Stay Silent
   • The ghost can hear your voice. Use push-to-talk or stay quiet while hiding.

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🔥 Using Smudge Sticks

1. During Hunts
   • Light a smudge stick when the ghost is nearby to:
     • Disorient it.
     • Force it to roam for several seconds.
     • Give you time to escape or hide.
2. Between Hunts
   • Smudging the ghost’s room outside of a hunt delays its ability to hunt again.
3. Activation
   • Hold the smudge stick and light it with a lighter or matches.

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✅ Survival Tips

• Scout Early
  • Learn hiding spots and escape routes before a hunt starts.
• Avoid Dead Ends
  • Always plan a retreat path, especially in large maps.
• Use Crucifixes Smartly
  • Place them where the ghost spawns, not just where activity occurs.
• Watch the Activity Board
  • Spikes in activity often mean increased aggression or an impending hunt.
• Learn Ghost Traits
  • Understanding behaviors helps you react quickly and survive.

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💀 Dealing with Death

1. Reviving Teammates
   • Monkey Paw: “Wish for Life” revives a teammate (at personal risk).
   • Tarot Cards: Drawing The High Priestess brings a player back.
2. Item Loss
   • Dying causes you to lose all gear you brought—unless playing on Amateur.

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🎯 Conclusion

Mastering survival in Phasmophobia is about awareness, preparation, and learning from experience. With the right habits—like monitoring sanity, using smudge sticks correctly, and reacting fast to ghost activity—you’ll live longer and succeed more often.

Don’t be discouraged by early mistakes—every death is a lesson.
Stay sharp, stay calm, and happy hunting! 👻