Understanding the different ghost types in Phasmophobia is crucial for any aspiring ghost hunter. Each ghost possesses unique behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses, making identification key to a successful investigation and survival. This guide will walk you through every ghost currently haunting Phasmophobia, providing you with the knowledge to distinguish them and plan your ghost hunting strategy effectively.
1. Spirit
The Spirit is often considered a beginner ghost, but understanding its smudge stick weakness is essential.
Key Characteristics:
- Smudge Stick Weakness: When smudged, a Spirit will not be able to hunt or initiate events for a significant duration of 180 seconds (3 minutes). This is significantly longer than most other ghosts.
Identification Tips:
- Utilize smudge sticks strategically, especially if you suspect a Spirit during hunts or when setting up equipment.
- If a smudge stick seems unusually effective at preventing hunts and events for a long period, consider the Spirit as a possibility.
2. Wraith
Wraiths are known for their ethereal nature and unique movement patterns.
Key Characteristics:
- Salt Aversion: Wraiths will never step on salt piles placed on the ground. This is a definitive trait.
- Roaming Behavior: Wraiths are one of the few ghost types that can “roam” towards players, meaning they can teleport short distances to close the gap.
Identification Tips:
- Salt Test: Place salt near suspected ghost locations. If the ghost consistently avoids the salt, it’s highly likely a Wraith.
- Absence of Footsteps in Salt: Even during hunts or events, a Wraith will not trigger salt, leaving no footprint evidence.
- Roaming Clues: Be aware of sudden ghost appearances nearby, even if it seemed far away moments before. This could indicate Wraith roaming.
3. Phantom
Phantoms are elusive and can manipulate visibility, making them unsettling encounters.
Key Characteristics:
- Vanishing Act (Photos): When you take a photo of a Phantom during an event, it may not appear in the picture itself, but the photo will still be registered as a ghost photo.
- Invisibility During Hunts: Phantoms tend to blink very rapidly during hunts, appearing almost invisible for extended periods. They can be much harder to visually track than other ghosts.
Identification Tips:
- Photo Test During Events: Try to photograph the ghost during an event. If the photo counts as a ghost photo but shows no ghost model, it’s a strong indicator of a Phantom.
- Hunt Visibility: Pay close attention to the ghost’s blinking pattern during hunts. If it’s frequently disappearing or barely visible, suspect a Phantom.
- Sanity Drain (Sight): Observing a Phantom can cause a significant drop in sanity, even from a distance.
4. Poltergeist
Poltergeists are mischievous and known for their forceful manipulation of objects.
Key Characteristics:
- Object Throwing: Poltergeists throw objects around frequently and with significant force and distance compared to other ghosts.
- Consistency is Key: While other ghosts can throw objects, Poltergeists do so much more consistently and aggressively.
- “Polty Pile” Test: Create a pile of objects in the ghost’s room. A Poltergeist will often violently scatter these items, sometimes launching them upwards.
- Passive Object Manipulation: Poltergeists can throw objects even outside of hunts and events as a passive ability.
Identification Tips:
- Observe Object Interaction Frequency: Note how often and forcefully objects are being thrown. High frequency and forceful throws point towards a Poltergeist.
- Test with Object Piles: Strategically place piles of objects to see if the ghost interacts with them in a characteristic Poltergeist manner.
- Listen for Noisy Activity: Poltergeists are generally louder and more active with object interactions than other ghost types.
5. Banshee
Banshees are dangerous hunters that focus on a single target, making them particularly threatening in solo play.
Key Characteristics:
- Single Target Focus: Banshees will target only one player at a time. During hunts, they will relentlessly pursue their chosen target and ignore other players.
- Banshee Scream: Banshees have a unique, iconic scream that can be detected using the Parabolic Microphone. This is a key identifier, especially in single-player.
- Roaming Towards Target: Banshees will roam specifically towards their targeted player, increasing the chances of encounters.
Identification Tips:
- Parabolic Microphone for Scream: Use the parabolic microphone to listen for the distinct Banshee scream. This is a very reliable indicator.
- Solo Play Vulnerability: If you’re playing solo and experiencing intense, focused hunts, suspect a Banshee.
- Multiplayer Observation: In multiplayer, if one player is consistently targeted during hunts while others are ignored, consider a Banshee.
6. Jinn
Jinns are tied to electrical power and can become incredibly fast under specific conditions.
Key Characteristics:
- Power Breaker Reliance: Jinns will never turn off the power breaker. They rely on it to enhance their speed.
- Speed Boost with Power On: When the power breaker is on and a Jinn spots a player, it will accelerate to a significantly higher speed than most ghosts. This speed boost is very noticeable.
- Slowdown at Close Range: Once a Jinn gets close to its target, it will slow down to a normal hunt speed.
- Breaker Overload Risk: Jinns can cause the power breaker to overload. If you turn the breaker back on and all the lights are off, it’s a sign of a Jinn overload (though other events can also turn lights off).
Identification Tips:
- Power Breaker Behavior: If the power breaker remains consistently on despite ghost activity, consider a Jinn.
- Speed Test with Power On: With the power on, try to provoke a hunt and observe the ghost’s speed. A rapid initial speed boost followed by a slowdown suggests a Jinn.
- Power Off Strategy: To mitigate the Jinn’s speed, turn off the power breaker when hunting it.
7. Mare
Mares are phobias of the dark and manipulate lights to their advantage.
Key Characteristics:
- Fear of Lights: Mares hate lights. They may change rooms if lights are left on for too long in their current room or actively turn lights off.
- Light Switching Passive: Mares can immediately turn off a light switch every 30 seconds if you interact with it nearby, even outside of hunts.
- Never Turns Lights On: Mares will never turn lights or electronics on (with the exception of camp stoves, which are not considered electronics for this purpose).
Identification Tips:
- Light Turning Off Behavior: If lights are consistently being turned off, especially after being switched on, suspect a Mare.
- Light Switch Test: Test the light switches in the suspected ghost room. If lights immediately turn off after being switched on, it could be a Mare’s passive ability.
- Darkness Preference: Mares are generally more active and prone to hunt in the dark.
8. Revenant
Revenants are terrifying hunters that are slow when unaware but become incredibly fast when they detect you.
Key Characteristics:
- Speed Based on Awareness: Revenants hunt at a slow pace if they don’t know your location. However, if they hear noise, see you, or detect electronic equipment, they will sprint towards your last known position at a terrifying speed.
Identification Tips:
- Hunt Speed Variation: Observe the ghost’s speed during hunts. If it starts slow and then suddenly becomes incredibly fast when you make noise or use equipment, it’s likely a Revenant.
- Sound and Equipment Sensitivity: Revenants are highly sensitive to sound and electronic equipment during hunts, triggering their speed boost.
- Stealth is Key: Against a Revenant, prioritize stealth and silence during hunts to avoid triggering its speed.
9. Shade
Shades are shy and passive ghosts, making them less interactive when players are present.
Key Characteristics:
- Shy Behavior: Shades are very shy and will significantly reduce their interactions and activities when players are in the ghost room.
- Increased Activity When Alone: If you leave the ghost room, a Shade will become more active, performing interactions and events.
- Shadow Events: Shades often manifest in shadow form during events, fitting their shy nature.
- Rare Interactions with Players Present: Expect minimal ghost activity (interactions, events, hunts) if you are directly in the Shade’s ghost room.
Identification Tips:
- Activity Observation (Presence vs. Absence): Monitor ghost activity while players are in the room versus when they leave. Significantly increased activity when players are absent points to a Shade.
- Minimal Interaction in Ghost Room: If you experience very little ghost activity while in the suspected ghost room, even with provocation, consider a Shade.
- Shadow Event Observation: If you frequently encounter shadow events, it aligns with Shade behavior.
10. Demon
Demons are aggressive and have a higher hunting frequency than other ghosts, posing a significant threat.
Key Characteristics:
- Early Hunting: Demons can initiate a hunt almost instantly upon players opening the front door at the start of an investigation.
- Increased Hunt Frequency: Demons hunt more often than most other ghost types, even at higher sanity levels.
- Crucifix Resistance: Demons have a shorter crucifix effectiveness radius (3 meters instead of the standard 5 meters), requiring closer placement for effective protection.
- Short Smudge Duration: Despite the original text mentioning a short smudge timer, the Demon’s smudge effect duration is standard (90 seconds), not shorter than other ghosts. [Correction: The original text incorrectly states a shorter smudge timer for Demons. This is inaccurate in current Phasmophobia versions.]
Identification Tips:
- Early Hunt Onset: If a hunt occurs very quickly after entering the location, consider a Demon.
- Frequent Hunts: Expect more frequent hunts compared to other ghosts, even with good sanity.
- Crucifix Placement: Be extra cautious about crucifix placement and ensure they are very close to potential Demon hunt spawn points.
- Ouija Board Success: Demons are more likely to interact positively with the Ouija Board, making it a risky but potentially useful tool for identification.
11. Yurei
Yureis are territorial ghosts with a strong connection to doors and sanity manipulation.
Key Characteristics:
- Door Slamming: Yureis are known for forcefully slamming doors shut, even doors that are already fully open. This is a distinct behavior.
- Front Door Interaction: Yureis are the only ghost type that can interact with the front door, slamming it shut.
- Sanity Drain Ability: Yureis possess a powerful sanity drain ability. Witnessing a Yurei event or interaction can cause a significant and rapid drop in player sanity.
Identification Tips:
- Door Slamming Observation: Listen for doors slamming shut forcefully, especially if they were already open.
- Front Door Activity: If the front door slams shut on its own, it is a definitive sign of a Yurei.
- Sanity Drop Monitoring: Check the sanity monitor after door slams or suspected Yurei events. A significant sanity drop corroborates a Yurei.
- Smudge Stick Counter: Smudging a Yurei will lock it in its current room, preventing it from roaming for a period.
12. Oni
Onis are aggressive and physically manifested ghosts, often appearing more solid and less prone to blinking.
Key Characteristics:
- Aggressive and Active: Onis are highly aggressive and exhibit frequent ghost events and interactions.
- Reduced Blinking: Onis blink much less frequently during hunts, appearing physically present for longer periods. They are visually seen more often than many other ghosts.
- Physical Form Events: Onis tend to manifest in their physical form during ghost events, making them visually imposing.
- Activity Based on Player Proximity: Oni activity increases when players are nearby. [Correction: While Onis are aggressive, their activity is not specifically tied to player proximity in the same way as a Shade’s is inversely tied to proximity. Onis are generally just more active and aggressive regardless of player location.]
Identification Tips:
- High Activity Levels: Expect frequent ghost events and interactions, especially if the ghost is an Oni.
- Hunt Visibility: During hunts, observe the ghost’s blinking. If it is consistently visible and not blinking frequently, it’s a strong indicator of an Oni.
- Physical Events: Frequent physical manifestation events are characteristic of Onis.
13. Yokai
Yokais are sensitive to sound, especially talking, and have unique auditory properties during hunts.
Key Characteristics:
- Voice Chat Sensitivity: Yokais become significantly more active and aggressive when players are talking in voice chat nearby.
- Acoustic Sensitivity (Equipment): Yokais are less sensitive to sounds from electronic equipment at a distance. You can sometimes use equipment closer to a Yokai before triggering a hunt compared to other ghosts.
- Delayed Reaction to Voice During Hunts: If you talk during a hunt, it may take a Yokai slightly longer to locate you compared to other ghosts.
Identification Tips:
- Voice Chat Aggression Test: Monitor ghost activity levels when players are talking versus when they are silent. Increased activity with voice chat suggests a Yokai.
- Equipment Range Test: Experiment with using equipment closer to the ghost without triggering hunts (carefully!). If the Yokai seems less reactive to equipment sounds at a distance, it could be a Yokai.
- Voice During Hunt Test (Carefully!): As a last resort and with extreme caution, briefly talk during a hunt to see if the ghost’s reaction time seems slightly delayed. This is risky and should only be attempted by experienced players.
14. Hantu
Hantus are temperature-dependent ghosts, becoming faster in colder environments and possessing forced freezing temperatures evidence.
Key Characteristics:
- Temperature-Based Speed: A Hantu’s speed is directly affected by the room temperature. It will be significantly faster in colder rooms and slower in warmer rooms.
- Forced Freezing Temperatures: Hantus will always exhibit Freezing Temperatures as evidence.
- Cold Breath Visible with Power Off: When the power breaker is off and a Hantu is hunting, you can visually see its cold breath emanating from its model. This is a highly distinctive visual cue.
Identification Tips:
- Temperature Speed Test: Observe the ghost’s speed as it moves through rooms with varying temperatures. Noticeably faster speed in cold areas (like basements or rooms with freezing temps) is a key Hantu trait.
- Freezing Temperatures Evidence: Confirm Freezing Temperatures evidence. This is mandatory for a Hantu.
- Cold Breath Visual (Power Off Hunts): If you suspect a Hantu, turn off the power breaker and provoke a hunt. Look for the visible cold breath emanating from the ghost model. This is a very reliable visual confirmation.
15. Goryo
Goryos are elusive and tied to their ghost room, with DOTS evidence only visible through cameras.
Key Characteristics:
- Camera-Only DOTS: Goryo’s DOTS evidence will only be visible through video cameras. You will not see DOTS evidence with the naked eye.
- Fixed Ghost Room: Goryos will never change their ghost room. If a ghost changes rooms, it cannot be a Goryo.
- Forced DOTS Evidence: Goryos will always exhibit DOTS Projector as evidence.
Identification Tips:
- Camera DOTS Check: Set up a video camera in the suspected ghost room and monitor the feed in the van. DOTS evidence appearing only on the camera is the primary indicator of a Goryo.
- Room Change Test: Monitor the ghost’s location over time. If it consistently stays in the same room and never roams to a different room, it supports the possibility of a Goryo.
- DOTS Evidence Confirmation (Camera Required): Confirm DOTS evidence, ensuring you are checking through a video camera.
- Van Duty Importance: Designate a player to van duty to specifically monitor cameras for Goryo DOTS evidence.
16. Myling
Mylings are deceptive ghosts known for their quiet footsteps during hunts, making them difficult to pinpoint.
Key Characteristics:
- Quiet Footsteps: Mylings have significantly quieter footsteps during hunts compared to other ghosts. This can make them sound further away than they actually are.
- Flashlight Flicker Range (Hunt Start): If you place a flashlight on the ground in a hiding spot and it starts flickering before you hear the ghost’s footsteps at the start of a hunt, it’s a sign of a Myling. This works because the flashlight flicker range is larger than the audible range of their footsteps. [Correction: The flashlight flicker is triggered by the ghost’s proximity in general, not specifically related to Myling footsteps. The key Myling trait is still the quiet footsteps themselves.]
Identification Tips:
- Footstep Sound Monitoring (Hunts): Listen carefully for footsteps during hunts. If they are unusually quiet or difficult to hear, especially when the ghost seems close, suspect a Myling.
- Flashlight Test (Subtle Cue): While not a definitive test on its own (due to correction above), placing a flashlight can still provide a subtle early warning sign if it flickers and footsteps are very faint.
- Headphone Advantage: Good headphones are crucial for identifying Mylings by their faint footsteps.
17. Onryo
Onryos are candle-sensitive ghosts with a unique hunt-forcing mechanic related to flames.
Key Characteristics:
- Candle Hunt Trigger: If three candles are blown out in quick succession near an Onryo, it will force a hunt.
- Frequent Candle Blowouts: Onryos blow out candles much more frequently than other ghosts.
- Crucifix Candle Protection: Placing a crucifix near candles can help protect them from being blown out and prevent accidental forced hunts.
Identification Tips:
- Candle Observation (Blowout Frequency): Monitor how often candles are blown out. High frequency suggests an Onryo.
- Forced Hunt Test (Candle Blowouts): Carefully observe candles near the ghost. If three candles are blown out in quick succession and a hunt immediately follows, it’s a definitive sign of an Onryo. (Be cautious performing this test!)
- Crucifix Candle Strategy: Use crucifixes strategically near candles to manage Onryo behavior and prevent unwanted hunts.
18. The Twins
The Twins are unique ghosts that manifest as two entities, exhibiting synchronized interactions and varying hunt speeds.
Key Characteristics:
- Simultaneous Interactions: The Twins can perform multiple interactions at the same time in different locations. For example, one twin might trigger EMF in the ghost room while the other interacts with something in a different area.
- Activity Monitor Unevenness: The Twins’ simultaneous interactions can create an uneven line on the activity monitor in the van, showing spikes in different areas.
- Variable Hunt Speeds: During hunts, The Twins can exhibit two different speeds. One twin will hunt at a slightly slower speed, while the other will hunt at a slightly faster speed than average. They will never hunt at average speed. The speed of each twin is random per hunt.
Identification Tips:
- Simultaneous Event Observation: Pay attention to events occurring at the same time in different locations. This is a key indicator of The Twins.
- Activity Monitor Analysis: Monitor the activity board in the van for uneven activity patterns, suggesting multiple sources of ghost activity. (Searching online for “Twins Activity Board Phasmophobia” can provide visual examples).
- Hunt Speed Variation: During hunts, try to discern if the ghost is exhibiting slightly slower or slightly faster than average speeds. If you notice speed variation between hunts, consider The Twins.
19. Raiju
Raijus are electricity-sensitive ghosts that become significantly faster when near electrical devices.
Key Characteristics:
- Electricity Speed Boost: Raijus will become much faster when they are in close proximity to active electronic equipment or evidence-related electricity (like motion sensors, active EMF readers, etc.).
- Average Speed Otherwise: When not near electricity, Raijus hunt at an average speed.
Identification Tips:
- Speed Test Near Electronics: Observe the ghost’s speed during hunts, especially when it is near active electronic equipment like motion sensors, flashlights, or turned-on equipment. A sudden and significant speed increase when near electricity points to a Raiju.
- Motion Sensor Speed Trigger: Place motion sensors strategically. If a Raiju becomes noticeably faster when triggering a motion sensor, it’s a strong indicator.
- Electricity as a Trap: You can strategically use active electronics to bait and identify a Raiju based on its speed response.
20. Obake
Obakes are shape-shifting ghosts with forced UV evidence and unique fingerprint characteristics.
Key Characteristics:
- Forced UV Evidence: Obakes will always exhibit Ultraviolet (fingerprints/footprints) as evidence.
- Rare 6-Fingered Prints: Obakes have a rare chance to leave behind 6-fingered handprints instead of the standard 5-fingered prints.
- Rare 2-Fingered Light Switch Prints: Obakes have a rare chance to leave 2-fingered fingerprints on light switches.
- Shape-Shifting During Hunts: Obakes will always shape-shift at least once during a hunt. This means you will see its ghost model physically change to a different model during the hunt. It can shape-shift multiple times in a single hunt.
Identification Tips:
- UV Evidence Confirmation: Confirm Ultraviolet evidence. This is mandatory for an Obake.
- UV Fingerprint Inspection (Rare): Carefully examine UV fingerprints, especially on windows and doors. Look for the rare 6-fingered handprints or 2-fingered light switch prints (though these are very rare).
- Hunt Shape-Shifting Observation: During hunts, visually track the ghost model. If you see it change its appearance to a different ghost model during the hunt, it is a definitive sign of an Obake.
21. The Mimic
Mimics are deceptive ghosts that copy the behaviors and characteristics of other ghost types, but always have Ghost Orbs as evidence.
Key Characteristics:
- Mimicry: Mimics will imitate the behaviors and abilities of other ghost types. They can exhibit traits from any other ghost, making them unpredictable and challenging to identify based on behavior alone.
- Forced Ghost Orbs: Mimics will always have Ghost Orbs as evidence. This is their defining characteristic and crucial for identification.
Identification Tips:
- Ghost Orb Evidence: Confirm Ghost Orbs evidence. This is mandatory for a Mimic.
- Behavioral Inconsistencies: If a ghost exhibits behaviors that seem to contradict each other or shift between different ghost types, consider a Mimic.
- Evidence Combination: Focus on gathering evidence. If you have Ghost Orbs and behavioral traits that suggest another ghost type, it is likely a Mimic imitating that ghost type.
22. Moroi
Morois are cursed ghosts that become faster as your average sanity decreases and have forced Spirit Box evidence.
Key Characteristics:
- Sanity-Based Speed: Morois become faster the lower your average team sanity is. At very low sanity, they can become incredibly fast hunters.
- Forced Spirit Box: Morois will always have Spirit Box as evidence.
- Cursed Weakness (Cure): Moroi are weakened by cures. Using a strong flash
