Understand Phasmophobia's sanity drain mechanics and discover ghost-specific behaviors. Learn effective mitigation strategies to survive paranormal investigations and identify your ghost.
This guide details the mechanics of sanity drain in Phasmophobia and how different ghost types influence it. Learn how to mitigate sanity loss and identify ghosts based on their sanity-related behaviors.
Mechanics
Equipment can be bought or sold in the Shop while in the lobby. Upon player death, all equipment added to the mission is lost, except for the default starter equipment. Players who survive a contract automatically retain their equipment; it does not need to be collected. Consumable items like incense and sanity medication are not lost if the player survives but must be repurchased if used. Players can store up to 999 of each item. Ghosts disrupt nearby electronic equipment when visible, including during hunts or manifestations. Holding active electronic equipment during a hunt attracts nearby ghosts.
Equipment Types:
- Starter equipment
- Optional equipment
- Truck equipment
Starter Equipment
Starter equipment is always provided at the beginning of an investigation. Additional pieces can be purchased.
| Equipment | Price | Max limit | Description |
| D.O.T.S. Projector | $65 | 2 | Creates a field of green lights for detecting D.O.T.S. Projector evidence. |
| EMF Reader | $45 | 2 | Detects EMF presence, used for EMF Level 5 evidence. |
| Flashlight | $30 | 4 | Provides a basic light source. |
| Ghost Writing Book | $40 | 2 | Used to obtain Ghost Writing evidence. |
| Spirit Box | $50 | 2 | Used to communicate with a ghost through questions. |
| Thermometer | $30 | 2 | Displays local temperature, used for detecting Freezing Temperatures. |
| UV Light | $35 | 2 | Reveals fingerprints and footprints created by ghosts. |
| Video Camera | $50 | 4 | Relays video feed to the truck's computer for detecting Ghost Orbs and making recordings. |
Optional Equipment
This equipment must be purchased from the game's shop.
| Equipment | Price | Max limit | Description |
| Crucifix | $30 | 2 | Prevents ghosts from hunting in a certain radius. |
| Firelight | $15 | 4 | Used for optional objectives and to provide light. |
| Head Gear | $60 | 4 | Tier 1: Camera for Ghost Orb detection. Tier 2: LED flashlight. Tier 3: Night-vision goggles. |
| Igniter | $10 | 4 | Used to light firelights and incense. |
| Incense | $15 | 4 | Prevents ghost hunting temporarily; can blind ghosts during a hunt. |
| Motion Sensor | $100 | 4 | Detects ghost or player movement, signals the Truck. |
| Parabolic Microphone | $50 | 2 | Listens to paranormal sounds in a large range. |
| Photo Camera | $40 | 3 | Takes photos for additional rewards. |
| Salt | $15 | 3 | Places salt piles that ghosts can interact with to leave footprints. |
| Sanity Medication | $20 | 4 | Restores sanity based on difficulty. |
| Sound Recorder | $30 | 2 | Records paranormal sounds for additional rewards. |
| Sound Sensor | $80 | 4 | Detects sounds and relays data to the Truck. |
| Tripod | $25 | 4 | Mount for Video Cameras, reduces ghost throwing chance. |
Truck Equipment
Stationary equipment located in the truck.
| Equipment | Description |
| Clipboards | Shows current Daily and Weekly Tasks. |
| Computer | View onsite cameras and video feeds. |
| Objective Board | Displays all mandatory and optional objectives. |
| Sanity Monitor | Provides a real-time summary of all players' sanity levels. |
| Site Activity Monitor | Displays ghost activity, indicating ghost events or hunts. |
| Site Map | Provides a detailed map of the case location. |
| Sound Monitor | Connects to Sound Sensors to detect and display sound activity. |
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