Phasmophobia: All Ghost Types Explained | Behaviors, Strengths, and Weaknesses

1. The Oni’s increased activity makes it easier to gather evidence, potentially speeding up investigations. If the ghost performs an airball event (a foggy ball that hisses on contact), an Oni can be immediately ruled out, as it cannot trigger this specific event. However, note that the Oni can hiss during a chasing event, often accompanied by footsteps and door movements. Distinguishing the airball from the chase event can help clarify the ghost type, as the latter has unique sounds and room interactions.
2. While not as aggressive as some ghosts, the Oni’s tendency to trigger frequent ghost events can lower player sanity rapidly, particularly due to its double sanity drain when it collides with players during events. To counter this, players may consider using Sanity Pills more liberally or preparing defensive items like Incense earlier in the investigation.

Oni’s entry in the Journal.

Yokai | The Sensitive Detector

To better understand Yokai’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

Yokai are common ghosts that are attracted to human voices. They can usually be found haunting family homes.

Below is a table that showcases Yokai’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

To ensure that you can guess the Yokai correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the sensitive voice detector in Phasmophobia below:

1. To identify a Yokai, look for its unique behavior: it will often hunt more when players talk near it. Yet, it’s limited in detecting players during hunts through voice and active electronics unless very close. While it has an unusually high theoretical hunt threshold at 80% sanity, it has no speed or strength boosts, so escaping is generally manageable. When testing, you can stand near its current location and speak or use electronics; if it doesn’t pursue you, it could be a Yokai. However, ensure you’re hidden since its line-of-sight detection remains unaffected.
2. In multiplayer, the Yokai is slightly more threatening since more players might trigger hunts by speaking near it. For testing, avoid mistaking its limited detection with Banshee’s unique hunting focus. Keep in mind that using the Monkey Paw’s wish to unblock a hiding spot removes the Yokai’s detection weakness, making it more challenging to verify its traits. With less experienced teammates, limiting unnecessary voice chat near the ghost is best until objectives are clear.

Yokai’s entry in the Journal.

Hantu | Cold Temperature Master

To better understand Hantu’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

A Hantu is a rare ghost that thrives in the coldest climates. The cold seems to make them more aggressive and empowered.

Below is a table that showcases Hantu’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

During hunts, the Hantu’s speed is solely temperature-based, with no acceleration when it sees a player, which makes maintaining warm environments advantageous to slow it down. Notably, when visible, the Hantu emits freezing breath from its head if the breaker is off, though dead players cannot see this. This unique breath isn’t counted as official evidence, allowing players to spot it even on zero-evidence difficulties.

To ensure that you can guess the Hantu correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. Temperature control is key to both identifying and defending against a Hantu in Phasmophobia. Since Hantu gains speed in cold rooms, especially around their ghost room, players should move away from these areas as soon as a hunt starts. Keeping the breaker on is a safe approach to maintain warmer temperatures, slowing the Hantu’s movement. However, in cold weather conditions like Light Snow or outdoor maps (e.g., Maple Lodge Campsite or Camp Woodwind), even ambient temperatures can fall, making Hantus faster if the breaker is off. For more certain identification, players can turn off the breaker temporarily to assess the Hantu’s speed in cold areas, provided they maintain distance.
2. A Hantu cannot and will not be able to turn on the breaker, so if your current ghost does so, you can immediately rule out Hantu. Instead, if the ghost is Hantu, then it will be more likely to switch the breaker off, so you should try to be aware of the ghost’s timings. 
3. When Hantu starts hunting while the breaker is off, it will have a visible and constant freezing breath coming out of its mouth. This is a definitive sign that the ghost you’re currently dealing with is a Hantu.

Hantu’s entry in the Journal.

Goryo | The D.O.T.S Ghost

To better understand Goryo’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

When a Goryo passes through a D.O.T.S Projector, using a Video Camera is the only way to see it.

Below is a table that showcases Goryo’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

Unlike most ghosts, the Goryo is restricted to short roaming distances and will only trigger its D.O.T.S state when no players are in the same room. It will still appear normally during ghost events and hunts, displaying its regular model without the need for special equipment. This characteristic makes the Goryo more predictable in locating and identifying, as its preference for remaining in its favorite room can simplify setup and observation efforts.

To ensure that you can guess the Goryo correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. To identify a Goryo in Phasmophobia, use a Video Camera to observe an active D.O.T.S Projector from outside the ghost’s room. If the D.O.T.S. silhouette is visible only through the camera feed and not directly in the room, the ghost is likely a Goryo. Conversely, spotting D.O.T.S. evidence without a camera rules out the Goryo. Adjusting device brightness can assist with confirming or eliminating this evidence. Ghost events occurring far from the ghost’s room do not disqualify the Goryo, as it may teleport for events without fully roaming.
2. If D.O.T.S Projector is not one of the ghosts’ evidence on higher difficulty modes or limited evidence games, the Goryo can typically be ruled out. In a zero/non-evidence game, identifying a Goryo becomes extremely challenging; in these cases, wait for a potential room change or use motion sensors and salt to track its movement. This can reveal if it remains in one room, supporting the possibility of a Goryo.

Goryo’s entry in the Journal.

Myling | The Silent Ghost

To better understand Myling’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

A Myling is a very vocal and active ghost. They are rumoured to be quiet when hunting their prey.

Below is a table that showcases Myling’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

Using the Parabolic Microphone can help identify a Myling quickly, as it produces more paranormal sounds than other ghosts. The reduced audio range during hunts makes it easier to gauge distance and escape but also requires close attention as Myling’s steps are only faintly audible until it nears.

To ensure that you can guess the Myling correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. To identify a Myling in Phasmophobia, listen for frequent paranormal sounds, such as growls and whispers, using a Parabolic Microphone. Though helpful, these sounds aren’t a reliable indicator on their own due to the randomness of ghost sounds.
2. For a more reliable identification during a hunt, drop an electronic item (like a Flashlight) in a hiding spot where you can monitor it. If footsteps and vocalizations are only audible when the electronics begin flickering—typically when the ghost is within 12 meters—the ghost is likely a Myling. Be cautious of bugs that may delay electronic flickering when the ghost changes floors. High-quality audio setups and volume adjustments can enhance the accuracy of this test by allowing you to detect sounds just before flickering.

Myling’s entry in the Journal.

Onryo | The Ghost Who Hates Candles

To better understand Onryo’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

The Onryo is often referred to as “The Wrathful Spirit”. It steals souls from dying victims’ bodies to seek revenge. This ghost has been known to fear any form of fire, and will do anything to be far from it.

Below is a table that showcases Onryo’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

The Onryo’s interactions around flames create unique strategies for managing its presence. For example, if the Onryo is near both a flame and a Crucifix, the flame will block the hunt attempt first, deactivating but allowing the Crucifix to remain unused.

To ensure that you can guess the Onryo correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. The Onryo’s aversion to fire in Phasmophobia can be used to prevent hunts but comes with risks. Keeping several flames (candles, igniters) near the ghost can indefinitely prevent hunts if relit diligently. However, only having one flame within range heightens the risk of triggering a hunt if it goes out, especially with dead players, as the Onryo blows out flames more frequently. Players need to weigh the benefits of using flames for hunt prevention versus relying on navigating the Onryo’s heightened 60% hunt threshold.
2. To identify an Onryo, players can use flame and Crucifix placements or the three-flame rule. Placing a Crucifix with multiple flames nearby allows observation—if the Crucifix activates without flames going out first, it’s likely not an Onryo. Tracking every third flame extinguishing can also confirm if a hunt is triggered. In Sunny Meadows’ Chapel, an early hunt following multiple candle blowouts may indicate an Onryo.

Onryo’s entry in the Journal.

The Twins | Double Terror

To better understand The Twins’ identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

These ghosts have been reported to mimic each other’s actions. They alternate their attacks to confuse their prey.

Below is a table that showcases The Twins’ strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

When using their ability, The Twins will trigger two interactions simultaneously: one within a standard 3-meter radius and another within a broader 16-meter radius. Each interaction has a 25% chance to register as EMF 5, adding an extra layer of complexity when locating the ghost.

To ensure that you can guess The Twins correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. The Twins in Phasmophobia excel at misleading players by causing interactions away from their favorite room, making ghost-hunting efforts on larger maps like Sunny Meadows, particularly tricky. Since these distant interactions can’t generate additional evidence beyond EMF Level 5, you can turn this quirk to your advantage: if you notice ghost activity but can’t find Freezing Temperatures or get Spirit Box responses nearby, it’s a good sign The Twins are at play. Using a Thermometer to rule out colder rooms can help confirm this, as The Twins will only drop the temperature in their true location.
2. A shift in The Twins’ base speed from one hunt to another can also be a telling sign, though it’s important to consider other variables like line-of-sight acceleration and Custom difficulty speed. While regular ghosts have a base speed of 1.7 m/s, The Twins either have a lower speed (the slower Twin has a base speed of approximately 1.45 m/s) or a faster speed than usual (the faster Twin has a base speed of approximately 1.87 m/s).

The Twins’ entry in the Journal.

Raiju | Electrical Nightmare

To better understand Raiju’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

A Raiju is a demon that thrives on electrical current. While generally calm, they can become agitated when overwhelmed with power.

Below is a table that showcases Raiju’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

During hunts, the Raiju moves at a fixed speed of 2.5 m/s when close to active equipment, with specific distances depending on the map size. It retains standard ghost speeds otherwise but can accelerate if it maintains line-of-sight with a player near electronics.

To ensure that you can guess Raiju correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. To reduce the risk of an early hunt, players should turn off or remove unnecessary electronic devices from the ghost room. This prevents the Raiju from using these items to enhance its abilities. Simply discarding equipment can make a Raiju even more dangerous. Players often instinctively drop electronic items during a hunt to avoid detection, but this tactic can backfire. Instead, they should switch to non-electronic items or use devices that can be turned off.
2. Identifying a Raiju is possible by observing its speed during hunts, especially on smaller maps with active electronics nearby. If the ghost moves quickly while roaming in the vicinity of electrical devices (Flashlights, Spirit Box, D.O.T.S Projector, etc.) and isn’t specifically targeting players, it is likely a Raiju. Conversely, if you don’t notice a sudden speed increase from the ghost, even when it is near electronics, then you can rule out a Raiju.

Raiju’s entry in the Journal.

Obake | The Shapeshifter

To better understand Obake’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

Obake are terrifying shape-shifters, capable of taking on many forms. They have been seen taking on humanoid shapes to attract their prey.

Below is a table that showcases Obake’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

To ensure that you can guess Obake correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. To determine whether a ghost might be an Obake, look for inconsistent fingerprint patterns. If the ghost initially doesn’t leave fingerprints on a surface but later does, or vice versa, it could indicate an Obake. To confirm, check each surface with a UV Light whenever the ghost interacts with it, maximizing your chances of detecting those special fingerprints and noting how quickly they vanish.
2. During hunts, the Obake can shapeshift into different ghost models of the same gender at specific intervals. This transformation occurs on designated flickers throughout the hunt. Players cannot see this change if they are dead. The first shapeshift happens approximately 6 to 7 seconds after the grace period ends. Understanding these behaviors can help players identify the Obake more effectively and strategize their approach during their investigations.
3. On a zero-evidence run, identifying an Obake becomes challenging since it won’t produce fingerprints or footprints. In this case, focus on catching its shapeshifting ability during a hunt. Developing strong looping skills helps keep track of the ghost over extended periods to spot changes between models during flickering phases. Using Incense or tier III Salt can significantly aid in maintaining visibility when looping the ghost.

Obake’s entry in the Journal.

The Mimic | Master of Subterfuge

The Mimic in Phasmophobia is a unique ghost capable of imitating the abilities, movement speeds, and hunting thresholds of other ghost types, making it especially tricky to identify. While The Mimic can replicate other ghosts’ distinctive abilities—such as the Poltergeist’s multithrow or the Demon’s aggressive hunting behavior—it does not copy the associated evidence types.

However, it may exhibit traits related to evidence, like the Obake’s six-fingered handprints, but it cannot mimic the Goryo’s D.O.T.S-only appearance on Video Cameras, as The Mimic lacks D.O.T.S Projector evidence.

To better understand The Mimic’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

The Mimic is an elusive, mysterious, copycat ghost that mirrors traits and behaviours from others, including other ghost types.

Below is a table that showcases The Mimic’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

The Mimic
Strength	Weakness	Evidence
We’re unsure what this ghost is capable of. Be careful.	Several reports have noted ghost orb sightings near Mimics.	Spirit Box, Ultraviolet, Freezing Temperatures

This ghost changes its mimicked ghost type every 30 seconds to 2 minutes, though it is unable to use this ability during hunts. Initially, The Mimic begins in a “blank” state, behaving like a default ghost until it picks a type to imitate. A key feature for identifying The Mimic is the appearance of Ghost Orbs, which persist in all difficulties, even in zero-evidence settings. These orbs always remain in the ghost’s room and serve as a reliable tell, making it easier to differentiate The Mimic from the ghost it’s imitating.

To ensure that you can guess The Mimic correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. The Mimic’s ability to imitate almost any ghost type in Phasmophobia makes it one of the most unpredictable and potentially dangerous to confront. Given its ever-shifting nature, the safest strategy is to assume it could adopt traits of aggressive ghosts. For instance, treat it as though it might hunt early like a Demon, react to voices like a Yokai, or even move fast like a Raiju. Strategies include minimizing speaking near the ghost, turning off unneeded electronics, and maintaining flames in the ghost room in case it adopts Onryo traits. Having Incense nearby is also wise; if The Mimic imitates fast or challenging ghosts like a Revenant, Thaye, or Deogen, players may need to change tactics from hiding to evading quickly.
2. Identifying The Mimic relies heavily on watching for Ghost Orbs in conjunction with its main evidence types, but beware of overlap. For example, finding Ultraviolet, Ghost Orbs, and Freezing Temperatures could suggest a Hantu, but if Spirit Box evidence appears, it confirms The Mimic. Likewise, Spirit Box, Ghost Orbs, and Freezing Temperatures without UV evidence could initially point to an Onryo. However, since The Mimic consistently produces Ghost Orbs, even on higher difficulties such as Nightmare, Insanity, or Custom difficulty,  once you find additional ‘evidence’ in the form of Ghost Orb, it is a surefire sign that you’re dealing with The Mimic.

The Mimic’s entry in the Journal.

Moroi | The Cursing Ghost

The Moroi in Phasmophobia is a unique ghost known for its “curse” ability that accelerates sanity loss, allowing it to become one of the fastest ghosts when players’ sanity drops low. A player is cursed if they receive a response from the Spirit Box or hear whispers through a Parabolic Microphone, doubling their passive sanity drain and making Firelight ineffective in slowing it.

Curses are removed by consuming Sanity Pills, and multiple players can be cursed simultaneously, although curses don’t stack on a single player. This ability keeps players on edge, as staying in well-lit areas or exiting the building will not prevent a cursed player’s sanity from depleting (exiting a building will only pause the curse drain).

To better understand Moroi’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

Moroi have risen from the grave to drain energy from the living. They have been known to place curses on their victims, curable only by antidotes or moving very far away.

Below is a table that showcases Moroi’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

Moroi
Strength	Weakness	Evidence
The weaker their victims, the stronger the Moroi become.	Moroi suffers from hyperosmia, which is weakening them for longer periods.	Spirit Box, Ghost Writing, Freezing Temperatures

During hunts, the Moroi’s speed escalates as average sanity decreases, with a base speed that increases by 0.083 m/s for every 5% average sanity drop below 50%. The ghost’s speed rises rapidly, reaching a maximum speed of 3.71 m/s below 5% sanity, making it even faster than the Revenant.

To ensure that you can guess Moroi correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. In higher difficulty settings (Nightmare, Insanity, and Custom), the Moroi will always have a Spirit Box as one of its evidence.
2. Identifying a Moroi can often be done by noting its unique speed behavior. As sanity drops, the Moroi’s speed increases noticeably over multiple hunts. Listen for speed changes; if it accelerates while wandering without players in its line of sight, the ghost may be a Moroi. In contrast, the Hantu speeds up when the fuse box is off due to colder temperatures but lacks line-of-sight acceleration. Another identification method is to use Sanity Pills mid-hunt; if the Moroi is noticeably slow as sanity increases, this confirms it. For additional evidence, use Incense—the Moroi will be blinded for 7.5 seconds instead of the usual 5 seconds. Lastly, if your sanity drains unusually fast after Spirit Box responses or parabolic whispers, it may signal a Moroi, particularly if you’ve remained in lit areas with Firelight.

Moroi’s entry in the Journal.

Deogen | The All-Seeing Ghost

The Deogen is a unique ghost in Phasmophobia, known for its relentless hunt capability. Once a hunt begins, it instantly locks on to players, bypassing the usual roaming mechanic and maintaining line-of-sight with all players. This means it can detect the nearest player on the map and continuously refreshes to track the closest target. When chased, the Deogen’s speed varies by distance: at over 6 meters away, it reaches up to 3 m/s; between 2.5 to 6 meters, it moves on a gradient from 0.4 to 3 m/s; and under 2.5 meters, it significantly slows to 0.4 m/s.

To better understand Deogen’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

Sometimes surrounded by an endless fog, Deogen have been eluding ghost hunters for years. These ghosts have been reported to find even the most hidden prey, before stalking them into exhaustion.

Below is a table that showcases Deogen’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

Deogen
Strength	Weakness	Evidence
Deogens constantly sense the living. You can run but you can’t hide.	Deogens require a lot of energy to form and will move very slowly when approaching their victim.	Spirit Box, Ghost Writing, D.O.T.S Projector

During hunts, the Deogen’s flickering pattern is unique, as it stays visible for longer intervals and goes invisible for shorter periods compared to other ghosts.

To ensure that you can guess Deogen correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. One of the telltale signs of a Deogen is its distinctive response through the Spirit Box. If a player asks questions within 1 meter, there’s a 33% chance the Deogen will emit a heavy, bull-like breathing sound, unmistakably different from regular responses. This ability, combined with a slightly lower-than-average hunt threshold of 40% sanity, makes identifying the Deogen a mix of cautious proximity and listening carefully.
2. To handle a Deogen, pick a looping spot with an easy escape and have an Incense ready. The Deogen slows significantly when it’s close, making it the slowest ghost at short range. This lets players safely loop it around furniture or an island (like the kitchen in Tanglewood Drive) as long as they keep moving. Keep an eye on server lag, as misjudging its position can be dangerous. Also, the Deogen periodically switches targets instead of doing so in real-time, so avoid stacking players behind each other—if it rushes toward a target, it may harm non-targets, unlike other ghosts like the Banshee.
3. For a safer approach, try to prompt its unique heavy breathing response through the Spirit Box. Setting a Tier III Motion Sensor near the Spirit Box can help, as the sensor’s radius often aligns with the distance needed to trigger this response. This method is effective for confirming the Deogen without triggering a hunt and can save players from risky encounters.

Deogen’s entry in the Journal.

Thaye | The Aging Ghost

The Thaye is a unique ghost in Phasmophobia, showing varied behavior patterns that change as it “ages.” When players are in the same room, the Thaye’s age increments every 1 to 2 minutes, increasing activity initially but gradually lowering it over time. This aging process affects its aggression and hunt thresholds: Thaye starts with a high 75% sanity threshold and hunt speed of 2.75 m/s, but these drop with each age increase. By age 10, its threshold lowers to 15%, and its speed slows to 1 m/s, making it less aggressive and active. This aging effect also influences its activity rate, which can drop from a robust 200% to a much calmer 50% after reaching age 10.

To better understand Thaye’s identity, we have curated a description of this ghost, taken from the in-game description:

Thaye have been known to rapidly age over time, even in the afterlife. From what we’ve learned, they seem to deteriorate faster while within the presence of the living.

During hunts, Thaye’s behavior is distinct in that it doesn’t speed up upon seeing players, unlike other ghosts. Additionally, its “human age,” which can be determined via the Ouija Board, increases in tandem with its internal age but has no set limit, unlike its capped activity reduction after age 10.

Below is a table that showcases Thaye’s strengths, weaknesses, and evidence types that you need to gather:

Thaye
Strength	Weakness	Evidence
Upon entering the location, Thaye will become active, defensive, and agile.	Thaye will weaken over time, making them weaker, slower, and less aggressive.	Ghost Orb, Ghost Writing, D.O.T.S Projector

The Thaye’s changing behavior can make it difficult to identify, as it can start off highly active like an Oni, but later become reserved like a Shade if players stay in its vicinity long enough.

To ensure that you can guess Thaye correctly during your contracts, here are some pointers to help you navigate the cold temperatures master in Phasmophobia below:

1. To handle a Thaye effectively, players should note that it starts out highly active and aggressive, making it easier to locate early on through frequent interactions and ghost events. However, if players take too long to find the ghost, particularly on larger maps, the Thaye can become a serious threat due to its initial high hunt threshold (75%) and fast speed. Securing hiding spots immediately is wise, as its early hunts can be as dangerous as those of a Demon. Once the ghost is found, setting up Ghost Writing Books and D.O.T.S. Projectors is essential to gather evidence quickly, especially in Nightmare mode, where identifying both Ghost Writing and D.O.T.S. Projector evidence guarantees the Thaye, as it uniquely shares these with the Deogen.
2. Identifying a Thaye is often confirmed through observing its behavior: if it’s notably fast at first but gradually slows down over multiple hunts and doesn’t speed up upon seeing players, it’s likely a Thaye. Additionally, it may start out with high activity, but as it ages and players linger nearby, it becomes less interactive, making objectives and photo opportunities harder to achieve later on. To get the most out of the early activity, players should focus on taking photos and completing objectives while the ghost is still highly responsive. However, be mindful of spending too much time around it, as rapid aging can cause the Thaye to become more passive, reducing its interactions and making objectives difficult to complete.

Thaye’s entry in the Journal.

And that’s the comprehensive guide on all Phasmophobia ghosts, which should help your in-game investigations slightly easier and safer. Happy hunting.