In Phasmophobia, ghosts can typically be identified by gathering their three official pieces of evidence, but these aren't always available. On higher difficulty levels, ghosts leave behind fewer--or even no-- evidence to gather. Fortunately, each of Phasmophobia's 30 ghosts has unique hidden abilities, behaviors, and characteristics that you can use to determine the spooky spectre you’re dealing with or rule out potential candidates. These can include its gender, speed, the Sanity threshold it can initiate hunts at, and abilities exclusive to only one ghost type.

While identifying a ghost based solely on these unique features is critical on difficulty levels with little to no evidence (and in the brutal Apocalypse Challenges), all ghost hunters should learn these characteristics as they come in clutch when you’re struggling to find the last piece of evidence or when you need to establish the best strategy to escape the ghost.

So, below, we’ve pulled together all the most important unique hidden abilities, behaviors, and traits each ghost displays, alongside their official evidence, in a handy cheat sheet to help you identify the ghost when evidence is scarce.

All ghost evidence, unique abilities, and behaviors in Phasmophobia The journal doesn't tell you everything there is to know about ghosts. Ghost name
EvidenceHunt threshold (average Sanity level)Unique ghost abilities and behaviorsAswangD.O.T.S. Projector
Freezing Temperatures
Ghost Writing50% SanityHunt ends if it detects and reaches the player in an official hiding spot - but moves directly to player's hiding spot during next hunt, which has no grace period (time before ghost manifests).

Slower than other ghosts (1.53m/s), but accelerates faster than others during LOS (line-of-sight) hunts (0.075 x base speed per second).BansheeD.O.T.S. Projector
Ghost Orb
Ultraviolet50% Sanity. Threshold is based on individual Sanity level of target, not the average of the team.Can only be female (check ghost name in van or ghost model when manifested).

Targets one player in multiplayer. Can kill only them (not other players) as long as they're inside the investigation area. If the target dies or disconnects, a new one is chosen.

Higher (46.67%) chance to perform singing events than other ghosts. Drains 15% Sanity rather than 10% if touched by target during this event.

Unique (but rare) Banshee scream heard through Parabolic Microphone or Sound Recorder. 33% chance to occur.

Greater chance (50%) to perform long roams when its current room is not the ghost room.

67% chance to wander directly  to target during a short roam when the target is in the investigation area, but won't trigger EMF Reading. Must be on the same floor and be within 150% direct distance of target for this to happen.

67% chance of travelling to target in D.O.T.S.. state if the target is in the investigation area.DayanEMF Level 5
Ghost Orb
Spirit Box50% Sanity if no player is within 10m.
When a player within 10m is still: 45%
When a player within 10m is moving: 65%Can only be female.

Speed is modified when a player is within 10m of it, even on a different floor. If the player is moving, it speeds up (2.25m/s), if the player stands still, it slows down (1.2m/s).

While LOS speed increase is gained when within 10m of the player, it only takes effect when out of this range from players.DeildegastEMF Level 5
Ghost Writing
D.O.T.S.. Projector50% SanityBegins the contract faster than other ghosts (3m/s), but speed decreases by 0.1m/s for every object moved by players (including dead ones) outside of a hunt. This doesn't include doors, cursed objects, or equipment. 

Minimum speed it can reach is 0.4m/s, but speed is reset to 3m/s after a hunt or when it burns a Crucifix.

Reduced chance to interact with doors and light switches (10% chance rather than 25%).DemonFreezing Temperatures
Ultraviolet
Ghost Writing70% Sanity for normal hunts (or 100% if it uses its ability).Can use its ability to initiate a hunt at any Sanity level.

Reduced hunt cooldown (20 seconds).

Smudging prevents hunts for 60 seconds rather than 90 seconds.
Crucifix effectiveness range is increased for each Tier (by 1.5m on Tier 1, 2m on Tier 2), and 2.5m on Tier 3).DeogenD.O.T.S. Projector
Ghost Writing
Spirit Box40% SanityHas constant LOS with all players during a hunt, so will always find you (hiding is pointless). Will move toward the nearest player for 10 seconds, reidentifying the closest every 5-10 seconds.

Moves slower when within 6m of the closest player (distance to target player x 0.15m/s,  minimum 0.4m/s) and faster when over 6m away (3m/s).

Unique Spirit Box response that sounds like heavy breathing (33% chance). 

Higher chance (30%) to interact with doors (as opposed to 20%).

No LOS speed boost.

When manifested, its physical form blinks and is visible for longer than other ghosts.GalluEMF Level 5
Ultraviolet
Spirit BoxNormal state: 50%
Enraged state: 60% 
Weakened state: 40%Has three states: normal, enraged, and weakened. Starts in the normal state, but will change from weakened to normal, normal to enraged, or enraged to weakened. 

State changes to normal or enraged after burning a Crucifix, being blinded by Incense during a hunt, after being blinded by Incense outside of a hunt (after a set duration), or stepping in Salt.

Switches to weakened state if hunt ends while in enraged state.
Speed increases in enraged state (to 1.955m/s) and slows in weakened state (1.36m/s).

Crucifix range decreased by 2m in enraged state and increased by 1m in weakened state. 

Incense blinding effect is increased by one second during weakened state and decreased by one second during enraged state.

Cannot step in Salt when in the enraged state.GoryoD.O.T.S. Projector
Ultraviolet
EMF Level 550% SanityLess likely to enter a roaming state than other ghosts, but is more likely to perform interactions.

Can only perform short roams and cannot change its favorite room (unless you use the Sanity Monkey Paw wish).

It's D.O.T.S. form is only visible through a Video Camera, when no players are in the same room.

The only ghost that can enter D.O.T.S. form when trapped by the Monkey Paw or The Hermit Tarot Card. 

When playing on limited evidence difficulty levels, D.O.T.S. will always be one of the pieces of evidence.HantuUltraviolet
Ghost Orb
Freezing Temperatures50% SanityCannot turn off the fuse box and is twice as likely to turn one off.

Moves faster in the cold and slower in warmer areas. Below 0°C it can move at its maximum speed of 2.7m/s, in areas over 15°C, it moves at its minimum speed (1.4m/s).

During hunts, when the fuse box is off, it will release freezing breath near its head.

No LOS speed boost.JinnEMF Level 5
Ultraviolet
Freezing Temperatures50% SanityCannot directly turn off the fusebox. 

Cannot use its abilities when the fuse box is off. 
If the fuse box is on, and a player is within 3m of it (or in the same room), it will drain their Sanity by 25%, causing an EMF 2 or 5 reading at the fuse box. If more than one player meets this criteria, it will be selected based on lobby order.

Speed will be fixed at 2.5m/s as long as it meets three criteria: the fuse box is on, it has LOS with its targeted player, and it's more than 3m away from the target.

Standard LOS speed boost builds in the background and will be triggered when the criteria is no longer met.KormosGhost Orb
Spirit Box
Ultraviolet50% Sanity, which increases to 70% if a nearby player sprints.Blind, detects nearby players by the sound of their footsteps. 

Can detect the sound of players sprinting within 30m, walking within 15m, and crouched walking within 10m, unless they're on a different floor or the pathing distance to the sound is more than 1.5x the detection range.

Sprinting sounds are the highest priority to the Kormos, and crouch walking the least, so if more than one player is making sound, it will prioritize the location to travel to (where the sound was heard) based on this. If, for example, two players are sprinting, it will prioritize based on the sound location that is nearest.

LOS can only be achieved if within 5m of a player with no obstacles.

Faster when it travels to a detection waypoint with no LOS (2.21m/s).

Cannot perform mist form or ghost chase events.MareSpirit Box
Ghost Orb
Ghost WritingIf lights are turned off or broken in its current room (regardless of fuse box status): 60%
If lights in its current room are on (regardless of fuse box status): 40%Cannot directly turn on or flicker lights, but it can turn them off. This doesn't apply to objects such as TVs or motion-detection lights.

Higher chance to perform a light-shattering ghost event.

If its current room is lit, it can perform long roams (even if the current room isn't its favorite room). So, it's more likely to wander when lights are on.

If a player turns on a light within 4m of this ghost, it can turn it off within one second. Can do this regardless of the fusebox state.MoroiSpirit Box
Ghost Writing
Freezing Temperatures50% Sanity.
Speed increases by 0.083m/s every time average Sanity drops 5% below its hunt threshold. Maximum speed is 2.25m/s.Can curse targets, which doubles passive Sanity drain and stops light from preventing drain while in the investigation area. Sanity Medication can remove the curse.

Targets can be cursed by obtaining a successful Spirit Box response, hearing paranormal sounds through the Parabolic Microphone, or successfully recording a sound with the Sound Recorder.

Incense blinds Moroi during a hunt for seven seconds rather than five.MylingEMF Level 5
Ultraviolet
Ghost Writing50% SanityProduces paranormal sounds more frequently than other ghosts. 

Quiet when hunting, with only players within 12m able to hear its footsteps and sounds, rather than 20m. ObakeEMF Level 5
Ultraviolet
Ghost Orb50% SanityCan leave behind a unique UV evidence, including a six-finger handprint and a two or five finger fingerprint.

Lower chance to leave behind fingerprint and footprint UV evidence.

Can reduce the duration of UV fingerprints by half.

Can shapeshift, changing ghost models, while blinking during a hunt.

On limited evidence difficulty levels, UV will always be one of the forms of evidence.ObamboGhost Writing
Ultraviolet
D.O.T.S. ProjectorDuring calm state: 10%
During aggressive state: 65%Has two states: calm and aggressive. Starts the contract in the calm state, then changes to aggressive one minute after the exit door is opened for the first time. Alternates between states every two minutes afterward, including during hunts. 

Activity level is much higher in the calm state and lower in the aggressive state. 

Travels slower in the calm state (1.445m/s) and faster in the aggressive state (1.955m/s).

Hunts triggered during the aggressive state are 20% shorter. OniEMF Level 5
Freezing Temperatures
D.O.T.S. Projector50% SanityActivity increases when a player is in the same room as the ghost or within 6m of it. 

Cannot perform mist form or mist ball event. 

Higher chance of performing a chase event than other ghosts.

Higher chance to appear in its full physical form and will be visible for longer during hunts than other ghosts.

If it collides with the player during a ghost event, it drains twice the amount of Sanity.OnryoSpirit Box
Ghost Orb
Freezing Temperatures60% Sanity
When within 4m of a flame: 40%
When it blows three flames, and no others are within 4m: 100%Increased chance of blowing out a flame the more dead players there are. 

If the Onryo tries to trigger a hunt within 4m of a flame, it blows out the flame instead, preventing the hunt. This ability can override the usual flame extinguishing cooldowns which prevent a ghost from blowing out a flame within 30 seconds the first time it's lit and 20+ seconds for any subsequent lightings.

Cannot light fire sources unless forced to with a Voodoo Doll. 

If it blows out flames three or more times, it can initiate a hunt regardless of the average Sanity level. If this happens within 4m of another lit flame, during a hunt cooldown period, within range of a usable Crucifix, or in an Incense-cleansed area, the flame-extinguishing counter will reset to zero and no hunt will be triggered. PhantomD.O.T.S. Projector
Spirit Box
Ultraviolet50% SanityCapturing a successful video or photo of the Phantom makes it invisible temporarily. 

During a hunt, it is invisible for longer than other ghosts during blinks (the blinks appear slower).

Being within 10m of the Phantom during a manifestation ghost event or hunt drains Sanity by 0.5%/s, but doesn't apply if it's made invisible during a ghost event.

Will travel to within 5m a randomly targeted player, triggering an EMF Level 2 reading at the destination this ends at. Unlike the  standard roaming state, travel can last more than 30 seconds.PoltergeistSpirit Box
Ultraviolet
Ghost Writing50% SanityCan throw multiple objects within its interaction range at once, triggering an EMF Level 2 reading where its read is or EMF Level 3 where the objects are. This ability zaps the Sanity of all players in the same room by 2% for each item thrown.

When it uses its ability, item levitation lasts longer than it does for other ghosts.

Will always throw a nearby item every 0.5 seconds during a hunt.

20% chance to throw a prop, such as a toy or guitar, with failed attempts forcing it to return to its favorite room. 
Can throw single objects further than other ghosts.RaijuEMF Level 5
Ghost Orb
D.O.T.S. Projector50% Sanity
Within 6m (small map), 8m (medium), 10m (large) of active electronic equipment on the same floor: 65%During a manifestation or hunt, will interfere with electronic items and voice chat within 15m on the same floor, rather than 10m. 

Hunt Sanity threshold is increased and speed increases to 2.5m/s when active electronic equipment is within a certain distance.

When the above criteria is met, and Raiju has LOS with a player, the LOS speed boost is still gained in the background, but only applies when out of range of active electronics.RevenantGhost Orb
Ghost Writing
Freezing Temperatures50% SanitySlow when roaming (1m/s), but gets a significant speed boost when it detects a player (moving at 3m/s), which is maintained until it reaches the spot it detected the player. It then decelerates back to its roam speed at 0.75m/s. 

No LOS speed boost.ShadeEMF Level 5
Ghost Writing
Freezing Temperatures35% Sanity
If a player is in the ghost's current room: Will not huntLess active than other ghosts.

Can not perform successful interactions, ghost events, or trigger hunts in the same room as a player, will travel to its favorite room instead and likely perform these actions there.

Less likely to perform successful ghost events at high Sanity levels, but this chance increases as the average Sanity level drops, with ghost events 100% likely to succeed at 50% average Sanity.

Cannot perform singing or appearing ghost events, but has a higher chance to perform a mist form event.

Has a higher chance to appear in shadow form than other ghosts, even when summoned with a cursed object.

Cannot levitate objects.SpiritEMF Level 5
Spirit Box
Ghost Writing50% SanityUsing Incense near the Spirit prevents it from hunting for two minutes, as opposed to 90 seconds, but doesn't prevent a cursed hunt.
ThayeGhost Orb
Ghost Writing
D.O.T.S. ProjectorSanity threshold depends on age, with threshold dropping 6% per age added.
Age 0: 75%
Age 10+: 15%Ages throughout the contract. It starts at age 0 and will age by one every time it successfully uses its ability, which requires a player to be in the same room or within 3m of it.

Hunts speed becomes slower as it ages, with speed starting at 2.75m/s and dropping 0.175m/s to a minimum of 1m/s (at age 10+).

Starts very active, with activity at 200% (at age 0), but activity level drops by 15% with each age added, to a minimum of 50% (at age 10+). 

Higher chance to interact with doors than other ghosts.

No LOS speed boost.The MimicSpirit Box
Ultraviolet
Freezing temperaturesHunt threshold depends on which ghost it's currently mimicking.Can imitate any ghost in the game, including its features, abilities, speed, events, and hunt thresholds. But it doesn't  imitate a ghost's three evidence types.

Changes ghost types one minute after the exit door is opened for the first time, then every 30 seconds to two minutes afterward. It cannot change ghost type during a hunt or ghost event.

In addition to its three evidence types, The Mimic will always produce Ghost Orbs (still visible on no evidence contracts), though this isn't one of its official evidence types.

If it's male, it cannot mimic a Dayan or Banshee.The TwinsEMF Level 5
Spirit Box
Freezing Temperatures50% SanityEach time The Twins performs an interaction, it has a 50% chance to perform it within the normal ghost range , but there's a 30% chance it will perform an interaction within a larger range (further away than normal). 

In addition, when it performs an interaction, it has a 20% chance to perform two interactions simultaneously (or within two seconds of each other). One will occur in the normal range and the one will be further away.

Hunt speed will either be fast (1.9m/s) or slow (1.5m/s). If it chooses to move fast, it will begin the hunt from where it last performed a long-range interaction. If it chooses to move slowly, it will hunt from its current location.WraithEMF Level 5
Spirit Box
D.O.T.S. Projector50% SanityCannot step in, and therefore disturb, Salt; it will simply pass through Salt piles.

Outside of a hunt, it can teleport to a random player, producing a sudden EMF Level 2 (or EMF Level 5) reading at the spot it teleported to.YokaiSpirit Box
Ghost Orb
D.O.T.S. Projector50% Sanity
If a player is using voice chat in the same room as it: 80%Using voice chat in the same room as the Yokai increases its activity and increases its Sanity hunt threshold.

Can only detect active handheld electronics or player voice chat within 2.5m of it during a hunt, does not affect LOS. 

Must be within 2.5m (rather than 5m) of a Music Box to trigger the Music Box event, with a cursed hunt triggered when the box is 0.5m from the Yokai's head rather than 1m. YureiGhost Orb
Freezing Temperatures
D.O.T.S. Projector50% SanityIf the room it's in has at least one open door, it can use its ability to close one door, decreasing the Sanity of all players within a 7.5m range by 15% and producing a EMF Level 2 reading.

Outside of a hunt, it will only ever completely open or close a door, rather than moving it slightly. It will typically slam a door open or close, unless using its ability.

The only ghost that can move the front exit door outside of a hunt or ghost event.

Using Incense on roaming Yurei forces it into the favorite room state for 90 seconds, but this also prevents it from entering D.O.T.S. form. Identifying unique ghost abilities tip You don't have to shoot in the dark when it comes to ghost abilities.

This Phasmophobia tip is for those who want to practice identifying the ghost by its unique abilities and traits, but don’t necessarily want to risk misidentifying it and losing rewards. Play on Professional difficulty, where you’re given three pieces of evidence, but the challenge is more than Intermediate or Amateur. Start by identifying two pieces of evidence, and then ignore the third, instead relying on spotting ghost abilities to determine the ghost. Once you think you have it, try to gather the third piece to see if you were right. As you become more confident, lessen the amount of evidence you gather at the start, focusing on ghost abilities and then confirming your pick by collecting all the evidence later. However, collecting evidence later can be risky because, by that point, the ghost may be more aggressive due to low player Sanity levels.