Before a team of paranormal investigators can start to collect evidence about the Ghost haunting the home or abandoned building in Phasmophobia, they need to detect the Ghost's presence and determine the Ghost room. In Phasmophobia, the team has a selection of industry tools and equipment they can purchase for use during their investigations to help them both find and identify the Ghost. Many of these tools are high-tech, like EMF Readers, Sound Sensors, and Parabolic Microphones that can detect Ghosts on larger maps. However, sometimes the simplest tool can be the most effective. Players can purchase Candles, or find them scattered throughout the house, and use them a simpler, effective Ghost detection tool.
Nearby Ghosts in Phasmophobia may blow out Candles, either when they are placed or lit around the level map or when a player is holding one in their hand. While Candles do eventually burn out, players can examine the Candle to tell whether it naturally went out on its own or was acted upon by a Ghost. Teams can set up and use Candles to pinpoint the Ghost's exact location, which can help them gather evidence and identify the Ghost before it activates its hunting phase. Here's how to use Candles to detect Ghosts in Phasmophobia.
How to Use Candles to Detect Ghosts in Phasmophobia
There are two ways to access Candles in Phasmophobia. The first and easiest is to purchase them from the in-game store. Each one costs $15, and a team can have four at a time during an investigation. As another option, there are already candles around most maps, but these do not burn quite as brightly as those that the investigators bring with them.
Either way a team chooses to use candles, they will also need a Lighter. Lighters are also purchasable equipment. They cost $10 each, and a team can have two during an investigation. Candles can also be lit with other lit candles, but a Lighter is required for at least the first one.
To light a Candle, players need to have a Lighter in their Inventory and press the F key while holding the unlit Candle. They can light an unlit Candle with a lit Candle by holding the unlit Candle, looking at the lit Candle, and pressing F. One player can also light other players' Candles with either a Lighter or lit Candle.
Candles burn out on their own after a few moments, and players will not be able to relight them. However, when a Ghost blows out a Candle, it can still be relit. Players can examine the wick of a Candle to find out whether it burned out on its own or whether a Ghost is nearby. Ghosts can blow out Candles even when they are not stationary and are being carried by one of the paranormal investigators.
Any kind of Phasmophobia ghost can interact with a Candle, so while it won't help players identify the Ghost haunting the map, it can be used no matter the Ghost type to detect its presence. It can also prevent players' sanity from dropping as quickly because using them helps ensure there is always at least a little bit of light.
Phasmophobia is in Steam Early Access and is available for PC.