Decoding the Tarot: A Guide to Phasmophobia’s Mystical Deck

Introduction

Have you ever felt the chilling breeze of a haunted farmhouse, the eerie flicker of a failing flashlight, the growing unease as a ghost hunt spirals into chaotic terror? In Phasmophobia, those moments are par for the course. But what if you could peek behind the veil, glimpse the future, and gain a strategic edge against the spectral entities that haunt your every move? Enter the Tarot Cards, a deck of ten mystical instruments of divination added to Phasmophobia, offering a thrilling blend of risk and reward. One moment you might summon a friendly spectre, the next? A full blown hunt.

Phasmophobia, for those blissfully unaware, is a cooperative, investigative horror game where players take on the role of ghost hunters. Armed with an array of paranormal investigation tools, teams venture into haunted locations, gathering evidence to identify the resident ghost. Now, these are not your regular haunts. A wrong move could mean your team is up against one of the many ghosts in the game. That is where the tarot cards can aid in the game.

These cards can be found on any map and when drawn can give you either positive or negative benefits and understanding how each one works, and when to use them, could be the difference between solving the case and becoming the ghost’s next victim.

This guide delves into the intricate world of Phasmophobia’s Tarot Cards, providing a comprehensive understanding of their individual meanings, strategic uses, and tips to maximize their effectiveness in your ghost hunts. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or a newcomer to the paranormal, mastering the Tarot Cards can significantly enhance your gameplay, adding a layer of strategic depth and a healthy dose of nail-biting suspense. In this article, we’ll explore each card in detail, discuss some advanced strategies, and touch on common mistakes to avoid when relying on the cards.

The Fundamentals of Phasmophobia Tarot Cards

Before diving into the individual card meanings, it’s essential to understand the basics of acquiring and using the Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia. You’ll want to head to any location to find these.

The first step is finding the Tarot Cards. They are located somewhere on each map but tend to be located on a table somewhere in the map. After spawning, the cards will be in a stack of ten and ready to be drawn at any given time.

When you come across these cards, you will be able to draw a card by holding the ‘use’ key to draw one card, each card being used once. After you’ve drawn a card, it is gone and can’t be reused and you’ll need to buy a new stack from the shop.

To buy more tarot cards, you must go to the in-game shop and purchase them for twenty in-game dollars. The cards can be very useful in the game but can also be detrimental so they should be used wisely.

Unveiling the Deck: Individual Card Meanings and Effects

Let’s delve into the specifics of each card in the Phasmophobia Tarot deck, exploring their visual representation, in-game effect, typical use cases, and the risks associated with drawing them.

The Tower

The Tower depicts a crumbling structure struck by lightning. Drawing this card triggers an interaction. This forces the ghost to perform an interaction, making it useful to get the ghost to do one of the evidences that are required to find.

The Tower is a card that is common, but the timing of using it could mean life or death depending on the ghost and if it’s in the middle of a hunt.

The best time to use the Tower is when you’re actively gathering evidence and want to provoke the ghost into interacting with its environment. However, avoid using it during a hunt, as the forced interaction could lead to an immediate attack.

The Wheel of Fortune

This card displays a turning wheel, symbolizing luck and chance. When drawn, this card can provide both positive and negative effects.

If the card is green, it will increase your sanity by twenty five percent. If the card is red, it will decrease your sanity by twenty five percent. It is an unpredictable card.

The Wheel of Fortune card can be good to bring your sanity up before the ghost starts hunting and lowering your sanity. However, it’s unpredictable, and the negative outcome can be detrimental, especially if your sanity is already low.

It’s a better strategy to use this card when your sanity is relatively high, so you have a buffer against the potential sanity drain.

The Hermit

The Hermit showcases a solitary figure, representing isolation. Drawing this card will cause the ghost to be trapped in its room for a short period of time.

The probability of drawing the Hermit is moderate, making it a situationally useful card.

Use the Hermit card strategically to buy time for your team to gather evidence or set up equipment without the ghost’s interference. However, keep in mind that the effect is temporary, and the ghost will eventually resume its activity.

The High Priestess

This card illustrates a robed figure, representing intuition. The High Priestess has a cool effect and it will revive the dead player at the cost of the revived player losing half of their sanity. This can be useful, because you can potentially get another teammate back into the game.

The High Priestess is rare, making it an invaluable asset in a pinch.

The High Priestess is best used to bring back a key team member who has fallen victim to the ghost. Be mindful of the sanity cost for the revived player, as it can make them more vulnerable to future hunts.

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man depicts a figure suspended upside down, signifying sacrifice. Drawing this card will instantly kill the player.

This card is uncommon, so it is risky when using.

There’s rarely a strategic reason to intentionally draw the Hanged Man. It’s generally best to avoid using the Tarot Cards when your life is already in danger.

The Devil

The Devil card represents temptation and chaos. Drawing this card triggers a ghost event.

The Devil card is common, it can be used to trigger ghost events when you need to get one of them for an objective or for an extra bit of money.

Use the Devil to trigger interactions when looking for evidence. However, keep in mind that the interaction could trigger a hunt, making it best used in areas with ample escape routes.

The Sun

This card displays a radiant sun, symbolizing positivity. Drawing this card will restore your sanity to one hundred percent.

The Sun is moderately common, making it a valuable sanity recovery tool.

The Sun card is best used when your sanity is critically low and you’re at risk of a hunt. It’s a reliable way to reset your sanity and extend your time in the haunted location.

The Moon

This card illustrates the moon, symbolizing darkness and mystery. The Moon card reduces your sanity to zero percent.

The Moon card is moderately common.

Use the Moon card when you want to trigger a hunt.

The Lovers

The Lovers card features two figures, representing connection. Drawing this card can tell you the ghost’s target. If you draw the card and you are the ghost’s target, your sanity will be reduced.

The Lovers card is rare, making it extremely useful when trying to figure out who the ghost is going to target.

Use the Lovers card when you need to figure out who the ghost is targeting, this card is very useful and helpful.

The Fool

The Fool card features a character. When you draw the tarot card, and you have already drawn it, it will be The Fool.

The Fool card is very common.

Use The Fool card when you already drew all the tarot cards.

Advanced Tarot Card Strategies and Tips

Beyond understanding the individual card meanings, mastering the Tarot Cards requires a more nuanced approach, focusing on risk assessment, team communication, and adapting your strategy to different game modes.

Before drawing a card, carefully weigh the potential benefits against the risks. Consider your current sanity level, the ghost’s behavior, and the overall state of the hunt. Are you willing to risk a sanity drain for a potential sanity boost? Is provoking an interaction worth the risk of triggering a hunt? Answering these questions will help you make informed decisions.

Effective communication is key when using the Tarot Cards in a team setting. Discuss your intentions with your teammates before drawing a card, especially if the effect could impact the entire team. For instance, if you’re planning to use The Hermit, let your team know so they can prepare for a temporary period of inactivity from the ghost.

The Tarot Cards can be adapted to different game modes and difficulties. On professional difficulty, where sanity drains more quickly, cards like The Sun and The Wheel of Fortune become even more valuable. On nightmare difficulty, where the ghost is more aggressive, cards like The Hermit can provide crucial breathing room.

Identifying ghost types using the Tarot Cards can be very helpful. Use The Lovers card when you are trying to figure out who the ghost is going to target.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

While the Tarot Cards can be powerful tools, they are also prone to misuse. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

Drawing cards at the wrong time can be disastrous. For example, drawing a card during a hunt is generally a bad idea, as the forced interaction could lead to an immediate attack. Similarly, drawing a card when your sanity is already critically low can be a recipe for disaster.

Ignoring the risks associated with each card is a common mistake. Each card has potential negative consequences, and it’s essential to understand these risks before drawing. For example, using The Wheel of Fortune without considering the sanity drain can backfire spectacularly.

Over-reliance on the Tarot Cards can hinder your ability to gather evidence through traditional means. Remember that the cards are just one tool in your arsenal. Don’t neglect the importance of using your equipment, observing the ghost’s behavior, and communicating with your team.

Conclusion

The Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia offer a unique blend of risk and reward, adding a layer of strategic depth and excitement to the ghost hunting experience. By understanding the individual card meanings, mastering advanced strategies, and avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly enhance your gameplay and increase your chances of successfully identifying the resident ghost.

The power is in your hands to use these cards and gain an advantage against the specters and spectrals that are hunting you. But just know that there are risks and rewards to these and timing is key to successfully identifying the ghost.

So go forth, brave ghost hunter, and embrace the mystical power of the Tarot Cards. Experiment with different card combinations, share your strategies with the community, and prepare for a thrilling journey into the paranormal. Just remember, the cards are a tool, not a guarantee. Fortune favors the bold, but also the prepared. Good luck, and may your hunts be filled with thrills, chills, and just the right amount of ghostly chaos!