Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia are one of the many tools available to ghost hunters to gather information and influence the ghost’s behavior. These cards offer a unique and often unpredictable way to interact with the paranormal, adding a layer of risk and reward to your investigations. This comprehensive guide will delve into the mechanics of Tarot Cards, explaining each card’s effect, offering strategies for their use, and helping you master this powerful tool.
What are Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia?
Tarot Cards are a cursed possession that can be found on most maps within Phasmophobia. When picked up, the deck contains ten random cards. Drawing a card triggers a specific effect, some beneficial, some detrimental, and some downright terrifying. Each card’s effect is immediate and can significantly alter the course of an investigation. The risk of drawing a negative card adds an element of chance and suspense to the game. Players often find them in fixed spawn locations. Tarot cards can be carried as a single item, like a voodoo doll or an ouija board.
Tarot Card Spawn Locations
Tarot Cards, along with other cursed possessions, spawn in the following locations. Please note that these locations are not guaranteed and the Tarot Cards might not spawn in the following locations:
- Tanglewood Street House: In the garage, on a shelf near the breaker.
- Willow Street House: In the basement, on a shelf.
- Edgefield Street House: In the garage on a workbench, or on a shelf in the basement.
- Maple Lodge Campsite: On a picnic table near the tents.
- Bleasdale Farmhouse: On the shelf in the attic.
- Grafton Farmhouse: In the master bedroom, on a bedside table.
- Ridgeview Road House: In the master bedroom, on a bedside table.
- Camp Woodwind: On a log near the central campfire.
- Brownstone High School: On a table in the cafeteria.
- Prison: In the security room.
- Asylum: In the reception area.
- Sunny Meadows Mental Institution: Inside the visitation room, next to the window.
The Ten Tarot Cards and Their Effects
There are ten different Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia, each with a unique and unpredictable effect. Understanding these effects is crucial for using the cards effectively. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each card:
The Tower
Effect: Causes the ghost to perform an interaction. If the ghost is hunting, it will immediately cease the hunt. If the ghost is not hunting, it will cause a random interaction nearby. This is a great way to test the ghost interaction, but not without risk. This might trigger a hunt if the ghost is close enough.
Best Use: Use this card when you need to gather more evidence about the ghost’s behavior or to stop an ongoing hunt. Be cautious, as it can trigger another hunt soon after.
The Wheel of Fortune
Effect: This card gives either a positive or negative effect depending on the color shown after drawn. A Green Wheel grants +25 sanity, while a Red Wheel will remove -25 sanity.
Best Use: The effect is unpredictable. It is a gamble. If you are at low sanity, it is not recommended.
The Devil
Effect: Triggers a ghost event. This event is guaranteed. Sanity will drop by 10%. The Ghost will appear nearby where the card was used.
Best Use: Use this card to force the ghost to show itself. It’s helpful for capturing photos or identifying the ghost’s behavior, but be prepared for a potential hunt if your sanity is low. It also provides an easy photo opportunity, if that is one of the objectives.
The Sun
Effect: Instantly restores your sanity to 100%.
Best Use: A lifesaver when your sanity is critically low, preventing a hunt and allowing you to continue gathering evidence. This is one of the most sought-after cards due to its immediate benefit.
The Moon
Effect: Drops your sanity to 0%.
Best Use: Can be used strategically to force a hunt and gather specific evidence, but only if you’re prepared for the consequences. Only use this card if you have an escape plan or a crucifix ready.
The High Priestess
Effect: Revives a random dead player at their corpse location. The revived player will have 50% sanity. If there are no dead players, the card does nothing and is consumed.
Best Use: Only useful when a teammate has died. It can bring them back into the game, but they will be vulnerable due to their low sanity. Ensure the area is safe before using this card.
The Hanged Man
Effect: Instantly kills the player who drew the card. The body will ragdoll and fall to the ground.
Best Use: There is no best use for this card. It’s purely detrimental and should be avoided if possible. If you’re feeling lucky (or unlucky), you can risk drawing it.
The Hermit
Effect: Traps the ghost in its room for a short period. The ghost will be teleported to its room, if it’s not already there.
Best Use: This card can be used when you want to determine the ghost room, giving you time to set up equipment or escape from a hunt. Be aware that the effect is temporary.
The Chariot
Effect: This card forces the player who drew the card to move in the direction they are facing at 4x their base speed for a duration of 5 seconds. The card will allow the player to barrel through doors. The card is a very good card to escape a hunt, or to quickly navigate to a different section of the map.
Best Use: This card is best used to escape a hunt, or to quickly navigate to a different section of the map.
The Death
Effect: Triggers a cursed hunt. The range is limited to 3 meters around the player that drew the card. During the hunt, the ghost will move at 1.5x its normal speed. The cursed hunt lasts for around 20 seconds, and the ghost will be able to open lockers and closets to search for the player.
Best Use: This card can be used if you are trying to get a hunt quickly for a daily objective. It can also be used in larger maps where the ghost has to travel a far distance to reach you.
Strategies for Using Tarot Cards
Using Tarot Cards effectively requires a combination of knowledge, risk assessment, and strategic thinking. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of this powerful tool:
- Assess Your Sanity: Before drawing a card, check your sanity levels. If your sanity is already low, avoid cards like The Moon or The Devil that further reduce it. Conversely, if your sanity is high, you might risk The Moon to force a hunt for evidence gathering.
- Consider Your Objectives: Tailor your card usage to your current objectives. If you need a ghost photo, The Devil can force a ghost event. If you need to identify the ghost room, The Hermit can trap the ghost.
- Team Coordination: Communicate with your team before drawing a card. Discuss potential risks and benefits, and coordinate your actions accordingly. For example, if someone is about to draw a card, others can prepare crucifixes or hiding spots.
- Risk Management: Weigh the potential benefits against the risks. Some cards, like The Hanged Man, offer no benefits and should be avoided if possible. Others, like The Sun, are highly beneficial but rare.
- Learn the Card Order: While the cards are drawn randomly, keeping track of the cards that have already been drawn can help you anticipate the remaining cards. This can inform your decisions and help you avoid detrimental cards.
- Use in Safe Locations: Draw cards in locations where you have quick access to hiding spots or escape routes. This can mitigate the risk of a hunt triggered by a negative card.
- Strategic Sacrifices: In some situations, sacrificing a player by using The Moon intentionally can be a viable strategy. This can trigger a hunt, allowing the team to gather evidence while the sacrificed player observes from the afterlife.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some advanced tips and tricks to elevate your Tarot Card game:
- Combining Cards with Other Tools: Use Tarot Cards in conjunction with other tools to maximize their effectiveness. For example, use The Hermit to trap the ghost in its room, then use a motion sensor to confirm its location.
- Exploiting Ghost Weaknesses: Some ghosts have unique weaknesses that can be exploited with Tarot Cards. For example, if you’re dealing with a Mare, use The Sun to keep the lights on and prevent hunts.
- Predicting Card Effects: While the cards are random, you can sometimes infer the likelihood of certain cards based on the game’s mechanics. For example, if a teammate has already died, The High Priestess becomes a more likely card.
- Mind Games with the Ghost: Use Tarot Cards to manipulate the ghost’s behavior and gain an advantage. For example, use The Tower to trigger an interaction near a hiding spot, then quickly hide to avoid detection.
- Mastering the Timing: The timing of your card usage can be crucial. For example, use The Tower to stop a hunt just as the ghost reaches you, or use The Sun to restore your sanity right before a hunt is about to begin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can make mistakes when using Tarot Cards. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Drawing Cards Without a Plan: Don’t draw cards randomly without considering the potential consequences. Always have a plan in mind and assess the risks before drawing.
- Ignoring Sanity Levels: Neglecting your sanity levels is a surefire way to trigger a hunt. Keep a close eye on your sanity and use cards accordingly.
- Drawing Cards in Dangerous Locations: Avoid drawing cards in areas with limited hiding spots or escape routes. Choose a safe location where you can quickly react to a negative card.
- Underestimating the Risks: Some cards, like The Hanged Man, are purely detrimental and should be avoided if possible. Don’t underestimate the risks associated with each card.
- Failing to Communicate: Lack of communication can lead to disastrous outcomes. Always communicate with your team before drawing a card and coordinate your actions accordingly.
The Psychology of Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia
Tarot Cards add a psychological element to Phasmophobia, playing on the players’ fears and expectations. The uncertainty of each card’s effect creates a sense of anticipation and dread, enhancing the overall horror experience. The cards can also influence players’ decision-making, leading to risky behaviors and strategic sacrifices.
The psychological impact of Tarot Cards is particularly evident during hunts. The knowledge that a single card can instantly kill you or save you creates a heightened sense of tension and urgency. Players may become more cautious, more strategic, and more reliant on their teammates.
Tarot Cards and the Meta-Game
Tarot Cards have become an integral part of the Phasmophobia meta-game, influencing strategies and tactics at all levels of play. Experienced players use Tarot Cards to gain an edge, gather evidence, and manipulate the ghost’s behavior. The cards have also led to the development of new strategies and playstyles.
In high-level play, Tarot Cards are often used to force hunts, identify ghost types, and complete objectives quickly. Players may intentionally lower their sanity to trigger hunts, then use Tarot Cards to control the ghost’s behavior and gather evidence. This requires a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and a willingness to take risks.
The Future of Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia
As Phasmophobia continues to evolve, Tarot Cards are likely to remain a central part of the gameplay experience. The developers may introduce new cards, new effects, or new ways to interact with the paranormal. This will keep the game fresh and challenging, and ensure that Tarot Cards remain a valuable tool for ghost hunters.
One potential future development is the introduction of customizable Tarot Card decks. Players could create their own decks with specific cards, allowing them to tailor their strategies to different ghost types or objectives. This would add a new layer of depth and complexity to the game.
Conclusion
Tarot Cards are a powerful and versatile tool in Phasmophobia, offering a unique way to interact with the paranormal. By understanding the effects of each card, developing effective strategies, and avoiding common mistakes, you can master this tool and become a more successful ghost hunter. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, Tarot Cards offer a thrilling and unpredictable way to enhance your investigations. So, grab a deck, gather your courage, and prepare to unlock the supernatural!