In the eerie world of *Phasmophobia*, mastering the art of ghost hunting involves using every tool at your disposal, including the intriguing and risky Cursed Objects. These items can be a double-edged sword, offering significant advantages while also posing dangerous consequences. Here's a comprehensive guide on how each Cursed Object functions in the game, helping you decide when and how to use them effectively.
What Is a Cursed Object in Phasmophobia?
Screenshot by The Escapist
Cursed Objects, or "Cursed Possessions" as they are technically known, are unique items that spawn randomly across various maps in *Phasmophobia*, contingent on the chosen game mode and settings. To utilize these objects, you need to locate them on the map and activate them. Unlike the standard equipment provided in your van, which is designed to aid your investigations, Cursed Objects offer powerful shortcuts but come with significant risks.
Using a Cursed Object can immediately pinpoint the ghost's favorite room or provide a temporary boost to your team, but it often comes at the cost of a drastic sanity drop, temporary blindness, or triggering a "cursed" hunt. Therefore, it's crucial to use these objects judiciously, as they may not spawn at higher difficulty levels or in Challenge Mode.
How All Cursed Objects Work in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by The Escapist
There are currently seven Cursed Objects in *Phasmophobia*, each with unique abilities and side effects. A common risk among all is a significant reduction in sanity. If you're in a group, it's advisable to keep your distance from the player using the object due to the potential for a "cursed hunt" to ensue immediately after use.
Cursed Hunts are similar to regular hunts but bypass your sanity level, can occur even if a regular hunt just ended, and last 20 seconds longer, making evasion more challenging. Below is a detailed list of each Cursed Object and its effects:
| Cursed Object | Ability |
|---|---|
| Tarot Cards | 10 randomly generated cards that each grant a certain buff, debuff, or elicit more ghost activity. **Certain cards such as "Death" can trigger a Cursed Hunt. |
| Ouija Board | Allows the player to directly communicate with the ghost by asking appropriate questions (e.g., "Where are you?", "Where is the bone?", "What is my sanity?"). **Specific Ouija Board Questions such as "Hide and Seek" can trigger a Cursed Hunt. **If the Ouija Board shatters after use, a Cursed Hunt will start. |
| Haunted Mirror | Allows the player to see the ghost's current favorite room/area by looking into the mirror. **If the player looks at the mirror until it shatters, a Cursed Hunt will start. |
| Music Box | Reveals the ghost's current location by forcing it to appear in a special event when the music box is played. **If the player uses the Music Box too long, a Cursed Hunt will start. |
| Summoning Circle | Allows the player to summon and trap the ghost inside the circle by lighting the candles around it. **Doing this will always trigger a Cursed Hunt afterward unless a Tier 3 Crucifix is placed on the circle. |
| Voodoo Doll | Allows the player to force ghost interactions by pressing each of the 10 pins inside the doll. **If the pin inside the doll's heart is pushed in, a Cursed Hunt will start. |
| Monkey Paw | Allows the player to ask for a certain amount of wishes (depending on difficulty) that can influence the ghost and/or the environment. **Certain Monkey Paw Wishes can severely impair or trap the player for extended periods, so choose wisely. |
Best Cursed Objects to Use in Phasmophobia
When choosing the best Cursed Objects to use in *Phasmophobia*, consider those that offer the most benefit with the least risk. The availability of these objects depends on your game mode and difficulty settings.
Haunted Mirror
Screenshot via The Escapist
The Haunted Mirror is the safest Cursed Object to use, providing significant benefits with minimal risk. It reveals the ghost's current favorite room/area, allowing you to quickly locate the ghost and set up your equipment efficiently. Be cautious not to use it for too long, as prolonged use can drastically reduce your sanity and trigger a Cursed Hunt if the mirror shatters.
Ouija Board
Screenshot by The Escapist
The Ouija Board, the first Cursed Object introduced in *Phasmophobia*, remains a reliable choice. It allows direct communication with the ghost, helping you locate it and even find the bone's spawn location, which is crucial for achieving the "Perfect Investigation" bonus. Be mindful of the questions you ask, as certain ones can trigger a Cursed Hunt.
Voodoo Doll
Screenshot via The Escapist
The Voodoo Doll is particularly useful for forcing ghost interactions, which can be vital for gathering evidence. Each pin you press into the doll triggers an interaction, but avoid the heart pin, as it will initiate a Cursed Hunt.
This guide covers the functionality of all Cursed Objects in *Phasmophobia*. For the latest updates and guides, be sure to check out The Escapist, including the Phasmophobia 2025 Roadmap & Preview.
*Phasmophobia is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
