Any advice to get better?

[Server Jester]

Ive just been playing on the suburb maps (mostly Tangle and Willow, occasionally Edgefield) on Intermediate for now trying to get levels (Only unlocked Smudges and Pills so far) and i know theres likely a better way to go about things (esp when a hunt happens).

Heres basically how most runs go:

Start- Flashlight, EMF, UV. Run in and turn on the power, look for where the ghost is doing things and keep an eye out for foggy breath. Find room and put down EMF and UV.

Come back with a Camera + Tripod and Thermometer. set it up then run back and grab the notebook and dots after checking if theres orbs (one ofnthese is crucifix if the ghost has been particularly aggressive with killing my sanity)

After this it usually bounces between finding the last bit of evidence (usually spirit box) and doing stuff for photos like salt.

If a hunt happens I just run and hide, ideally on another floor, after turning my electronics off (unless i dont turn them off, then i die).

How do you guys roll out and setup? And whats the best way to learn looping so I can see if I can figure out the ghost based on behavior if im stuck with 3 types that only have telltales during hunts

[Blendy]

the tips i always say to newer players:

1) No matter where you are, always have an escape plan at all times. if things go wrong at this very moment how will i get away. always keep that in your head.

2) (If possible) When the EMF is far away, bring the item to the EMF. not the other way around. You will save crucial time you cant waste.

3) keep a crucifix in your hiding spot if you plan on waiting. The ghost can and will try to spawn kill you. It keeps you from an instant and unfair game over.

4) play nightmare. its the best balance of difficulty and it teaches you to look at the finer details. If you master what to look for, you will rarely need to risk your neck out in a loop for evidence.

5) With time you will start to recognize the "danger zone" in your head. This is the point where it would be a good idea to drop what you have, and keep a smudge ready for the inevitable.

6) Its not always about what the ghost is doing the gives it away, sometimes its actually more telling to look at what the ghost ISN'T doing that does it in. Don't get tunnel vision, keep an eye on the bigger picture.

Ultimately your mind is the most important tool. You don't need the best equipment to succeed, just a good head on your shoulder is enough to win, the ghost knowledge comes with time. there's no other way to put it and not shortcut. Spend time learning what to look for and you can carry every time. Good luck!

(also the set-up i always use is Video camera, UV light, and EMF. the chance of getting at least one evidence from finding the ghost room is very high so it gets you and your team off to as good start,)

[shiny_dirk]

Originally posted by Blendy:

the tips i always say to newer players:

1) No matter where you are, always have an escape plan at all times. if things go wrong at this very moment how will i get away. always keep that in your head.

2) (If possible) When the EMF is far away, bring the item to the EMF. not the other way around. You will save crucial time you cant waste.

3) keep a crucifix in your hiding spot if you plan on waiting. The ghost can and will try to spawn kill you. It keeps you from an instant and unfair game over.

4) play nightmare. its the best balance of difficulty and it teaches you to look at the finer details. If you master what to look for, you will rarely need to risk your neck out in a loop for evidence.

5) With time you will start to recognize the "danger zone" in your head. This is the point where it would be a good idea to drop what you have, and keep a smudge ready for the inevitable.

6) Its not always about what the ghost is doing the gives it away, sometimes its actually more telling to look at what the ghost ISN'T doing that does it in. Don't get tunnel vision, keep an eye on the bigger picture.

Ultimately your mind is the most important tool. You don't need the best equipment to succeed, just a good head on your shoulder is enough to win, the ghost knowledge comes with time. there's no other way to put it and not shortcut. Spend time learning what to look for and you can carry every time. Good luck!

(also the set-up i always use is Video camera, UV light, and EMF. the chance of getting at least one evidence from finding the ghost room is very high so it gets you and your team off to as good start,)

His first point is already the most important of them all. Very good point.
I seperate the game into 2 stages of learning. one is the find + identification, the other one is the awarness + survival.
It's generally not hard to get used to stage 1, but stage 2 is what really matters.
i advice you , first back to van, bring a smudge stick. consider that your permanent slot from then on out in a round. having this thing around early will often not do all that much, but in those moment you get jumped on by an early hunter is when you will really shine having it.
scout out hiding spot situation early, try and see if you find 1 or 2 alternative routes if must be. have them on your mind.
React - professional difficulty gives you a 3 second warning, nightmare 2 seconds, insanity 1 second. whatever your difficulty may be, respond immediately. even if its just a ghost event, better safe than sorry.
Try and hear out where the ghost is coming from. that will work with basic directional sound on each basic headset and that couple second you have once things happen can get you in a much better position to respond safely.

As for nightmare - my advice is to play professional until you have a firm understanding of a larger amount of ghost perks and behavioral patterns. taking one evidence away changes quite some of the rules the game works. such as "oh book thrown? it out" - nope, it aint out on nightmare anymore, unless the remaining list of ghosts wont allow for book any longer.
nightmare in most cases also requires you to get comfy with hunts as they become a part of identification more often than not.

But yea, the post above me already has a lot of good points, here are some of my primary extras.

Goodluck, investigator

[Myth Alric]

Tier 2 headcams are a big thing if you get them, since it can replace your flashlight. It lets you carry and extra thing in. I personally always carry a crucifix into the house, first item, to protect from early hunters. I take in a video camera, but an EMF is also a decent choice, so is thermo. Spirit box and UV are also decent to carry in, especially paired with one of those other items. The book and DOTs can come in last.

I would say you want to check spirit box fairly early on, since it is easy to check if you found the ghost. It is also good to get that out of the way, if you are in a team, since multiple people in the room can some times be an issue.

You don't really need to learn looping in this game. If you want to see the ghost, using smudge sticks is way safer. Watch the ghost then use the smudge to run away. I always carry a smudge with me, after I have all the gear in the house, just to be safe.