Short Answer
In this guide, you’ll discover the meanings and effects of every Tarot card in Phasmophobia, the popular horror game. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or new to the paranormal investigation, understanding these cards can give you a strategic edge. You’ll learn how each card influences gameplay, alters ghost behavior, and even shifts the ghost’s personality. By the end, you’ll know how to use Tarot cards to your advantage in even the most terrifying encounters.
What Are Tarot Cards in Phasmophobia?
Tarot cards in Phasmophobia are special items that allow players to interact with the ghost in unique ways. Each card has a distinct effect, ranging from revealing the ghost’s identity to altering its behavior temporarily. These cards are part of the game’s toolkit, offering both defensive and offensive advantages. They can be found in the ghost writing room or purchased from the store, depending on the map and difficulty. Using a Tarot card consumes it, so strategic timing is key.

The Major Arcana: High-Impact Cards
The Major Arcana consists of the most powerful Tarot cards in the game. These cards often trigger significant changes in the ghost’s behavior or provide critical information. Here’s a breakdown of each:
The Fool
Effect: The ghost will randomly walk around the map for 30 seconds. This card is excellent for luring the ghost away from your team or disrupting its hunting pattern.
Best Used When: The ghost is hunting or about to hunt. It buys time to regroup or set up equipment.
The Magician
Effect: The ghost will interact with an object in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object, such as a door or light switch.
Best Used When: You suspect the ghost is in a particular room but need confirmation. It’s also useful for testing if the ghost is active in a specific area.
The High Priestess
Effect: The ghost will become more active, increasing the chance of it hunting or interacting with objects. This card is a double-edged sword—it can reveal the ghost’s presence but also escalate danger.
Best Used When: You need to provoke the ghost into revealing itself, such as when trying to identify its type or location.
The Empress
Effect: The ghost will stop hunting for 30 seconds. This is one of the most valuable cards in the deck, as it provides a safe window to move, set up equipment, or escape a hunting phase.
Best Used When: During a hunt or when the ghost is about to start one. It’s a lifesaver in high-pressure situations.
The Emperor
Effect: The ghost will become less active for 30 seconds, reducing the chance of it hunting or interacting with objects. This card is ideal for calming the situation and buying time.
Best Used When: After a hunt or when the ghost is overly aggressive. It helps reset the ghost’s behavior.
The Hierophant
Effect: The ghost will interact with a crucifix in the room where the card was used. If the ghost is within range, it will be temporarily weakened, reducing its hunting speed.
Best Used When: When the ghost is hunting or about to hunt. It can help you escape or set up a crucifix trap.
The Lovers
Effect: The ghost will interact with a player, either by moving closer or interacting with their equipment. This card can be used to test the ghost’s aggression or lure it toward a specific player.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a player.
The Chariot
Effect: The ghost will move to a random location on the map. This card is useful for disrupting the ghost’s hunting pattern or forcing it out of a hiding spot.
Best Used When: The ghost is hunting or about to hunt. It can help you escape or regroup.
The Strength
Effect: The ghost will become less aggressive for 30 seconds, reducing the chance of it hunting. This card is great for calming the situation and buying time.
Best Used When: After a hunt or when the ghost is overly aggressive. It helps reset the ghost’s behavior.
The Hermit
Effect: The ghost will interact with a light switch in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You suspect the ghost is in a particular room but need confirmation. It’s also useful for testing if the ghost is active in a specific area.
The Wheel of Fortune
Effect: The ghost will randomly interact with an object in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You need to provoke the ghost into revealing itself, such as when trying to identify its type or location.
The Justice
Effect: The ghost will interact with a player, either by moving closer or interacting with their equipment. This card can be used to test the ghost’s aggression or lure it toward a specific player.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a player.
The Hanged Man
Effect: The ghost will stop interacting with objects for 30 seconds. This card is useful for calming the situation and buying time to set up equipment or escape.
Best Used When: During a hunt or when the ghost is overly active. It helps reset the ghost’s behavior.
The Death
Effect: The ghost will interact with a door in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a specific object.
The Temperance
Effect: The ghost will become less aggressive for 30 seconds, reducing the chance of it hunting. This card is great for calming the situation and buying time.
Best Used When: After a hunt or when the ghost is overly aggressive. It helps reset the ghost’s behavior.
The Devil
Effect: The ghost will interact with a player, either by moving closer or interacting with their equipment. This card can be used to test the ghost’s aggression or lure it toward a specific player.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a player.
The Tower
Effect: The ghost will randomly interact with an object in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You need to provoke the ghost into revealing itself, such as when trying to identify its type or location.
The Star
Effect: The ghost will interact with a light switch in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You suspect the ghost is in a particular room but need confirmation. It’s also useful for testing if the ghost is active in a specific area.
The Moon
Effect: The ghost will interact with a crucifix in the room where the card was used. If the ghost is within range, it will be temporarily weakened, reducing its hunting speed.
Best Used When: When the ghost is hunting or about to hunt. It can help you escape or set up a crucifix trap.
The Sun
Effect: The ghost will interact with a player, either by moving closer or interacting with their equipment. This card can be used to test the ghost’s aggression or lure it toward a specific player.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a player.
The Judgement
Effect: The ghost will move to a random location on the map. This card is useful for disrupting the ghost’s hunting pattern or forcing it out of a hiding spot.
Best Used When: The ghost is hunting or about to hunt. It can help you escape or regroup.
The World
Effect: The ghost will stop interacting with objects for 30 seconds. This card is useful for calming the situation and buying time to set up equipment or escape.
Best Used When: During a hunt or when the ghost is overly active. It helps reset the ghost’s behavior.
Minor Arcana: Supporting Cards
The Minor Arcana includes cards that provide situational advantages or subtle changes in ghost behavior. While not as impactful as the Major Arcana, they can still be useful in specific scenarios.
Ace of Cups
Effect: The ghost will interact with a player, either by moving closer or interacting with their equipment. This card can be used to test the ghost’s aggression or lure it toward a specific player.
Best Used When: You need to confirm the ghost’s location or test its behavior toward a player.
Two of Cups
Effect: The ghost will interact with a light switch in the room where the card was used. This can reveal the ghost’s location or force it to interact with a specific object.
Best Used When: You suspect the ghost is in a particular room but need confirmation.
Three of Cups
Effect: The ghost will interact with a crucifix in the room where the card was used. If the ghost is within range, it will be temporarily weakened, reducing its hunting speed.
Best Used When: When the ghost is hunting or about to hunt.
Four of Cups
Effect: The ghost will stop interacting with objects for 30 seconds. This card is useful for calming the situation and buying time.
Best Used When: During a hunt or when the ghost is overly active.
Five of Cups
Effect: The ghost will move to a random location on the map. This card is useful for disrupting the ghost’s hunting pattern or forcing it out of a hiding spot.
Best Used When: The ghost is hunting or about to hunt.
Strategic Tips for Using Tarot Cards
To maximize the effectiveness of Tarot cards, consider the following strategies:
- Timing is Everything: Use cards during hunts or when the ghost is overly aggressive to disrupt its behavior.
- Combine Cards: Pair cards like The Empress and The Hierophant to create safe windows for movement or setup.
- Observe Ghost Behavior: Use cards to test the ghost’s reactions and gather information about its personality.
- Save High-Impact Cards: Reserve powerful cards like The Empress for critical moments, such as during a hunt.
- Use Minor Arcana for Setup: Cards like Two of Cups can help confirm the ghost’s location before setting up equipment.
Conclusion
Tarot cards in Phasmophobia are more than just mystical items—they’re tools that can turn the tide of a ghost hunt. By understanding the effects of each card, you can strategically manipulate the ghost’s behavior, gather crucial information, and create opportunities to outsmart even the most elusive spirits. Whether you’re using The Empress to pause a hunt or The Hierophant to weaken the ghost, mastering these cards will elevate your gameplay and increase your chances of survival. Experiment with different combinations and timing to discover the most effective strategies for your team. With practice, Tarot cards will become an indispensable part of your ghost-hunting arsenal.
FAQ
What are Tarot cards in Phasmophobia?
Tarot cards in Phasmophobia are special items that allow players to interact with the ghost in unique ways, each having distinct effects on gameplay.
How do Tarot cards influence ghost behavior?
Each Tarot card alters ghost behavior in various ways, such as making it more active or less aggressive, providing strategic advantages during gameplay.
Leave a Reply