If you’re playing Phasmophobia, you might wonder if night vision goggles can help you spot ghost orbs. The direct answer is yes, you can see ghost orbs with night vision goggles in Phasmophobia, but there’s a crucial catch you need to know.
Ghost orbs are a key piece of evidence. They are tiny, floating balls of light that drift slowly through a room. Finding them is essential for identifying certain ghost types. Using the right equipment the right way makes all the difference.
Can You See Ghost Orbs With Night Vision Goggles
This is a common point of confusion for new investigators. The game’s mechanics are specific. Night vision goggles, or NVGs, do not inherently reveal ghost orbs. Instead, they amplify the existing light in a room, making everything brighter and easier to see in the dark.
Here’s the key: ghost orbs are only visible through a video camera’s lens. This means you need to be looking at a video feed that has night vision enabled. The goggles on your head and the night vision on a camera are different systems in the game.
How Night Vision Actually Works With Cameras
To successfully spot ghost orbs, you need to understand the equipment chain. Your naked eye, even with NVGs on, will never see a ghost orb floating in a room. You must use a video camera’s night vision mode.
- Place a video camera on a tripod or surface in the suspected ghost room.
- Turn off the lights in that room. Ghost orbs are easiest to spot in darkness.
- Look at the camera’s feed through your truck’s monitor or a handheld video camera.
- Ensure the feed is in night vision mode (it usually switches automatically in the dark).
- Scan the feed for small, bright white orbs floating slowly. That’s your evidence.
The Role of Head-Mounted Night Vision Goggles
So, what are the NVGs for then? They are for your personal navigation and safety. They help you see in dark hallways and rooms without needing to hold a flashlight. This frees up your hands for other equipment like EMF readers or spirit boxes. They make investigating in the dark much less scary and more efficient, but they don’t change what evidence you can directly observe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Ghost Orbs
Let’s break down the foolproof method for capturing this evidence.
- Locate the ghost room using tools like the thermometer or EMF reader.
- Take a video camera into the room and place it in a corner with a wide view.
- Switch off the light in that room and any nearby lights.
- Return to the truck and sit at the surveillance monitor.
- Select the camera you placed (e.g., Camera 1) on the monitor.
- Watch the feed closely. Look for small, pale orbs drifting on screen. They often move in a straight line or gentle curve.
- If you see one, watch it for a moment to confirm it’s not dust or a particle effect. Ghost orbs have a distinct, consistent float.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can mess this up. Here are typical errors that lead to missed orbs.
- Leaving Lights On: Ghost orbs are very faint. Any light source in the room can wash them out completely on the video feed.
- Confusing Particles: Sometimes dust or snow (on outdoor maps) can look similar. Ghost orbs are brighter and move more deliberately than random particles.
- Wrong Camera Angle: A camera pointed at a wall or with a very narrow field of view might miss the orb’s path. Aim for a central view.
- Not Checking Long Enough: The orb might not be in the room constantly. Watch the feed for at least 30 seconds to a minute.
Best Equipment Setup for Orb Hunting
To optimize your search, bring the right gear into the investigation. Your loadout can make the process smoother.
- Primary Items: Video Camera, Flashlight, UV Light.
- Secondary Items: Strong Flashlight, Photo Camera, Crucifix (for safety).
- Strategy: Place the video camera first. Use your head-mounted NVGs and a held flashlight to navigate safely in the dark after you’ve turned off the lights. This way, you’re never blind while working.
Advanced Tips for Veteran Players
Once you’ve got the basics down, these tips can save you time and sanity.
- You can use a handheld video camera to look for orbs directly, but the small screen makes it easy to miss them. The truck monitor is best.
- On larger maps, use sound sensors to pinpoint activity, then place your video camera in that area.
- If you’re playing solo, you can place the camera, then use the truck monitor via the van computer menu (C key by default) without having to physically return to the truck.
Remember, patience is key. Ghost orbs can be subtle. If you don’t see them immediately, don’t rule them out right away. Double-check that the room is dark and the camera’s night vision is active. Sometimes the games lighting can play tricks on you.
FAQ Section
Do you need night vision to see ghost orbs in Phasmophobia?
Yes, but it’s the night vision on a video camera feed, not your night vision goggles. The room must be dark and you must be viewing through a camera.
Can ghost orbs be seen with the naked eye?
No, never. Ghost orbs are a camera-only phenomena. You will only ever see them on a video screen with night vision active.
Why can’t I see ghost orbs even with my camera?
First, ensure the room light is off. Second, check the camera isn’t pointed at a light source outside the room. Third, the ghost type might not produce orbs—it’s only evidence for certain ghosts. Finally, sometimes they are just tricky to spot.
What’s the point of night vision goggles then?
They help you see in the dark without a flashlight, freeing your hands. They are for navigation and interaction, not for direct evidence collection like ghost orbs or writing in a book.
In summary, while the idea of seeing ghost orbs through your goggles seems logical, the game mechanics are clear. You must rely on your video camera system. Mastering this distinction is a fundamental step in becoming a proficient Phasmophobia investigator. So next time you gear up, remember: cameras for orbs, goggles for getting around. Now you’re ready to correctly identify that phantom or mare without any mix-ups.