How to Light Candles in Phasmophobia: Fast-Track Guide to Candle Lighting Techniques in Phasmophobia

Lighting candles in Phasmophobia is a useful mechanic for both maintaining your sanity and performing various objectives during your investigations. Here’s a step-by-step guide for properly lighting candles in the game:

1. Find or bring a lighter: Before you can light any candles, you’ll need a lighter. You can purchase it in the Equipment Shop before the mission and bring it with you.
2. Equip the lighter: Once inside the haunted location, either pick up the lighter if it’s not already in your inventory or switch to it using your inventory scroll wheel or number keys.
3. Pick up or place the candle: Grab the candle from your equipment or, if it’s already in the house, pick it up. You can either hold the candle in your hand or place it on a surface.
4. Light the candle:
5. If holding both a lighter (active in hand) and a candle (secondary hand), press the “F” key (default) to light the candle.
6. If the candle is placed, move close with the lighter active and press “F” while looking at the candle.
7. Use strategically: Candles help keep sanity from dropping quickly and are sometimes required for objectives, such as “Have a member of your team witness a Ghost blow out a candle.”

As a designer, I always encourage paying attention to spatial details when placing candles. Consider lines of sight, surfaces, and mood lighting — just as you would in a real interior to set atmosphere or guide movement. Strategic candle placement not only adds ambiance but can also play a key role in your team’s survival. For an even more immersive planning experience, consider using sophisticated room planner tools to map out your setups and test various lighting concepts in a digital recreation of haunted spaces.

Tips 1:

Using candles in rooms prone to ghost appearances can highlight paranormal events, but also make sure to spread them throughout high-traffic areas for better coverage. Remember, ghosts can blow them out — this can be both a clue and a challenge!

FAQ

Q: Can candles be relit if blown out by a ghost?

A: Yes, you can relight candles using the lighter as many times as needed during the investigation.

Q: Do candles prevent all sanity loss in Phasmophobia?

A: Candles slow sanity drain but do not completely prevent it, especially in pitch dark areas or during certain ghost events.

Q: Are lighters reusable in Phasmophobia?

A: Yes, lighters don’t run out of fuel and can be used multiple times through the match.

Q: Do you need a lighter in your hand to light a candle?

A: You must have the lighter in your hand (active) and the candle either in your other hand or on the ground to light it with the “F” key.

Q: Can you carry both a lighter and a candle at the same time?

A: Yes, but for lighting, the lighter must be active and you can scroll to the candle to light it when needed.