Obake

Lore & Background

The Obake is a ghost type in Phasmophobia that has a unique ability tied to its shapeshifting nature. According to the game's design, the Obake can change its appearance during certain interactions, such as when it leaves fingerprints. Specifically, the Obake has a chance to leave a six-fingered fingerprint instead of the usual five, which is a telltale sign of its presence. This ability to alter its form extends to other evidence as well, making it a tricky ghost to identify. Players must pay close attention to the details of the evidence they collect, as the Obake's shapeshifting can cause it to leave behind unusual or incomplete evidence. For example, when using a UV light to check for fingerprints, the Obake may sometimes leave a print that has an extra finger, or it may leave no print at all even after touching a surface. This behavior is consistent with the ghost's lore as a shapeshifter, and it adds an extra layer of challenge to the investigation.

In Their Own Story

The team had set up in the basement of Brownstone High School, the air thick with the smell of old chalk and mildew. Sarah was checking the door for fingerprints with her UV flashlight when she saw it: a handprint, clear as day, but with six fingers. 'That's not right,' she whispered into her walkie-talkie. The ghost had left its mark, but it had changed the shape of its hand just enough to be different. Later, during a hunt, the Obake flickered between forms as it chased them down the hallway, its silhouette shifting from a tall figure to a crouching shape and back again. It was a reminder that this ghost was never quite what it appeared to be.

Reader's Guide

To identify the Obake, players must gather the three pieces of evidence unique to this ghost type: Spirit Box, Freezing Temperatures, and Ghost Orbs. However, on Nightmare difficulty and higher, the ghost will only show two or lower pieces of evidence, forcing players to use the ghost's special traits and abilities to determine the correct ghost type. The Obake's key trait is its shapeshifting ability, which is most noticeable when collecting fingerprint evidence. When using a UV light, look for fingerprints that have six fingers instead of the usual five. This is a unique clue that only the Obake can produce. Additionally, the Obake has a chance to leave no fingerprint at all after touching a surface, even if it should have left one. During a hunt, the Obake may also flicker between different forms, changing its appearance briefly before returning to its normal shape. This flickering is another telltale sign. Players should also be aware that the Obake has a forced evidence: if at least one piece of evidence is given, the Obake will always show its unique fingerprint clue. Use these behaviors to narrow down the ghost type when evidence is limited.

Did You Know?

• The Obake can leave a six-fingered fingerprint instead of the usual five, which is a unique clue only this ghost type produces.
• On Nightmare difficulty and higher, the Obake will only show two or lower pieces of evidence, requiring players to rely on its shapeshifting traits.
• The Obake has a forced evidence: if at least one piece of evidence is given, it will always show its unique fingerprint clue.
• During a hunt, the Obake may flicker between different forms, changing its appearance briefly before returning to its normal shape.
• The Obake is one of twenty-nine different ghosts in Phasmophobia, each of which behaves differently and provides unique clues.