Guides/Earning monetary rewards

This guide will teach you how to earn more money in Phasmophobia, mainly focusing on maximizing the value of photo rewards.
== Photo rewards ==
Photo rewards can be obtained by taking photos of various objects or appearances using a Photo Camera. The overall reward will vary based on the number of photos taken, and the type and quality of these photos. For the purpose of this guide only, the photos shall be separated into 3 "groups":
* Group A (high reward): Ghost (including in D.O.T.S.)
* Group B (medium reward): Bone, Burned Crucifix, Dirty Water
* Group C (low reward): Cursed possession, Dead Body, Disturbed Salt, Fingerprint, Footprint, Ghost Writing, Interaction
The rewards from these groups are as follows:
Photo rewards summary
Group	1 star	2 stars 	3 stars
A 	$55 XP	$1010 XP	$2020 XP
B 	$22 XP	$55 XP 	$1010 XP
C 	$11 XP	$22 XP 	$55 XP
The absolute maximum payout obtainable is $110/110 XP, but this is generally hindered by the lack of objects required to obtain this reward. Additionally, the reward cannot be multiplied higher than x1. Realistically, one can expect a maximum of $85 - $90 on most contracts. The following are a few examples of the photo rewards players could obtain (there are many more combinations):
* 1 Ghost + 1 Bone + 4 Burned Crucifix + 1 Dirty Water + 3 Group C photos ($95/95 XP)
* 1 Ghost + 1 Bone + 1 - 4 Burned Crucifix + 4 - 7 Group C photos ($75/75 XP - $90/90 XP)
* 1 Bone + 1 - 4 Burned Crucifix + 5 - 8 Group C Photos ($60/60 XP - $75/75 XP)
In case of a wasted photo shot or one that is below 3 stars, up to two photos can be deleted from the journal. Three-star photos cannot be deleted. Deleting photos is best used as a margin of error for getting a perfect investigation bonus, and not for min-maxing photo rewards.
=== Ghost ===
Ghost photos are worth the most, giving you $20 and 20 XP. However, only the first ghost photo will count; subsequent photos are blank. In the unlikely case that multiple players manage to take one at the same time, they will all count and provide rewards, though this is likely a bug.
* Using the Summoning Circle, Music Box, or Monkey Paw is preferred over ghost events, and ghost events are preferred over taking the picture during a hunt.
** Singing ghost events last for the longest duration, and the ghost stands in place; this is preferred over other types of events.
* In ghost events, ghosts disappear if the "event target" collides with it, so make sure that this player (or all players, if it is unclear which person is being targeted) maintains a safe distance from the ghost before the picture is taken.
** Ghost events almost always start in the same room as where the event target was.
* During hunts, there is no clear strategy other than attempting to time the flickering and snapping at the right time, and is ultimately down to intuition, reflexes, and a bit of luck.
**Taking a photo during a hunt should be seen as a last resort if no alternatives are available, however, as it is easy to not only miss the shot wholesale, but also to take it from too far away to not be ranked at 3 stars, and ruin the chance for the perfect game bonus.
* Taking photos during a hunt is even harder with the Phantom, but easier with the Deogen and Oni.
* If the ghost has D.O.T.S. Projector as evidence, taking a picture of the ghost's D.O.T.S. silhouette will also count as a full ghost photo. This should be the preferred way to get the ghost photo if using tiers II or III D.O.T.S. Projectors.
=== Bone ===
* On larger maps, finding the bone should be treated as a side task after all other objectives have been completed, due to the sheer amount of space that needs to be checked to find it. If the Ouija Board is available, you can use it to locate the bone.
=== Cursed possession ===
* The middle of the summoning circle must be within the frame to be registered as a valid photo; crouch and aim for the centre of the circle.
=== Fingerprint ===
* A photo of a fingerprint can only be obtained after a UV Light has charged it. If the EMF reading is still active, taking a photo of the same surface will yield an Interaction photo that can also help in filling the journal.
* Each surface can only "store" one fingerprint at a time - if the ghost touches the door three times, you can only get the most recent fingerprint in photo.
* Each fingerprint can only be taken in photo once. Ensure that none of your teammates have already taken a photo of the fingerprint.
=== Footprint ===
* Footprints are easy to get provided the ghost can generate them and walks around. If footprints are placed on top of each other due to the ghost stepping on the same spot, listening to the heavy footstep sounds and counting the steps may help the player know how many valid pictures can be taken of that spot.
** A ghost may enter its idling phase after stepping on salt and can potentially leave no or few footprints. Listen for the ghost's footsteps to tell if it is moving and hence creating footprints.
* If you are using a tier II UV Light, only activate it after the ghost has stepped in the salt and you are ready to take photos. This will ensure that the glowstick is shining brightly when you need it. A secondary measure is to right click while the glowstick is in hand to "re-invigorate" it to get more light.
=== Disturbed salt ===
* When disturbed, the salt pile itself counts as a "Disturbed Salt" photo, which can be obtained even if the ghost does not have Ultraviolet evidence.
=== Interaction ===
* The Ouija Board, if available, is a valuable source of interaction pictures. Each successful question answered by the ghost counts as an individual interaction photo, and the use of low-cost questions can be used to quickly fill up the journal without having to wait for the ghost to perform multiple interactions.
* The Voodoo Doll causes the ghost to create an interaction, and thus a new photo opportunity, with each use, but also risks starting a cursed hunt. Stay some distance away from the ghost (room) before pushing pins.
* Saying recognized phrases will increase the chance of the ghost interacting with something, though there is a cooldown on this and the player has to be near the ghost.
* Shades cannot use or throw items while the player is in the room. Try standing just outside the room if you intend to obtain interaction photos.
* Wraiths leave no fingerprints and do not step in salt at all, making it much more difficult to fill a journal. Try placing multiple props in and around the ghost room to get interaction photos.
=== Burned crucifix ===
* Each photo of a burned crucifix is worth twice an interaction, and may warrant the extra risk. Place crucifixes spaced apart in/near the favourite room (or nearby, depending on the room's size).
** The crucifix's overall effectiveness is hampered in larger rooms, as there is more area for the ghost to walk and find a spot that both crucifixes miss, or fully consume one crucifix while walking to places that the other one doesn't cover and hunts from there. Regardless of how large the room is, the ghost can simply begin a hunt while wandering away from the favourite room at an area where crucifixes have not been set up.
** If the ghost can teleport or walk to a player (e.g. Wraith, Banshee, Phantom), it may be wise to stay on top of the crucifix to ensure that the ghost using its ability does not cause it to move away from the crucifixes, keeping in mind if a hiding spot can be reached with enough ease if the ghost manages to avoid the crucifix regardless and hunts.
** Taking a second picture of a crucifix while the EMF reading from the successful hunt prevention is active provides an additional interaction photo.
=== Dirty water ===
* As dirty water is highly dependent on having the ghost linger in rooms with sinks, it is generally not worth waiting around for the ghost to produce it, though you should always take a picture of dirty water if it occurs.
* Dirty water can only be obtained once per sink, even if the ghost interacts with it several times.
* As with the burned crucifix, taking a second photo of a sink while the EMF reading is still active will provide an additional interaction photo.
** Further interactions with a sink with dirty water by the ghost will continue to provide interaction photos.
=== General tips ===
* For all subjects, you need to take a picture of its centre. If the centre is not within frame, the photo will not count. For the ghost, this rule is less strict. 
* Each individual dead body, disturbed salt, or footprint can be photographed by multiple players. In a 4-player game, just 3 instances of disturbed salt are technically enough to fill up the whole journal.
* Where needed, crouch to reduce the distance between you and the photo subject, allowing a 3-star photo to be taken.
* It may sometimes be more worth it to move on to a new investigation, instead of waiting around for the last few photos to take.
== Custom difficulties ==
This section needs expansion. (February 2024)
Depending on your skill level, you can create a custom difficulty with increased multipliers over Insanity that will allow you to earn more money per unit time than you normally would on a standard difficulty. 
Although photo rewards are practically pocket change in comparison to objective rewards at very high multipliers, filling up the journal with three-star photos is still required for obtaining a perfect investigation bonus, even if the photos themselves are relatively not as worthwhile.
* When playing before level 16 is reached, setting "Sanity Medication restoration amount" to 0% is completely free, as Sanity Medication is not unlocked until then.
== Investigation bonuses ==
* Investigation bonus: Identify the ghost correctly and escape alive. This will double all rewards from ghost identification and all completed objectives, which is then further multiplied by the difficulty multiplier.
* Perfect investigation bonus: In addition to the above, fill your journal with 10 3-star photos of any category, collect the bone, and complete all objectives. Besides rewards from completing these items, an additional bonus of $50 and 50 XP will be rewarded, which is affected by the difficulty multiplier.
== Other rewards and tips ==
* Avoiding death is possibly the easiest way to earn money, and avoid losing it.
* While it may be tempting to be stingy and minimize the use of consumable items, the overall low price of them will be drastically overshadowed by the reward from objectives successfully completed by electing to use them when they're needed.
* Daily and Weekly Tasks are available for the player. Some of these are easy, like buying an item, but some may require more proactiveness, like taking a ghost photo.
* The "Survive with only the starter items" daily task can be accomplished by completing one round of the weekly Challenge Mode, as the provided equipment counts as "starter items".
* "Get a ghost to blow out a Firelight" can be completed via the static candles or the campfires that appear on some maps if you light those and the ghost blows them out, which saves a consumable.
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