How to Use Smudge Sticks in Phasmophobia
By Jack O'Dwyer
Smudge Sticks in Phasmophobia are just one of the items players can use to irritate and protect against their ghastly subjects.
Phasmophobia may just be one of the most seasonally appropriate games to rise to the top of gamers' wish lists this October. This four-player co-op psychological horror title from Kinetic Games centers on the player and three others acting as a paranormal investigation team. The goal is to capture as much evidence of otherworldly happenings as possible at the various map locations.
How to use Smudge Sticks in Phasmophobia
Those familiar with smudging—otherwise known as "smoke cleansing" to those outside of the practice—know that the sticks need to be lit in order to work. This requires a bit of cash: $15 for the sticks and $10 for a lighter to light them. A candle may also be used if the player can find one.
When activated, the smudge sticks will stop nearby ghosts from hunting for a period of 90 seconds. If the ghost is a Spirit, they will stop hunting for double that—180 seconds. This can be one of the best ways to avoid death and find a place to hide out. There are two ways to activate the stick.
The first way involves carrying it on your person and essentially cleansing yourself. Equip the stick and press F to light it with your lighter. This should keep them at bay while you search for a place to hide.
The second way involves placing it on a surface and lighting it to cleanse an entire area. Place it down, swap to your lighter, press F, and run like heck to keep the entities off your tail or ensure a safe space.
Any location within 3 feet of the stick will be affected.
Smudge sticks are dried bundles of herbs that, when burned, give off a cleansing vapor. They are most commonly used to clear spaces or people of negative energy and harmful entities. The most common herbs include white and desert sage. However, other collections of pine, rosemary, and lavender, and can provide the same effect.
Phasmophobia is currently available through Early Access on Steam for $13.99 USD. It is VR compatible but does not require a VR system to be played.