*Phasmophobia*’s Survival of the Fittest Weekly Challenge is one of the most intense and terrifying ways to experience the game. It strips away nearly all your tools, leaves you with zero sanity, and forces you to identify the ghost through observation alone. But if you’re determined to conquer this challenge and earn those sweet in-game rewards, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to survive and succeed.
How To Complete The Survival of the Fittest Challenge in Phasmophobia
Screenshot via The Escapist
The Survival of the Fittest challenge pushes players to their limits by removing traditional evidence-gathering tools and starting you off at 0% sanity. You must correctly identify the ghost without any of the usual clues like EMF readings or Ghost Orbs.
This challenge takes place exclusively at 42 Edgefield Road, a compact map filled with tight hallways, blind corners, and a generally oppressive atmosphere. These environmental factors make both tracking and evading the ghost significantly more challenging.
Tips & Tricks To Complete Survival of the Fittest in Phasmophobia
Upon arrival, keep in mind that no setup time is given—your investigation begins almost immediately with no chance to prepare. Additionally, you won’t have access to standard equipment such as Ghost Writing Books, Video Cameras, or DOTs Projectors.
Screenshot by The Escapist
Instead, you’ll need to rely on alternative methods to identify the ghost:
- Use the Parabolic Microphone to listen for unique vocalizations—like the banshee’s scream or the myling’s frequent noises.
- Place salt on the floor to check for wraith activity (they won’t step over it).
- Light three firelights in succession to potentially reveal an onryo.
- Observe the ghost’s behavior, movement speed, and model appearance closely.
You begin the challenge with zero sanity, and unlike regular gameplay, you cannot restore it—even with the two provided Sanity Medications. This makes you extremely vulnerable to hunts from the very start.
Despite the lack of equipment, the ghost remains highly active throughout the match. Frequent events can help you gather behavioral clues. Also, note that while the ghost may roam, its favorite room never changes, which can help narrow down its identity.
Most doors will be slightly open, making it harder to track the ghost’s movements. On the bright side, the fuse box works and starts in the “on” position, and all nine hiding spots are available for use during hunts.
Screenshot by The Escapist
You’re also equipped with a single Cursed Possession: the Monkey Paw. Using it to "wish for knowledge" will eliminate several incorrect ghost types and evidences from your journal—greatly improving your chances of guessing correctly.
However, this comes at a cost. Your vision and hearing will be temporarily disabled, and a cursed hunt will begin nearby. We recommend using this tactic in multiplayer, where one player can act as a sacrificial target while the others continue the investigation safely.
How to Access Challenge Mode in Phasmophobia
Challenge Mode is a special weekly difficulty that must be selected manually before starting your investigation.
Screenshot by The Escapist
To activate it:
- Launch the game and choose either Singleplayer or Multiplayer to create a lobby.
- Navigate to the Difficulty Settings tab above your character ID.
- Scroll through the list until you find Challenge Mode, then select Apply.
- Finally, go to the Maps board and choose 42 Edgefield Road as your location.
Keep in mind that completing the challenge requires identifying the ghost correctly across three separate investigations to earn the full $5,000 base reward.
When Does The Next Weekly Challenge Start in Phasmophobia?
The Weekly Challenge resets every Monday at Midnight UTC. However, North American players can access the new challenge early on Sunday evening at the following times:
- 5:00 PM Pacific Time
- 6:00 PM Mountain Time
- 7:00 PM Central Time
- 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Make sure to complete your challenge runs before the server reset to ensure your progress is counted.
*Phasmophobia* is currently available on PC via Steam. If you're looking to maximize performance or enhance your gameplay experience, consider running the game on a high-performance gaming rig or using optimization guides tailored for horror survival titles.
