Massive Phasmophobia Ascension update: Evidence overhauls and more

Over the last few months, the developers of YouTube’s favorite multiplayer horror have been working to revamp many of the game’s existing mechanics. This all culminates in the Ascension patch update, set to release 17 August. Here’s everything we know is coming in the Phasmophobia Ascension update.

Phasmophobia Ascension update- New leveling system and updated tools

With this update, everyone’s level resets to zero. This is because a new leveling system takes its place, one in which you unlock upgrades in a specific order. Levels will also require more XP with the update, so you no longer level up after 100 XP. After reaching level 100, you will be able to gain prestige and reset your progress, or keep playing up to level 999. However, you’ll also be able to customize a badge for your character’s arm showing off how far you got in the previous leveling system.

A developer preview of the badge customization. Image via Steam

Phasmophobia will also finally be cross-platform with this update! It enters Early Access for Playstation 5, PlaystationVR2, and Xbox Series X and S. You can now have the shit scared out of you from the comfort of your couch as well.

In addition to the level badge, a brand new feature of ID cards is being added. They’ll even show what platform you’re playing on.

Image via Steam

Phasmophobia Ascension update: The tool changes and additions, explained

First of all, there is a new upgrade system. Evidence tools have three separate tiers, and each player can bring their pick from each of those three options per game. So far, we’ve seen a preview of several overhauls and changes.

The overhauls

• D.O.T.S. Projector: The visuals are now of the ghost itself, requiring players to shine infrared lights near the ghost to see it. Ghosts caught by this enter a short period of being visible from infrared light. This tool is also split into three equipment upgrade tiers. The first tier is a laser grid pen, the second is the placeable projector, and the third is an even better projector capable of scanning at a much longer range with better lighting.
• Freezing Temperatures: Cold Breath has been overhauled as a mechanic. Now it will appear if a map or area is naturally cold, forcing you to warm the house up in order to pinpoint the more unnatural, ghost produced Cold Breaths in places the ghost has been recently. The tool has been changed into three tiers as well. The first tier is a regular house thermometer, now included in the starter equipment, which upgrades to the one known previously. You now have to hold down the Use button to scan manually, making it easier to pinpoint the freezing temperatures. The new tier 3 scanner is faster and more accurate.
• Ultraviolet: This is the new name for Fingerprints. When you shine UV light on prints, they glow and stay visible for a few seconds after to allow for a photo. Ultraviolet now comes in a glowstick for tier one, a UV flashlight for tier 2, and a bigger flashlight for tier 3.

The adjustments

• Salt: If a ghost steps in a salt pile, the footprints now show up on Ultraviolet, making it useful for if a ghost won’t interact with doors or walls. Tier one is now a simple salt shaker canister, tier two is pink Himalayan salt you can place in a full line, and tier three is a whole glass bottle of blessed black salt. This salt slows down a ghost if stepped in, and can repel them back where they came from to let you trap ghosts easier.
• Parabolic Microphone: The first tier is now a set of headphones and a microphone. Equipping it muffles other sounds, and the sound it picks up plays through the headphones so it can be heard clearly. Tier two upgrades this entirely and adds a small screen. Tier three displays exactly where the sound is coming from using sonar.
• Video Cameras: Used to hunt Ghost Orbs. Tier one is an old camcorder like one would use to film analogue horror. Tier two is modern and higher quality, while tier three is movie grade with a large screen and the least amount of interference.
• Tripods: Ghosts will now move around and attack video cameras set down. Tripods will rectify this new mechanic and make it much harder for them to do so. Tier two can be rotated manually from the truck, while tier three is almost impossible to knock over.

It’s been mentioned that even more equipment is coming than has been shown in previews. In short, this update is going to be a very beefy one.