You can get banned from Phasmophobia primarily by engaging in cheating, hacking, or modifying game files in ways that provide an unfair advantage or alter the intended gameplay experience. These actions are strictly against the game's guidelines and can result in permanent exclusion from the game.
Understanding Bannable Offenses
Kinetic Games, the developers of Phasmophobia, have clear guidelines regarding actions that can lead to a ban. These generally fall into categories related to exploiting the game or using unauthorized software.
1. Hacking and Cheating
Using third-party tools to manipulate the game is a surefire way to receive a ban. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Speed Hacks: Altering your character's movement speed to move unnaturally fast around maps.
- Ghost Behavior Modification: Interfering with how the ghost operates, such as making it less aggressive, preventing hunts, or instantly locating it.
- Instant Player Kills: Implementing features that allow you to kill other players in a multiplayer session, which is not an intended gameplay mechanic.
- Other Exploits: Any use of external software or methods to gain an unfair advantage that isn't part of the legitimate game mechanics.
2. Modifying Game Files
Directly altering the game's core files is also a serious offense. While some modifications might seem harmless, they can still lead to a ban if they fall outside the allowed parameters.
- Altering Game Files: Any modification to the game's code, scripts, or data files that changes its core functionality.
- Texture or Model Replacements: Swapping out in-game textures or models with custom ones, with the notable exception of post-processing tools like Reshade, which are generally allowed as they don't alter game assets directly but rather how they are rendered.
Summary of Bannable Actions
To provide a clear overview, here's a table summarizing the main categories of actions that can lead to a ban in Phasmophobia:
| Category | Specific Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hacking / Cheating | Use of Third-Party Tools | Utilizing external software to gain an unfair advantage. |
| Speed Hacks | Illegally increasing character movement speed. | |
| Adjusting Ghost Behavior | Manipulating ghost aggression, movement, or hunt patterns. | |
| Instant Player Kills | Using exploits to eliminate other players. | |
| File Modification | Modifying Game Files Directly | Altering game code, scripts, or core data. |
| Texture / Model Replacements (excluding Reshade) | Swapping in-game visual assets; post-processing tools like Reshade are typically exempt. |
For more detailed information on Phasmophobia's guidelines regarding bans and reporting, you can refer to the official Steam Community announcements.
