You’re standing in the freezing kitchen of Sunny Meadows, sanity hitting rock bottom, and you see it. That shriveled, dusty hand sitting on a crate. Most players grab it immediately. They think it’s a cheat code. It isn't. Using monkey paw wishes Phasmophobia style is basically a high-stakes gamble with a dealer who always cheats. Honestly, if you aren't careful, you’re just fast-tracking your way to a death screen and a lost loadout.
The Monkey Paw is one of the Cursed Possessions added in the v0.8.0.0 update, and it’s arguably the most complex one Kinetic Games has ever built. Unlike the Music Box which just plays a tune, or the Voodoo Doll that’s basically a random number generator for interactions, the Paw listens. It literally uses voice recognition or a UI menu to grant your specific desires. But there’s always a catch. A nasty one.
The Reality of Wishing for Ghost Information
Everyone wants to know where the ghost is. You're tired of walking around with a thermometer, waiting for a door to creak. So, you say, "I wish to see the ghost."
Boom. The ghost appears right in front of you. Great, right? Wrong.
The moment you make that wish, a few things happen instantly. The ghost teleports to your location and manifests for five seconds. That sounds helpful for a photo, but your vision immediately turns into a blurry, dark mess. It’s like someone smeared Vaseline over your eyeballs. You also lose your ability to see clearly for a significant duration, and—here is the kicker—a hunt starts immediately after the manifestation. You’re blind, panicked, and the ghost is already exactly where you are. It’s a death sentence in small hallways.
If you’re hunting for evidence and shout "I wish for activity," get ready for a bad time. The ghost will start doing things, sure. It’ll throw plates, ring phones, and maybe even blow out a candle. But the Paw breaks the fuse box in exchange. It also locks the front door for two minutes. You’re trapped in the dark with an agitated spirit that is now more likely to hunt because your sanity just took a 25% dive.
Why Sanity Wishes Are a Trap
Most players use the "I wish to be sane" command when they’re hovering at 0% and terrified of a Demon. The Paw is "generous" here. It sets everyone’s sanity to 50%. If you were at zero, that’s a win. But it’s a temporary fix.
The catch? It drains your sanity much faster than usual for the rest of the match. It also changes the ghost's favorite room to a random location. All that work you did setting up cameras and motion sensors in the basement? Wasted. The ghost is now in the attic, and you have no idea. You’ve traded long-term stability for a momentary breather. It's usually a bad trade.
Surviving the "I Wish to Leave" Command
This is the "get out of jail free" card that isn't free. You’re in a hunt, the ghost is breathing down your neck, and you scream "I wish to leave!"
The front doors swing open. You’re safe! Well, maybe.
The doors open, but you can’t run. Your movement speed is throttled significantly for several seconds. Your vision also fades to black slowly. It’s a race against time. If you aren't already near the door, the ghost—which is still hunting, by the way—will likely catch your slow-moving, blind self before you hit the threshold. It’s specifically designed to punish players who wait until the last second to bail.
Mastering the Weather and Environment Wishes
Sometimes the map is just too loud. Heavy rain or wind makes hearing footsteps nearly impossible. You can wish for clear skies.
It works. The rain stops. The wind dies down. You also lose 25% sanity instantly. Is it worth it? Maybe on large maps like Prison or High School where audio cues are everything. But on Tanglewood? You’re just throwing away sanity for a bit of quiet you probably didn't need.
Then there’s the "I wish for anything" option. This is the developers' way of trolling us. It picks a random wish from the entire pool. You might get a dead teammate back, or you might find yourself blind and trapped in a hunt. It’s the ultimate "I’m bored and want to die" button.
The Hidden Cost of the "I Wish for Life" Command
Reviving a teammate is the most powerful thing the Monkey Paw can do. In a game where death is usually permanent for the round, this feels broken.
It isn't.
When you wish for a friend to come back, they spawn in. But there is a 50% chance you die immediately in their place. Even if you survive that coin flip, the revived player doesn't come back "whole." They often have no items, and the ghost might immediately trigger a hunt to send someone else to the graveyard. It’s a heavy price. Kinetic Games designed this to ensure that even "winning" feels like losing.
How to Actually Use the Monkey Paw Without Dying
If you’re going to use monkey paw wishes Phasmophobia players usually regret, you need a plan. Don't just wing it.
- Check your exits. Never make a wish in a dead-end room. You need a kiting path or a hiding spot within three steps.
- Burn the Smudge Sticks first. If you’re wishing for a manifestation or activity, have a smudge stick lit or ready in your hand. The hunt is coming. It’s not a possibility; it’s a certainty.
- Save it for the end. Don't use the Paw at 90% sanity. Use it when you’ve already failed to find the ghost type and you’re desperate. It’s a tool of last resort, not a primary investigation method.
- Learn the "I wish for Knowledge" penalty. This wish crosses out incorrect ghost types in your journal. It’s super helpful. However, it also mutes your game audio and dims your vision for the rest of the contract. You’ll be playing the rest of the game in a sensory deprivation tank. Only use this if you’re ready to leave immediately after.
The Monkey Paw is a masterpiece of game design because it preys on human greed. We want the easy answer. We want the ghost to show itself. We want our friends back. The game gives it to you, but it takes your safety in exchange.
If you find the Paw, count the fingers. Each wish folds one finger down. Usually, you get between 3 and 5 wishes depending on the difficulty multiplier. On Insanity or Nightmare, you’re looking at fewer chances to screw up. Use them wisely, or don't use them at all. Most professional investigators leave the Paw exactly where they found it.
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Next Steps for Your Investigation
- Test the "I Wish to Revive" mechanic in a low-stakes Amateur match to see the teleportation and death-swap mechanics firsthand without losing expensive Tier III gear.
- Practice the "I Wish to See the Ghost" command specifically in large rooms like the lobby of Sunny Meadows; this gives you more space to maneuver once the "blindness" effect kicks in during the inevitable hunt.
- Coordinate with your team via local chat before making any wish, ensuring everyone is near a hiding spot or holding a crucifix, as the Paw’s effects—especially the locked doors—can easily trap a teammate who wasn't prepared for the wish's consequences.