The Hunt
A Hunt is a short chase. The Phantom appears, the alarm sounds, and the Phantom tries to catch a Worker before the Hunt ends.
What is a Hunt?
During the search, the Phantom can press H to start a Hunt. After a short warning the Phantom is revealed, the lights change and the rules change. The Phantom strikes with Left mouse. Workers run.
The Phantom can use live voice chat during a Hunt. Before that, its microphone is off.
Hunt timings
| Part | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warning | 3 s | The Phantom is revealed and the alarm sounds. |
| Hunt | 40 s | Shorter in crowded rounds, but never less than 25 s. |
| Rest before the next Hunt | 25 s | Never less than 15 s. |
| Hunts per round | Workers + 2 | At most 8. Unused Hunts are saved up. |
Hunts unlock a little after the search starts. The last Hunt must start at least 5 seconds before the search ends.
What Workers can do
- Run. The Phantom's strike only reaches 2 m.
- Break line of sight. Duck behind walls and doors.
- Throw Ghost Salt. It trips the Phantom for 3 seconds. The Hunt does not end.
- Use the Phantom Cage. It traps the Phantom for 8 seconds. You cannot throw it during the 3-second warning.
- Use Bob in the Box. The Phantom is held until it presses the Hunt key 3 times, never longer than 18 seconds.
- Use medkits. Hold E at a stocked cabinet. See Medkits.
- Use the Wake-Up Kazoo if the Phantom possessed a teammate.
During the Hunt, the Phantom has a compass that points to the nearest Worker. Only the Phantom has it.
Hearts and hits
- By default a Worker has 2 hearts, and each hit takes 1. A catch takes 2 hits.
- The first hit only spooks you. You can heal with a medkit.
- The host can change the number of hearts and how many hearts a hit takes. A change counts from the next round.
- The Phantom strikes every 1.2 seconds at most, in a 2 m reach in front of it.
- Only one Worker can be caught per Hunt. A catch ends the Hunt.
A catch is a cartoon drag. Read what happens when you are caught. There is no revival.
Turning to stone
The Phantom must not wait by its own shape. If the Phantom stays too close to its shape during a Hunt (within 7 m, says the in-game How to Play), it turns to stone. So go chase Workers instead of guarding your shape.
What ends a Hunt
- The Hunt time runs out.
- The Phantom catches a Worker.
- The Phantom is caged.
- The round ends.
Start a Hunt away from your shape. Salt and Bob in the Box still work on you, so watch your back. See the Phantom page.