Phasmophobia’s Challenge Mode delivers intense, weekly tests of ghost-hunting prowess, and the Speedrun Challenge stands out as a fast-paced race to identify spirits under optimal conditions. Set exclusively on the compact 6 Tanglewood Drive map, this trial rewards players with a 150% speed boost, elite Tier 3 equipment, all Cursed Possessions, and pre-activated fuse boxes for constant lighting. Completing three successful identifications nets $5,000 cash and substantial XP, making it an accessible entry into advanced play.
Understanding Challenge Mode Basics
Challenge Mode appears as a dedicated difficulty in the main menu, refreshing every Sunday alongside other weekly tasks. Unlike standard contracts, these scenarios impose unique modifiers to push limits, from equipment restrictions to environmental hazards. The Speedrun variant prioritizes velocity, granting hyper-mobility that offsets stamina costs while aiding hunt evasion. Players must manually select the specified map—here, 6 Tanglewood Drive—after applying the difficulty. Only ghost type identification counts toward completion; optional objectives boost scores but aren’t required.
This mode shines for skill-building, offering premium tools like extended-range crucifixes, hunt-slowing black salt, and stunning incense, transforming risky pursuits into manageable sprints. With three runs needed, efficiency compounds rewards, funding better gear for tougher difficulties.
Why 6 Tanglewood Drive is Perfect for Speedruns
Among Phasmophobia’s maps, 6 Tanglewood Drive’s single-story layout minimizes navigation time, ideal for rapid evidence collection. Key areas include the foyer, living room, kitchen, master bedroom, nursery, and basement—familiar to veterans for their predictability. The speed enhancement lets players dash between rooms in seconds, covering the entire house before sanity plummets.
- Compact Design: Fewer rooms mean quicker loops for tool placement and monitoring.
- Strategic Hotspots: Master bedroom and nursery often host activity, streamlining searches.
- Hunt Advantages: Enhanced speed facilitates looping ghosts around furniture, especially with black salt.
Pre-lit fuses eliminate flashlight dependency, focusing efforts on evidence rather than visibility.
Essential Equipment Loadout for Victory
The challenge equips Tier 3 versions of core detectors, ensuring reliability and range. Prioritize these for comprehensive evidence coverage across ghost types.
| Item | Purpose | Evidence Type |
|---|---|---|
| EMF Reader | Detects Level 5 interactions | EMF 5 |
| UV Light | Reveals fingerprints | Ultraviolet |
| Thermometer | Identifies freezing temps | Freezing Temperatures |
| D.O.T.S. Projector | Tracks silhouette movement | D.O.T.S. |
| Tripod Camera | Monitors ghost orbs/interactions remotely | Ghost Orbs / Spirit Orb |
| Spirit Box | Captures voice responses | Spirit Box |
| Ghost Writing Book | Records ghost writing | Ghost Writing |
Cursed Possessions like the Haunted Mirror pinpoint the favorite room instantly, slashing setup time. Strong crucifixes prevent hunts, buying precious minutes.
Step-by-Step Strategy to Smash the Challenge
Achieve sub-five-minute completions by following this streamlined approach, refined from top player runs.
- Launch and Locate: Enter 6 Tanglewood Drive. Head straight to the Haunted Mirror near the master bedroom wall. Activate briefly to reveal the ghost room—avoid prolonged use to dodge cursed hunts.
- Gear Up the Room: Rush to the indicated room with your loadout. Place D.O.T.S. Projector on walls for silhouette detection; position Tripod Camera for orb monitoring.
- Deploy Evidence Tools: Scatter UV Light, Thermometer, EMF Reader, Spirit Box, and Ghost Book. Check temps first—if below 10°C, confirm Freezing Temperatures.
- Monitor from Truck: Exit, observe camera feeds for orbs or interactions. Cycle Spirit Box for responses; sweep UV for prints.
- Cross-Reference Evidence: Match findings to ghost traits (e.g., D.O.T.S. + EMF 5 + UV = many hunt-capable types). Return to truck journal to guess.
- Handle Hunts: Use incense to blind, salt to decelerate, speed to outrun. Repeat thrice across fresh seeds.
Practice yields one-minute finishes when evidence aligns early.
Ghost Identification Quick Reference
Speed demands memorizing evidence combos. Here’s a focused table for common overlaps in Tanglewood runs.
| Ghost Type | Evidence 1 | Evidence 2 | Evidence 3 | Key Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banshee | Ultraviolet | Freezing Temps | D.O.T.S. | Targets one player |
| Shade | EMF 5 | Ghost Writing | Ghost Orbs | Shy, less active in groups |
| Revenant | EMF 5 | Freezing Temps | Ghost Orbs | Fast outside fave room |
| Yurei | Freezing Temps | Ghost Orbs | D.O.T.S. | Drains sanity fast |
Use journal filters to eliminate mismatches rapidly.
Advanced Tips for Record Times and Max Rewards
Elevate from completion to mastery:
- Pre-Memorize Layout: Know Tanglewood’s vents, doors, and loops for hunt safety.
- Sanity Management: Incense resets hunts; crucifixes block initiations.
- Optional Objectives: Snap photos, witness hunts for bonus multipliers.
- Solo vs. Team: Solo avoids interference; teams divide tasks but risk sanity sync.
- Seed Variation: Each run randomizes ghost—adapt on-the-fly.
Target 200%+ multipliers via perfect evidence and objectives for optimal payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I fail a run?
Failures don’t penalize; simply restart for a new seed. Three successes suffice.
Can I replay after completion?
Yes, weekly until reset for extra practice and XP.
Is multiplayer supported?
Fully—coordinate roles for faster evidence.
How does speed boost affect ghosts?
Player-only; ghosts retain speeds, but your agility dominates.
What’s next after Speedrun?
Rotate to Sanity Survival or others; check Sundays.
Why Tackle Speedrun First?
As Challenge Mode’s gentler intro, Speedrun builds confidence with forgiving buffs, preparing for grueling variants. Consistent three-peats fund progression, turning novices into pros amid Phasmophobia’s chilling updates. Dive in, time yourself, and claim dominance.
References
- Phasmophobia: How to Complete Speedrun! Challenge — GameRant. 2023-10-01. https://gamerant.com/phasmophobia-how-complete-speedrun-challenge/
- How to complete the Speedrun Phasmophobia challenge — Destructoid. 2023-10-01. https://www.destructoid.com/how-to-complete-the-speedrun-phasmophobia-challenge/
- How to beat the Speedrun Challenge in Phasmophobia — GamePressure. 2023-10-01. https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/how-to-beat-the-speedrun-challenge-in-phasmophobia/z17aed
- Speedrun Challenge | Phasmophobia — YouTube (FlashForce). 2023-10-01.
- Speedrunning Phasmophobia Is IMPOSSIBLE! (Weekly Challenge) — YouTube (Kate). 2023-10-01.
- Speedrun! | Phasmophobia Weekly Challenge #107 — YouTube (FlashForce). 2023-10-01.
- Challenge Mode – Phasmophobia Wiki — Fandom Wiki. 2026-04-01. https://phasmophobia.fandom.com/wiki/Challenge_Mode

