Phasmophobia: How do D.O.T.S. work?

In the game "Phasmophobia," there are numerous unique ghosts, specters, apparitions, and spirits. Tracking them can be challenging, but fortunately, you have plenty of tools for pursuing them. One particularly useful piece of equipment worth investing your time in is the D.O.T.S. flashlight.

This unique little device excellently reveals invisible entities when they cross its path. Like other gadgets, it has been revamped and is now more useful for capturing these sneaky spectral beings. To familiarize you with this handy piece of tech, here's how to use the D.O.T.S. in the game "Phasmophobia."

What Are D.O.T.S.?

D.O.T.S. stands for "Detector of the Supernatural," and it is essentially equipment that projects a series of small beams that appear as tiny green dots on surfaces. The beams emanating from the projector are reminiscent of the classic green lasers of Xbox Kinect, which can be seen when you turn off the lights, and it functions in a similar way, detecting motion.

It has three levels of upgrades, each one significantly improving the device by increasing its range and beam spread. However, to obtain these advanced toys, you'll need to put in some practice, as the second and third level upgrades are only available at levels 29 and 60, respectively. So, it will take some time to acquire them.

How Do D.O.T.S. Work?

The D.O.T.S. projector is an underrated device, especially its upgraded versions, as they can greatly facilitate the identification of a ghost's favorite haunt. Considering how spacious certain locations can be, it can be a real lifesaver when you need to cover a large area.

The key details of how this projector works are as follows: when a ghost passes in front of the beam, its full outline becomes visible. They don't always linger for long, as some ghosts may just zip by, but while they are within the beams of the D.O.T.S. device, you'll be able to see them without the need for using other specialized equipment.

Goryo doesn't appear visible to the naked eye under the light of D.O.T.S., but it becomes visible if you also use the camera when D.O.T.S. is active.

D.O.T.S. Tiers

As mentioned before, the D.O.T.S. projector is available in three levels. To upgrade to higher levels, it requires both financial resources and reaching a specific level. Like all other ghost-hunting equipment in your van, it's worth spending some money and time to upgrade this particular device.

Here's what you can expect from your investment:

The D.O.T.S. flashlight of the first level will attract Ghosts to your position, especially during Hunts. However, this does not apply to higher-level D.O.T.S. devices.

Changes To D.O.T.S.

Experienced ghost hunters who have been in the field for a long time have noticed that the D.O.T.S. system has undergone significant changes. For those who weren't aware, D.O.T.S. used to be a non-interactive type of clue that simply appeared as a cloned ghost. It resembled a haunting reflection of the place where the ghost had just been, allowing you to confirm the exact location of the ghost's presence.

Some ghosts liked the light of D.O.T.S., while others became shy. However, their appearances usually occurred only during a Hunt or other ghostly interactions. Therefore, it was quite risky to use it as a clue since often, a second after you saw a Ghost under the light of D.O.T.S., it could already appear behind you and break your neck.

Now it's much safer because any ghost caught in the light will enter a "D.O.T.S." state. In this state, they will have a unique new D.O.T.S. outline, and they will move around the room or head straight towards the nearest hunter. The developers made this decision to encourage people to use this system more since it was underutilized before.

Also, since the old system essentially created a static clone of the Ghost, this led to the presence of multiple copies in one place, which could cause confusion.

Photographs of Ghosts taken under D.O.T.S. light will be considered photographic evidence for contracts.

Best Spots For D.O.T.S.

The placement of the D.O.T.S. projector depends on three key factors: Location, location, and location. Finding the perfect spot to install a large beam can be a bit challenging, especially if your Ghost is experiencing some unease and is not visible.

First of all, for those who are budget-conscious and still using a portable D.O.T.S. flashlight, try installing two flashlights in the corridor facing each other. This will essentially create a wire trap that can cover up to ten meters in total.

For the portable projector using crews and the second level of projection, place it on the back in the center of the room. Since the arc is so wide, the beam covers the entire room. Alternatively, if used in an open space, it becomes the area of effect for D.O.T.S.

Finally, for teams with high-level projectors, it is worth combining these devices in pairs. By placing them back to back, they can easily cover a large portion of large rooms or long corridors, such as those found in a prison. Alternatively, try positioning them opposite each other at different levels, such as in the main cabin room or common areas for inmates in a prison.

Don't just throw them in a random place and hope for the best, try to be creative with these little laser beams. They can reach a greater distance than you might think.