1. THE BASICS
EVERY PLAYER STARTS A CONTRACT AT 100% SANITY (0% IN CUSTOM DIFFICULTY OR CERTAIN MODES). IT DROPS PROGRESSIVELY AS THE INVESTIGATION GOES ON, AND THE LOWER IT GETS, THE HIGHER THE CHANCE THE ENTITY WILL TRIGGER A HUNT. MANAGING IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT COMFORT — IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR SURVIVING A CONTRACT.
2. WHAT LOWERS IT
- TIME SPENT IN THE DARK, WITH NO LIGHT SOURCE TURNED ON NEARBY
- TIME SPENT NEAR THE ENTITY OR IN ITS FAVORITE ROOM
- EVENTS TRIGGERED BY THE ENTITY (NOISES, OBJECTS MOVING, APPARITIONS)
- TIME PASSING, SIMPLY — A CONTRACT THAT DRAGS ON TOO LONG WEARS DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM'S SANITY
3. WHAT RESTORES IT
SANITY MEDICATION RESTORES PART OF YOUR SANITY WHEN TAKEN — FULL DETAILS ARE ON THE EQUIPMENT PAGE. STAYING IN A LIT ROOM STABILIZES IT. THE SIMPLEST HABIT IS TO MAKE REGULAR TRIPS BACK TO THE TRUCK RATHER THAN CHAINING ROOMS WITHOUT A BREAK.
4. THE DIRECT LINK TO HUNTS
EACH ENTITY HAS ITS OWN AVERAGE SANITY THRESHOLD AT WHICH IT CAN START HUNTING — SOME STAY CALM DOWN TO VERY LOW LEVELS, WHILE OTHERS BECOME DANGEROUS AS SOON AS THE TEAM'S AVERAGE SANITY HITS 50%. THIS THRESHOLD IS LISTED ON EACH ENTITY'S DATASHEET, ON THE GHOSTS PAGE. KNOWING IT IN ADVANCE LETS YOU KNOW WHEN TO EASE OFF RATHER THAN KEEP INVESTIGATING BLIND.
WARNING ON NIGHTMARE AND INSANITY DIFFICULTY: THE TRUCK'S SANITY MONITOR IS BROKEN AND DOESN'T WORK. YOU CAN'T RELY ON IT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE TEAM STANDS.
5. GOOD TEAM HABITS
- KEEP A FLASHLIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHILE MOVING
- DON'T LEAVE A TEAMMATE ALONE TOO LONG IN DARK AREAS
- WATCH THE COLLECTIVE SANITY GAUGE FROM THE TRUCK, NOT JUST YOUR OWN
- BRING SANITY MEDICATION FOR LONG CONTRACTS OR LARGE MAPS
FOR WHAT TO DO ONCE A HUNT STARTS, SEE THE GUIDE TO SURVIVING A HUNT.