SEVERANCE beginner guide starts in your lobby, where you choose a contract, equip investigation tools and learn to identify the ghost. Version 1.0 launched on October 26, 2026, adding equipment tiers, Prestige and three ghost types while removing Possession evidence.
You can play completely solo against Ghost AI or investigate with friends. For the first contract, concentrate on gathering reliable evidence, choosing the correct ghost and surviving, rather than trying to earn every bonus at once.
SEVERANCE beginner guide: start your first contract
The game opens directly into a single-player lobby. The old main menu was replaced by the lobby laptop, where you can access the Tutorial, Contract, Shop, Guide, Multiplayer and Match Results apps. The tutorial teaches the investigation controls before you enter a location.
- Open the laptop’s Tutorial and learn the controls.
- Choose a Ghost AI contract in the Contract app.
- Prepare your available Tier 1 evidence tools.
- Enter the location, observe activity and collect readings.
- Compare the results using your tablet.
- Finish the objectives, select the ghost identity and return safely.
For your first run, choose an easy Ghost AI contract and read the laptop Guide’s descriptions of equipment, evidence and ghosts.
Best beginner equipment and loadout
Bring varied equipment: EMF, UV, voice recording, temperature and video tools test different evidence. Several copies of the same device won’t help you narrow down enough ghosts.
Version 1.0 starts everyone with Tier 1 equipment, with better Tier 2 variants earned through progression. Use the Equipment Store and Contract Equipment screens to manage purchases and loadouts. Saved presets let you quickly prepare the same set for later investigations.
A Photo Camera can earn money. A Crucifix protects a three-metre area when a hunt begins, so keep it close to the activity.
SEVERANCE beginner guide: how to collect evidence
Look for ghost activity and test your equipment there. Use the EMF Reader, UV devices, recorder and other tools until you have enough observations to narrow down the possible ghost types.
The SEVERANCE beginner guide evidence system has a major release change: Possession is gone, and several ghost combinations have been rebalanced. Ghost-specific behaviours stayed the same, but a pre-1.0 evidence chart can lead to the wrong identification.
A ghost crossing Salt leaves UV footprints, but those prints don’t count as Wraith or Hidden evidence. They show where it walked, not what it is.
How to identify the ghost on your tablet
Open the tablet, mark confirmed evidence and cross off ghosts that don’t match. If several remain, watch their behaviour. Version 1.0 added Specter, Kisi and Strigoi.
The SEVERANCE beginner guide identification habit is to gather more than one clue and make a considered choice. The tablet and laptop Guide provide the current ghost information. Our Possession removal guide explains the evidence rework.
How to survive a hunt
Keep an escape route clear as activity increases. A successful stun briefly interrupts the ghost’s tracking, giving you a chance to move away.
The Crucifix works at the start of a hunt within its three-metre radius. Throwing it onto the floor displays that radius briefly. For the SEVERANCE beginner guide survival approach, position protection near the activity rather than simply carrying it while far away.
How to complete investigations and earn progress
Choose the ghost before ending the contract. A perfect Ghost AI investigation requires all three main objectives, the correct ghost, survival and photographs worth at least $50.
Check the Match Results app after each contract for XP and money. Levelling unlocks the new Tier 2 equipment.
SEVERANCE beginner guide: common mistakes
Avoid old Possession charts, treating Salt prints as Wraith proof, relying on a distant Crucifix or expecting Early Access gear to remain unlocked.
For your first contract, follow this SEVERANCE beginner guide: prepare a mixed loadout, collect evidence and choose the ghost before leaving. Our multiplayer guide covers playing with friends, and the 1.0 patch notes cover progression.
Related Guides
Official source: Sykes Games’ official SEVERANCE Version 1.0 patch notes.
