Identity V Beginner Guide: Survivor and Hunter Tips

Identity V is an asymmetrical multiplayer game: four Survivors try to decode Cipher Machines and escape, while one Hunter tries to place them on Rocket Chairs and eliminate them. New players improve fastest by learning the objective and map flow before concentrating on advanced character techniques.

Complete the tutorials first

Finish both the Survivor and Hunter tutorials, even if you plan to specialize in one role. Understanding the other side's controls, alerts, attack range, and objectives makes its decisions easier to predict. The practice modes are also the safest place to adjust camera sensitivity and button positions.

How a Survivor match works

1. Find a Cipher Machine and begin decoding.
2. Complete calibration checks without tapping too early or too late.
3. Watch the Hunter warning and move toward a planned escape route before the Hunter is directly on top of you.
4. After the team decodes the required machines, open an Exit Gate and leave.

A Survivor who is knocked down can be carried to a Rocket Chair. Teammates can attempt a rescue, but a failed or poorly timed rescue may give the Hunter two targets instead of one.

Survivor tips

Spread out at the start

Several Survivors decoding separate machines create more pressure than the entire team working in one place. Decode together only when the situation justifies it, such as finishing an important machine quickly. Crowding also lets the Hunter interrupt multiple players at once.

Plan a route before decoding

Look for pallets, windows, walls, and connected structures near the machine. If the warning appears, move toward an area where you can break line of sight and force the Hunter to take a longer path. Running into open ground makes you easier to chase.

Do not drop every pallet immediately

A pallet is a limited resource. Use it when it creates meaningful distance or when you have a realistic chance to stun the Hunter. Dropping every pallet early leaves fewer safe routes for the rest of the match.

Rescue with a plan

Check which teammate is best positioned and whether the team needs someone to keep decoding. Approach from cover, avoid taking a free hit before reaching the chair, and give the rescued player room to move. Multiple Survivors rushing the same chair can stall all decoding progress.

Communicate useful information

Use quick messages to report that the Hunter is near you, a machine is almost finished, or someone else should rescue. Send information early enough for teammates to act on it; repeated messages without context make the important alert easier to miss.

How a Hunter match works

The Hunter must locate Survivors, interrupt decoding, win chases, and control rescues. A Hunter can be powerful in a direct encounter, but time is limited because several Cipher Machines may progress at once.

Hunter tips

Search likely spawn and Cipher areas

At the start, move toward areas where Survivors are likely to decode rather than wandering between empty corners. Watch for shaking Cipher Machines, disturbed objects, failed calibrations, footprints, and character-specific clues.

Know when to end a chase

If a Survivor reaches a strong loop and consumes too much time, switching targets can protect more machines. A long chase that does not produce a down may be worse than forcing several Survivors away from objectives.

Use Rocket Chair pressure without standing still

A chaired Survivor will attract a rescue attempt, but remaining directly beside the chair for the entire timer can allow the other players to decode freely. Patrol nearby routes, identify the likely rescuer, and return when the timing requires it. The best distance depends on the Hunter's abilities and the map.

Save abilities for their purpose

Read the Hunter's ability descriptions and practice one character at a time. Some powers help locate targets, others close distance, and others control an area. Using a long-cooldown ability without a clear follow-up can give Survivors the time they need to reset.

Use sound and visual alerts

Headphones can help you hear decoding, footsteps, interaction sounds, and ability cues, but keep the volume at a safe level. Do not rely on sound alone: the warning indicators, quick messages, machine movement, and map knowledge are equally important.

Build Persona pages for a role

Create separate Persona configurations for Survivor and Hunter. Choose traits that support what the character is meant to do rather than copying a page designed for a different role. Revisit the build after you understand which part of a match gives you trouble.

A useful practice routine

• Play several matches with one Survivor and one Hunter instead of switching constantly.
• Learn one map section at a time, including pallets, windows, gates, and dead ends.
• After a loss, identify one decision to change: route choice, rescue timing, target selection, or ability use.
• Review current in-game descriptions after updates because character abilities and balance values can change.

For a beginner, consistent decoding, sensible rescues, and short efficient chases matter more than complicated tricks. Build those habits first, then add character-specific techniques.