Shift 1 SOP
The goal of Shift 1 is to acclimate to the dual-camera UI without dying. The Skinwalker spawn probability is hard-capped low to allow practice. One player (preferably Security) anchors the front desk and runs the Photo Camera discrepancy check on every patient. The remaining players scout supply closets and confirm counter-item locations: Eye Drops, IV Drops, Maple Syrup, Taser.
Counter-Item Cheat Sheet
Memorize the four universal counters before attempting Shift 3: Eye Drops for ceiling eyes, Fire Extinguisher for wall monsters, Maple Syrup for bed monsters, and Taser for confirmed Skinwalkers. Coffee pacifies the Window Banger. IV Drops break Crazed Patient death rituals.
Common Mistakes
Three failure patterns dominate Shift 1-2: telling the Window Banger to leave (-20% Sanity), ignoring the Bed Monster aggro radius, and forgetting that the Mass of Eyes drains sanity continuously on direct visual contact. Treat the lategame items as mandatory counters, not optional.
What to do Next
Once your team can clear Shift 3 with 90%+ accuracy, switch focus to the Barney questline — it is the single biggest economic upgrade available and unlocks at Shift 2. See the Barney Questline guide for the full five-stage path.