What Really Matters in Identity V? (Hint: It’s Not Just Winning)
If you’ve played Identity V for more than a few matches, you’ve probably felt it—that heart-in-your-throat tension when the Hunter’s footsteps echo nearby, or that split-second panic when you fumble a pallet pull. It’s easy to think the goal is simple: Survivors escape, Hunters catch. But after hundreds of matches and way too many late-night runs, I’ve realized something: winning isn’t the point.
So what is the most important thing in Identity V?
Awareness. Not just of the map—but of yourself, your teammates, and the rhythm of the chase.
Let me break it down.
- Map Knowledge = Freedom (For Survivors) or Control (For Hunters)
You can’t play Identity V well if you don’t know the map. Not just “where the ciphers are,” but:
Which windows are close to chairs
Where pallets can delay a Hunter
How cipher clusters shift as the game progresses
Where escape gates spawn based on remaining Survivors
For Survivors, this knowledge means efficient decoding and smarter escapes. For Hunters, it means cutting off routes before they happen. The best players aren’t the fastest—they’re the ones who think three steps ahead.
Spend your first 10–20 matches in custom games. Walk every corner. Count cipher spawns. It’s boring, but it’s the foundation.
- Role Clarity: Play Your Part
Identity V thrives on teamwork—but not in the way most games do. You don’t need voice chat or complex combos. You just need to do your job.
As a Survivor: If you’re not the one being chased, KEEP DECODING. Don’t tail the Hunter unless you have a strong kiting character or a rescue plan. Wasted time = lost match.
As a Hunter: Don’t chase one Survivor endlessly while the others finish ciphers. Know when to rotate. Pressure, don’t punish.
The most frustrating matches aren’t the losses—they’re the ones where everyone’s working at cross purposes.
- Emotional Control > Reflexes
Here’s the truth: Identity V is designed to mess with your head. The music shifts, the fog rolls in, your teammate gets downed right as you’re about to finish a cipher. It’s supposed to feel chaotic.
But panic is your worst enemy.
Missed a vault? Don’t rage—reset your route.
Got hit twice in a row? Breathe. The Hunter can’t chain downs forever.
Teammate made a dumb play? Let it go. Focus on what you can still do.
The players who climb ranks aren’t the ones with perfect mechanics—they’re the ones who stay calm when everything’s falling apart.
- Learn From Losses (Not Just Wins)
After a match, don’t just close the app. Ask yourself:
Why did I get caught? (Was I tunneling? Ignoring cues?)
Could I have saved that teammate faster?
Did I rotate as Hunter when ciphers were 90%?
Even a 3-out Survivor win can hide bad habits. And a 4-catch Hunter loss might reveal a smarter strategy. Growth happens in the reflection—not the result.
- Respect the Other Side
One of the coolest things about Identity V is that you can play both roles. And the best Survivors often make great Hunters—and vice versa—because they understand the other side’s logic.
If you only play Survivor, you’ll never grasp how Hunters read pallet usage. If you only play Hunter, you won’t appreciate how Survivors use sound cues to juke. Try both. You’ll become sharper, faster, and more adaptable.
Oh, and About Those Skins…
Let’s be honest—part of the joy of Identity V is the aesthetics. That “Bloody Borsalino” Clown skin? The “Clockwork Heart” Doctor outfit? They’re not just cosmetic; they deepen the mood, the immersion, the whole haunting vibe of the game.
If you’re thinking of grabbing a skin or unlocking a new character to try out both sides more seriously, you’ll need Fragments or Echoes. And if you decide to top up, Buffget is currently offering 30% off—a smooth, secure way to get more for your money without overpaying.
Final Thought
Identity V isn’t about flawless plays or perfect win streaks. It’s about reading the unseen, staying steady in the storm, and learning to dance in the fog—whether you’re running for your life or hunting in the shadows.
The most important thing? Stay present. Stay aware. And never stop learning from the Manor.
Because in that fog, the real game isn’t against the other side—it’s against your own limits. And that’s why we keep coming back.