The mist slid over my boots and the crows argued in the reeds. I heard the ghost long before I saw it — a low, impossible keening that froze my hands. You get one clean chance to light something and either claim the Exorcist badge or walk away empty-handed.
After a summer rain the swamp smells of wet leaves — How to burn up the Big Ghost in PEAK
I played this the hard way so you don’t have to. The GLOOM biome’s swamps are where the big ghost likes to hunt: thick mist, endless sleep damage if you linger, and crows for company. Your goal is simple: bring fire power and time your strike when the ghost is audible — that sound is the cue.
Two reliable methods knock the spirit out: a portable Candlestick or an active Belltower (and rumor of a Faerie Lantern floating around, too). The Candlestick is a lighthouse in a sea of fog — it stops the sleep damage while lit and burns the ghost when you time it right. Belltowers create a temporary safe ring in the mist and can be used to both protect you and fry whatever haunts the swamps.
How do I burn a ghost in PEAK?
Listen first. The ghost announces itself with an unmistakable audio cue — it’s impossible to miss once you’ve heard it. If you have a Candlestick, wait for that sound, then activate the Candlestick when the ghost is nearby. If you’re near a Belltower, flip it on and stand inside the safe circle; an active tower will burn the ghost if it’s close enough. Players on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation have shared clips of the timing; watch a short clip on Steam community or Moyens I/O for the audio cue if you’re unsure.
Where do I find a Candlestick in PEAK?
Random spawns. I found mine tucked inside a luggage crate in the swamp, but it can appear in other containers across the GLOOM. If you roam with a light priority—open every luggage and chest—you’ll eventually get one. If you’re farming the Candlestick specifically, prioritize the misty swamp pockets where crows gather; those hotspots seem to yield more containers. Swap tips with other players in Steam groups or the official Discord if you want faster spawns.
How do I get the Exorcist badge?
To earn the Exorcist badge, you must burn the ghost; Candlestick activation and an active Belltower both count. There are five Belltowers on the map — activate them all in one run and you’ll also score the Belltower badge while boosting your chances to handle the big ghost. If you don’t have a Candlestick, plan a route that hits at least one Belltower while staying out of sleep range until you’re ready. The ghost dissolves into ash once it’s caught in your light, so timing is everything.
Quick tips from my runs: carry healing that counters sleep damage, stay near a known Belltower if you don’t have a Candlestick, and use crowd-sourced videos from Moyens I/O or community clips on Xbox and PlayStation to learn the audio cue. If you bought PEAK on Steam, check player guides and price tags on DLC pages — community guides often note spawn patterns and safe routes (€ prices shown on Steam storefront).
Want to argue whether the Candlestick method is better than the Belltower route or claim the badge your way?