What is Identity V?
Identity V is NetEase's asymmetric survival horror game that pits four survivors against one hunter in tense, strategic matches. Originally launched in 2018, the game has grown into one of the most popular mobile titles in Southeast Asia, Japan and beyond. Its gothic art style, deep character roster and competitive ranked mode give it staying power that few mobile games can match.
The core loop is straightforward: survivors must decode five cipher machines to power exit gates, while the hunter tries to down and eliminate survivors before they escape. Simple on the surface, but the depth comes from character abilities, positioning and team coordination.
Choosing Your Side: Survivor or Hunter
As a new player, your first decision is whether to focus on survivors or hunters. Both sides play completely differently and reward different skills.
Playing as a Survivor
Survivors win by teamwork. Your primary objective is decoding cipher machines, which requires holding a position and completing skill checks. The best survivors balance decoding speed with awareness of the hunter's location. Communication with your team, whether through quick chat or voice, can make or break a match.
Beginner-friendly survivors include Mechanic, who can deploy a robot to decode a second cipher simultaneously, and Doctor, who can self-heal without needing external items. Both characters forgive mistakes and let you contribute to the team even when under pressure.
Playing as a Hunter
Hunters operate solo, which means every decision carries weight. Your goal is to find, chase and eliminate survivors before they complete all five ciphers. Good hunters learn to manage their time: spending too long chasing one survivor while the other three decode freely is the fastest way to lose.
For new hunters, Geisha is an excellent starting pick. Her dash ability closes distance quickly and her camera-based mechanics are intuitive to learn. Leo (Hell Ember) is another solid choice, as his puppet ability lets you apply map pressure in two places at once.
Map Awareness and Positioning
Identity V maps are not random. Each map has fixed cipher machine locations, pallet placements and terrain features. Learning these layouts is one of the biggest advantages you can build as a new player.
Survivors should memorize strong kiting areas, which are zones with multiple pallets and windows that let you loop a hunter for extended periods. Maps like Arms Factory and Sacred Heart Hospital have well-known kiting routes that experienced players use consistently.
Hunters, on the other hand, need to learn where survivors are most likely to start decoding. Cipher machines near the edges of the map are often the first ones survivors rush to. Patrolling these spots early gives you a better chance of finding your first target quickly.
Essential Strategies for Winning
Survivor Tips
First, always be decoding. If you are not being chased, you should be on a cipher machine. Idle time is the number one reason teams lose in lower ranks. Second, learn to kite effectively. Kiting means leading the hunter on a chase through strong terrain while your teammates decode. Even buying 30 to 40 seconds can swing a match. Third, save your teammates wisely. Rushing to the rocket chair without a plan often results in two survivors being downed instead of one. Coordinate with your team and approach from a safe angle.
Hunter Tips
Pressure is everything. After downing a survivor, do not camp the rocket chair for the full countdown. Instead, move to the nearest cipher and apply pressure. This forces the rescue attempt while also slowing decoding progress. Learn to identify the weakest player early, as eliminating one survivor quickly makes the rest of the match much easier. Finally, use your listening ability. Survivors make noise when decoding, vaulting and healing. Audio cues are just as important as visual ones.
Persona Web and Talent Builds
The persona web is Identity V's talent system, and it significantly affects gameplay. Survivors generally run builds focused on one of three paths: Borrowed Time (top right) for a last-second cipher decode, Tide Turner (bottom left) for safer rescues, or a hybrid build mixing both. Hunters have their own persona trees, with popular picks including Confined Space (blocks window vaults), Detention (one-hit down after all ciphers are decoded) and Trump Card (swap your secondary ability mid-match).
As a beginner, stick to established builds from community guides until you understand how each trait affects your matches. Experimenting too early can leave you at a disadvantage in ranked.
Ranked Mode and Progression
Identity V's ranked system spans from Worker Bee through Manticore and eventually Champion. Climbing requires consistent performance, not just wins. Survivors earn more points for decoding, kiting and safe rescues. Hunters gain points for eliminations and cipher control.
The ranked meta shifts regularly as NetEase releases balance patches and new characters. Keeping up with patch notes and adjusting your character pool accordingly will serve you well as you climb.
Top Up and Get Started
Identity V uses Echoes as its premium currency for purchasing characters, costumes and accessories. If you are looking to unlock new survivors or hunters quickly, topping up your Echoes through Elitedias gives you a fast, secure way to get the currency you need. Browse our Identity V top-up options to find the right package for your account.