How to keep everyone alive in House of Ashes?

House of Ashes, the third installment of the Dark Pictures Anthology has five playable characters. Depending on the actions of the players, these characters may or may not survive their mission. We'll cover how to get an ending with all five at the finish line.

Actions to Avoid

Throughout the game, there are several moments when players are allowed to take an action but don't have to. Choosing to do nothing is an action. These can be quick-time events or simple actions the player must keep themselves from doing. Here are a few actions that players SHOULD NOT TAKE in order to save the five playable characters and some extras.

• Don't Shoot the Farmer
  • When the team raids the small farm atop the silo, Jason has an opportunity to shoot a farmer. Don't let him take the shot. Instead wait out the time while the farmer stumbles out of view.
• Don't Hold Merwin's Face
  • After the team discovers themselves underground, they'll soon discover they aren't alone. When Nick and Jason are trying to give Merwin morphine for his wounds, Nick needs to fail the QTE for covering Merwin's mouth.
• Don't Cut the Rope
  • There's a lot of confusion over this scene, but players DO NOT need to cut the rope for Eric to survive. Instead, wait out all three times he goes to cut the rope and succeed at the QTEs. After all three, Nick will run out to hold Eric up and the rope will snap.
• Don't Shoot Balathu
  • During the team's standoff against the monsters, Balathu will approach Nick from a shadowy tunnel. Instead of shooting him, use the crucifix.
• Don't Stab the White Phosphorus
  • Unlike Clarice, Rachel can be saved from her affliction. As she is battling with the infection she'll be given a short period of time to stab the white phosphorus in the ground to eliminate herself. Don't stab it, wait out the timer instead.
• Don't Step on the White Phosphorus Veins
  • As Nick and Jason explore the catacombs deep below the surface, they will need to avoid stepping on the snap crackle pop veins of phosphorus. Otherwise, they will awaken several monsters in the deep.

Related: How to save Rachel in House of Ashes?

Actions to Make

While there are several moments in which players need to fail or not act, there are also situations where if the player fails, the characters will perish.

• Choose Air Support
  • When prepping for the mission as Eric, side with Jason to have air support. While not taking this action isn't deadly, it will make the battle more difficult.
• Take the Safer Route
  • After giving Merwin some morphine, the players will need to take it easy on the old soldier. Take him down the safer path to ensure that he makes it.
• Keep in the Light
  • While playing as Salim underground, players will need to succeed his QTE to get into the sunlight and avoid the monster.
• Grab the Medical Kit
  • Send Jason to check on Merwin when Nick says he hears Joey crying out. After finding the pool of blood, take the darker path to the left to find the medical kit.
• Support Salim
  • Salim will try to explain information to Nick about the monsters. Players should choose to be supportive towards Salim to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Sneak Past the Monster
  • Successfully complete the QTE when sneaking past the monster to stay safe.
• Abandoned Clarice
  • When Rachel swings across the chasm with the rope, she should abandon Clarice. As much as it sucks, it'll keep her from killing more characters later on.
• Use the Turret
  • Once the players have regrouped and are attacked by a small group of monsters, Rachel will have the choice to fall back or use the turret. She should use the turret to weaken the beasts for the upcoming battle.
• Shoot the Monster on Rachel
  • Salim will quickly have a choice of monsters to shoot at, he should shoot the one on top of Rachel. This will free her up for the next action.
• Save Eric
  • Have Rachel save Eric rather than abandon him as he is being attacked on two fronts.
• Have Jason Save Salim
  • As Jason is making his escape he'll have to choose whether or not to go back for Salim. Go back for him to save him. Both will need to succeed on their QTEs to make it out.
• QTE Master
  • During the final stand, each of the five playable characters will need to succeed their QTEs to make it out alive.

Related: How to save Eric in House of Ashes?

Once all of this has been done, the player will have received the Golden Path trophy with a slight variation of the good ending based on conversational choices. Players will also get a slightly different ending if they choose to save Rachel by cocooning her.

For more House of Ashes content, check out What is House of Ashes Based On? on Pro Game Guides.