How to Play FNaF (Complete Starter Guide)
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a survival horror game where you work as a night-shift security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Your job: survive from 12 AM to 6 AM while animatronics roam the building and try to reach your office.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do each night.
✅ 1. Understand the Core Gameplay
You sit in a security office and control four main things:
1. Cameras
Used to track animatronics.
But camera usage drains power—so check sparingly.
2. Doors
Left and right doors keep animatronics out.
They use a LOT of power—don’t keep them closed forever.
3. Door Lights
Used to check if something is right outside your office.
4. Power Management
Your most important skill.
If power hits 0, Freddy attacks.
✅ 2. Know Each Animatronic
Understanding behavior makes the game easier.
🟤 Freddy Fazbear
- Starts moving later in the game (Night 3+)
- Harder to track—often moves in the dark
- Only attacks from the right door
- If you hear his laugh, he changed rooms
🟥 Bonnie (Left Side)
- Active very early
- Approaches from the left door
- Check the left light often
🟧 Chica (Right Side)
- Approaches from the right door
- Check the right light often
🟪 Foxy (Pirate Cove)
- Stays in CAM 1C
- If ignored, he sprints down the hall
- Check Pirate Cove occasionally to slow him down
✅ 3. Beginner Night-by-Night Strategy
🌙 Night 1 (Very Easy)
- Focus on doors and lights
- Check cameras every 10–15 seconds
- Don’t worry about Freddy or Foxy yet
Simple cycle:
👉 Check left light → right light → camera → repeat
🌙 Night 2
- Bonnie & Chica get more aggressive
- Foxy begins activating → check CAM 1C sometimes
Cycle:
👉 Left light → right light → CAM 1C → random main rooms → repeat
🌙 Night 3
- Freddy begins moving
- Save power as much as possible
Tips:
✅ Track Freddy’s laugh (he moves rooms)
✅ Don’t waste time on cameras except for Foxy & Freddy’s path
🌙 Night 4–5
You need fast cycles and tight power control.
Power-efficient cycle:
✅ Left light
✅ Right light
✅ Quick Pirate Cove check
Repeat every 4–6 seconds.
✅ 4. Power Management Tips
Because power is limited, here’s how to avoid running out:
✅ Don’t overuse cameras
Checking every second drains power.
✅ Never hold doors closed unless danger is present
Use lights first, then close the door if Bonnie or Chica is there.
✅ Keep your movements minimal
Small cycles = less panic = less energy used.
✅ 5. How to Know When to Close Doors
Here’s the rule:
✅ If the animatronic is NOT on the camera and NOT in the hallway → Check your lights.
✅ If you see something in the light → CLOSE DOOR immediately.
Bonnie or Chica will sit outside for a few seconds—wait until they leave (lights off saves power).
✅ 6. Audio Cues (VERY Helpful)
FNaF uses sound to warn you.
- Footsteps = animatronics changing rooms
- Freddy laugh = Freddy changed position
- Running + thud = Foxy attacked (if your left door was open, you’re dead)
✅ 7. Extra Survival Tricks
✅ Keep calm—panic wastes power
✅ Don’t stare too long at cameras
✅ Practice the light + camera rhythm
✅ Your last seconds of power can still save you—Freddy’s song sometimes delays the attack
✅ 8. Fast Beginner Summary
Here’s the quick version:
- Watch cameras occasionally
- Lights → Cameras → Lights is the rhythm
- Left = Bonnie (and Foxy’s attack)
- Right = Chica & Freddy
- Don’t waste power
- Only close doors when danger is confirmed
If you’d like, I can also create:
✅ A step-by-step survival checklist
✅ A beginner-friendly video-style script
✅ A character behavior chart
✅ A FNaF guide infographic image (tell me size + style)