Five Nights at Freddy's is a legendary survival horror game that has challenged millions of players since its release in 2014. As a night security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, your job seems simple - watch the cameras and make sure nothing goes wrong. But when the animatronics start moving at midnight, survival becomes your only goal. In this comprehensive guide, we'll teach you everything you need to know to beat all five nights (and beyond).
Whether you're struggling on Night 1 or can't seem to crack Night 5, this guide covers power management strategies, animatronic behavior patterns, and pro tips that will help you survive until 6 AM. Let's dive into the horror!
Understanding the Basics
Before we get into specific strategies, you need to understand the core mechanics of FNAF 1. You're sitting in a security office with limited resources:
- Security Cameras - Monitor 11 different locations in the restaurant
- Door Lights - Check the blind spots next to your doors
- Security Doors - Close them to block animatronics (uses power)
- Limited Power - You start each night with 100% power that depletes based on your actions
The night runs from 12 AM to 6 AM, which translates to about 8 minutes and 36 seconds of real time. Every action you take - checking cameras, using lights, closing doors - drains your limited power supply. Run out of power, and you're defenseless against the animatronics.
Know Your Enemies
There are four main animatronics hunting you each night, plus a secret fifth character. Each one has unique behavior patterns you must learn to survive:
Freddy Fazbear
Moves in darkness. Most dangerous late in the night. Approaches from the right side only.
Bonnie
Approaches from the LEFT door. Fast and unpredictable. Check your left light frequently.
Chica
Approaches from the RIGHT door. Slower than Bonnie. Makes noise in the kitchen.
Foxy
Hides in Pirate Cove. Check him regularly or he'll run down the hall. Close LEFT door immediately!
Freddy Fazbear - The Leader
Freddy is the most complex and dangerous animatronic in the game. Unlike the others, he only moves when you're not watching him on the camera - but here's the catch: he only moves in the dark. If the camera feed shows static or you're not looking at his specific location, he can advance toward your office.
Freddy always takes the same path: Show Stage → Dining Area → Restrooms → Kitchen → East Hall → East Hall Corner → Your Office. When he reaches the East Hall Corner, he'll wait there until he can enter your office. The only way to stop him is to close the right door when he's there. You can hear his distinctive laugh when he moves.
Bonnie the Bunny - The Speed Demon
Bonnie is fast and aggressive. He approaches exclusively from the left side of your office, and he's often the first animatronic to become active on any given night. Unlike other animatronics, Bonnie can appear in almost any room, making him unpredictable.
The key to dealing with Bonnie is checking your left door light frequently. If you see his face in the window or doorway, immediately close the left door and wait until he leaves. You'll know he's gone when you check the light and he's no longer there.
Chica the Chicken - The Kitchen Dweller
Chica takes the right side of the building and is generally slower than Bonnie. She's easier to predict because she makes distinct sounds - especially when she's in the kitchen (a room you can't see on camera, but you can hear pots and pans clanging).
Like Bonnie, check your right door light to see if Chica is there. She tends to linger longer than Bonnie, so be patient before opening the door. Closing and reopening the door rapidly wastes power and might not even deter her.
Foxy the Pirate - The Sprinter
Foxy is unique among the animatronics. He stays in Pirate Cove and doesn't actively roam the building like the others. Instead, he emerges in stages based on how often you check on him. Here's his progression:
- Behind the curtain (you can see his shape)
- Peeking out of the curtain
- Standing outside Pirate Cove
- Gone - he's running toward you!
⚠️ CRITICAL FOXY WARNING
If Foxy is gone from Pirate Cove, immediately close your LEFT door! You'll hear running footsteps followed by banging on your door. If the door isn't closed, it's instant game over. After he bangs on the door, he'll return to Pirate Cove, and you can open the door again. Each time Foxy attacks, he drains 1% of your power (increasing by 5% each subsequent attack).
Golden Freddy - The Secret
Golden Freddy is a rare, secret animatronic. If you see a poster of his face on CAM 2B (West Hall Corner), he may appear slumped over in your office. If this happens, immediately flip up your camera or he'll crash your game. He's extremely rare and mostly an easter egg, but now you know how to avoid him!
Night-by-Night Strategy Guide
🌙 Night 1 - Learning the Ropes
Night 1 is essentially a tutorial. Only Bonnie and Chica are active, and they move slowly. Use this night to familiarize yourself with the camera system and practice checking your door lights.
- Check Pirate Cove occasionally (Foxy won't attack, but get in the habit)
- Practice checking both door lights every few seconds
- Don't waste power on unnecessary camera usage
- You should finish with 40%+ power remaining
🌙 Night 2 - Foxy Awakens
Night 2 introduces Foxy as an active threat. Bonnie and Chica are slightly more aggressive, but the main challenge is managing Foxy alongside the others.
- Check Pirate Cove (CAM 1C) every 15-20 seconds
- Keep checking door lights between camera uses
- If Foxy is at Stage 3 or gone, close left door IMMEDIATELY
- Don't panic - stay calm and systematic
🌙 Night 3 - Increasing Pressure
All animatronics are more aggressive. Freddy starts becoming active, though he's still relatively slow. Power management becomes critical.
- Minimize camera time - only check when necessary
- Priority: Door lights > Pirate Cove > Other cameras
- Listen for Freddy's laugh and Chica's kitchen sounds
- Target: 20%+ power at 5 AM
🌙 Night 4 - The Real Challenge Begins
Night 4 is where most players struggle. All animatronics are highly aggressive, and power management is crucial. You need to be efficient with every action.
- Check door lights constantly - every 2-3 seconds
- Only use cameras for Pirate Cove and East Hall Corner
- When Freddy reaches East Hall Corner, keep that right door ready
- Stay calm during the final hour - panic causes mistakes
🌙 Night 5 - Survival of the Fittest
The final night. Every animatronic is at maximum aggression. This night requires perfect execution of everything you've learned.
- Power is your biggest enemy - be extremely conservative
- Door lights are more important than cameras
- Only close doors when absolutely necessary
- Listen for audio cues instead of checking cameras
- If power runs out before 5 AM, you probably won't survive
Pro Tips for Power Conservation
Power management is the key to surviving FNAF 1. Here are expert strategies to maximize your power efficiency:
💡 Power Saving Strategies
- Minimize camera usage - Only check Pirate Cove and East Hall Corner regularly
- Quick light checks - Tap the light button briefly; you don't need to hold it
- Don't camp on doors - Only close doors when an animatronic is actually there
- Use audio cues - Listen for footsteps, laughter, and kitchen sounds
- Pace yourself - Aim for 20% power per hour (100% / 5 hours)
- Final hour strategy - If you're at 10% at 5 AM, stop using cameras entirely
What to Do When Power Runs Out
If your power hits 0%, all hope isn't lost - but it's close. The lights go out, and Freddy will begin playing his Toreador March music box song. When the music stops, you have a random chance of survival until 6 AM. Stay still, don't touch anything, and pray. Sometimes Freddy will jumpscare you immediately; sometimes you might survive long enough for the clock to hit 6 AM.
The closer to 6 AM when your power runs out, the better your chances. If you run out at 5 AM, you have a decent shot. If you run out at 2 AM, start the night over.
Night 6 and Night 7 (Custom Night)
Beat Night 5? Congratulations! But the horror doesn't end there. Night 6 is unlocked after completing the main game, featuring even more aggressive animatronics. Night 7 is the Custom Night, where you can set individual AI levels for each animatronic from 0-20.
The ultimate challenge is "4/20 Mode" - all animatronics at level 20. This requires near-perfect play and a bit of luck. Good luck!
Ready to Test Your Skills?
Now that you know the strategies, it's time to put them into practice. Remember: stay calm, manage your power, and trust your instincts. You've got this!