What mode do ghosts enter when they scatter to corners?

The ghosts enter Scatter mode when they scatter to their assigned corners of the maze.

Pac-Man’s four ghosts—Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde—alternate between different behavioral modes. In Scatter mode, each ghost temporarily heads toward a particular corner instead of directly pursuing Pac-Man. This creates brief breathing room and gives the maze’s action a deliberate rhythm.

After Scatter mode ends, the ghosts switch to Chase mode, using their distinct targeting rules. Blinky aims directly at Pac-Man, Pinky targets space ahead of him, Inky combines information about Pac-Man and Blinky, and Clyde alternates between chasing and retreating. Frightened mode is different: it begins after Pac-Man eats a power pellet, turning the ghosts blue and making them vulnerable.

The repeated Scatter-to-Chase pattern was an important part of the original game’s design. It prevents the ghosts from pursuing Pac-Man continuously and makes timing, route planning, and corner control central to surviving later levels.