Embark on a terrifying journey through the gothic streets of Yharnam with our comprehensive Bloodborne Ps4 Guide. Whether you’re a new hunter just stepping into the nightmare or a seasoned veteran seeking to uncover every secret, this walkthrough will be your indispensable companion. We’ll delve deep into every corner of the game, providing you with detailed strategies, item locations, and boss tactics to ensure you not only survive the Hunt, but master it.
Mastering the Hunt: Bloodborne Gameplay Essentials
Before we plunge into the depths of Yharnam, let’s solidify your understanding of Bloodborne’s core mechanics. Unlike typical action RPGs, Bloodborne demands aggression and precise timing. Understanding these basics is crucial for survival.
Hunter Controls: Mastering Movement and Combat
Bloodborne’s control scheme is unique, emphasizing swift movements and strategic attacks. Familiarize yourself with these essential controls:
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Left Stick | Character Movement |
| Right Stick | Camera Movement |
| D-Pad Up | Convert Health to Quicksilver Bullets (Desperate times call for desperate measures!) |
| D-Pad Down | Switch Consumable (Quickly access Blood Vials or Molotovs) |
| D-Pad Left/Right | Switch Weapon (Adapt your arsenal on the fly) |
| X Button | Interact (Open doors, examine objects, and more) |
| X Button (Locked-on) | Side-step or Backstep (Evade enemy attacks with agility) |
| X Button (Unlocked) | Roll or Sprint (Hold) (Cover ground quickly or escape danger) |
| Square Button | Use equipped Consumable (Heal with Blood Vials or use items) |
| Triangle Button | Use Blood Vial (Your primary healing method) |
| L1 Button | Transform right-handed trick weapon (Unleash the weapon’s secondary form) |
| L1 Button (During attack) | Transformational Attack (Seamlessly transition between forms) |
| R1 Button | Attack with equipped right-handed weapon (Standard attacks) |
| L2 Button | Attack with equipped left-handed weapon (Firearms for offense and staggering) |
| L2 Button (Two-handing right-hand) | Special attack (Unique attack when two-handing) |
| R2 Button | Strong attack using right-handed weapon (Powerful, slower attacks) |
| R2 Button (Hold) | Charged attack (Maximize damage with a wind-up attack) |
| R3 Button | Lock-on (Enemy Nearby) (Focus on a single enemy) |
| R3 Button (No Enemy) | Resets Camera (Re-center your view) |
Core Gameplay Mechanics: Health, Death, and Progression
Bloodborne’s gameplay revolves around risk and reward. Understanding health management, death consequences, and character progression is key to becoming a proficient hunter.
Health and Regain: Aggression is Survival
Your health, represented by the red gauge, is determined by your Vitality stat. When it hits zero, death is inevitable, sending you back to the last lamp you activated and losing your Blood Echoes.
However, Bloodborne introduces the Regain system. After taking damage, a white bar appears on your health gauge. By attacking enemies within a short window, you can reclaim this lost health. This encourages aggressive play, rewarding hunters who press the attack.
Blood Vials are your primary healing items, restoring a significant portion of your health. Stock up on these at the Hunter’s Dream or loot them from fallen foes. Manage your inventory wisely, as you can only carry 20 at a time initially.
Blood Echoes and Insight: Currency and Awakening
Blood Echoes are the lifeblood of your progression, serving as both currency and experience points. Earn them by defeating enemies and consuming items. Spend Blood Echoes at the Hunter’s Dream to level up your stats or purchase items from the Messengers.
Death carries a penalty: you’ll drop your Blood Echoes. Retrieve them from the ground where you fell, or sometimes an enemy nearby will absorb them, indicated by glowing eyes. Die again before recovering them, and they are lost forever.
Insight is a secondary currency, gained by encountering bosses and using specific items like Madman’s Knowledge. Insight influences the world around you, affecting enemy behavior and unlocking access to certain areas and shops in the Hunter’s Dream. Be mindful that high Insight can lower your Beasthood and Frenzy resistance, adding another layer of challenge.
Saving and World State: Auto-Save and Consequences
Bloodborne relies on auto-saving. The game constantly saves your progress, meaning choices and deaths are persistent. There’s no reloading to undo mistakes, emphasizing the weight of your actions. This system enhances the tension and realism of the hunt.
Weapons and Equipment: Tools of the Trade
Your arsenal in Bloodborne is diverse and deadly. Mastering your weapons and optimizing your equipment is crucial for overcoming the horrors of Yharnam.
Trick Weapons: Versatility in Combat
Right-handed weapons are Trick Weapons, each possessing two distinct forms. Transform between forms using the L1 button to adapt to different combat situations. Experiment with various weapons to find those that suit your playstyle.
Firearms and Off-Hand Tools: Left-Handed Utility
Left-handed weapons are primarily firearms, used for ranged attacks and, more importantly, parrying. A well-timed gunshot can stagger enemies, opening them up for devastating Visceral Attacks. Torches provide illumination in dark areas, while shields are less common but offer defensive options.
Weapon Upgrades and Blood Gems: Enhancing Your Arsenal
Strengthen your weapons at the workbench in Hunter’s Dream using Blood Stone Shards and other upgrade materials. Fortifying weapons increases their base damage and improves their scaling with your stats.
Blood Gems, obtained as loot or rewards, can be slotted into weapons to grant various bonuses, such as increased attack power, elemental damage, or status effects. The Blood Gem Workshop Tool, found early in the game, unlocks this customization option.
| Upgrade Level | Required Material |
|---|---|
| +1 | 3 Blood Stone Shards |
| +2 | 5 Blood Stone Shards |
| +3 | 8 Blood Stone Shards |
| +4 | 3 Twin Blood Stone Shards |
| +5 | 5 Twin Blood Stone Shards |
| +6 | 8 Twin Blood Stone Shards |
| +7 | 3 Blood Stone Chunks |
| +8 | 5 Blood Stone Chunks |
| +9 | 8 Blood Stone Chunks |
| +10 | 1 Blood Rock |
Attire: Fashion and Function (Resistances)
Attire, or armor, in Bloodborne consists of Head, Chest, Gloves, and Leg pieces. While attire offers some defensive stats, its primary function is to provide resistance to various status effects like Poison and Frenzy. Choose attire that complements your playstyle and offers protection against specific threats.
Items: Consumables, Arcane, and Key Items
Bloodborne features a variety of items categorized as Consumables, Arcane, and Key Items. Consumables are used for healing, offense (Molotovs), or status ailment cures (Antidotes, Sedatives). Arcane Items are special hunter tools utilizing magic. Key Items are essential for progression, unlocking areas or advancing NPC quests.
Character Creation: Origins and Stats
Your Hunter’s journey begins with character creation, where you define your starting attributes and background.
Character Origins: Starting Stats and Backstory
Your chosen Origin determines your initial stat distribution. While starting stats influence your early game, they become less significant as you level up. Choose an origin that thematically resonates with you or provides a slight advantage based on your preferred playstyle.
| Origin | Echoes | VIT | END | STR | SKL | BTG | ACN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milquetoast | 300 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Lone Survivor | 420 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Troubled Childhood | 360 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 9 |
| Violent Past | 180 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Professional | 240 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| Military Veteran | 320 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| Noble Scion | 540 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
| Cruel Fate | 500 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 14 |
| Waste of Skin | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
Understanding Stats: Vitality, Endurance, and Offense
Stats govern your Hunter’s capabilities. Leveling up allows you to increase these attributes, shaping your character’s strengths.
| Stat | Description | Key Breakpoints |
|---|---|---|
| Vitality (VIT) | Governs maximum Health (HP). Crucial for survivability. | Soft cap around 30, diminishing returns after 50. |
| Endurance (END) | Governs maximum Stamina and resistances to Status Ailments. Stamina is essential for actions like attacking, dodging, and sprinting. | Stamina soft cap around 40, resistances continue to increase beyond. |
| Strength (STR) | Increases damage with Strength-scaling right-handed weapons. | Damage scaling soft cap around 25, severe diminishing returns after 50. |
| Skill (SKL) | Increases damage with Skill-scaling right-handed weapons and Visceral Attack damage. | Damage scaling soft cap around 25, severe diminishing returns after 50. |
| Bloodtinge (BTG) | Increases damage with Bloodtinge-scaling left-handed weapons (firearms). | Damage scaling soft cap around 25, severe diminishing returns after 50. |
| Arcane (ACN) | Governs damage with Arcane magic and increases Discovery (item drop rate). | Damage scaling soft cap around 25, severe diminishing returns after 50. |
Mastering Basic Combat: Stamina, Lock-On, and Attacks
Combat in Bloodborne is a dance of aggression and precision. Master these core combat elements to thrive in Yharnam.
Stamina Management: The Rhythm of Combat
Stamina is a finite resource consumed by attacking, dodging, sprinting, and transforming weapons. Efficient stamina management is vital. Avoid depleting your stamina completely, leaving yourself vulnerable. Stamina regenerates quickly when you’re not actively using it, so create openings for recovery.
Lock-On and Targeting: Focus Your Fury
Locking onto enemies with R3 focuses your attacks and movement around a single target. While lock-on is beneficial for most encounters, there are times when unlocking is advantageous, particularly against large enemies with weak points on specific limbs.
Attacks and Visceral Attacks: Unleashing Fury
R1 executes quick, stamina-efficient attacks, ideal for chaining combos and interrupting enemy actions. R2 unleashes slower, more powerful charged attacks that can stagger foes.
Visceral Attacks are devastating critical hits performed after staggering an enemy, usually by parrying with a gunshot or fully charging an attack. Position yourself in front or behind a staggered enemy and press R1 to unleash a Visceral Attack, dealing massive damage and granting invulnerability frames.
Advanced Combat Techniques: Weapon Transformation, Beasthood, and Status Ailments
Beyond the basics, Bloodborne offers advanced combat mechanics to further enhance your hunting prowess.
Weapon Transformation: Adapting to Threats
Trick weapons’ transformation is more than just a visual change; it fundamentally alters their moveset and combat application. Experiment with transformations mid-combat to extend combos and adapt to enemy weaknesses.
Beasthood: Unleash the Beast Within
Beasthood is a temporary buff activated by using Beast Blood Pellets. It increases your attack power and transforms your Hunter into a more feral state. Beasthood is not a stat to level up, but rather a temporary power-up. Attire and runes can enhance Beasthood effects.
Status Ailments: Surviving Afflictions
Yharnam is rife with dangers beyond physical attacks. Status Ailments can severely hinder you if left untreated. Be aware of these common ailments and carry appropriate cures:
| Ailment | Effect | Cure |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Poison | Gradual health depletion over time. | Antidote |
| Rapid Poison | Instant, significant health loss. | Antidote (use preemptively during buildup) |
| Frenzy | Instantly depletes 70% of your health. Extremely dangerous. | Sedative (use preemptively during buildup) |
Bloodborne Walkthrough: A Hunter’s Journey Through Yharnam
Now, armed with the knowledge of Bloodborne’s fundamentals, let’s begin our journey through the cursed city of Yharnam. This walkthrough will guide you step-by-step, ensuring you don’t miss crucial items or hidden pathways.
Iosefka’s Clinic: The Nightmare Begins
Your hunt begins in Iosefka’s Clinic. After the unsettling opening cutscenes, exit the room and descend the stairs. You’ll encounter a Scourge Beast feasting on a corpse. While you can attempt to fight it with your bare fists, the game subtly encourages you to die here. Death in Bloodborne is not always a failure, but often a gateway to progression.
However, if you wish to test your initial combat skills, utilize the environment and evade the Scourge Beast’s attacks. Remember the Regain system – attack after taking damage to recover health.
Hunter’s Dream: The Hunter’s Hub
Upon your first death (or by escaping the clinic), you’ll awaken in the Hunter’s Dream, your sanctuary and central hub.
Head towards the steps and interact with the Messengers on the ground. They offer you a choice of starting Trick Weapons and Firearms:
| Trick Weapons | Firearms |
|---|---|
| Saw Cleaver: Versatile, one-handed saw weapon with good damage and speed. Transforms for extended reach. | Hunter Pistol: Fast, accurate pistol, excellent for parrying and quick shots. |
| Hunter Axe: Powerful, two-handed axe with high damage. Transforms for greater range and crowd control. | Hunter Blunderbuss: Wide-spread shotgun, effective at close range for staggering multiple enemies. |
| Threaded Cane: Elegant cane that transforms into a whip. Offers wide attacks and crowd control while remaining one-handed. |
Choose wisely, as your starting weapon will significantly impact your early game experience. The Saw Cleaver is often recommended for beginners due to its balanced nature.
After selecting your weapons, proceed further up the steps to find another set of Messengers offering the Notebook, which contains basic gameplay tips. Explore the Hunter’s Dream to find more Messengers providing tutorials and hints.
Use the tombstone at the bottom of the main stairs to return to Yharnam, Central (specifically, the 1st Floor Clinic).
1st Floor Sickroom: Iosefka’s Gift
Back in the 1st Floor Sickroom, turn around and head back up the stairs towards the room where you started. The door is now closed, and you’ll encounter Iosefka behind it. Speak to her, and she’ll offer you Iosefka’s Blood Vial. She will continue to provide these as long as you don’t already possess one, offering a consistent source of healing early on.
Descend the stairs again to face the Scourge Beast once more. This time, with your chosen weapon, you are better equipped to defeat it.
Enemy Tip: Scourge Beast: These beasts are vulnerable to fire. Molotov Cocktails are highly effective. Alternatively, bait their lunging attacks and strike from the side or rear.
Scourge Beast Drops: Blood Vial x3, Upgrade Materials (location-dependent), Beast Blood Pellet
Loot Blood Vial x2 from a corpse in the left corner of the next room. In the yard outside, collect Quicksilver Bullets x10 before exiting through the gate into the streets of Central Yharnam.
Central Yharnam: Navigating the Hunt
Central Yharnam Map: Starting Area and First Lamp Location
Upon entering Central Yharnam, take the stairway directly ahead to find a corpse with Blood Vial x4. Backtrack and turn left. A Huntsman lurks behind the second carriage. Practice your combat skills – bait their attacks and strike decisively.
Enemy Tip: Huntsman: Various Huntsman types populate Central Yharnam. Most are vulnerable to baiting and quick counter-attacks. Watch out for torch-wielding Huntsmen (fire swipe at low health), shield Huntsmen (bait attacks), and Riflemen (ranged threats).
Huntsman Drops: See the in-game Bestiary for detailed drops.
Near the first Huntsman, you’ll find a lever. Pull it to lower a ladder shortcut (ignore it for now). Instead, grab Blood Vial x2 from the corpse next to the lever. Eliminate the two Huntsmen feigning death at the end of the road. Break the boxes in the corner to obtain Molotov Cocktail x6. Climb the ladder to reach the Central Yharnam lamp, your first checkpoint in this perilous city.
Speak to the window next to the lamp to meet Gilbert. He’ll offer cryptic advice, and you can interact with him throughout your journey for lore hints.
NPC Interaction Tip: Burning lanterns often indicate NPCs you can interact with. Some offer quests, items, or lore insights.
Take the nearby stairs to find a corpse with Pebble x8. Continue forward, watching for a Huntsman hiding behind boxes on the right. You’ll encounter two paths: stairs leading down to the main street and a drop leading to a bonfire with another Huntsman. Take the drop first, defeat the enemy, and loot Molotov Cocktail x4 behind the well.
Descend the stairs towards the main street. Consider transforming your weapon (L1) for wider attacks to manage groups of enemies. Engage the two Huntsmen below. Heading left leads to more Huntsmen and a staircase back to your drop-off point.
Proceed to the end of the street to pull a lever, unlocking a shortcut gate back to the entrance of Central Yharnam. Explore the nearby alley cautiously. An Executioner resides here, a formidable foe early in the game. It’s advisable to avoid him for now unless you’re confident in your parrying skills.
Enemy Tip: Executioner: A dangerous, cautious enemy with powerful, swift attacks. Parrying his charge and jump attacks is key. Defeating him early can yield valuable Blood Gems.
Executioner Drops: Blood Vial x2, Blood Gemstone, Pungent Blood Cocktail
Central Yharnam Map: Exploring Side Paths and Shortcuts
Return up the street and find a staircase hidden behind a carriage. Eliminate the slumped-over Rifleman to prevent ambushes. Ascend the stairs and defeat the Huntsman that jumps out. Pick up the Blood Stone Shard. Backtrack down the steps, turn right, and deal with another surprise attack behind the railing of the building’s steps. Continue onwards.
As you approach the next area, observe a Huntsman on your level and a larger group around a pyre in the street below. While the lone Huntsman seems easy, progressing past the steps will aggro several Huntsmen from the courtyard. Lure a few enemies at a time back to the stairs, creating a choke point. Clear the courtyard gradually.
Return to the upper level and proceed to the end of the road to collect Quicksilver Bullets x5 from a corpse. Eliminate the Huntsman near the gate. Two Riflemen are positioned here: one atop a carriage across the street and another by the pyre. Drop off the ledge to your left to quickly eliminate the first Rifleman. Retreat or use the stairs on the left to evade the second Rifleman’s fire. With most enemies cleared, rush across the street, ascend the stairs opposite, and take out the second Rifleman. Deal with any remaining stragglers and a Rabid Dog.
Enemy Tip: Rabid Dog: Fast and agile, they leap in for attacks and retreat quickly. Side-step their attacks and counter-strike swiftly.
Rabid Dog Drops: None
With the area secured, collect Blood Vial x2 in front of the large double doors. Head upstairs and check the back corner for Coldblood Dew (1). Proceed through the opened gate to grab a Blood Stone Shard behind barrels in the corner. Collect Blood Vial x2 in plain sight by the steps. Instead of descending into the fountain plaza, strike the stacks of coffins directly across from the stairs to reveal a hidden shortcut.
Caged Rabid Dogs here are easy prey. Down the steps on the right, you’ll encounter another Rabid Dog and more caged ones. Head towards the bridge and turn left onto a walkway with another Rabid Dog. Collect Coldblood Dew (3). Cross the bridge and eliminate the Rabid Dog barking at the door of a Lonely Old Dear. She seeks a safe haven. The stairs here descend into the sewers, but first, unlock another shortcut.
Backtrack across the bridge, take the stairs, and turn right to ascend another set of stairs. Take the left staircase to a dead end with Coldblood Dew (1). Return down the stairs and u-turn, ignoring the staircase on the right for later. Enter a dark house. Eliminate the Huntsman hiding inside. Proceed cautiously and attack the small lamp – it’s a Wheelchair Huntsman.
Enemy Tip: Wheelchair Huntsman: Various types exist (pistol, gatling gun, flamethrower). Circle behind them for charged attacks, often killing them in one hit.
Wheelchair Huntsman Drops: Quicksilver Bullets x4
Clear the room and grab Pungent Blood Cocktail x2. Read the note in the corner and exit the building. Ascend the stairs ahead to encounter another Huntsman. Collect the Blood Stone Shard. Continue up the steps to open the gate, creating a shortcut back to the Central Yharnam lamp.
Return through the gate and descend the stairs. This time, take the stairwell to the left of the house, leading to a large courtyard. Two Huntsman’s Minions patrol this area. Engage them one at a time to simplify the fight.
Enemy Tip: Huntsman’s Minion: Bait their smash attacks for charged R2 counter-attacks, or parry their charge for Visceral Attacks.
Huntsman’s Minion Drops: Blood Vial x2-4, Shining Coin x2-3
Once the courtyard is clear, locate the elevator (not usable yet, remember its location). Take the nearby stairs to return to the caged Rabid Dogs area. Cross the bridge and enter the building.
Central Yharnam Map: Rafters, Eileen the Crow, and Sewers Access
Break the barrels on the right wall to reveal a hidden path to the rafters. Carefully cut down the hanging corpses and collect Coldblood Dew (1). Spot an open archway behind barrels across from the walkways. Drop down to find Eileen the Crow. Speak to her repeatedly to receive Bold Hunter’s Mark x4 and the Shake off Cape gesture.
Drop off the rafters in the corner by the stairs. Attack the Large Huntsman patrolling the staircase leading back up. Stick to this side of the room and check behind pillars halfway up for another Large Huntsman. Eliminate the Rifleman nearby and cross to the other side to fight a Large Huntsman with a spear.
Enemy Tip: Large Huntsman: Two types: cloaked (slow) and spear (fast). Cloaked versions are vulnerable to charged attacks as they approach. Spear versions are aggressive and fast; parry their attacks for Visceral Attacks.
Large Huntsman Drops: Blood Vial x2, Blood Stone Shard, Twin Blood Stone Shard, Oil Urn
Collect Coldblood Dew (1) behind the pillars. Exit through the archway near the Rifleman’s position. Turn left and carefully cross the bridge to eliminate two Riflemen. Deal with the Large Huntsman that rushes you. Collect Coldblood Dew (1) at the far end. Continue past the bridge to defeat Carrion Crows, cross another bridge, and find more Carrion Crows guarding Oil Urn x2.
Enemy Tip: Carrion Crow: Quickly attack and back away. Their attacks can inflict rapid health loss with minimal Regain opportunity.
Carrion Crow Drops: Pebble x1-2, Beast Blood Pellet, Antidote
Look down at the beams below, spotting a Blood Stone Shard. Drop down and head back along the sewer to an opening leading back to the room where you dropped corpses. Pass the boats to the end of the room, defeat two Labyrinth Rats, and collect Madman’s Knowledge from the corpse. Return to the previous area and climb the ladder on your right to reach the floor above.
Enemy Tip: Labyrinth Rat: Weak individually, but dangerous in groups. Watch for their pounce and smash attacks.
Labyrinth Rat Drops: Throwing Knife x1-2
Now above the corpse-dropping area, drop down on either side to collect items from the bodies: Blood Stone Shard and Saw Spear. Return to the sewer and proceed to a large room with Rotted Corpses huddled around an item. Take the long ladder to leave the sewer for now.
Central Yharnam Map: Fountain Plaza, Viola’s Daughter, and Sewers Re-entry
Turn right to defeat four Carrion Crows guarding Madman’s Knowledge on a corpse. Cross the bridge and defeat a Huntsman’s Minion. The ladder here leads to a locked gate (shortcut to fountain plaza, open with nearby lever). Speak to the window to meet Viola’s Daughter. She asks you to find her mother and gives you the Tiny Music Box.
Take the stairs on the right to find the Huntsman’s Minion knocking on the large double doors by the pyre. Grab the Torch and Molotov Cocktail x4. On the opposite side of the plaza, defeat three Carrion Crows guarding Oil Urn x2. Return up the stairs and turn right to find Coldblood Dew (1) by the closed gate.
The next courtyard has three Rabid Dogs and more Huntsmen, including a Rifleman. Approach cautiously. Lure out Rabid Dogs one by one with gunshots before engaging the Huntsmen. Clear the area and collect Blood Vial x6. Take the staircase to a bridge, turning left to check behind statues for a Blood Stone Shard.
Head towards the Scourge Beasts on the bridge, but instead of engaging them, take the staircase on your left to an area overlooking the pyre. Collect Pebble x10 from the corpse hanging over the edge, a Blood Stone Shard behind sandbags, and another Blood Stone Shard from the alley behind boxes. Break boxes to drop into the sewers.
Descend the ledges into the sewers. Drop down on the left side to encounter a Large Huntsman. Defeat him, cross the bridge to fight another, and then a final one on the last bridge. With all three upper-level enemies defeated, look down at the beams below for Thick Coldblood (5). Carefully drop onto the Labyrinth Rat below.
Defeat the Labyrinth Rats behind you first. Head to the sewer exit and look left for a Large Huntsman guarding the Hunter Set.
Equip the new armor set. Backtrack out of the sewer to the main bridge. Quickly run past the Scourge Beasts and take the left stairs to enter the second floor of the dark house. Eliminate two Huntsmen inside. Collect Coldblood Dew (1). Turn around to find the Scourge Beasts stuck in the doorway – easy targets for charged attacks. Return to the area overlooking the pyre, drop down, take the path to the fountain plaza, and descend the ladders near Viola’s Daughter to re-enter the sewers.
Central Yharnam Sewers Map: Deeper Sewers and Maneater Boar Encounter
Drop down and carefully eliminate the Carrion Crows behind you. Defeat the Rotted Corpses guarding Quicksilver Bullets x10. Continue along the sewer to three more Rotted Corpses. Check the small alcove for another Rotted Corpse and a Blood Stone Shard. Take the ladder to the right of the tunnel to reach another bridge.
Enemy Tip: Rotted Corpse: Appear dead but are ambush predators. Slow but can lunge or vomit. Use downward slashing attacks.
Rotted Corpse Drops: Blood Vial, Bold Hunter’s Mark, Sedative
Ignore the bridge and enter the nearby building to activate the elevator (shortcut to Huntsman’s Minions near the dark house and lamp). Return down the ladder. The tunnel next to you leads to a Maneater Boar. Rush past its roar, get behind it, and perform a charged attack for a Visceral Attack. Collect the Saw Hunter Badge and Coldblood Dew (2) before exiting the tunnel and climbing another ladder.
Enemy Tip: Maneater Boar: Large weak spot on its rear. Approach from behind for charged attacks and Visceral Attacks. Stay behind it to avoid its deadly charge.
Maneater Boar Drops: Blood Vial x2-4
This ladder leads to the other side of the large bridge where you activated the elevator. Eliminate the shielded Huntsman and Huntsman’s Minion. Take the nearby stairs and carefully lure out Large Huntsmen one at a time with gunshots. Collect Bold Hunter’s Mark x2 nearby.
Continuing up the stairs leads to the second boss arena. DO NOT ENTER YET. Use a Madman’s Knowledge to gain Insight. Cross the bridge to the elevator and use the lamp to return to the Hunter’s Dream.
Hunter’s Dream Revisited: Leveling Up and Preparation
The Madman’s Knowledge has granted you Insight, awakening the Doll in the Hunter’s Dream. She now allows you to exchange Blood Echoes for stat level-ups.
Talk to the Messengers on the steps for the Beckoning Bell and Silencing Blank (multiplayer items). Enter the building to store unwanted items. Repair and fortify your weapons at the workbench using Blood Stone Shards to enhance your damage output.
Central Yharnam Continued: The Bridge and First Boss
Return to the Central Yharnam lamp. Ascend the stairs through the dark house to the main bridge. Deal with the Scourge Beasts. This time, head left on the bridge, eliminating Carrion Crows and a Huntsman’s Minion to reach the boss arena.
Giant Bridge: Boss Encounter – Cleric Beast
Boss: Cleric Beast
Phase 1: The Cleric Beast is a large, imposing foe. Locking on can be cumbersome due to its size. Focus your attacks on its left arm while attempting to stay behind it. Its size and tendency to back into the bridge edges can make positioning challenging. Employ hit-and-run tactics. Sustained damage will eventually cause it to collapse, allowing for a Visceral Attack. Damaging a specific limb repeatedly can trigger bonus damage, but watch for its red aura indicating limb regeneration.
Phase 2 (Below 70% Health): The Cleric Beast roars, becoming more aggressive and faster. Its attacks intensify, and combos lengthen. Maintain the same strategy as Phase 1, but be more cautious and time dodges precisely.
Cleric Beast Attacks:
| Phase 1 | Description |
|---|---|
| Arm Swipes | Short-range, horizontal swipes, minimal damage. |
| One-Two Slam | Medium-range, moderate damage punches to the ground. |
| One-Armed Grab | Short-range, slow wind-up, high damage grab (rare). |
| Overhead Slam Combo | Medium-range, three-hit combo, moderate damage per hit. |
| Lunging Swipe | Long-range lunge followed by a strong horizontal swipe. |
| Recovery | Red aura, regenerates damaged limbs. |
| Phase 2 | Description |
| — | — |
| Two-Armed Grab | Short-range, stronger version of One-Armed Grab. |
| Double Slam Combo | Medium-range, stronger version of Overhead Slam Combo. |
| Slow Overhead Smash | Medium-range, delayed heavy damage ground slam (timing trick). |
| Jump Attack | Long-range jump into a heavy damage slam attack. |
Boss Reward: 4,000 Blood Echoes, Sword Hunter Badge
Collect Quicksilver Bullets x10 and light the Giant Bridge lamp. Return to the Hunter’s Dream to level up, repair weapons, and upgrade if possible.
Central Yharnam Continued: Flaming Boulders and Tomb of Oedon
Return to the Central Yharnam lamp. Take the left stairs to deal with Huntsman’s Minions. Ride the elevator to reach the upper bridge. As you advance, a group of enemies will attack, and a flaming boulder will be pushed down the bridge. Seek refuge in balcony alcoves to avoid the boulder. Deal with remaining enemies.
Ascend the stairs, defeat the Huntsman’s Minion and shielded Huntsman. Continue up the stairs, ignoring enemies on the right (they won’t aggro) to enter the Tomb of Oedon.
Tomb of Oedon: Boss Encounter – Father Gascoigne
Boss: Father Gascoigne
Phase 1 & 2 (Human Form): Remember the Tiny Music Box from Viola’s Daughter? Equip it to your quick item slot. Using it every other time will cause Father Gascoigne to clutch his head, opening him to charged attacks. Maintain distance to evade his Hunter Axe and Blunderbuss attacks. After three Music Box uses, regardless of damage dealt, he transforms into a beast. The Music Box will work once in beast form, then become ineffective.
Phase 3 (Beast Form): Strategies for Beast Gascoigne:
- Tombstone Strategy: Utilize tombstones for cover. Throw Oil Urns followed by Molotov Cocktails for significant damage. This can be risky due to his agility and limited item availability.
- Parry and Visceral Attack Strategy: Use his aggression against him. Parry his attacks with gunshots for Visceral Attacks. This is a more reliable strategy if you’re comfortable with parrying.
Recommended Strategy (Parry): Run up the stairs and position yourself for a clear shot when he attacks. Wait for his pounce attack (easiest to counter). Shoot to stagger him, then execute a Visceral Attack. If in danger or running out of space, retreat to the back and drop onto the house to heal (ensure he drops down before turning your back). Repeat this pattern until victory.
Father Gascoigne Beast Form Attacks:
| Phase 3 | Description |
|---|---|
| Claw Combo | Short-range, rapid, difficult to counter due to head movement. |
| Downward Slam | Short-range, two-handed slam, easily countered. |
| Jump Attack | Medium-range pounce with a slash, easiest attack to parry. |
| Aerial Dive | Long-range jump into the air – roll INTO him to avoid. |
Boss Reward: 1,800 Blood Echoes, Oedon Tomb Key
With Father Gascoigne defeated, you have overcome the initial challenges of Central Yharnam. Use the Oedon Tomb Key to proceed further into the hunt. Continue exploring Yharnam, uncovering its secrets, and facing the escalating horrors that await. This Bloodborne PS4 guide will continue to accompany you on your journey, providing detailed walkthroughs for each area and boss encounter.
