Surviving Bloodborne - Part: Two

"Now I have a Holy Blade. Ho ho ho."

This is Part Two of Surviving Bloodborne.  Head over to Part One if you’ve missed it.

A video game guide by Hank: Twitter / Twitch

WALLS AND DOORWAYS:

Bloodborne doesn't hold back on you when it's pounding your character into the ground, so if there's anyway to relieve that pressure—even if the tactic seems cheap—use it to your advantage.  Some enemies are either too big or too wide to fit through a doorway.  And boy, is that the perfect opportunity to sit back and attack from afar as they struggle to get through.  For instance, when dealing with multiple werewolves, always run through the nearest doorway and wait for them to attempt to get in.  Then one by one, hack and slash their asses until all the werewolves are stacked up like piles of beef.  Don't feel ashamed by this tactic, because sooner or later you're going to get creamed anyway, so take advantage of the game while you can. 

The other fun thing to do is use walls to your advantage.  In the world of Bloodborne, apparently most walls are magic barriers that only hold back your character and not their weapon.  So the next time you're having trouble with an opponent, run through a doorway or around some type of structure and then strike through it.  Enemies will most likely stay stuck to the wall or structure, trying to get to you, as you strategically plant your weapon upon their face.  Now, you may think you're slick using this tactic, but beware: these silly walls also affect enemies in the same way.  So if they're stuck to a wall swinging some type of weapon and you're too close…say goodnight, because they will magically rip your face off from the other side.  So use the walls to your advantage, but stay a safe distance until you're ready to strike.

"Here I am having a perfectly nice lunch next to this gorgeous tree, and some giant A-hole has to

come along with his stupid lantern and ugly hair, and ruin it."

SHORTCUT ELEVATORS ARE YOUR FRIEND:

Every level or area in Bloodborne has a short cut at some point to get further into the level without having to run the entire way.  Use these elevators to your advantage as best you can.  If you've been going for a while through a level, odds are there's an elevator somewhere close or you might have missed it.  So always take the time to search the entire area for these shortcuts.  They'll allow you to quickly go back to the Hunter's Dream and level up and then come back to the exact same spot.  Don't forget though, elevators have to be activated to work.  So if you're not going to use it at that moment, at least run in and out of it to activate it.  That way if you die, you can still use the elevator when you return.

CHECK THE BATH MESSENGERS OFTEN:

Bath Messengers are the little skeleton guys hanging out in the birdbath type things when you go back to the Hunter's dream.  They offer various items (clothing, weapons, augmentations, blood vials, etc.) to help you through the game.  But here's the thing: as you progress through and kill certain Bosses and such, you'll gain badges which will allow you to buy different weapons or armor and if you don't check them at least once after each level, you may miss out on something very important or helpful.

INVENTORY BANKING:

Characters in Bloodborne have magical bags that allow them to carry items over their limit.  For instance, your character can only hold 20 blood vials at any one time (24 with a special upgrade later in the game), but that doesn't mean if you come across another blood vial you shouldn't pick it up.  If you're holding your limit in any one item and you pick up another one, it magically gets banked back at the Hunter's Dream.  Now this doesn't mean if you use a blood vial that it magically gets replaced.  No, your immediate inventory will show 19 blood vials instead of 20.  But if you die or head back to the Hunter's Dream, then your inventory will be refreshed.  So if you've banked a ton of blood vials and only have three in your inventory with a Boss fight right around the corner, best thing to do is head back to the Hunter's Dream to refresh your inventory (and level up if you can) and then go back to your last spot using a shortcut that you found and fight the Boss with a full amount of blood vials.

"I told you guys to leave me alone while I'm eating.  I even offered you some of my PB & J.  But no,

you had to try and gnaw at my ankles.  *sniffle* We could have been friends." 

BOSSES:

Well this is it.  The last piece of advice P&P can offer in Bloodborne.  Just as stated in the "How to fight" area of this guide, always…always study your opponents attacks first, before rushing in blind like a jackass.  This is the first and most important rule when dealing with bosses.  How do you do this?  By simply running up to a boss or even the other Hunters in the game and then backing up and watching how they attack.  Do you even Math?  Counting is important while fighting Bosses.  Why?  Because most will strike with a certain pattern.  They may swing three or four times in a row and knowing when their last strike will happen is essential to rolling forward and landing a hit yourself.  So roll in and roll out and then watch and learn.  This is the number one tactic when dealing with any Boss.

Now, there are two types of Bosses in Bloodborne (with a tiny exception here and there): small and large.  When facing humongous bosses like Vicar Amelia or The One Reborn or The Cleric Beast, your best option is to roll to the inside of these bosses after they strike.  Pretty much staying under them is your best tactic to winning the fight.  Some large bosses will swing in a 360 degree circle, so you may have to wait until the attack is over and then dive in and pound the crap out of them.  But generally speaking…if the boss is huge, stay underneath and whack away.  Smaller bosses are much trickier.  When you finally face bosses like The Shadow of Yharnam or the Blood-Starved Beast or the last boss, or even the several other Hunters spread throughout the game, staying on the inside of them is a sure way to get killed.  They move faster.  Swing faster.  And spin around faster.  So diving toward them will only give them an opportunity to punch you in the face.  It's best to dive away while they strike, dive back in, strike once and then get out. 

This leads to the second most important rule when dealing with bosses.  Never get greedy.  You're going to get that itch that tells you to stay next to the boss and swing just one more time and it's a sure way to get your face pounded.  Don't be greedy.  If you've gotten in a couple of hits or just one hit and the boss is winding up, get the hell out of there.  Sure the battle may take you a minute longer to fight, but at least you won't be dead and have to do the whole thing over again. 

OPTIONAL BOSSES:

Throughout Bloodborne there are optional bosses that can be fought for new badges that will give you either: new areas to explore, new weapons, or new armor.  And some of them are even harder than the main story's bosses.  If you want all the trophies and want to fully explore the game of Bloodborne than kill each and every one of them.  But here's a secret: if you're having trouble beating one, then just leave them for now.  You can always come back and crush their face later.  In fact, you have the option to go anywhere at any time as long as you haven't fought the very last boss.  Once you fight that boss…then the game is over.  So build your character into a badass and then just before you take on the last boss, go back and mop the floor with every optional boss you had a tough time killing previously.

"Man, I look badass right now.  All I need is the perfect tune for this moment."  

*Hits play on Walkman*

...What's new, Pussycat? Whoa, whoa.  What's new, Pussycat? Whoa, whoa...

"Perfect."   

CONCLUSION:

Bloodborne is the type of game that when you first begin, it will make you want to pull your hair out.  But with a little time, some patience, lots of deaths, and with the help of this guide, you'll begin to play Bloodborne to relax.  That's right…after you've learned and have played the game so much, you'll actually start it up and enjoy the face smashing and vase breaking.  Bloodborne may be challenging, but with a tiny of bit of perseverance, it can be one of the most satisfying games you have ever played.  Thanks for reading.

Surviving Bloodborne - Part: One

"Come out to Yharnam, we'll get together, have a few laughs..."

A video game guide by Hank: Twitter / Twitch

So you came here because you want to turn on Bloodborne, grab a controller, and run through the game like you were taking a Sunday stroll through a park, right?  Maybe you even want to crush the game in one sitting and then tell the world about your video game greatest.  Well…you better strap on your big-boy pants and put the controller in a protective rubber slip, because that baby is probably going to go flying no matter how many articles you read, how many walkthroughs you watch, or even how many tips you receive.  Because Bloodborne wasn't made to be easy—sure you can lessen the pain—but the hurt is still going to come no matter how much you prepare.  Now, if you still want a tad bit of help so that you don't pull out all your hair—just some—then please continue on.  Just know that no matter how much stress you endure during your travels in Bloodborne…in the end it's all worth it.

DYING IS A FACT OF LIFE:

If you think you're not supposed to die in Bloodborne, the game will remedy that feeling about three minutes in, when a werewolf eats your face and you stare at the screen dumbfounded and confused.  But relax, dying in Bloodborne is good.  Not in the sense that you've lost, but in the sense that hopefully you've learned something.  Did a walking basket of skulls rip your head off?  Well now you know not to go near it without a massive sword on your back.  Did a boss step on your face?  Now you know to avoid that one foot.  See…every time you die in Bloodborne you learn a lesson.  And each time you learn a lesson, you become a better player.  So instead of dropping the controller and kicking the TV, just head back into the game with one purpose in mind: to get your blood echoes back.  This is what makes the game so addictive.  It's not the end of the world when you die.  You have a chance to pick up exactly where you left off…so take it.

"Figures...right in the middle of combat, and I have to take a piss.  It's just no good to get old."

YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE:

Weapons in Bloodborne are no small matter.  When you first start, you are given the choice of your first two weapons in the game without a fee.  Every weapon gained from then on, must be achieved by either killing something or for an exchange of blood echoes.  So even if you pick a weapon that doesn't suit your play style, you can always go back and obtain the one that will.

But the question is: what is your play style?  Do you want to wield a heavy weapon that does the most damage, but takes the longest to swing?  Then you want the Hunter Axe.  If you want a fast weapon that doesn't do a lot of damage, but will surprise foes with its quickness, then you want the Threaded Cane.  If you can't decide on either, then choose the middle of the road with the Saw Cleaver.  There's also a secondary weapon you can wield in the game, which is some form of gun at first.  The Hunter Pistol will fire quicker, but does less damage and the Hunter Blunderbuss does more damage, but fires slower.  Unless you want either of these two weapons to be your primary weapon in the game, then the Hunter Pistol would be the best choice for its quickness…at least in your first play through. 

Also, keep in mind, only one—that's ONE—weapon can be upgraded to a plus ten by the end of the game.  Throughout your play through, you'll pick up items to fortify your weapons, but to get your weapon to the highest level (a plus ten) you need a Blood Rock, and there's only one in the entire game and it doesn't come until near the end.  So do your best to use and love one weapon in the game and upgrade it, because if you spread all your upgrade items across many different weapons, by the end of the game, you'll be swinging for the fences and not doing any damage.  And that's just going to be a bad time.  Now, if you want a heavy weapon that does a lot of damage, has fantastic knock-back, and will constantly be useful throughout the game, then Ludwig's Holy Blade is a very good option.

ALLOCATING POINTS:

In the very beginning and throughout the game, you'll get the option to upgrade your character.  And doing so will make or break your character by the time you get towards the endgame.  It is highly recommended that your first play through be focused on strength, as swinging a weapon at anything that moves is the easiest form of game to comprehend.  But what the hell does focusing on strength mean?  Well, you basically want to be a tank like character.  You want to be able to take the damage while also dishing it out.  So when leveling up, drop points in Vitality (to increase your health bar) and strength (to make you hit harder).  Now with that in mind, the next two attributes you should drop points in every few levels or so are: endurance (you'll want to swing that heavy sword more often without getting tired) and skill (allows you to use certain special weapons throughout the game and increases your damage output).  Those are the four main attributes you'll want to focus on if you want to be a Tank type character. 

Now there are two attributes left: Bloodtinge and Arcane.  Bloodtinge increases the amount of damage your secondary weapon does (for example the Hunter Pistol) and Arcane increase your magic damage.  It is highly recommended you do not sink too many points in either during your first play through, as leveling up both will increase the difficulty of the game.  If you really want a challenge, then by all means go for it, but if you want to learn the ropes of Bloodborne first, then Tank is the way to go.  Also keep in mind that there is New Game Plus once you've beaten the game, so during that run-through you can try leveling up your magic just to feel it out, without it being too detrimental to your health.

"You would think with all the bullsh*t I just went through, they'd at least install an 

escalator or something." 

LEVELING UP:

The object of Bloodborne is to become such a badass that towards the end or even the middle of the game you're taking down foes that are the size of mountains.  But how can that be possible with a game that's built to punish you?  Bloodborne is hard, but it's not here to give you nightmares.  You have to know how to strategize and the first thing to learn is when to level up.  So when do you level up?  As you as you get a frigging chance…that's when.  Why?  Because it'll make you a better player and stronger character.  If you're in the middle of a level or area and are close to leveling up, but the Boss is right there in front of you...stop moving forward.  Go back towards a lantern and level your character up first, always.  Never, ever run into a Boss battle loaded with echoes.  You may get your ass handed to you and have a tough time picking those blood echoes up the next time you face that same Boss.  And then you've lost all the experience you've gained.  So if you're debating between leveling up and taking on a Boss…don't…just head back to the lantern and level up. 

Now you may be thinking, "Yes, but then I'll have to fight all the same enemies over again because they respawn."  Exactly.  You could choose to run past every one and go straight for the Boss (and if you're a high level or in NG+ then go right ahead), but if this is your first run through, then you should spend the time farming the level to gain experience and become a better player.  See…what you don't know is every time you run through a level again and take on more foes; you're actually getting better at the game.  With this strategy, it's possible to run through the game taking down almost every Boss the first time—including the last Boss—if you know when to stop moving forward and level up your character.  This will ease the pain of getting to the glorious end of Bloodborne.

FARMING:

Farming goes hand and hand with leveling up.  This is no secret…you will have to farm for blood echoes and/or blood vials at one point in the game.  You could try to run through Bloodborne without farming, but it's a guaranteed bad time.  And more than likely you will quit the game and probably never return.  But here's the good part about farming: Bloodborne is completely and utterly fun to farm.  With all the unique enemies and levels in the game, you should never get bored.  And with the constant urge to grow your character into a badass you shouldn't have a problem with farming.  In fact, you should want to farm as much as possible.  But the real question is where are the best spots to farm?

In the beginning of the game you really have no choice but to farm whichever level you've gotten to so far.  The good thing is you'll become better at the game by farming and you'll come to know certain areas like the back of your hand, so it'll be easier and easier to farm the same level.  But there are better spots to farm once you've gotten almost to the end of the game.  How do you judge the best spots for farming?  By seeing how many blood echoes can be obtained per minute played.  And the best spot by far for farming is Mergo's Loft: Middle.  Unfortunately, you won't get to this part of the game until almost the very end.  The second best spot for farming is the Lecture Building first floor.  And if you've gained access to the second floor, then farming both areas will bring in a hefty chunk of blood echoes also.  But it still goes without saying that once you gain access to Mergo's Loft: Middle, spend some time there before moving forward toward the endgame.

"See...now this is what happens when you continuously breed Chihuahuas with every 

other dog out there."

HOW TO FIGHT:

Bloodborne is all about studying your opponents.  Never run right up to a new opponent and attempt to swing for the fences.  Why?  Because you never know how they'll react.  Instead, if you can, slow walk up to them and hit them with your heaviest attack and then try for a visceral…and then—if it's not dead—get the hell out of there.  Back up as far as you can go and watch their attack pattern.  This also goes for Bosses too, but we'll get to them later.  Every foe in Bloodborne is not only unique in design, but is also very unique in how they attack.  So always size up your opponent first, and then figure out what's the best way to deal with them.

Bloodborne also doesn't want you to run once you get hit by an opponent.  Instead, the game wants you to push forward.  It even grants a percentage of your health back when you do push forward.  So if you find yourself in trouble and have just been attacked, don't turn tail and run like a wussy.  Stand your ground and swing back a couple of times.  And once you’ve gained back some health, roll the hell out of there.  Speaking of rolling, unless the enemy swings its weapon in a 360 degree circle, always roll forward and under their attack.  In most instances, you'll end up directly behind them with their beautiful backside just waiting to get sliced up or flattened, depending on your weapon of choice.

To be continued…

COMING UP IN PART TWO:

Using Walls and Doorways to your Advantage.

Elevator Shortcuts.

Bath Messengers.

Inventory Banking.

How to Fight Bosses.

How to Fight Optional Bosses.

Click here for Part Two