Bloodborne offers an arsenal of around twenty melee weapons (called transforming weapons), each with two forms that can be activated in combat. Choosing a weapon is not just about raw damage: it affects the rhythm of attacks, range, the type of scaling with the character’s stats, and the ability to handle groups of enemies or isolated bosses.
Scaling and stats: understanding what makes a weapon effective in Bloodborne
Each weapon in Bloodborne has a scaling coefficient linked to one or more of the hunter’s stats (Strength, Skill, Arcane, Bloodtinge). This coefficient, rated from S (the most effective) to E (the weakest), determines how much additional damage the weapon derives from your invested points.
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A weapon with an A scaling in Skill, like the Cane, benefits more from each point placed in that stat than a weapon with a C scaling. In practical terms, two weapons with similar base damage can perform very differently at high levels depending on your point distribution.
This system explains why the community recommends planning your build around a duo of weapons: a fast and versatile weapon for exploration, and a heavier weapon with high stagger for boss encounters. The inherent weaknesses of each weapon (short range, slow animations, limited scaling) balance each other out with this approach. A comprehensive guide on the essential weapons of Bloodborne allows for quick identification of which weapons suit each type of build.
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Early game weapons: Saw Cleaver, Hunter’s Axe, and Saw Spear
The first weapon choice occurs within the first minutes of the game, in the Hunter’s Dream. Three options are available to the player, and each significantly influences the rest of the game.
Saw Cleaver
The Saw Cleaver remains the most recommended choice for a first run. Its short form offers quick strikes that allow for effective rallying (regaining health by hitting just after taking damage). Its transformed form gains range while maintaining good speed. It benefits from a damage bonus against beast-type enemies, covering a large portion of the bestiary.
Hunter’s Axe
The Hunter’s Axe primarily scales with Strength. Its two-handed form produces wide lateral attacks, useful against multiple enemies. However, experienced players report that its slower animations make it less forgiving in solo play against aggressive groups. Its charged spinning attack remains one of the most devastating in the game against large bosses.
Saw Spear
The Saw Spear constitutes the third early game option. It combines thrusting range and quick attacks, making it particularly suited for cooperative play and fights against mobile bosses. Recent community discussions place it on par with the Saw Cleaver for a first run, with an advantage in distance management.
Mid-game and end-game weapons: where to find them
Beyond the starting trio, several weapons deserve specific attention based on the chosen build.
- Stake Driver: obtainable in the Cathedral Ward, this weapon shines with its ability to chain combos thanks to its fluid transformations during combos. It scales with Strength and Skill in a balanced manner.
- Chikage: accessible after joining the Vilebloods at Cainhurst Castle, it is the weapon of choice for Bloodtinge builds. Its transformed form consumes the hunter’s health in exchange for very high blood damage.
- Blade of Mercy: obtained from Eileen the Crow after her quest, it has the fastest attack speed in the game. Its short range demands a very aggressive playstyle, compensated by devastating Skill combos.
- Holy Moonlight Sword: available in the DLC The Old Hunters, this two-handed sword projects waves of arcane energy. It is the benchmark for mixed Strength/Arcane builds.
Firearms: a tactical support role
Left-hand weapons (pistols, rifles) primarily serve to trigger visceral ripostes. The Hunter’s Pistol and the Blunderbuss remain the two most reliable choices for parrying throughout the game. For Bloodtinge builds, the Evelyn surpasses other firearms in terms of direct damage due to its high scaling in this stat.
Blood Gems and upgrades: maximizing the damage of your Bloodborne weapons
Blood Gems are the final lever of power. Each weapon has several slots for these gems, which add bonuses (physical damage, elemental damage, attack speed). The most effective gems are found in high-depth Chalice Dungeons.
The classic upgrade via Blood Stones (fragments, twin fragments, chunks, then rock) increases base damage and the scaling coefficient. The Blood Stone Rock, necessary to reach the maximum tier, exists only in very limited quantities per playthrough. This cap forces a definitive choice on the main weapon to maximize before the end of the run.
A well-constructed build in Bloodborne relies less on a single weapon than on the synergy between two complementary weapons, suitable gems, and a coherent stat distribution. The upgrade materials are more than sufficient to level two weapons to the intermediate tier, leaving the necessary margin to test different options before committing to a final choice.