Character Skills

Character Skills – Comprehensive Guide

Bloodborne does not have a traditional skill tree. Instead, your character's capabilities are defined by Attribute Levels, Hunter Tools (spells), Caryll Runes (passive buffs), and Weapon Techniques. This guide covers all character development systems, including origins, attributes, every hunter tool, rune effects, and core combat abilities.

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1. Character Creation – Origins (Starting Classes)

Your choice of Origin determines starting attribute points. All Origins can eventually reach the same maximum level (99 in each stat, up to level 544). The only difference is the starting stat spread. Choose based on your intended build.

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2. Attributes (Stats)

Leveling up increases attributes using Blood Echoes. Soft caps determine diminishing returns. Hard cap is 99.

Leveling Priority:

• Early game: VIT to 20-30, then damage stat to 25.


• Mid game: VIT to 40, damage stat to 40-50, END to 20-25.


• Late game: Push VIT to 50, damage stat to 50, then invest in secondary stats.

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3. Hunter Tools (Spells / Abilities)

Hunter Tools are items consumed from your quick slots that use Quicksilver Bullets (QS Bullets) and require a minimum Arcane level. They are the equivalent of spells in Bloodborne. Each tool has a bullet cost and effect.

#### Offensive Tools

#### Defensive / Utility Tools

Arcane Scaling: Most tools scale their damage with Arcane up to 99. The formula varies, but a common breakpoint is 50 Arcane for strong outputs. For tools like Call Beyond, 70+ Arcane significantly increases projectile count.

Recommended Arcane Thresholds: 15 (basic tools), 25 (decent), 40 (strong), 50 (very strong), 70+ (max damage).

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4. Caryll Runes (Passive Buffs)

Caryll Runes are equippable items (like rings/charms) that provide passive bonuses. You can equip up to 4 Runes: 1 each in Rune Workshop (Memory Rune, Guidance Rune, etc.). Actually: you unlock rune slots via collecting Caryll Rune Tools (from Witch of Hemwick). Slots: 3 base + 1 via Deep Pthumeru Chalice (later).

Runes are categorized by shape: Radiance, Lake, Stench, Dissipating, etc. But for practical purposes, here are the most valuable runes grouped by effect:

#### Health & Stamina
#### Damage Reduction & Resistances
#### Bullet & Vial Management
#### Damage Amplification
#### Special Runes (from Chalices or DLC)

• Blood Rapture: Restore HP on visceral kill (up to +300 HP).


• Heir: Gain extra Blood Echoes on visceral kill (up to +40%).


• Guidance (rally): heal back up to +30% of damage taken.


Rune Slot Priority: Typically 1 HP boost (Clockwise Metamorphosis), 1 stamina boost (Anti-Clockwise), 1 defense (Great Lake or specific resistance), 1 utility (Formless Oedon for bullets or Clawmark for visceral).

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5. Combat Techniques & Special Moves



Bloodborne’s combat relies on weapon transformations and contextual moves. These are not unlocked via skill points; they are inherent to weapons and the player’s actions.

#### Trick Weapon Transformations
Every right-handed weapon has two forms. Press L1 to transform mid-combat. This can be chained into attacks (Transform Attacks).

• Example: Saw Cleaver: Form 1 (short blade) fast; Form 2 (extended) slower but longer range. L1 attack while attacking deals extra damage (Transform Attack bonus).


• Synergy: Using transformation after a dodge or roll creates unique moves.


#### Visceral Attack
A critical attack performed after a parry (shooting an enemy mid-attack) or a backstab (charged R2 to the back).

• Damage scales with Skill (SKL). Use Clawmark rune for +30% damage.


• Stamina cost is low, but recovery is long. Use when enemy is staggered.


• Weapon scaling: Visceral damage also depends on weapon's thrust attack gems? (Actually no, only SKL and runes).


#### Rally (Health Recovery)
After taking damage, a portion of your health bar appears in orange. Hitting enemies within a few seconds recovers that health. The rally amount depends on weapon (e.g., Saw Cleaver has high rally potential).

• Rune Guidance improves rally percentage.


• Rally is the core risk-reward mechanic; aggressiveness pays off.


#### Parry
Fire your firearm just as an enemy attacks to stagger them. Then approach and press R1 for a Visceral Attack.

• Only works on humanoid or beast enemies that can be staggered. Not all attacks are parriable.


• Bullets cost 1 each. Use Bone Marrow Ash for more damage (but not necessary).


#### Backstab
Charge a heavy attack (hold R2) to an enemy's back. They will fall to their knees. Press R1 to perform a Visceral Attack.

• Best used on slow enemies or those unaware of you.


• Works on bosses? Only some (e.g., Mergo's Wet Nurse, Nightmare of Mensis).


#### Quickstepping & Rolling

• Quickstep (dodge while locked on): Consumes stamina, provides brief invincibility frames. Use to circle around bosses.


• Roll (dodge while unlocked): Covers more distance. Use for escaping large AoEs.


• Backstep (tap circle without moving): Quick retreat, can be followed by a backstep attack (R1).


#### Charge Attacks & Follow-ups
Hold R2 for a charge attack. On most weapons, a fully charged R2 can stagger or knock down enemies. Follow up with R1 for a special attack (e.g., Saw Cleaver's double charged R2).

#### Jump Attacks
While running, press R2 to perform a jumping attack that deals heavy damage and can stagger.

#### Lure & Sneak Attacks
Use Pebbles or Throwing Knives to draw one enemy. While they are walking away, you can backstab or hit them with a charged R2.

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6. Recommended Builds & Skill Synergies



#### A. Quality Build (STR/SKL)

• Attributes: VIT 50, END 25, STR 50, SKL 50, BLT base, ARC base.


• Weapons: Ludwig’s Holy Blade, Saw Cleaver, Hunter Axe.


• Runes: Clockwise Metamorphosis, Anti-Clockwise, Great Lake, Clawmark.


• Strategy: Universal damage on most weapons. High visceral damage. Use transform attacks.


#### B. Skill / Visceral Build

• Attributes: VIT 40, END 20, STR 25, SKL 50, BLT base, ARC 15 (for Old Hunter Bone).


• Weapons: Blades of Mercy, Threaded Cane, Rakuyo.


• Runes: Clawmark (+30% visceral), Blood Rapture (HP on visceral), Heir (echoes on visceral).


• Strategy: Parry everything. Use Old Hunter Bone for evasion. Kill bosses via viscerals.


#### C. Strength / Arcane Build

• Attributes: VIT 50, END 20, STR 50, SKL base, BLT base, ARC 50.


• Weapons: Logarius’ Wheel (split phys/arcane), Amygdalan Arm, Tonitrus.


• Tools: Empty Phantasm Shell, A Call Beyond, Executioner's Gloves.


• Strategy: Buff weapon with arcane. Use tools at range. Wheel transformed deals massive arcane damage.


#### D. Bloodtinge Build

• Attributes: VIT 50, END 20, STR base (enough for Chikage? It requires 10 STR), SKL 25 (for Evelyn scaling? Actually Evelyn scales with BLT only), BLT 50, ARC base.


• Weapons: Chikage (transformed uses HP but deals blood damage), Evelyn (best BLT firearm), Simon’s Bowblade (bow form uses BLT).


• Runes: Formless Oedon (+bullets), Guidance (rally to offset HP drain).


• Strategy: Use transformed Chikage for high damage, heal via rally on enemies. Bone Marrow Ash + Evelyn for massive bullet damage.


#### E. Arcane Caster Build

• Attributes: VIT 50, END 20, STR 25 (for elemental weapons), SKL base, BLT base, ARC 99.


• Weapons: Fire Saw Spear (convert with fire gem), Holy Moonlight Sword (ARC scaling), Kos Parasite (only ARC).


• Tools: All arcane tools. Prioritize Call Beyond, Blacksky Eye, Augur of Ebrietas.


• Runes: Clockwise Metamorphosis, Great Lake, Formless Oedon, Eye (more item discovery).


• Strategy: Use tools from distance. Augur for backstabs. Empty Phantasm Shell on non-arcane weapon for extra damage.


#### F. Endurance-focused (for fun)

• Not recommended primary, but can push END to 40 for high stamina. Works with fast weapons like Blades of Mercy.


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7. Combos & Advanced Techniques



Basic Combos:

• Sword (light): R1 x2-3, then L1 transform attack.


• Axe charged R2: Can be followed by another charged R2 or a rolling R1.


• Saw Cleaver: R1, R1, L1 (transform swipe) then L1 again to revert.


Advanced:

• Quickstep + R1: Lunging attack, good for closing distance.


• Backstep + R1: Retreating poke, useful for spacing.


• Running R2: Jump attack, crushes posture.


• Transformation attacks (L1 after any attack) deal bonus damage and can break enemy stance. Use them often.


Visceral Chain: Backstab -> Visceral -> while enemy is standing up, you can charge R2 again? Usually not enough time, but for large enemies you might get a second backstab if you delay the visceral.

Parry + Bone Marrow Ash: Shoot with BMA for high bullet damage, but then you cannot visceral if enemy died. Better to parry and then visceral.

Spell Combos:

• Augur of Ebrietas can be used to counter an enemy attack (like a parry) and you can chain into Visceral. Works on some bosses.


• Blacksky Eye can be spammed repeatedly due to low cost.


• Executioner's Gloves -> while homing skulls fly, you can melee attack for extra damage.

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8. When to Use Each Skill / Mechanic

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9. Summary

In Bloodborne, your character's “skills” are shaped by your attribute choices, equipped runes, and mastery of combat mechanics. There is no skill tree to unlock; instead, you gradually level up and choose which tools to invest in. The most important “skills” to learn are:
1. Timing of dodges and parries (crucial for survival).
2. Weapon transformation combos (maximize damage).
3. Rally mechanic (aggressive health recovery).
4. Bullet management (for tools and parrying).
5. Rune setup (tailor to boss or area).

By understanding all of the above, you can design any character build and use any skill effectively. Experiment with different tools and weapons to find your playstyle. Remember: Bloodborne rewards aggression, but calculated aggression.