Welcome, Hunter, to the nightmare-fueled expansion, The Old Hunters. This DLC plunges you into a forgotten era of Yharnam's history, a time when hunters faced even more horrific abominations and grappled with the very nature of the beastly scourge. This walkthrough will guide you through its treacherous new areas, formidable bosses, and introduce you to a host of new weapons and lore.
The Hunter's Nightmare: First Steps
You will awaken in the Hunter's Nightmare, a twisted reflection of Yharnam. This initial area is a brutal introduction to the DLC's challenges. You'll encounter new enemy types, including the hulking Underground Corpse-Presenter and the agile Hunter Nightmare Executioners. Your primary goal is to navigate this corrupted landscape, find the Hunter's Dream equivalent within the Nightmare, and locate the path forward.
Key landmarks in this early section include the Hunter's Nightmare Lamp, which serves as your primary respawn point, and various scattered notes that offer cryptic clues about the events that transpired here. explore thoroughly, as you'll find valuable items and new weapons, such as the Beast Cutter, scattered throughout the environment.
The Research Hall and Beyond
As you progress, you will eventually reach the Research Hall. This grand, yet disturbing, location is filled with the results of horrific experiments. Here, you'll face enemies like the Living Failures (a boss encounter) and the unsettling Maneater Boar. The Research Hall is a maze of interconnected rooms, secret passages, and verticality. Pay close attention to the environmental storytelling and the fate of the former inhabitants.
Following the path through the Research Hall will lead you towards the Nightmare Frontier and eventually to the iconic boss, Ludwig the Holy Blade. Defeating Ludwig opens up further areas and provides access to his legendary weapon, which can be wielded in two distinct forms.
Confronting the Nightmare's Core
The latter half of The Old Hunters will see you venturing into even more perilous territories, including the Nightmare of Mensis (a different iteration than the one in the base game) and the final boss area. Each new zone introduces more challenging enemies and environmental puzzles. You will encounter the Valtr, a summonable NPC who can aid in certain boss fights, and discover the origins of the beastly plague and the hunters' descent into madness.
The DLC culminates in a series of challenging boss encounters that test your mastery of Bloodborne's combat system. Be prepared for intense battles that require precise dodging, strategic use of your Blood Vials and Quicksilver Bullets, and a deep understanding of your chosen weapon's moveset. The rewards for overcoming these trials are some of the most powerful weapons and lore-rich insights in the entire game.