Trick Weapons: Melee Combat — Bloodborne Guide
Bloodborne's combat is defined by its unique and versatile trick weapons. These weapons can transform between two distinct forms, offering a dynamic and adaptable combat experience. Mastering the nuances of each trick weapon is essential for any hunter aiming to survive the night.
Each trick weapon in Bloodborne has a primary form and a transformed form, activated by pressing the L1 button. The transformation itself often comes with a unique attack, adding another layer of offensive capability. Understanding when and how to switch between forms is key to maximizing damage output and controlling enemy encounters.
Key Trick Weapon Mechanics:
- Two Forms: Every trick weapon has a distinct short-range form and a longer-range, often more powerful, transformed form.
- Transformation Attacks: Pressing L1 initiates a transformation attack, which can be used to extend combos, catch enemies off guard, or create distance.
- Weapon Scaling: Weapons scale with your character's stats (Strength, Skill, Bloodtinge, Arcane). The letter grade (S, A, B, C, D, E) indicates how effectively a weapon benefits from a particular stat.
- Weapon Upgrades: Trick weapons can be upgraded at the workbench in the Hunter's Dream using Blood Stone Shards and other materials, increasing their base damage and improving their stat scaling.
Notable Trick Weapons and Their Uses:
| Weapon | Short Form | Transformed Form | Primary Scaling | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Cleaver | Short, fast cleaver. | Longer, serrated saw. | Strength | Excellent against beasts due to serrated bonus. Versatile for most situations. |
| Saw Spear | Short, fast spear. | Longer, serrated spear with thrusting attacks. | Skill | Similar to Saw Cleaver but with a focus on thrust damage in transformed mode. |
| Hunter's Axe | One-handed axe. | Two-handed polearm with wide sweeps. | Strength | Great for crowd control and staggering enemies. Charged R2 is devastating. |
| Ludwig's Holy Blade | One-handed sword. | Two-handed greatsword with wide, sweeping attacks. | Strength/Skill | A powerful all-around weapon, especially when upgraded. Found in the DLC. |
| Blades of Mercy | Dual daggers. | Extended dual blades with rapid attacks. | Skill | Extremely fast attacks, ideal for aggressive playstyles and exploiting openings. |
| Chikage | One-handed katana. | Two-handed katana that drains HP but deals high Bloodtinge damage. | Skill/Bloodtinge | A high-risk, high-reward weapon for Bloodtinge builds. |
Combat Strategy:
The key to effective trick weapon combat is adaptability. Use the short form for quick, close-range engagements and parries. Switch to the transformed form to control space, deal with multiple enemies, or exploit longer openings. The transformation attack itself can be a crucial part of your combo, allowing you to seamlessly transition between forms and keep the pressure on.
Experiment with different weapons to find those that best suit your playstyle and stat distribution. The variety of trick weapons ensures that there is a tool for every hunter and every challenge Yharnam can throw at you.