Best Bloodborne Builds & Weapons for Old Hunters

This guide covers the strongest Bloodborne builds and weapons for The Old Hunters DLC, which adds new challenges and gear. You’ll learn which stat allocations and weapon pairings work best for the expansion’s brutal bosses and enemy types, helping you prepare for the increased difficulty. The recommendations are based on the game’s mechanics and community-tested strategies.

Understanding The Old Hunters DLC

The Old Hunters expansion for Bloodborne introduces a new area, the Hunter’s Nightmare, along with several challenging bosses and a wealth of new weapons. These weapons are not simple sidegrades; they often introduce entirely new movesets and mechanics, such as transform attacks that chain into different combos or weapons that scale with Arcane in unique ways. The DLC is designed for players who have progressed significantly into the main game, typically recommended for level 65 or higher. The enemies are aggressive and have high health, so your build needs to be well-rounded and your weapon choice should suit your playstyle.

Top Builds for the DLC

While many builds can work, certain stat distributions shine in the DLC due to the new weapons’ scaling and the enemies’ weaknesses. Here are three of the most effective archetypes:

• Quality Build (Strength/Skill): This is the most versatile and forgiving build for the DLC. It allows you to use almost every new weapon effectively, including the Whirligig Saw, Beasthunter Saif, and Church Pick. A typical spread is 50 Vitality, 25 Endurance, 50 Strength, and 50 Skill. This maximizes your damage with most physical weapons and gives you the flexibility to switch between fast and heavy weapons as needed.
• Arcane Build: The DLC adds several weapons with innate Arcane damage or excellent Arcane scaling, like the Holy Moonlight Sword and the Kos Parasite. An Arcane build (50 Arcane, with minimum Strength/Skill to wield your chosen weapon) can deal massive elemental damage. However, it requires a deeper understanding of the game’s gem system to be effective in the late game.
• Bloodtinge Build: For players who prefer ranged combat, the Bloodletter and the Church Cannon are excellent additions. A Bloodtinge build (50 Bloodtinge, 30 Strength) can use the Bloodletter effectively, which transforms into a massive, blood-infused mace. This build is more specialized but offers high burst damage.

Weapon Recommendations by Playstyle

Choosing the right weapon is as important as your stats. Here are some of the best DLC weapons, broken down by how you like to fight:

• For Aggressive, High-Damage Players: The Whirligig Saw is a top choice. Its transformed mode spins a serrated wheel that shreds bosses, especially when combined with Beast Blood Pellets. The Beasthunter Saif offers a unique dash-in attack that lets you close distance quickly and maintain pressure.
• For Tactical, Skill-Based Players: The Church Pick is a thrust-type weapon that deals bonus damage to kin (alien-like enemies), which are common in the DLC. Its moveset is excellent for keeping enemies at bay. The Rakuyo, a dual-blade weapon, is perfect for players who love fast, flowing combos, but it is notoriously difficult to obtain.
• For Arcane or Hybrid Builds: The Holy Moonlight Sword is a legendary weapon that scales with Strength, Skill, and Arcane. Its transformed mode fires arcane beams, making it versatile for both melee and ranged combat. The Kos Parasite is a unique weapon that only works with high Arcane, turning your character into a cosmic horror with long-range tentacle attacks.

How to Choose Your Build and Weapon

To choose the best build for you, consider your preferred playstyle and the stats you’ve already invested in. If you’re starting a new character specifically for the DLC, a Quality build is the safest and most powerful choice for a first playthrough. It allows you to experiment with many weapons without feeling underpowered. If you’re playing with an existing character, check your current stats and see which DLC weapons you can already wield. For example, if you have high Skill, the Rakuyo or Church Pick will be more effective than the Whirligig Saw, which scales primarily with Strength. Always aim for 50 in your primary damage stat and at least 40-50 in Vitality to survive the DLC’s punishing encounters.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is neglecting Vitality. The DLC’s bosses can easily one-shot players with low health. Another is using a weapon that doesn’t match your stats. For example, the Holy Moonlight Sword’s physical damage scales with Strength and Skill, while its arcane beam scales with Arcane. If you have low Arcane, the beam will be weak, so you should focus on melee attacks. A frequent misconception is that the Whirligig Saw is a pure Strength weapon. While it scales well with Strength, it also has good Skill scaling, making it effective on Quality builds. Finally, don’t forget to upgrade your weapon to +10 and equip the best blood gems you can find; a +10 weapon with mediocre gems will often outperform a +9 with poor gems.

Preparing for the DLC’s Hardest Bosses

The Old Hunters features some of the toughest bosses in the game, each requiring a different strategy. For Ludwig the Accursed, a Holy Moonlight Sword or a weapon with high damage and good range is helpful, as he is aggressive in both phases. Lady Maria is a humanoid boss who can be parried, so a weapon with a fast moveset and a good gun (like the Blunderbuss) is recommended. Orphan of Kos is the final boss and is extremely aggressive; a high-damage weapon like the Whirligig Saw can help you stagger him, but you’ll also need good dodging skills. For Laurence, the First Vicar, fire-resistant gear and a weapon with good thrust damage are effective. Always consider using a Beast Blood Pellet to boost your damage, but be aware that it increases damage taken as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level should I be for The Old Hunters DLC?

It’s recommended to be at least level 65, but level 80-100 is more comfortable for most players. The DLC is balanced for late-game characters, and having high Vitality is crucial to survive the bosses’ powerful attacks.

Is the Whirligig Saw the best weapon in the DLC?

It is considered one of the best for pure damage and stagger potential, especially against large bosses. However,

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