Born from the mind of Hidetaka Miyazaki and the original team behind the Souls series, Bloodborne Weapons is a gothic marvel remembered for many things: atmosphere, challenging combat, and iconic weapons. Unlike other action RPGs, Bloodborne’s arsenal becomes a character’s identity, just as much as their stats or clothing. With forms that change when wielded, facially gory animations, and rich narratives attached to almost every weapon design, these instruments of the Hunt make combat an art form.
In this article, we will cover the Bloodborne weapons list, the ranking systems, the best possible choices for builds, the crossover speculation like Elden Ring Bloodborne weapons, and even possible tabletop interpretations like Bloodborne weapons 5e. So whether you are a seasoned Hunter or falling from the sky into Yharnam, this breakdown will help decode the power and terror behind every swing, slash, and scatter.
Bloodborne Weapons List: An Overview of Arsenal Options
Bloodborne categorizes its weapons into two types:
- Trick Weapons (Right-Hand) – Transformable melee weapons.
- Firearms (Left-Hand) – Primarily used for parrying and support.
Below is a non-exhaustive but detailed Bloodborne weapons list focusing on the most iconic trick weapons:
Trick Weapons:
- Saw Cleaver – Starter weapon, fast and aggressive.
- Hunter Axe – Powerful with extended reach.
- Threaded Cane – Stylish, whip-like transformation.
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade – Sword/greatsword hybrid.
- Kirkhammer – Sword inside a massive hammer.
- Whirligig Saw – Devastating DPS weapon introduced in The Old Hunters.
- Chikage – Katana that causes blood damage but costs HP.
- Rakuyo – Dual-bladed weapon favored by skill builds.
- Beast Cutter – Excellent crowd-control option.
- Amygdalan Arm – Strength-focused and grotesquely brutal.
Each weapon features unique movesets in both forms and scales with specific stats—primarily Strength, Skill, Bloodtinge, and Arcane.
Best Bloodborne Weapons: Top Picks for Every Playstyle
The definition of “best” varies depending on build and preference, but some weapons stand out due to versatility, raw power, or synergy with multiple playstyles.
Universal Favorites:
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade: A staple for quality builds (balanced Strength and Skill), its transformed greatsword form deals immense damage.
- Saw Cleaver: Ideal for beginners and veterans alike with fast, stagger-heavy attacks and strong rally potential.
- Whirligig Saw: Known for its insane DPS; melts bosses in its buzz-saw form.
- Chikage: Best for Bloodtinge builds—trades HP for devastating arcane/physical slashes.
- Rakuyo: Perfect for agile Skill builds; fast, fluid dual blades with powerful combos.
In terms of scaling and viability across NG+ and PvP, these are considered among the best Bloodborne weapons for most players.
Bloodborne Weapons Tier List: From God-Tier to Meme Picks
Based on damage potential, versatility, PvE/PvP performance, and ease of use, here’s a generalized Bloodborne weapons tier list:
S-Tier (God-Tier)
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade
- Whirligig Saw
- Saw Cleaver
- Rakuyo
A-Tier
- Chikage
- Beast Cutter
- Kirkhammer
- Burial Blade
B-Tier
- Threaded Cane
- Amygdalan Arm
- Holy Moonlight Sword
- Logarius’ Wheel
C-Tier (Niche or Style Over Power)
- Boom Hammer
- Stake Driver
- Reiterpallasch
- Bloodletter
This Bloodborne weapons tier list helps new players identify optimal weapons while letting veterans argue for their style-driven favorites.
Also Read: Primary Arms: Leading Optics Revolution for Modern Shooters
Bloodborne Weapons Ranked: Combat and Style Combined
Beyond just DPS charts, weapon rankings also consider aesthetic appeal, lore integration, and PvP viability. Let’s look at Bloodborne weapons ranked by well-rounded criteria:
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade – Elegant, powerful, lore-rich.
- Whirligig Saw – Savage, unique, high DPS.
- Rakuyo – Fast, stylish, endgame effectiveness.
- Chikage – High-risk, high-reward.
- Saw Cleaver – Accessibility meets efficiency.
- Holy Moonlight Sword – For Arcane builds and Soulsborne nostalgia.
- Kirkhammer – Signature strength-based transformation.
- Threaded Cane – Classy, deadly, underrated.
Every weapon in Bloodborne has personality—no two options feel the same. This uniqueness is what keeps Bloodborne weapons ranked debates active years after launch.
Coolest Bloodborne Weapons: Style Icons of the Hunt
Let’s face it—some weapons are just cool. They might not top the tier list, but they look and feel incredible in action.
Top Picks for Coolest Bloodborne Weapons:
- Holy Moonlight Sword – Emits glowing blue light and arcane blasts.
- Rakuyo – Dual-wielding finesse and visceral flair.
- Stake Driver – Explosive short-range punches of damage.
- Chikage – Blood-soaked katana of the Cainhurst order.
- Logarius’ Wheel – A torture device turned bludgeon.
The coolest Bloodborne weapons often make up for mechanical downsides with unforgettable animations, transformation effects, and storytelling impact.
Best Bloodborne Weapons for Skill Builds
Skill-based builds favor fast, precise attacks and excel in dodging, parrying, and critical strikes.
Ideal Skill Weapons:
- Rakuyo – Arguably the best pure Skill weapon.
- Chikage – Scales with Skill and Bloodtinge; deadly in hybrid builds.
- Reiterpallasch – Rapier with firearm functionality.
- Threaded Cane – Excellent early-game option with finesse style.
- Saw Spear – Slightly more reach and versatility than the Saw Cleaver.
If you’re going for speed and dexterity over brute force, these are the best Bloodborne weapons for Skill builds—especially in PvP duels.
Bloodborne Weapons Locations: Where to Find Your Arsenal
Some of the most powerful weapons require exploration, NPC interaction, or defeating fearsome bosses. Here’s a quick guide to key Bloodborne weapons locations:
- Saw Cleaver – Starter weapon (choose at beginning).
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade – Cathedral Ward; purchase after obtaining Radiant Sword Hunter Badge.
- Whirligig Saw – Found in The Old Hunters DLC, inside the Nightmare Church.
- Rakuyo – Dropped by the Shark Giant in the Fishing Hamlet (Old Hunters).
- Chikage – Buy from Cainhurst Bath Messenger after joining Vilebloods.
Exploration rewards are part of Bloodborne’s identity, and every weapon has its own lore-tied place in the world. Knowing the weapons locations helps plan builds ahead of time.
Bloodborne Weapons Rated by Lore and Design
Beyond combat stats, every Bloodborne weapon is steeped in deep, symbolic lore that reflects the game’s themes of decay, transformation, and madness.
Standout Examples:
- Kirkhammer – Represents the Healing Church’s duality: holiness and brutality.
- Chikage – Symbol of Cainhurst nobility, fueled by blood magic.
- Holy Moonlight Sword – Homage to the FromSoftware legacy.
- Amygdalan Arm – Turns a cosmic being’s limb into a club—nightmarish and brilliant.
These weapons aren’t just rated for damage—they’re rated for how well they fit into Bloodborne’s unsettling narrative universe.
Elden Ring Bloodborne Weapons: Crossovers and Inspirations
While Elden Ring is a separate universe, it shares DNA with Bloodborne. Many players have noticed spiritual successors or outright homages to Bloodborne weapons in Elden Ring’s arsenal.
Examples of Parallels:
- Rivers of Blood (Elden Ring) ← Inspired by Chikage
- Bloodhound’s Fang ← Reminiscent of Rakuyo
- Blasphemous Blade ← Echoes Ludwig’s Holy Blade
- Ghiza’s Wheel ← A loving nod to the Whirligig Saw
While no official crossover exists, the influence is undeniable. Modders and lore theorists continue to explore links between Elden Ring Bloodborne weapons, solidifying a shared legacy.
Bloodborne Weapons 5e: Bringing the Hunt to the Tabletop
For fans who want to merge the terror of Yharnam with Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Bloodborne weapons 5e conversions bring the franchise into tabletop form.
Homebrew Weapon Examples:
- Whirligig Saw 5e – Two-handed weapon that deals ongoing slashing damage.
- Chikage 5e – Enchanted katana; deals necrotic damage and costs HP to activate its blood mode.
- Threaded Cane 5e – Finesse weapon with whip reach in its alternate form.
- Ludwig’s Holy Blade 5e – Versatile longsword that transforms into a greatsword with radiant damage.
Creators on DMs Guild and homebrew sites offer detailed PDFs, and with the gothic horror overlap in some campaigns (like Curse of Strahd), these weapons feel right at home.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Bloodborne’s Arsenal
Bloodborne has the strongest weapon design in form, function, and flavor. Each sword, cleaver, and arcane projectile has a story and combat potential. There is a weapon to suit your Hunter’s story, whether you favor raw damage, nimbleness, or Io’s embrace.
The best Bloodborne weapons for Skill builds, tier lists of beloved weapons, and crossover homebrews like Bloodborne weapons into 5e shows that Bloodborne’s arsenal remains one of the most recognizable in gaming history. Ongoing community discussion, fan mods, D&D conversions, and so much more mean that Bloodborne’s weapons live beyond the haunted streets of Yharnam.
