Bloodborne - GOTD edition

[joemul]

And that's OoK down. Died about 6 times on the spin before using the Beckoning Bell. The guy who came along died with OoK down to 1/3 health. I didn't think I'd do it even then but somehow managed it. 

 

Went and beat G on my 3rd try, and MP first time. I was quite pleased as I co-op'd these two in my first run through of the game as I was feeling a bit fatigued by the end. This time round I'm quite gutted that's it's finished. 

[RareBirds]

Started the dlc yesterday - really, really good. Not sure if it's because I've been doing a load of Chalice Dungeons (which seem a bit mindless) but it was really good to be back in really well designed levels and working out how it all links back on itself. Those upgraded executioner types are something - I ended up cheesing the first one by getting him stuck on the door. The two together I eventually ran past and they reset so I could sneakily charged r2 then from behind otherwise I was short of ideas for them. 

 

Haven't fought a boss yet - there was a giant cleric beast on fire which I thought I might have been meant to trigger to fight but I bottled it and just took the item in his hand and ran away. Just got the second lamp so I assume a boss is a short run away. 

[robdood]

@ joemul - censor that boss name, please?  That's the only one in the game that's truly worth keeping a secret!

[Coltrane]

9 minutes ago, dood said:

@ joemul - censor that boss name, please?  That's the only one in the game that's truly worth keeping a secret!

 

Yeah I was a bit annoyed at reading that as I'm playing through the game for the first time and trying to avoid spoilers. I know it's not easy with a 10 month old game.

[Hexx]

9 minutes ago, SuperMBo said:

Started the dlc yesterday - really, really good. Not sure if it's because I've been doing a load of Chalice Dungeons (which seem a bit mindless) but it was really good to be back in really well designed levels and working out how it all links back on itself. Those upgraded executioner types are something - I ended up cheesing the first one by getting him stuck on the door. The two together I eventually ran past and they reset so I could sneakily charged r2 then from behind otherwise I was short of ideas for them. 

 

Haven't fought a boss yet - there was a giant cleric beast on fire which I thought I might have been meant to trigger to fight but I bottled it and just took the item in his hand and ran away. Just got the second lamp so I assume a boss is a short run away. 

 

Re your assumption 

 

Yeah!

 

Did you find the shortcut back to the first lamp half way through btw? There seemed to be an NPC who I'm assuming is important like some of the others.

 

The Executioners (STOP USING THE REAL NAMES) are great fun. Parry, Visc, stroll on like a boss.

 

Much like SuperMBO I'm finding the DLC a great change of pace after some horrific gimmick areas late in the main game, and the more boring Challice dungeons. LMotAT might be my favorite boss in the game so far. Mechanics, setting and music  

 

Not sure about the graphics in my current area - but dark and grim, but all the areas have been a lovely mix of winding paths and cut backs. RH was brilliant. I'm thinking I might have to switch to a rune that regens bullets though as I'm parrying like a beast (1 time in 4. So much ammo use! :P)

 

I'm up to the 2nd lamp in the hamlet.

 

So the Research Hall is "clearly" where they started experimenting with blood. Horrific there with all the transfusion materials and ScroteHeads.

 

I killed so many things I'm not sure I should have, or started speaking to me after the weapon's started swinging. I know this is a "nightmare" but it's linked to GC and UCW based on the settings about the place.

 

I thought there was using orphans, but from chap at the Hamlet it seems the were experimenting on a village? the fish monster things seem quasi human, and bleed white which normally means great one experimentation

 

Maria is the doll right? They looked stupidly similar, and then the doll basically confessed as much. Gonna guess this area reveals something horrible about Ghemin/The Hunters and she's hiding it cus...reasons. She seemed nice (before murderous). Had she commited suicide? It looked like her throat was cut before she got up...

 

Is it her grave by the workshop? The doll prays at it lots and you got the tp-dodge hunter bone thing there (that she seems to use) - it's also mentioned in the set (which looks aces) that Ghermin was manic about her...if she killed herself that would push him on...

 

I've got down the well to go (which seemed horrid from my brief exploration) and past the lighthouse...I got invaded there by a friend of the bastard from the cell. Killed him but something started shooting lightning at me so left.

 

Just realized I have the other end of blood river to explore as well. There was a cave but I left it alone after a death and then got sucked into another route and forgot.

 

Re: Cell dude/&invader - cell dude seems a hunter, like maria, that's obsessed with protecting the secret. He seems to know about the bell tolling (even happy about it) and that the executioners are coming. Simon (I'm assuming based on the weapon name...love the weapon) wanted the secret exposed and seems to have been murdered by the invader too.

 

 

 

[JohnnyRyall]

The runes that recover bullets and health from viscerals are really helpful. I have them more or less permanently equipped, and never have to worry about running out of bullets (I don't use arcane tools and the like much).

 

Also, you get a bonus from having them equipped during a certain boss you'll soon encounter who's very open to being parried.

[Hexx]

Yeah - atm I'm running a +Echos rune (although tempted to see if they stack) +4QS capacity and Damage Resistence.

 

I'm thinking that recovered of bullets and potentially health might be better. I've got parrying down now on the most part.

How many bullets does it give back. Out of 20 bullets I'd like to say I can get 4 parries, so even if only 1 recovered, it's the same.

[joemul]

Really sorry about my slip above, everyone.  Amended it now. 

[Kevvy Metal]

First play through - approx 60 hours. Quality Build spreading stats out over loads of weapons. 

Second play through - approx 40 hours, Dex build with +10 Saw Cleaver.

Third play through - approx 20 hours, STR build with +10 Kirkhammer. 

 

My Third play through was the most fun. This game gets more fun the more you play it which pretty remarkable. I just felt like an utter beast ripping the game apart. 

So now Level 80 on the nose - everything pumped into VIT and STR with END around 27 - and about to get into the DLC area.

From my small amount of time with the new content, level 80 in NG feels about right. 

[Davros sock drawer]

Yes, although I dipped my toe in at level 65, I was at level 80 when I beat the first DLC boss.

 

You'll love the DLC. And it's quite generous with the new toys...

[Kevvy Metal]

Yeah! I'm pumped! I had a weee peek to see how like SKL I could get away with the wield the new weapons that aren't specifically Skill based so got my guy set up at 12 SKL. 

It's fast becoming top 5 favourite games ever. 

[RareBirds]

3 hours ago, Hexx said:

 

Did you find the shortcut back to the first lamp half way through btw? There seemed to be an NPC who I'm assuming is important.

Yeah found that NPC - I told him I loved secrets too. I'm pretty sure we'll become fast friends and he'll totally not go mad or end up dead like every single other person I try and be nice to. In retrospect, Yarnham might have been better off without my input.

[Hexx]

I've only accidentally killed two people (ignoring all the ones in the RH which really weren't my fault), and purpose killed one other (SuperMBO you might want to stop reading at the second. The third is vague though)

 

 

Spoiler

Eileen I got to her outside the Cathedral. Then lovely dork Kauwiks sent me a message, put the controller down to read it and must have put pressure on shoulder pad. She died quick. Oh well.

 

Arianna, the blood whore. I was freaked out by her FUCKING DEMON SPAWN. After about 5 minutes of deliberation I decided that it had to die, and used a power attack for dramatic effect. Which I forgot had a much longer range. So thrust through the DEMON SPAWN and then impaled the crying Arianna in the chest. Oh well. She probably wouldn't have wanted to live with herself anyway.

 

Man in cell. Wasn't sure but the notes nearby hinted at amazing treasure and he was clearly unhappy....

 

[RareBirds]

Regarding the second, I'm much more careful than you and she still died. I assume they're linked. 

 

It was for the best ...

[Hexx]

Oh so do you have 3 third of umbilical chords?

Can you combine them?

 

Edit - Wait. They're "third umbilical chord"s not "third of" aren't they? Can't believe I didn't realise that. That's even Ewwwweer

[Davros sock drawer]

Hexx, re. those items:

 

You have to use/consume them before the final boss. It should be fairly obvious when, but there's no reason not to do so now if you think you'll forget.

[Sumire]

I just started playing this again, level 30 ish now. It really is very addictive. I loved it last night when I called on someone to help me kill that electric dragon boss thingy. Don't know who is was, but it so cool that people can come and help you as there was no way I was ever doing it anytime soon.

[Coltrane]

44 minutes ago, Sumire said:

I just started playing this again, level 30 ish now. It really is very addictive. I loved it last night when I called on someone to help me kill that electric dragon boss thingy. Don't know who is was, but it so cool that people can come and help you as there was no way I was ever doing it anytime soon.

 

Was that:

 

Spoiler

Darkbeast Paarl in Yahar'gul - the Unseen Village? If so, I fought him at Level 50 and found him hard enough then!

 

If so, not surprised you found it hard at Level 30! Yeah, I've often called for help on bosses as they seem to be my achilles heel in this game. I've beaten a few of them on my own though and really do try and give it a good go solo. I only ring the bell when I can't seem to find a way to beat them solo and don't want to be stuck, unable to progress because of it.

 

Will give ML another go tonight I think.

[JohnnyRyall]

9 hours ago, Hexx said:

How many bullets does it give back. Out of 20 bullets I'd like to say I can get 4 parries, so even if only 1 recovered, it's the same.

 

Sorry, just saw this.

 

Between 1 and 3 bullets, depending on which strength of rune you have. You'll need to find the +3 bullets version in a chalice dungeon. I think you get the +2 bullets rune in the main game (though I forget where) as I remember having this equipped through much of my playthrough and I didn't really explore the chalices until towards the end.

[Sumire]

1 hour ago, Coltrane said:

 

Was that:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Darkbeast Paarl in Yahar'gul - the Unseen Village? If so, I fought him at Level 50 and found him hard enough then!

 

If so, not surprised you found it hard at Level 30! Yeah, I've often called for help on bosses as they seem to be my achilles heel in this game. I've beaten a few of them on my own though and really do try and give it a good go solo. I only ring the bell when I can't seem to find a way to beat them solo and don't want to be stuck, unable to progress because of it.

 

Will give ML another go tonight I think.

 

Yeah it was, I didn't realize I shouldn't really have been doing it. The other guy that helped pretty much did all the fighting though haha.

 

Not sure where to go now though!

[Mike S]

21 hours ago, Coltrane said:

Thanks for the tip. Yeah I've seen a video where the guy parries a lot and it worked well. For some reason though, I find getting parries and visceral attacks off quite tricky. Will try and practice.

 

Seems you have to time your dodges well and use the towers for protection as well. I guess it's a case of picking your moments when there's a window to attack and learning his moves.

 

 

The pitch of the roof is a really handy environmental aid too. 

 

He's an incredible boss and, for me, one of the most exciting fights in the whole game. His aggression, and range of attacks, are amazing. Almost unbelievable that he is an optional extra for an area that many will not discover.

[Coltrane]

1 hour ago, Mike S said:

 

 

The pitch of the roof is a really handy environmental aid too. 

 

He's an incredible boss and, for me, one of the most exciting fights in the whole game. His aggression, and range of attacks, are amazing. Almost unbelievable that he is an optional extra for an area that many will not discover.

 

Yeah I really couldn't believe how aggressive he is from the start but, then, a lot of the Bloodborne bosses are really - he just ramps it up with the magic spamming and aerial lunges.

 

It really is an incredible area to have as an optional extra. A real testament to how rich the level design is and the amount of effort they put into the lore alone. Mind blowing really.

1 hour ago, Sumire said:

 

Yeah it was, I didn't realize I shouldn't really have been doing it. The other guy that helped pretty much did all the fighting though haha.

 

Not sure where to go now though!

 

Can't remember where I went at Level 30. Have you finished exploring Cathedral Ward? Or been to Old Yarnham?

[Davros sock drawer]

I struggled big time against ML on my first play through. Took me maybe 30 tries.

 

I think in hindsight I was too timid, trying to avoid the various skull attacks and not going in for the kill. Now I just get right in his face and try to get him to phase 2 asap, as I find that much easier - you can parry him quite easily.

[KartoffelKopf]

So that's that then. Chalice Dungeons done and Bloodborne platinum trophy get!

 

Really enjoyed the dungeons overall. Really could have done with some variety but the bosses made it worth it. Even the super tough ones. 

 

Pthumerian Queen was a really fun fight though if a little easy. Great design on her though and epic music as always. 

 

Spoilers in this vid obviously. It's a cool fight so if you think you might go through the dungeons, don't watch. 

 

 

 

Right, I'm definitely going to start Dark Souls 2 now, I really mean it this time. 

[RareBirds]

Cool - what sort of level were you to do that?

[RareBirds]

In terms of progress - only had time for a quick 20 minute blast. So popped to see LTHB and ....

 

Killed him on the first attempt but ...

 

I summoned help from the old hunter outside (tin can head) and now I'm full of gamer's remorse at not doing it properly. I thought I'd get an add in to give me more time to see the attacks and get a feel for the fight but he just melted. Phase 1 was still a bit touch and go (when he dropped on me from above) but phase 2 was pretty straight forward (dodge left, swipe, dodge left, swipe, run out for aoe, run in, dodge left, swipe and repeat). 

 

Secret Simon popped up afterwards to give me a sword and some more exposition. Very interesting - what was it the hunters did (rhetorical question - I assume the next area will tell me more). 

[KartoffelKopf]

2 hours ago, SuperMBo said:

Cool - what sort of level were you to do that?

 

Think I ended up at 157. You get such a ridiculous amount of blood echoes at the later dungeons that you can level up about twice at each layer. I also did a fair amount of co-op for which you also get loads. 

 

I'm not quite finished yet.  I woke up this morning remembering that I hadn't tried the beast mode out. So thought I'd give it a whirl to cleric beast. It's a lot of fun and whilst I didn't really have any tactics for the fight (haven't done it since my first run), just getting down and wailing on him seems to work just fine. Not sure it's a weapon for the whole game though. I didn't really utilise the beast meter either, he kept getting me but you can see at the end as I maxed it I was getting 6k+ damage

 

Also tried the Rakuyo out and that is one fine weapon too. 

 

These are with the same blood gems in each 3 x 27% phys att

 

 

 

[Hexx]

55 minutes ago, SuperMBo said:

In terms of progress - only had time for a quick 20 minute blast. So popped to see LTHB and ....

 

Killed him on the first attempt but ...

 

I summoned help from the old hunter outside (tin can head) and now I'm full of gamer's remorse at not doing it properly. I thought I'd get an add in to give me more time to see the attacks and get a feel for the fight but he just melted. Phase 1 was still a bit touch and go (when he dropped on me from above) but phase 2 was pretty straight forward (dodge left, swipe, dodge left, swipe, run out for aoe, run in, dodge left, swipe and repeat). 

 

Secret Simon popped up afterwards to give me a sword and some more exposition. Very interesting - what was it the hunters did (rhetorical question - I assume the next area will tell me more). 

 

You're a complete failure. Even I did that one solo. (Although I didn't see a summon outside :P)

 

[RareBirds]

I know right - it became pretty clear early on in phase 2 that, avoiding some sort of one hit kill, I was going to kill him and I was umming and arring to myself whether to wipe and do it properly. 

 

However, whilst this I was still wresting with these complex decisions my hands were busily mashing R1 to victory. 

[Hexx]

It took me 5ish attempts. But I can see how an NPC companion would really help on there - it's all about him being really aggressive and barely giving you any room - but if you have a buddy that's obviously not as bad.

 

I've generally stopped using NPC summons. They're just so horrifically mindless and the +Res/HP/whatever the boss gets wasn't worth the trade off (the Challice Rom fight in particular the NPC was proper rubbish so don't use them).

 

My new favourite thing is being summon to help people. Sometime's I'm help, sometimes I'm hinderence, but I always look good and MAKE CONTACT. (One day that gesture will do something and I'll fall over in shock)