Bloodborne: Most Powerful Weapons, Ranked (2024)

FromSoftware's Bloodborne remains one of the greatest PlayStation exclusives of all time and one of the better entries in the Souls franchise. Where it lacks in weapon and build variety compared to other titles by FromSoftware, it more than makes up for this with rich mechanical depth, great boss fights, and some of the coolest weapons in any action RPG.

Bloodborne’s Trick Weapons are fiendishly creative, allowing players to utilize two weapons in one. With the tap of a button, any Trick Weapon can completely change, offering the player an incredible amount of moment-to-moment variety that very few action games can pull off. Naturally, not every weapon is worth using, so seek out the one that feels the best to slay foes with.

Updated January 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Bloodborne is one of the greatest video games ever made. This gothic Lovecraftian adventure features some truly mind-blowing lore that will leave players wanting more every single time. The fact that this title is considered Miyazaki's magnum opus is proof of how highly players rate this title. Bloodborne is far from an easy game, and players should use the best weapons they can find to lay waste to their enemies. Without a suitable weapon for their build, the game is going to be way harder than it should be. The fast-paced combat is both a boon and a curse that compels players to either shape up or ship out.

22 Kirkhammer

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Sword Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 210 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (A), Skill (E)
• Stat Requirements: 16 Strength, 10 Skill

The Kirkhammer is one of the first weapons players get in Bloodborne. This hybrid of a sword and hammer is a great and versatile weapon. The single-handed mode allows players to sneak in quick sword strikes, while the trick mode of this weapon transforms it into a giant hammer that can crush enemies.

This weapon can be a bit slow in its transformed state, which may not be great for players who are struggling with the fast-paced combat system of Bloodborne. However, veterans can still use the Kirkhammer to bring a world of pain to their enemies.

21 Logarius' Wheel

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Wheel Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 200 Physical, 50 Arcane
• Scaling: Strength (S), Arcane (C)
• Stat Requirements: 20 Strength, 12 Skill, 10 Arcane

Logarius' Wheel takes the cake for being one of the weirdest weapons in the game. The idea of using a wheel to run down enemies sounds positively ridiculous, but it works.

Of course, the Logarius' Wheel pales in comparison to other strength weapons, but the sheer uniqueness of its moveset alone makes it well worth checking out. Players who love Alfred and the tale of the Executioners will gain additional enjoyment from using this weapon.

20 Boom Hammer

In a House in the Hunter's Nightmare

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 150 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (C), Skill (D)
• Stat Requirements: 14 Strength, 12 Skill

The Boom Hammer is a weapon that not many people talk about, given how the DLC was littered with so many remarkable weapons. However, players who decided to maximize the Boom Hammer's potential would realize how amazing this weapon is.

The regular moveset of this weapon is decent, but it's when players use the explosive power of this weapon that they realize how much destructive potential it has. The Boom Hammer can inflict serious damage if players ignite the weapon before bringing it down in a massive blast that can hit for serious damage.

19 Amygdalan Arm

In a Cave in the Hunter's Nightmare, Where the Blood-Starved Beast Resides

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 160 Physical, 80 Arcane
• Scaling: Strength (A), Skill (E), Arcane (C)
• Stat Requirements: 17 Strength, 9 Skill

One of the most unique weapons in Bloodborne, players who want to level up both Strength and Arcane can use this weapon to make their build as viable as possible. It helps that the Amygdalan Arm is a blast to use, and its raw damage is excellent at high levels.

There's something oddly fascinating about using the limb of an Eldritch being in battle that, which makes the Amygdalan Arm morbidly fascinating. The moveset is tricky and satisfying, but players who master how this weapon works will find it to be immensely powerful in both PvE and PvP.

18 Beast Claw

In a Layer 2 Treasure Room Chest in a Dungeon Made with an Ailing Loran Chalice

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 150 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (C), Skill (D)
• Stat Requirements: 14 Strength, 12 Skill

The Beast Claw isn’t the most popular of Bloodborne’s weapons. It’s not found during the main story, for one thing, and isn’t very well renowned in terms of attack speed or power.

The saving grace of the weapon, however, arrived with The Old Hunters expansion. In the DLC, Hunters can acquire the Beast’s Embrace Rune, which transforms the player’s appearance and gives them a new moveset to employ with the Beast Claw, including leaping attacks and frantic flails. With a build that takes advantage of its strengths, it’s both very powerful and a lot of fun, though perhaps isn’t as practical as the weapons we’ve ranked higher. It's also guarded by one of the most infamous bosses in the game: Laurence, the First Vicar.

17 Saw Cleaver

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Saw Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 180 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (C), Skill (D)
• Stat Requirements: 8 Strength, 7 Skill

The Saw Cleaver may be one of the game’s starting weapons, but Bloodborne doesn’t discriminate when it comes to the Cane, Hunter Axe, and Saw Cleaver. While the Saw Cleaver may not be the strongest of the bunch, it’s usable for the entire game, even the DLC.

The Saw Cleaver handles crowds of enemies extremely well, something that never loses value in the game. Better yet, the Saw Cleaver’s immediate availability means that players can start upgrading their weapon right away, ensuring that their early game isn’t spent hoarding materials. The Saw Cleaver is arguably the best starting weapon in Bloodborne for players new to FromSoftware games, as it's very easy to use.

16 Saw Spear

In Central Yharnam, Or Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Saw Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 170 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (D), Skill (C)
• Stat Requirements: 7 Strength, 8 Skill

The Saw Spear and Saw Cleaver are pretty much two sides of the same coin, and it's up to the player and their preferred build to determine which variation best suits their playstyle. Regardless of the choice, the simple yet effective moveset of this weapon makes it fun to use.

Of course, the moveset may seem rather rudimentary compared to some of the fancier weapons in the game. However, the extra damage to Beasts inflicted by this weapon more than makes up for its simple array of moves.

15 Beast Cutter

Near the Entrance of the Nightmare Version of the Grand Cathedral

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 184 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (B), Skill (D)
• Stat Requirements: 11 Strength, 9 Skill

A common theme that most of Bloodborne’s best weapons share is their ability to properly crowd control. Unlike Dark Souls, enemies in Bloodborne often attack players in small waves and, again unlike Dark Souls, players are expected to take down all these enemies more or less in one go.

This makes weapons like the Beast Cutter very much worth it. Better yet, when in trick mode, the Beast Cutter has whip-like properties that can make use of enemies placed closer to the ground. The Beast Cutter also scales with Strength, making it almost a beefier version of the Threaded Cane.

14 Cannon

In the Forbidden Woods Inside a Wooden Building

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 600 Blood
• Scaling: Bloodtinge (D)
• Stat Requirements: 30 Strength, 13 Skill

The only sidearm to appear on this list, it's easy to see why the Cannon is so powerful. Players with high Bloodtinge can mow down their opponents with the massive damage caused by this weapon.

However, keep in mind that the Cannon has high quicksilver bullet usage. If players haven't pursued a Bloodtinge build, then they're better off using a weaker firearm to stun and parry enemies instead.

13 Bloodletter

Dropped by Brador, the Healing Church Assassin, After Defeat

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 180 Physical, 180 Blood
• Scaling: Strength (A), Bloodtinge (S)
• Stat Requirements: 14 Strength, 6 Skill, 16 Bloodtinge

The Bloodletter is another unique weapon that was added with the expansion. The signature weapon of the Church’s fearsome assassin, Brador, this brutal weapon is capable of dealing tremendous damage.

Like the Chikage, its tricked mode costs the player some HP, but just one chunk of it on each transformation rather than a constant drain. It scales with Strength in its regular mode and primarily Bloodtinge when tricked, making it awkward in terms of the character build required. Still, the transformed mode has a nice range and is very strong, also coming with a potent AoE attack. It’s well worth the journey into Bloodborne’s deepest depths to get your hands on it.

12 Stake Driver

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Powder Keg Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 170 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (C), Skill (C)
• Stat Requirements: 18 Strength, 9 Skill

The Stake Driver is a deceptively weak-looking weapon in the game. Acquired after beating Djura, this weapon hits fast but the lack of range means that many people may not even check this weapon out.

It's a shame since this weapon's charge damage hits for massive damage if players prime the stake beforehand. Finding a great opening and using this weapon to deal incredible charged damage is easily one of the most satisfying moments experienced with proper use of the Stake Driver.

11 Chikage

Purchase from the Messengers after Joining the Cainhurst Vilebloods Covenant

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 184 Physical, 184 Blood
• Scaling: Strength (E), Skill (B), Bloodtinge (S)
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 14 Skill, 12 Bloodtinge

The Chikage may gradually drain the wielder’s health, but a competent enough player can mitigate this downside entirely by making use of the Chikage’s innate abilities. As is, the Chikage is one of the best weapons in Bloodborne, without its handicap it would almost certainly be overused.

There are even tricks to get around the health absorption with stronger attacks. The Chikage is the kind of weapon that rewards mechanical mastery. It’s fast, strong, and its two-handed mode can even deal poison damage. Its only downside is that it’s not a proper Trick Weapon, but its move set is fun enough as is.

10 Simon’s Bowblade

On the Body of Simon, The Harrowed

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 160 Physical, 160 Blood
• Scaling: Strength (S), Skill (S)
• Stat Requirements: 8 Strength, 15 Skill, 9 Bloodtinge

From the most towering and terrifying bosses to the weakest mobs, the enemies of Bloodborne mostly utilize the same battle tactics that they do in the wider Dark Souls games: they make a beeline for you and try to shred you into sad, defeated hunks of failure.

With this being the case, their AI doesn’t usually deal well with taking ranged damage. This is where the DLC weapon Simon’s Bowblade truly excels. A standard powerful curved sword in its regular form, it transforms into a bow that can deal huge damage if the player has leveled up their Bloodtinge. It can decimate a lot of enemies from relative safety, only held back by being a little slow to use and unwieldy to aim (yep, ‘Monocular sniping’ is a thing). As such, Simon's Bowblade is one of the best ranged weapons in Bloodborne​​​​​​.

9 Church Pick

Dropped by the Hunter Wearing the Yahar'Gul Set in the Hunter's Nightmare

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 176 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (D), Skill (B)
• Stat Requirements: 9 Strength, 14 Skill

From a giant sword to a war pick, the Church Pick doesn’t stand out as one of the better weapons in the game on a surface level. Its transformed variation also does shockingly little damage, a rarity for the Trick Weapons. That said, the Church Pick’s transformed state also allows the player to make use of very reliable stunlocks.

When properly stunlocking, the Church Pick becomes one of the best weapons in Bloodborne as far as combo potential goes. The transformed Church Pick’s amazing range also ensures that stunlocking an enemy isn’t particularly difficult. A little bit of damage tradeoff is simply the price to pay for trying to land combos.

8 Burial Blade

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Old Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 160 Physical, 60 Arcane
• Scaling: Strength (D), Skill (B)
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 12 Skill

Gehrman’s personal weapon, the Burial Blade is easily one of the best Trick Weapons in Bloodborne. Half scythe, half sword, the Burial Blade is aesthetically appealing if nothing else. As the weapon of the game’s penultimate boss, though, it goes without saying that using the Burial Blade does have its perks.

For starters, a charged L2 attack has arguably the best reach in the game out of the many possible charged attacks, decimating pretty much everything in its path. The Burial Blade also makes use of a variety of attack animations, giving players plenty of options when it comes to combat— a necessity when tackling harder Chalice Dungeons or the DLC.

7 Kos Parasite

Dropped by The Orphan Of Kos

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 60 Arcane
• Scaling: Arcane (S)
• Stat Requirements: 20 Arcane

The Kos Parasite is too slow for its good and doesn’t shine when it comes to range, but these flaws are necessary to not make the Kos Parasite too overwhelming. In terms of damage, the Kos Parasite may not hit as hard as it could, but it has amazing stagger potential. With the right tactics, it’s possible to comfortably chip enemies to death.

This is to say nothing of the fact that the Kos Parasite is just a fun weapon to use. Slow it may be, but it has a great move set and a super creative design. There’s nothing else like it in Bloodborne, which is what gives it so much value as a weapon.

6 Blade Of Mercy

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Crow Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 120 Physical, 60 Arcane
• Scaling: Skill (S)
• Stat Requirements: 7 Strength, 11 Skill

While Skill-based weapons don’t boast the damage-per-hit that their huge, cumbersome counterparts do, they make up for it with swift, graceful attacks. The Blade of Mercy is the perfect example of this.

It's the signature weapon of Eileen the Crow, one of the mysterious Yharnam’s most intriguing denizens. The Hunter of Hunters wields this short sword and dual blade combo with dexterity and skill, and if the player can do the same, it will reward them well. The Blade of Mercy ties in perfectly with the game’s evasive combat style, dealing boosted damage from quickstep attacks and allowing the player to dodge through foes’ onslaughts while piling on the pressure. Its damage per hit is also low, though, and the player will need a lot of skill to get the best from this Bloodborne weapon.

5 Rakuyo

Dropped by the Shark Giant Enemies at the Bottom of the Fishing Hamlet Well

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 164 Physical
• Scaling: Skill (A)
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 20 Skill

The Rakuyo is, in many respects, a better version of the Chikage. It removes the Chikage’s limitations and uses a similar move set to the weapon. That said, it isn’t entirely identical to the Chikage and the Rakuyo has its own set of strengths and weaknesses to balance things out.

The Rakuyo is technically a dual-wield weapon, changing up the control scheme on the player. At the same time, mastering this control scheme leads to Rakuyo turning into one of the best weapons in Bloodborne.

4 Holy Moonlight Sword

In the Underground Corpse Pile After Defeating Ludwig, The Holy Blade

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 180 Physical, 100 Arcane
• Scaling: Strength (B), Skill (C)
• Stat Requirements: 16 Strength, 12 Skill, 14 Arcane

The Holy Moonlight Sword is a Dark Souls weapon slapped into Bloodborne. Theoretically, it shouldn’t work. The Wooden Shield is very much the same concept, but From knew that fans needed a recognizable sword for The Old Hunters DLC. The result is the coolest version of the series' signature weapon: the Holy Moonlight Sword.

It’s fast, hits hard, has an incredibly fun move set, and fundamentally changes how Bloodborne’s gameplay loop feels. The Holy Moonlight Sword is one of the best Bloodborne weapons for mixed Arcane builds. The Holy Moonlight Sword scales evenly with Strength and Dexterity, so it’s a good weapon for any Melee and Arcane hybrid.

3 Hunter Axe

Purchase from the Messengers after Getting the Saw Hunter Badge

• Damage When Fully Upgraded: 196 Physical
• Scaling: Strength (B), Skill (D)
• Stat Requirements: 9 Strength, 8 Skill

The Hunter’s Axe might be a starting weapon, but it’s not only the best weapon of the bunch, it’s one of the best weapons in Bloodborne. Perfect availability, great scaling, amazing range, useful both in trick mode or otherwise, and one of the more powerful weapons in the game in terms of pure damage; there’s no reason not to use the Hunter Axe.

It fills a lot of roles as a weapon without falling into one clear archetype. It can be a great one-on-one weapon, it can crowd control easily, it’s useful for almost every boss fight, and players will never feel like they’re doing chip damage. It may not be the game’s very best weapon, but it’s close.