- Bloodborne how to access DLC: Defeat Vicar Amelia, touch the cathedral skull, then grab the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter
- Entry point: Let the Amygdala near the Oedon Chapel lamp grab you to enter the Hunter's Nightmare
- Recommended level: Roughly 60–80 to start, 80–100+ for a comfortable first full run
- DLC content: New areas, trick weapons, Caryll Runes, and demanding bosses like Ludwig and Orphan of Kos
- Ownership required: You must own The Old Hunters expansion on PS4
Bloodborne DLC Access Requirements
Knowing Bloodborne how to access DLC starts with understanding the prerequisites. The Old Hunters is a separate nightmare realm layered on top of the main game, and the entrance only appears after specific story conditions are met. You do not need to finish the main campaign, but skipping the required steps means the DLC entrance stays invisible.
Video Highlights:
- Official Bloodborne story trailer setting up the hunt
- Gothic Yharnam atmosphere that carries into the DLC
- Promotional context for The Old Hunters expansion
You must own The Old Hunters DLC and install it before the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter will appear in the Hunter's Dream. Without ownership, no DLC entrance will trigger regardless of story progress.
The table below summarizes the requirements and what each one unlocks:
| Requirement | Details | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Own The Old Hunters | Purchased and installed on PS4 | Enables DLC content |
| Defeat Vicar Amelia | Grand Cathedral boss | Unlocks skull interaction |
| Trigger the Blood Moon | Interact with the skull in the Grand Cathedral | Advances world state |
| Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter | Item found in the Hunter's Dream | Marks the DLC entrance |
| Amygdala grab | Let the Amygdala near Oedon Chapel lamp grab you | Transports you to the DLC |
Enter the DLC after gaining access to Forbidden Woods or defeating a few mid-game bosses. Starting too early makes the opening enemies and Ludwig extremely punishing.
Step-by-Step: Unlocking the Hunter's Nightmare
Follow this sequence exactly to open the DLC entrance. Each step builds on the previous one, and skipping the Blood Moon step is the most common reason hunters cannot find the entrance.
Defeat Vicar Amelia
Progress through Cathedral Ward and defeat Vicar Amelia in the Grand Cathedral. She uses wide swipes, leaps, and a healing phase you can interrupt with sustained attacks or Numbing Mist.
Trigger the Blood Moon
Interact with the skull on the altar in the Grand Cathedral after the fight. This advances the world state and lays the groundwork for the DLC entrance.
Collect the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter
Return to the Hunter's Dream. The Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter appears as a pickup, marking the path to the Hunter's Nightmare once the Blood Moon is active.
Travel to Oedon Chapel
Warp to the Oedon Chapel lamp in Cathedral Ward. Step outside toward the graveyard area near the chapel entrance where an invisible Amygdala lurks overhead.
Let the Amygdala grab you
Stand in its reach and allow the grab attack to connect instead of dodging. The Amygdala transports you directly into the Hunter's Nightmare, the DLC's opening area.
Once the grab animation completes, you arrive in the Hunter's Nightmare with a new lamp to light. From here, the full DLC route through Ludwig, the Research Hall, and the Fishing Hamlet is open.
DLC Route and Boss Order
The Old Hunters follows a mostly linear route with one major optional branch. Use this overview to plan your progression and avoid missing key rewards along the way.
| Stage | Area | Boss | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter's Nightmare | Ludwig, the Holy Blade | Holy Moonlight Sword, Guidance Rune |
| 2 | Research Hall | Living Failures | Accursed Brew, Church Pick |
| 3 | Astral Clocktower | Lady Maria | Access to Fishing Hamlet |
| 4 | Fishing Hamlet | Orphan of Kos | Rakuyo, Milkweed Rune |
| Optional | Nightmare Grand Cathedral | Laurence, the First Vicar | Beast Claw Embrace Rune |
Ludwig, the Holy Blade
- First required DLC boss
- Primary progression gate
- Drops the Holy Moonlight Sword
Lady Maria
- Fast dual-blade hunter duel
- Parry-friendly but strict timing
- Guards the Fishing Hamlet entrance
Orphan of Kos
- Final main DLC boss
- Lightning second phase
- Demands positioning and short punish windows
After Lady Maria, interact with the clock to open the path to the Fishing Hamlet. Sweep the coastal village carefully for Simon's Bowblade, the Beast Hunter Saif, and the Bloodletter before challenging the Orphan of Kos.
Preparation Checklist
The DLC is tuned for experienced hunters with upgraded equipment. Confirm every item below before committing to the nightmare, because several bosses punish underprepared characters quickly.
| Preparation | Target | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon upgrade | High reinforcement level | DLC enemies have steep defense |
| Vitality | Around 30+ before entry | Survives boss combo strings |
| Blood Vials | Full stock, plus Echoes to restock | Long stretches between lamps |
| Elemental papers | Fire Paper and Bolt Paper | Covers beast and Kin enemies |
| Quicksilver Bullets | Full supply | Parries and hunter tools |
DLC Entry Checklist:
- Upgrade your main weapon to a high level
- Stock Blood Vials, bullets, and elemental papers
- Bring Insight for summoning and interactions
- Test weapons in the opening DLC area before spending materials
- Unlock shortcuts before repeatedly attempting bosses
A character around level 60–80 can begin exploring the DLC, while 80–100 or higher is generally more comfortable for a first complete run through all bosses.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
Most hunters who search for Bloodborne how to access DLC run into one of a few repeatable problems. Each has a simple fix once identified.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No item in Hunter's Dream | DLC not owned or installed | Purchase and install The Old Hunters |
| Cannot find entrance | Blood Moon not triggered | Touch the skull in the Grand Cathedral |
| Amygdala kills you | Dodging the grab | Stand still and let the grab connect |
| DLC feels too hard | Entering at low level | Level to 60–80 and upgrade weapons first |
| Missing Laurence | Skipping optional route | Return to the Nightmare Grand Cathedral |
When the Amygdala near Oedon Chapel reaches for you, do not dodge or attack. The grab is the intended transport into the Hunter's Nightmare, and resisting it only wastes time.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to beat the main game to access the Bloodborne DLC?
No. Finishing the main campaign is not required. You only need to defeat Vicar Amelia, trigger the Blood Moon by touching the skull in the Grand Cathedral, and collect the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter from the Hunter's Dream. However, entering at a low character level makes the DLC extremely difficult.
Q: What level should I be for The Old Hunters DLC?
A character around level 60–80 can begin exploring the Hunter's Nightmare, while level 80–100 or higher is generally more comfortable for a first complete run. Upgrading your main weapon matters as much as your character level.
Q: Where exactly is the Bloodborne DLC entrance?
After collecting the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter, travel to the Oedon Chapel lamp in Cathedral Ward and step into the graveyard area outside. Let the Amygdala there grab you, and it will transport you into the Hunter's Nightmare.
Q: Can I access the DLC after triggering the Blood Moon but before killing Rom?
Yes. Once Vicar Amelia is defeated, the skull has been touched, and you hold the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter, the DLC entrance works regardless of your main-story progress beyond that point.