- Bloodborne The Old Hunters is the game's only major expansion, set in the Hunter's Nightmare
- Entry requirement: Defeat Vicar Amelia, trigger the Blood Moon, and collect the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter
- Recommended level: 60–80 to start, 80–100+ for a comfortable full run
- Boss order: Ludwig, Living Failures, Lady Maria, Orphan of Kos, plus optional Laurence
- Top reward: Over 10 new trick weapons, including the Holy Moonlight Sword and Rakuyo
How to Unlock The Old Hunters DLC
The Old Hunters transports your hunter into a separate nightmare realm connected to the main game. Before you can enter the Hunter's Nightmare, several conditions in the base game must be met, and attempting the DLC too early leads to extremely punishing encounters.
The unlock chain is straightforward once you know where to look. Progress through the main game until Vicar Amelia falls in the Grand Cathedral, then interact with the skull on the altar to trigger the Blood Moon. Afterward, return to the Hunter's Dream to receive the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter item, which marks you for transport.
Unlock Requirements:
- Defeat Vicar Amelia in the Grand Cathedral
- Interact with the skull to trigger the Blood Moon
- Collect the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter from the Hunter's Dream
- Let the Amygdala near the Oedon Chapel lamp grab and transport you
| Requirement | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vicar Amelia defeated | Grand Cathedral | Main story boss, no skip |
| Blood Moon triggered | Grand Cathedral altar | Interact with the skull after the fight |
| Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter | Hunter's Dream | Automatic item after Blood Moon |
| Amygdala transport | Oedon Chapel lamp | Stand close and let it grab you |
Entering The Old Hunters immediately after Vicar Amelia is possible but brutal. The opening enemies hit far harder than anything in Central Yharnam. Waiting until you have cleared the Forbidden Woods and several mid-game bosses makes the DLC dramatically more manageable.
Recommended Level and Preparation
The DLC is designed for experienced hunters, and your preparation directly determines how enjoyable the expansion will be. 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 through all bosses.
Your weapon matters more than your level. The DLC bosses punish slow, greedy attack strings, so a fully upgraded fast weapon with familiar moveset timing outperforms a high-level character with an under-upgraded one.
| Preparation Item | Recommendation | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Main weapon upgrade | +9 or higher before Orphan of Kos | ★★★★★ |
| Blood Vials | Full stock of 20, buy more as needed | ★★★★★ |
| Quicksilver Bullets | Full supply for parries and tools | ★★★★ |
| Fire Paper / Bolt Paper | Multiple stacks for elemental weaknesses | ★★★★ |
| Vitality | 30+ strongly recommended | ★★★★★ |
| Insight | Reserve for summoning and interactions | ★★★ |
Early DLC (Level 60–75)
- Vitality around 25–30
- Weapon +7 or higher
- Fire Paper for Ludwig
- Expect a steep difficulty spike
Mid DLC (Level 75–90)
- Vitality 30–35
- Weapon +9 or +10
- Bolt Paper for Living Failures
- Fast weapon recommended for Maria
Late DLC (Level 90+)
- Vitality 35–40+
- Fully upgraded weapon
- High physical defense attire
- Large Blood Vial stock for Orphan
Use the early sections of the Hunter's Nightmare to test your weapon against DLC enemies before committing rare upgrade materials. If your damage output feels weak against regular enemies, farm Blood Echoes in the base game before pushing deeper.
Step-by-Step DLC Route and Boss Order
The Old Hunters follows a mostly linear route through three major regions: the Hunter's Nightmare, the Research Hall, and the Fishing Hamlet. Follow this progression to unlock shortcuts, gather key items, and fight each boss in the intended order.
Enter the Hunter's Nightmare and Defeat Ludwig
After the Amygdala grabs you, progress through the blood-soaked streets of a distorted Central Yharnam and Cathedral Ward. Avoid or defeat the Nightmare Executioner, then reach the Nightmare Church to challenge Ludwig, the Holy Blade. He is the first required major DLC boss and the primary progression gate. Defeating him rewards the Holy Moonlight Sword, one of the expansion's signature weapons.
Navigate the Research Hall
From the Underground Corpse Pile, enter the Research Hall and activate its elevator and stair mechanisms to rearrange the building. The area contains patients, experimental creatures, and the Brain Fluid required for Adeline's quest. Clear the route to unlock access to the Lumenwood Garden and the Astral Clocktower. Key pickups include the Church Pick and the Accursed Brew hunter tool.
Defeat the Living Failures
In the Lumenwood Garden, the Living Failures confront you as a group boss fight with meteor-style area attacks. Constant movement and bolt damage shorten the fight considerably. Defeating them opens the path to the Astral Clocktower and Lady Maria.
Defeat Lady Maria and Enter the Fishing Hamlet
Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower guards the entrance to the Fishing Hamlet with extremely fast dual-blade attacks and blood-enhanced phases. After the duel, interact with the clock to open the next area, then follow the coastal village route through hostile hunters and alien creatures. The Hamlet yields the Rakuyo, Simon's Bowblade, and the Milkweed Caryll Rune.
Defeat the Orphan of Kos and Optional Laurence
The Orphan of Kos awaits at the coast as the final main DLC boss, combining rapid jumping attacks with a lightning-heavy second phase. Afterward, return to the Nightmare Grand Cathedral to challenge the optional boss Laurence, the First Vicar, then sweep all DLC areas for remaining weapons, runes, and upgrade materials.
| DLC Boss | Location | Difficulty | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwig, the Holy Blade | Nightmare Church | ★★★★★ | Fire Paper, limb attacks |
| Living Failures | Lumenwood Garden | ★★★ | Bolt damage, constant movement |
| Lady Maria | Astral Clocktower | ★★★★★ | Parries, fast weapon |
| Orphan of Kos | Fishing Hamlet coast | ★★★★★ | Parries on select attacks, positioning |
| Laurence, the First Vicar | Nightmare Grand Cathedral | ★★★★★ | Fire damage, sustained aggression |
Laurence, the First Vicar is entirely optional and arguably the hardest fight in the expansion. His beast form combines the Cleric Beast silhouette with lava-based area attacks. Save him for last, after your weapon is fully upgraded.
DLC Weapons and Key Rewards
The Old Hunters adds more than ten new trick weapons, several hunter tools, and new Caryll Runes. Many of these weapons are among the most distinctive in the entire game and justify a thorough exploration sweep before you finish the DLC.
Holy Moonlight Sword
- Dropped by Ludwig
- Greatsword with arcane projectiles
- Ideal for Arcane and Quality builds
Rakuyo
- Found in the Fishing Hamlet
- Fast dual-blade Skill weapon
- Powerful transformed combos
Simon's Bowblade
- Fishing Hamlet questline
- Sword that transforms into a bow
- Core Bloodtinge build weapon
Whirligig Saw
- Early Hunter's Nightmare
- Serrated Strength weapon
- Devastating transformed spin attack
Beast Hunter Saif
- Fishing Hamlet
- Fast Skill weapon with gap-closing attacks
- Excellent general-purpose moveset
Bloodletter
- Fishing Hamlet cliffs
- Pure Bloodtinge transformed form
- Drains health when transformed
| Reward | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance Rune | After Ludwig | Caryll Rune |
| Church Pick | Research Hall | Trick Weapon |
| Kos Parasite | Lumenwood Garden | Trick Weapon (Arcane) |
| Accursed Brew | Research Hall | Hunter Tool |
| Milkweed Rune | Fishing Hamlet | Caryll Rune |
| Beast Cutter | Hunter's Nightmare | Trick Weapon |
| Boom Hammer | Hunter's Nightmare | Trick Weapon |
Several DLC weapons sit slightly off the main path. Before challenging the Orphan of Kos, walk the entire Fishing Hamlet coastline and interior once more — the Rakuyo and Bloodletter are easy to miss on a first pass.
Boss Strategy Essentials
Each DLC boss demands a different rhythm. Treat your first attempt as reconnaissance: observe attack timing, arena hazards, and recovery windows before committing your full stock of healing and buff items.
- Ludwig: Stay at his sides during the beast phase. After his second-phase transformation, his sword attacks become readable and parryable. Fire Paper significantly shortens phase one.
- Living Failures: Eliminate stragglers quickly and keep moving during the meteor barrage. Bolt Paper rewards you with fast damage during openings.
- Lady Maria: Fight at mid-range to react to her lunges. Parry her forward thrust attacks for visceral damage, and never heal without first creating distance.
- Orphan of Kos: Prioritize survival over greedy combos in phase two. Short attack strings, consistent positioning, and patience near the waterline carry the fight.
- Laurence: Manage lava pools carefully and interrupt his healing attempts with sustained aggression.
Most DLC deaths come from healing too late and trading damage during boss recovery windows. Heal immediately after dodging an attack, not after finishing your own combo. Aggression wins in the base game; controlled aggression wins in the DLC.
Before Entering the Hunter's Nightmare:
- Upgrade main weapon to +9 or higher
- Stock 20 Blood Vials and full Quicksilver Bullets
- Carry Fire Paper and Bolt Paper stacks
- Raise Vitality to 30 or above
- Clear several mid-game bosses for levels and echoes
FAQ
Q: When should I start The Old Hunters DLC in Bloodborne?
Around level 60–80 after gaining access to the Forbidden Woods or defeating several mid-game bosses. Level 80–100 or higher is more comfortable for a full first run. Finishing the main game first is not required, but entering too early makes the opening enemies extremely punishing.
Q: How do I actually enter the Hunter's Nightmare?
Defeat Vicar Amelia, interact with the skull in the Grand Cathedral to trigger the Blood Moon, collect the Eye of a Blood-drunk Hunter from the Hunter's Dream, then let the Amygdala near the Oedon Chapel lamp grab your hunter to be transported into the DLC.
Q: Is The Old Hunters required for the base-game platinum trophy?
No. The Old Hunters has a separate trophy set and is not required for the base-game platinum. Complete the DLC only if you want its weapons, lore, and its own trophy list.
Q: What is the hardest boss in The Old Hunters?
The Orphan of Kos is widely considered the most demanding required fight due to its speed, mobility, and lightning-heavy second phase. Laurence, the First Vicar, the optional boss, rivals it in difficulty with sustained lava pressure.