- Bloodborne best weapons: Saw Cleaver and Ludwig's Holy Blade top most tier lists
- Upgrade priority: Reinforce one main weapon early instead of spreading Blood Stone Shards
- Build matching: Strength favors Hunter Axe, Skill favors Threaded Cane, Bloodtinge favors Chikage
- Serrated edge: Saw weapons deal bonus damage to beast-type enemies throughout the early game
- Safe picks: Saw Cleaver and Hunter Axe are available from the start in the Hunter's Dream
Bloodborne Best Weapons: How We Rank Them
Bloodborne rewards aggressive, close-range combat, and no single weapon dominates every encounter. The best weapons are the ones whose moveset, range, transformation attacks, and attribute scaling match your combat rhythm. A fast Saw Cleaver suits relentless pressure, while Ludwig's Holy Blade offers reach and stagger for slower, deliberate play.
| Tier | Weapons | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| S | Saw Cleaver, Ludwig's Holy Blade | Top-tier accessibility, scaling, and movesets |
| A | Hunter Axe, Kirkhammer, Threaded Cane | Reliable, build-defining performance |
| B | Chikage, Blade of Mercy | Specialized, build-dependent power |
| C | Logarius' Wheel | High potential, slow and stamina-heavy |
| Situational | Tonitrus | Bolt damage for specific matchups |
Tier placement reflects availability, upgrade value, and how well a weapon serves a full playthrough—not raw endgame numbers. A lower-tier weapon in the right build can still clear the entire game.
Top-Tier Weapon Comparison
The two S-tier picks earn their place through versatility. The Saw Cleaver is fast, serrated in its base form, and available from the very beginning. Ludwig's Holy Blade combines a reliable one-handed sword with a powerful greatsword transformation and excellent Strength and Skill scaling.
Saw Cleaver
- Fast attacks, serrated base form
- Available at the start
- Strong vs beasts, short reach
- Best for Strength and hybrid builds
Ludwig's Holy Blade
- Greatsword transformation with high stagger
- Excellent quality scaling
- Slower, stamina-hungry transformed form
- One weapon for most encounters
Hunter Axe
- Wide transformed sweeps and charged attacks
- Strong crowd control and reach
- Slower recovery than the Saw Cleaver
- Ideal first Strength weapon
| Weapon | Availability | Scaling Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Cleaver | Start (Hunter's Dream) | Strength / Skill | Beginners, beasts, aggressive play |
| Ludwig's Holy Blade | Radiant Sword Hunter Badge | Strength + Skill | Quality builds, general use |
| Hunter Axe | Start (Hunter's Dream) | Strength | Crowd control, charged attacks |
| Threaded Cane | Start (Hunter's Dream) | Skill | Reach, mobility, technical play |
| Kirkhammer | Sword Hunter Badge | Strength | Stagger and visceral setups |
| Chikage | Cainhurst Vilebloods badge | Bloodtinge | Bloodtinge builds, burst damage |
Heavy transformed forms like Ludwig's greatsword and the Kirkhammer consume far more stamina per swing. Keep Endurance in mind before committing to a slow weapon playstyle.
Specialized Weapons by Build
Some weapons only shine under the right attribute investment. The Chikage drains your health while transformed but delivers excellent Bloodtinge damage. The Blade of Mercy trades range for blistering speed on dedicated Skill characters, and the Tonitrus provides bolt damage for Arcane-leaning hybrids.
| Weapon | Build | Strengths | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chikage | Bloodtinge | High transformed blood damage, fast | Drains health over time |
| Blade of Mercy | Skill | Very fast, dual-blade pressure | Short range, stamina-heavy |
| Logarius' Wheel | Strength | Massive stagger, heavy hits | Slow, high commitment |
| Tonitrus | Arcane hybrid | Built-in bolt damage | Limited empowered duration |
| Rakuyo (DLC) | Skill | Fast, high damage output | Late-game acquisition |
| Whirligig Saw (DLC) | Strength | Sustained multi-hit pressure | Requires DLC access |
The Old Hunters adds standout weapons like the Rakuyo, Simon's Bowblade, Bloodletter, and Holy Moonlight Sword. These generally require mid-to-late game progress before they become available.
Step-by-Step Upgrade Path
Pick one starting weapon
Choose Saw Cleaver, Hunter Axe, or Threaded Cane based on your preferred pace. Your starting choice remains viable through the entire game.
Reinforce one weapon only
Early Blood Stone Shards are scarce. Concentrate materials on your main weapon at the Hunter's Dream workshop for the biggest power gain.
Meet new weapon requirements
Raise the attributes needed for your next weapon—such as Ludwig's Holy Blade for quality builds—before spending heavily elsewhere.
Add a specialized second weapon
In the mid game, invest in a build-specific option like the Chikage or Blade of Mercy once scaling supports it.
Optimize with blood gems
In deep Chalice Dungeons, farm physical, elemental, or bloodtinge gems that match your weapon's damage profile.
| Stage | Upgrade Focus | Recommended Materials Source |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Main weapon to +3 | Central Yharnam, Blood Stone Shards |
| Mid | Main weapon to +6 | Cathedral Ward, Forbidden Woods |
| Late | Main weapon to +10 | Nightmare areas, Blood Rock |
| Endgame | Blood gem optimization | Depth 4-5 Chalice Dungeons |
A fully reinforced weapon with a +10 upgrade provides a larger damage increase than several levels of stats. Prioritize reinforcement over raw leveling whenever materials allow.
Weapon Progression Goals:
- Select and commit to one starting weapon
- Reinforce main weapon with early Blood Stone Shards
- Unlock Ludwig's Holy Blade via the Radiant Sword Hunter Badge
- Meet attribute requirements for a specialized weapon
- Farm blood gems in deep Chalice Dungeons
FAQ
Q: What are the best Bloodborne weapons for beginners?
The Saw Cleaver and Hunter Axe are the strongest starting choices. The Saw Cleaver offers fast attacks and serrated damage against beasts, while the Hunter Axe provides reach and crowd control through its transformed sweeping attacks.
Q: Is Ludwig's Holy Blade worth upgrading?
Yes. It is widely considered among the best Bloodborne weapons for quality builds thanks to its reliable one-handed moveset, powerful greatsword transformation, and strong Strength and Skill scaling. Purchase it after obtaining the Radiant Sword Hunter Badge.
Q: Can I finish the game with a starting weapon?
Absolutely. Starting weapons like the Saw Cleaver remain effective through the entire game, including The Old Hunters DLC, when consistently reinforced and paired with appropriate blood gems.
Q: Which weapon suits a Bloodtinge build?
The Chikage is the signature Bloodtinge weapon, offering high blood damage in its transformed state at the cost of continuous health drain. Simon's Bowblade from the DLC is another strong Bloodtinge option.