- Bloodborne trick weapons all transform mid-combo, giving each weapon two movesets in one.
- Saw Cleaver and Ludwig's Holy Blade are top-tier picks for most first playthroughs.
- Attribute scaling matters more than base damage: match weapons to Strength, Skill, Bloodtinge, or Arcane.
- Upgrade one weapon early instead of splitting Blood Stone Shards across several.
- Serrated and elemental bonuses can double effective damage against the right enemies.
What Makes Trick Weapons Unique
Bloodborne replaces the sword-and-shield formula of traditional action RPGs with trick weapons: armaments that switch between two forms at the press of a button. A transformation attack is not just cosmetic — it chains directly into your combo, letting you extend pressure, change range, or reposition mid-fight. Mastering when to flip forms is the core of Bloodborne's aggressive combat rhythm.
Every trick weapon has a standard form and a transformed form, each with its own moveset, speed, reach, and stamina cost. The right form depends on the enemy, the space you're fighting in, and your build's primary damage stat.
Video Highlights:
- Official look at hunter combat and weapon transformation flow
- Showcases Yharnam's gothic setting and fast-paced aggression
- Demonstrates why Bloodborne rewards attack pressure over defense
Moveset quality matters as much as attack rating. A weapon whose speed, reach, and transformation attacks fit your playstyle will outperform a higher-damage weapon you can't control.
Trick Weapon Tier Rankings
There is no single weapon that dominates every situation in Bloodborne. These rankings weigh early availability, scaling, moveset quality, and how long a weapon stays relevant through the campaign and The Old Hunters DLC.
| Tier | Weapon | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Saw Cleaver | Strength, Quality, Beginners | Fast serrated attacks, available from the start |
| S | Ludwig's Holy Blade | Quality, Strength | Reliable sword form plus a powerful greatsword transform |
| A | Hunter Axe | Strength, Beginners | Long reach and sweeping transformed crowd control |
| A | Kirkhammer | Strength | Quick sword form, heavy stagger hammer transform |
| A | Threaded Cane | Skill | Long whip reach and technical spacing |
| B | Chikage | Bloodtinge | Strong transformed blood damage, drains health |
| B | Blade of Mercy | Skill | Very fast dual-blade pressure and mobility |
| C | Logarius' Wheel | Dedicated Strength | High stagger potential, slow and stamina-heavy |
| Situational | Tonitrus | Arcane hybrids | Built-in bolt damage for vulnerable enemies |
Lower tiers are not bad weapons. Chikage and Logarius' Wheel are excellent within their specialized builds — they simply require more commitment, later availability, or stricter resource management than the S-tier picks.
| Weapon | Scaling Focus | Availability | Early Upgrade Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Cleaver | Strength / Skill | Start of game | ★★★★★ |
| Ludwig's Holy Blade | Strength + Skill | After Radiant Sword Hunter Badge | ★★★★ |
| Hunter Axe | Strength | Start of game | ★★★★★ |
| Threaded Cane | Skill | Start of game | ★★★☆ |
| Kirkhammer | Strength | After Sword Hunter Badge | ★★★★ |
| Chikage | Bloodtinge | Cainhurst Castle | ★★ |
Saw Cleaver
- Fast, forgiving moveset
- Serrated bonus against beasts
- Stays effective all game
- Short reach versus large bosses
Ludwig's Holy Blade
- One-handed speed, greatsword power
- Excellent for Strength/Skill hybrids
- Strong stagger and reach
- Transformed form drains stamina
Hunter Axe
- Best transformed crowd control
- Wide sweeps and charged attacks
- Ideal first Strength weapon
- Slower recovery than the Saw Cleaver
How to Get Each Weapon
Most trick weapons are purchased in the Hunter's Dream workshop using Blood Echoes after you obtain the corresponding Hunter Badge. Others are found in the world or earned through NPC questlines and DLC exploration.
| Weapon | How to Obtain |
|---|---|
| Saw Cleaver | Starting weapon selection in Hunter's Dream |
| Hunter Axe | Starting weapon selection in Hunter's Dream |
| Threaded Cane | Starting weapon selection in Hunter's Dream |
| Kirkhammer | Purchase after Sword Hunter Badge |
| Ludwig's Holy Blade | Purchase after Radiant Sword Hunter Badge |
| Blade of Mercy | Purchase after Crow Hunter Badge (Eileen's questline) |
| Chikage | Cainhurst Vilebloods badge at Cainhurst Castle |
| Logarius' Wheel | Wheel Hunter Badge after Martyr Logarius |
| Tonitrus | Purchase after Spark Hunter Badge |
| Holy Moonlight Sword | Defeat Ludwig in The Old Hunters |
Pick a starting weapon
Choose Saw Cleaver, Hunter Axe, or Threaded Cane based on whether you favor speed, reach, or technique. All three carry you through the early game.
Reinforce one weapon consistently
Spend early Blood Stone Shards at the Hunter's Dream workshop on your main weapon rather than dividing materials across several.
Unlock badges for new weapons
Progress through Central Yharnam, Cathedral Ward, and optional areas like Cainhurst to collect Hunter Badges that expand the workshop inventory.
Add a specialized second weapon
Around mid-game, pick up Ludwig's Holy Blade or a build-specific option to cover situations your main weapon handles poorly.
Early Blood Stone Shards are limited. Splitting them across three weapons leaves all three underpowered for bosses like Vicar Amelia — commit to one until it is well reinforced.
Matching Weapons to Your Build
Your primary damage stat determines which weapons reach their full potential. Check both the requirement and the scaling before investing upgrade materials.
| Build | Primary Stat | Best Trick Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | STR | Hunter Axe, Kirkhammer, Logarius' Wheel, Saw Cleaver |
| Skill | SKL | Threaded Cane, Blade of Mercy, Church Pick, Rakuyo |
| Bloodtinge | BLT | Chikage, Bloodletter, Simon's Bowblade |
| Arcane | ARC | Tonitrus, Kos Parasite, elemental-converted Saw Spear |
| Quality (STR/SKL) | Both | Ludwig's Holy Blade, Saw Cleaver, Saw Spear |
Serrated weapons like the Saw Cleaver and Saw Spear deal bonus damage to beasts, making them exceptional against Cleric Beast, Vicar Amelia, and Blood-starved Beast. Elemental paper and gems convert physical weapons for Arcane builds facing resistant enemies.
Trick Weapon Mastery Checklist:
- Choose one starting weapon and reinforce it consistently
- Learn both forms and transformation attack timing
- Collect at least two Hunter Badges for workshop options
- Match weapon scaling to your primary damage stat
- Keep Fire Paper and Bolt Paper stocked for resistant bosses
FAQ
Q: What is the best Bloodborne trick weapon for beginners?
The Saw Cleaver is the strongest beginner choice. It is available from the start, attacks quickly, has forgiving recovery, and its serrated bonus deals extra damage to the many beast enemies in early Yharnam. The Hunter Axe is a good alternative if you prefer reach and crowd control.
Q: How do Bloodborne trick weapons transform?
Pressing the transform button switches between the standard and transformed form. Transformation attacks chain directly into your combo, letting you extend pressure or change range mid-fight. Each form has its own moveset, speed, and stamina cost.
Q: Can I upgrade multiple trick weapons at once?
Yes, but it is not recommended early on. Blood Stone Shards are limited in the early game, so reinforcing one main weapon keeps your damage on pace with boss difficulty. Add a second weapon only after your primary is well upgraded.
Q: Which trick weapons work best for an Arcane build?
The Tonitrus is a natural fit thanks to its built-in bolt damage, and the Kos Parasite from The Old Hunters DLC scales with Arcane. Physical weapons like the Saw Spear can also be converted to elemental damage with the right blood gems.
For a first playthrough, run the Saw Cleaver with Vitality and one damage stat, transition into Ludwig's Holy Blade around mid-game if you want more reach, and keep elemental paper stocked for the toughest bosses. For official details, visit the Bloodborne PlayStation page.