Fair that-- it's a matter of individual taste and I always preferred lighter weapons (video games, DnD, whatever). Besides, what it loses in damage it makes up for in style. Plays like a very fashionable mosquito
Saw spear is my favorite early weapon. So versatile it can take you through the whole game.
Rakuyo and church pick are my favorite from the dlc.
Burial blade is very good too
Currently Logarius' Wheel, Holy Moonlight Sword, Kos parasite, Threaded Cane and if I want to turn my brain off Saw Spear.
...Tbf most of the weapons are very fun to play though.
I'm a simple guy. My Saw Cleaver and my Blunderbuss got me through my platinum journey. I tried other weapons and they are all so freaking cool honestly, but the Saw Cleaver was designed to take the most advantage of the combat system, or at least that's how I felt trying different options. But every weapon in this game is an absolute delight, there's really no wrong choices.
Hey same here! First playthrough and platinum was with Cleaver and Blunderbuss only! Been trying a bunch of new builds since and I just made a charecter who uses the Beasthunter Saif. You should try it! A lot of players consider it to be a better Saw Cleaver. It feels great to use so far, those dash and lunge attacks are absolutely disgusting.
There are advantages to all weapons both right and left handed. The blunderbus has less range but has wide spray (and I think more forgiving parry window). Evelyn scales with Bloodtinge.
Honestly, most of my favorite weapons are in the DLC. But it's not a fantastic idea for new players to do it at this point.
It would not be a terrible idea to get taken to Yahar'gul if you have not been there yet and grab the Tonitrus, as it is very effective against the next couple of bosses. Even if upgraded less, it may still be. It has a very powerful flat damage buff.
That things addictive lol. It's hard to go back to regular weapons because you get used to the lunge and without it you'll randomly swing at the air expecting to lunge at the bosss
Reiterpallasch, Burial Blade, Blades of Mercy, and Tonitrus, oh Tonitrus, it is so stinking powerful! Also who wouldn’t want an electrified mace? Anyways, those are some of my favorites. I don’t have the DLC either, so I don’t count those.
I find it hard to answer this question, because they're all so good! I'm nearly at 670 hours and I'm still doing playthroughs with weapons I didn't use yet 😂
If you can, get the DLC. If I had to pick, it would be a weapon from there.
With that being said, the saw cleaver is solid and can last you all game.
Being your first playthrough, I think you might have a good time with Ludwig’s Holy Blade, it’s easy to use and scales with both strength and skill. I would say though, if you stick to the Cleaver by the end you’ll never find yourself in much trouble. Same goes for any of the starter weapons, that’s something I love about Bloodborne, there may be better weapons, but the starter kit is good enough to carry you all the way through.
Whirleygig. I’ve done playthroughs using almost everything at this point (currently using Ludwig’s Holy Blade because I hadn’t used it since like my second ever playthrough). Amygdala arm is a close second because beating things to death with a great one’s extremity is hilarious to me
I'm a little further than you and have been enjoying the tonitrus way too much. I've also upgraded the saw cleaver with fire damage and it is a beast! Also my first playthrough!
Stake driver. Super underated when it comes to boss battles. You can build up your beast meter like crazy if you keep hitting transform attacks, and trying to get (or even more satisfying, KNOWING when to get) that charged R2 is so fun. It can make easy work of One Reborn, Rom, Ludwig, and Ebrietas.
Have you tried a stake driver with madman striking gems? (28% charged ATK + 12% physical full hp). I've gotten over 11k in one hit with full beasthood with two of those gems and a heavy abyssal + 6% charged ATK.
Stake driver also makes a fantastic elemental converted weapon, especially with fire.
I have not done this, definitley on my bucket list. I got a 30 something percent charged+ gem on a rifle spear and it did some crazy damage, so 11K for the stake driver R2 is for sure believable. I just use basic 27% physicals for mine, but now that i'm thinking I could get an uncanny stake driver and do a gem setup like yours! Normal for general combat, uncanny for when i'm fishing for R2s!
Yea 30% striking gems still make for a powerful R2. It's definitely worth giving it a go! The gems are super easy and fast to farm.
Striking:
Radial - dpbmzyvv
Waning - fzsmwibh
Not sure about favourite but I absolutely adore the whirligig saw, so fun. The saw spear too insued on my first playthrough and its so solid. Currently replaying with the beast cutter and the loud metal sounds it makes are so mwaah
Threaded Cane.
I know there are better weapons and that it starts very slow but I just love it. Rakuyo and Chikage are really cool too.
Also can never go wrong with Saw Cleaver. Ludwig’s is cool but honestly a greatsword kind of feels out of place in Bloodborne to me.
I use Lawrence’s Great Sword, it’s aesthetically pleasing and does like the second highest amount of damage besides that hammer as far as I’m aware I could be wrong though.
I can't parry to save my life so Ludwig's Holy Blade. Don't have to parry if I hit them harder. Saw Cleaver will always have a place in my heart though.
You’re at a good level right now to jump into the DLC. The starting area has a few fun weapons hidden within it. You might find the enemies and bosses challenging as there is a fair jump in difficulty between main game and DLC.
You’re at a perfect spot to start exploring some secondary weapon options. Don’t worry about upgrade mats, you’ll have plenty by the end.
Yeah the DLC is its own self contained story to be experienced alongside the main narrative. It provides some context for some of the places and bosses you’re already seen as well as expands on themes and concepts.
I personally consider the Bloodborne dlc to be some of Fromsofts finest environmental storytelling. Envious of anyone getting to play it for the first time. In typical Fromsoft fashion, accessing the dlc is a tad convoluted but there are plenty of folks here who can help you out; if you’ve been reading item descriptions and generally thinking about the lore while playing, then you’ll find it no problem.
Honestly? I started with the Trick Cleaver and kept it for the longest time. Then I found the Whirlygig saw and the scythe. I can't go back. It just...feels so cool to be beheading guys with a damn scythe, going "the reapers in the house bitchez."
the chilage is my beloved i love that thing. if you)re not going bloodtinge you shouldn't use it though. my second favorite is the beasthunter's saif, it's like a saw blade but with the sickest moveset known to man
Chikage for sure
sadly if you want this weapon to works really well you need to goes all the hoops in chalice dungeon
i got all the hoops once the weapon is soooo coooool do that transform attack is like do Iai slash and just rekt every enemy and bosses and then transform back like you shake the blood off the sword so cool
but yeah don't want to do that in other playthrough it really suck to had to go in all chalice dungeon again
Blades of mercy are my absolute favorite, carried my first playthrough, close second are the beast claws and burial blade. But I’ve done about 3 mercy runs because it’s just too damn fun
To expand, blades are the fastest attacking weapon in a game that incentivizes aggression. It doesn’t make bosses flinch for shit but when you punish their openings you rip through them. Especially in its trick form it attacks faster the longer your combo goes. Mix that with S scaling in skill and you have a high DPS evasive play style that never gets old. The beast claws are just a blast. Makes you really feel like a raging beast just tearing through hordes of enemies. At least until you get your pinky toe stepped on at full beast hood. Finally, the burial blade. Giant scythe in a gothic horror RPG, nuff said
Chikage for Bloodtinge (my fave build), Rakuyo for Skill + paper buffs, Blade of Mercy for Skill with no paper buffs (buffs during dash attacks instead), Saw Cleaver/Saw Spear with arcane scaling gems for pure Arcane (trust me this is the way), Ludwig's Holy Blade for Strength.
My favs in the game are the blade of mercy (what Eileen the crow uses), the Rakuyo, saw spear, hunter's axe, and Whirligig Saw. Any of those are good for a build, depending on if you want to strength or skill, and also if you're willing to brave the sharks in the dlc for the Rakuyo.
My favourite weapon in the game is probably beast claw, I saw like one person mentioning it being one of their favorite weapons but this is MY FAVOURITE weapon. This plus the Beast's embrace rune (DLC) makes the weapon the most fun one in my opinion... you do have to do the chalice dungeons to get the beast claw which kinda sucks but i still really like this weapon
For me it’s the Beasthunter Saif. Even though it doesn’t look serrated, it does serrated damage. Scales extremely well on both skill and strength, can be buffed and has one of the fastest movesets in the game. Big range while on standard mode, and super fast on transformed mode.
Plus, for a hunter’s tool, looks extremely slick and badass.
I always pick the cane as my starting weapon. Good for almost every situation-- fast with an option for crowd control
It's fantastic! Love the serration for beasts and cane for humans + crowd control.
I've never felt like the cane does enough damage per swing, though I've never used it late game
Fair that-- it's a matter of individual taste and I always preferred lighter weapons (video games, DnD, whatever). Besides, what it loses in damage it makes up for in style. Plays like a very fashionable mosquito
Ive platinumed the game and cane is still my favorite weapon, and its not even close
Kirkhammer because bonk
“That’s it, I’m gettin me mallet!”
Saw spear is my favorite early weapon. So versatile it can take you through the whole game. Rakuyo and church pick are my favorite from the dlc. Burial blade is very good too
I used threaded cane/saw spear for my first playthrough and now on my ng+ run I’m using rakuyo/church pick 😂
Currently Logarius' Wheel, Holy Moonlight Sword, Kos parasite, Threaded Cane and if I want to turn my brain off Saw Spear. ...Tbf most of the weapons are very fun to play though.
Log wheel is best weapon in the game and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
I'm a simple guy. My Saw Cleaver and my Blunderbuss got me through my platinum journey. I tried other weapons and they are all so freaking cool honestly, but the Saw Cleaver was designed to take the most advantage of the combat system, or at least that's how I felt trying different options. But every weapon in this game is an absolute delight, there's really no wrong choices.
Hey same here! First playthrough and platinum was with Cleaver and Blunderbuss only! Been trying a bunch of new builds since and I just made a charecter who uses the Beasthunter Saif. You should try it! A lot of players consider it to be a better Saw Cleaver. It feels great to use so far, those dash and lunge attacks are absolutely disgusting.
Should I be using the blunderbuss over the pistol? Or does it not really matter what gun I use
There are advantages to all weapons both right and left handed. The blunderbus has less range but has wide spray (and I think more forgiving parry window). Evelyn scales with Bloodtinge.
Honestly, most of my favorite weapons are in the DLC. But it's not a fantastic idea for new players to do it at this point. It would not be a terrible idea to get taken to Yahar'gul if you have not been there yet and grab the Tonitrus, as it is very effective against the next couple of bosses. Even if upgraded less, it may still be. It has a very powerful flat damage buff.
Saw Spear, Threaded Cane, Hunter's Axe. Although with my most recent playthrough I've come to really enjoy the Beasthunter Saif.
That things addictive lol. It's hard to go back to regular weapons because you get used to the lunge and without it you'll randomly swing at the air expecting to lunge at the bosss
Reiterpallasch, Burial Blade, Blades of Mercy, and Tonitrus, oh Tonitrus, it is so stinking powerful! Also who wouldn’t want an electrified mace? Anyways, those are some of my favorites. I don’t have the DLC either, so I don’t count those.
You filthy casual! There's only about one good weapon for each offensive type lol. It's mostly about the bosses
Tonitrus and moonlight. Mega chad fist of gratia
If the Fist of Gratia parried I would love it so much for PvP :(
We all would :(
My favourite weapon is by far is beasthunter saif, that forward lunge it has for its r1 is so helpful
Hunter's axe and Rakuyo were my favs.
Every weapon is viable Do a run with everything Personally Church pick Beasthunter Saif Logarius' Wheel Saw Spear HMS
my favorite weapons will forever be the saw cleaver and the burial blade
Beast claw 100% Sometimes you just gotta out-beast the beasts.
I finished my plat on this and i gotta say, yeah beast claw is definitely top 5, maybe too 3
I find it hard to answer this question, because they're all so good! I'm nearly at 670 hours and I'm still doing playthroughs with weapons I didn't use yet 😂 If you can, get the DLC. If I had to pick, it would be a weapon from there. With that being said, the saw cleaver is solid and can last you all game.
you’re exactly where you need to (and can) be weapon wise :)
I have only ever used the axe, so im gonna say the starting axe
Once you discover Rakuyo you don’t want another weapon
Saw cleaver as it is the poster boy of bloodborne
Being your first playthrough, I think you might have a good time with Ludwig’s Holy Blade, it’s easy to use and scales with both strength and skill. I would say though, if you stick to the Cleaver by the end you’ll never find yourself in much trouble. Same goes for any of the starter weapons, that’s something I love about Bloodborne, there may be better weapons, but the starter kit is good enough to carry you all the way through.
Simon’s Bowblade, Saw Spear, Ludwig’s, and Church Pick are my favourites
Whirleygig. I’ve done playthroughs using almost everything at this point (currently using Ludwig’s Holy Blade because I hadn’t used it since like my second ever playthrough). Amygdala arm is a close second because beating things to death with a great one’s extremity is hilarious to me
saw cleaver 4L
DLC weapon: Beasthunter saif, is like the saw cleaver predecessor but it has an amazing moveset
I'm a little further than you and have been enjoying the tonitrus way too much. I've also upgraded the saw cleaver with fire damage and it is a beast! Also my first playthrough!
Oh yeah, it's pizza time [proceeds to pull out Whirligig Saw]
Also Boom Hammer goes BOOM
Stake driver. Fast, high damage, great move set. And it’s cool looking.
Burial Blade and boom hammer are my go to weapons
Chikage. I don't use katanas in any other souls game but it is so satisfying in bb
whirlgig saw, rakuyo and LHB
Stake driver. Super underated when it comes to boss battles. You can build up your beast meter like crazy if you keep hitting transform attacks, and trying to get (or even more satisfying, KNOWING when to get) that charged R2 is so fun. It can make easy work of One Reborn, Rom, Ludwig, and Ebrietas.
Have you tried a stake driver with madman striking gems? (28% charged ATK + 12% physical full hp). I've gotten over 11k in one hit with full beasthood with two of those gems and a heavy abyssal + 6% charged ATK. Stake driver also makes a fantastic elemental converted weapon, especially with fire.
I have not done this, definitley on my bucket list. I got a 30 something percent charged+ gem on a rifle spear and it did some crazy damage, so 11K for the stake driver R2 is for sure believable. I just use basic 27% physicals for mine, but now that i'm thinking I could get an uncanny stake driver and do a gem setup like yours! Normal for general combat, uncanny for when i'm fishing for R2s!
Yea 30% striking gems still make for a powerful R2. It's definitely worth giving it a go! The gems are super easy and fast to farm. Striking: Radial - dpbmzyvv Waning - fzsmwibh
Saw Cleaver and Moonlight Sword
Saw spear. Always end up going back up it.
I really like the saw spear. It’s very similar to the saw cleaver but it’s serrated on both sides so it has some advantages.
I’ve always been fond of Ludwig’s holy blade and Kirk hammer
Holy Moonlight Sword and Axe
Bloodletter takes too long to get but god is it worth it.
Rakuyo, no doubt about it
My favorites were the Burial Blade, "Moonlight Greatsword", Beast Claws, and the Whirligig Saw
My favourite are the Tonitrus, Hunters' Axe, Holy Moonlight Sword and Kirk Hammer. But all the weapons are great
Not sure about favourite but I absolutely adore the whirligig saw, so fun. The saw spear too insued on my first playthrough and its so solid. Currently replaying with the beast cutter and the loud metal sounds it makes are so mwaah
Threaded Cane. I know there are better weapons and that it starts very slow but I just love it. Rakuyo and Chikage are really cool too. Also can never go wrong with Saw Cleaver. Ludwig’s is cool but honestly a greatsword kind of feels out of place in Bloodborne to me.
Saw cleaver
Unnga Bunga Kirk Hammer go bonk
ludwig’s
Chikage. Very few enemies have high resistance against Blood Damage.
Holy moonlight sword and kirkhammer
I’m using Ludwig’s holy blade and the Tonitrus
I use Lawrence’s Great Sword, it’s aesthetically pleasing and does like the second highest amount of damage besides that hammer as far as I’m aware I could be wrong though.
The Beast Claw. There's something poetic about beating Bloodborne as an actual Beast, and staying sane the entire time.
Holy Moonlight Sword BeastHunter Saif Chikage Burial Blade Whirligig Saw Beastcutter Saw Cleaver Saw Spear Ludwig Holy Blade
I can't parry to save my life so Ludwig's Holy Blade. Don't have to parry if I hit them harder. Saw Cleaver will always have a place in my heart though.
The axe in the early game is my favorite, it is strong and can do damage to multiple monsters ,and it looks really cool. :)
Spin 2 win
You’re at a good level right now to jump into the DLC. The starting area has a few fun weapons hidden within it. You might find the enemies and bosses challenging as there is a fair jump in difficulty between main game and DLC. You’re at a perfect spot to start exploring some secondary weapon options. Don’t worry about upgrade mats, you’ll have plenty by the end.
Thank you for the advice. I plan on purchasing the DLC soon. Also, you can start the DLC simultaneously with the main story?
Yeah the DLC is its own self contained story to be experienced alongside the main narrative. It provides some context for some of the places and bosses you’re already seen as well as expands on themes and concepts. I personally consider the Bloodborne dlc to be some of Fromsofts finest environmental storytelling. Envious of anyone getting to play it for the first time. In typical Fromsoft fashion, accessing the dlc is a tad convoluted but there are plenty of folks here who can help you out; if you’ve been reading item descriptions and generally thinking about the lore while playing, then you’ll find it no problem.
Beast Cutter gang rise up
WHEEL
Honestly? I started with the Trick Cleaver and kept it for the longest time. Then I found the Whirlygig saw and the scythe. I can't go back. It just...feels so cool to be beheading guys with a damn scythe, going "the reapers in the house bitchez."
church pic thrust gems! pizza cutter (forgot the real name)
Saw cleaver, hunters axe, whirligig saw, lhb and hmb have been in use for me most of the time
the chilage is my beloved i love that thing. if you)re not going bloodtinge you shouldn't use it though. my second favorite is the beasthunter's saif, it's like a saw blade but with the sickest moveset known to man
Swag axe gang for that double spin r2 let's get it
Chikage for sure sadly if you want this weapon to works really well you need to goes all the hoops in chalice dungeon i got all the hoops once the weapon is soooo coooool do that transform attack is like do Iai slash and just rekt every enemy and bosses and then transform back like you shake the blood off the sword so cool but yeah don't want to do that in other playthrough it really suck to had to go in all chalice dungeon again
Saw spear
SAIF!!! HUNT THE BEASSTTSSSS!!!
Blades of mercy are my absolute favorite, carried my first playthrough, close second are the beast claws and burial blade. But I’ve done about 3 mercy runs because it’s just too damn fun
To expand, blades are the fastest attacking weapon in a game that incentivizes aggression. It doesn’t make bosses flinch for shit but when you punish their openings you rip through them. Especially in its trick form it attacks faster the longer your combo goes. Mix that with S scaling in skill and you have a high DPS evasive play style that never gets old. The beast claws are just a blast. Makes you really feel like a raging beast just tearing through hordes of enemies. At least until you get your pinky toe stepped on at full beast hood. Finally, the burial blade. Giant scythe in a gothic horror RPG, nuff said
Chikage for Bloodtinge (my fave build), Rakuyo for Skill + paper buffs, Blade of Mercy for Skill with no paper buffs (buffs during dash attacks instead), Saw Cleaver/Saw Spear with arcane scaling gems for pure Arcane (trust me this is the way), Ludwig's Holy Blade for Strength.
My favs in the game are the blade of mercy (what Eileen the crow uses), the Rakuyo, saw spear, hunter's axe, and Whirligig Saw. Any of those are good for a build, depending on if you want to strength or skill, and also if you're willing to brave the sharks in the dlc for the Rakuyo.
Kirkhammer Supremacy.
My favourite weapon in the game is probably beast claw, I saw like one person mentioning it being one of their favorite weapons but this is MY FAVOURITE weapon. This plus the Beast's embrace rune (DLC) makes the weapon the most fun one in my opinion... you do have to do the chalice dungeons to get the beast claw which kinda sucks but i still really like this weapon
Saw Cleaver, Church Pick, or Burial Blade will clear all content without having to change to any other weapon type.
For me it’s the Beasthunter Saif. Even though it doesn’t look serrated, it does serrated damage. Scales extremely well on both skill and strength, can be buffed and has one of the fastest movesets in the game. Big range while on standard mode, and super fast on transformed mode. Plus, for a hunter’s tool, looks extremely slick and badass.