Conquering the Beast: What Level Should You Be for Blood-Starved Beast?
So, you’re staring down the barrel of Old Yharnam, the scent of rot thick in the air, and you’re wondering if you’re beefy enough to take on the Blood-Starved Beast. You’ve heard the whispers, the tales of poison and frenzy, and you’re right to be cautious. As a seasoned Hunter, let me cut to the chase: a recommended level of 25 is a good starting point for tackling this monstrous foe. However, it isn’t just about the number. Let’s delve into the optimal character build, strategies, and crucial considerations to ensure victory. This vile creature is one of the earlier significant hurdles and is meant to test the player’s resolve and adaptability.
Understanding the Beast: More Than Just Level
Level isn’t everything. Stats distribution, your weapon of choice, and your grasp of Bloodborne’s combat mechanics all play a crucial role. You could theoretically beat the Blood-Starved Beast at a lower level if you’re a savant at parrying and dodging, but for most players, a level around 25 offers a comfortable balance.
What stats should you prioritize? Vitality, for starters. You’ll want enough health to survive a few hits, especially when the poison starts ticking. Skill and Strength are important depending on your preferred weapon, and Endurance will allow for more dodging and attacking.
- Vitality: Aim for at least 15-20. Surviving those initial onslaughts is key.
- Strength/Skill: Invest in the stat that scales best with your weapon. Are you wielding the Saw Cleaver for its serrated damage, or are you partial to the Hunter Axe? Focus accordingly.
- Endurance: Enough to chain a few dodges and attacks without running out of stamina.
Don’t sleep on consumables. As the article itself mentions, antidotes are absolutely vital. Stock up! You’ll be needing them to neutralize the Beast’s poisonous attacks.
Weaponry and Tactics: Fire is Your Friend
The Blood-Starved Beast is weak to fire. This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a strategic imperative.
- Fire Paper: A must-have. Apply it to your weapon for a significant damage boost.
- Molotov Cocktails: These can be thrown from a distance, dealing significant damage. Don’t be afraid to spam them!
- Saw Cleaver/Saw Spear: As mentioned, the serrated damage these weapons inflict is highly effective against beasts. The Saw Cleaver’s untransformed state offers additional advantages.
Beyond firepower, understand the Beast’s attack patterns. It’s aggressive, yes, but its movements are predictable with practice. Lock-on to keep it in sight, dodge aggressively (typically towards the attack to get behind it), and capitalize on openings. Don’t be afraid to use Pungent Blood Cocktails to distract it briefly, creating opportunities for attacks or healing. Firearms can also stagger the beast, interrupting its combos and giving you a chance to deal damage.
The first phase is manageable; the second is more intense with increased aggression and poison buildup. By the third phase, the poison will be relentless. That’s where antidotes become crucial.
Leveling Beyond the Beast: Looking Ahead
Defeating the Blood-Starved Beast opens up new areas and challenges. Knowing this, it is a good idea to start thinking about future encounters. Where will you level next? Consider your play style and build towards it. Every challenge is a learning opportunity. Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to understand deeper the art of mastering complex games and the psychology that drives this mastery.
Blood-Starved Beast FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions to further arm you with knowledge:
1. Is the Blood-Starved Beast harder than Father Gascoigne?
It’s subjective, but many players find the Blood-Starved Beast harder than Father Gascoigne. Gascoigne can be parried and his human form is somewhat predictable. The Beast’s erratic movements and poison attacks make it a tougher opponent.
2. Is the Blood-Starved Beast an optional boss?
No, the Blood-Starved Beast is not truly optional if you want to access the Chalice Dungeons, a significant part of Bloodborne’s endgame content. While you can skip it initially and explore the Hypogean Gaol, you’ll eventually need to defeat it to unlock the Chalice Dungeons.
3. Does the Pungent Blood Cocktail really work on the Blood-Starved Beast?
Yes, Pungent Blood Cocktails are effective against the Blood-Starved Beast. Throw one to distract it, giving you time to heal, reposition, or unleash a powerful attack. It works particularly well when combined with Molotov Cocktails.
4. What are some alternative strategies besides fire?
While fire is the most effective, you can also use Beast Blood Pellets to increase your damage output. Mastering parrying is another viable strategy, though riskier. High skill builds that can take advantage of visceral attacks are effective as well.
5. Can I summon an NPC for the Blood-Starved Beast fight?
Yes, you can summon Alfred for the Blood-Starved Beast fight. However, you must first encounter and speak to him in the Cathedral Ward and agree to cooperate.
6. What if I’m significantly underleveled? Is it still possible to win?
Yes, it’s possible, but significantly harder. You’ll need to be incredibly precise with your dodges and attacks, and rely heavily on consumables. A low-level run requires exceptional skill and patience.
7. Is the Blood-Starved Beast female?
Yes, lore suggests the Blood-Starved Beasts are female. This is inferred from the fact that female Blood Patients are unique in applying slow poison like the Blood-Starved Beast, a characteristic not found in male Blood Patients.
8. Is the Blood-Starved Beast weak to Bolt?
No, the Blood-Starved Beast is not weak to Bolt. It is most vulnerable to fire and serrated damage. Avoid using Bolt Paper or weapons with inherent Bolt damage.
9. How important are antidotes, really?
Antidotes are absolutely crucial. The Blood-Starved Beast’s poison buildup is rapid and debilitating. Without antidotes, you’ll quickly succumb to the poison’s effects, leaving you vulnerable and hindering your ability to heal. Stock up!
10. Is it worth farming for Blood Vials before the fight?
Yes, definitely. Having a full stock of Blood Vials (20) is essential for any boss fight, especially one as aggressive as the Blood-Starved Beast. Farm enemies in Central Yharnam to replenish your supply.
11. What are some good armor sets to wear for this fight?
Armor in Bloodborne is less about raw defense and more about resistances and weight. The Hunter Set is a good all-around choice. Focus on keeping your equip load below 70% to maintain maximum mobility.
12. Is there a specific pattern to the Blood-Starved Beast’s attacks I should learn?
Yes. Pay close attention to its windups. Its swipes are often followed by a delayed poison attack. Dodging into its attacks often allows you to get behind it and counterattack. Observe its patterns and adapt your strategy accordingly.
13. What should I do if I keep running out of stamina?
If you are running out of stamina too often, put more points into the Endurance stat. Consider using Rune that increases stamina recovery. Also, try to avoid constantly spamming the dodge button; be more deliberate with your movements.
14. What other bosses are similar in difficulty to Blood-Starved Beast?
Other bosses with a similar difficulty level include Vicar Amelia and Darkbeast Paarl. All three require good dodging skills, understanding of weaknesses, and strategic use of consumables.
15. Does upgrading my weapon make a big difference?
Yes, upgrading your weapon significantly increases its damage output. Prioritize upgrading your primary weapon at the Workshop. Even a few upgrades can make a noticeable difference in the Blood-Starved Beast fight.
Triumphant Hunting Awaits
The Blood-Starved Beast is a challenging but ultimately conquerable foe. By understanding its weaknesses, leveling appropriately, and mastering the core mechanics of Bloodborne’s combat, you’ll emerge victorious. Don’t be discouraged by early defeats; learn from your mistakes, adapt your strategy, and never give up the hunt. Good luck, Hunter!