How to Obtain Blood Rocks in Bloodborne: A Comprehensive Guide
The Blood Rock is the single most coveted upgrade material in Bloodborne, required to fully upgrade weapons to their maximum potential of +10. Securing these rare stones is a significant endeavor for any Hunter, demanding exploration, skill, and a touch of luck. While they are scarce, they are not impossible to find. This guide details all the methods you can use to acquire Blood Rocks, ensuring you have the materials needed to forge the most powerful arsenal.
Guaranteed Blood Rock Locations
Let’s start with the guaranteed methods for securing Blood Rocks, the locations where their acquisition is less reliant on chance:
Nightmare of Mensis
The first guaranteed Blood Rock is found in the late-game area of the Nightmare of Mensis. After reaching the area with the moving cage elevator, you need to step out of the elevator mid-ascent into a broken window opening. This leads to a precarious bridge swarming with Winter Lanterns, a formidable enemy. At the end of the bridge, you will find the coveted Blood Rock. Be warned, the Winter Lanterns can inflict frenzy, so be prepared.
The Old Hunters DLC
The Bloodborne DLC, titled The Old Hunters, offers another guaranteed Blood Rock. This one is located in the caverns beneath the Lighthouse in the Fishing Hamlet. Navigate through this treacherous area, and you will find the Blood Rock in a chest. Make sure you are well-equipped, as this location can be challenging.
Chalice Dungeons
Chalice Dungeons provide a reliable, albeit less straightforward, source for Blood Rocks. Specifically, there is one Blood Rock in each of these Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons:
- Pthumeru Root Chalice
- Loran Root Chalice
- Isz Root Chalice
These are always located in treasure chests within the dungeons. It is essential to note that you can only acquire one Blood Rock per dungeon type. If you collect one from a Pthumeru dungeon, no other Pthumeru dungeon will contain a Blood Rock. Instead, you will find Great One’s Wisdom.
Alternative Blood Rock Acquisition
While the above locations are guaranteed, they have limitations. For Hunters who need more, these alternative methods will help to gather additional Blood Rocks, but they may involve some farming and luck:
Buying Blood Rocks
After defeating the Wet Nurse in the main story, you can purchase Blood Rocks from the Insight Bath Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream for 60 Insight. This is a significant amount of Insight and only becomes an option in NG+ (New Game Plus). This method is primarily beneficial for late-game hunters who have an excess of Insight or want to purchase Blood Rocks quickly without any exploration.
Chalice Dungeon Boss Drops
There is a random chance that the final boss of a Depth 5 Root Chalice dungeon will drop a Blood Rock. This means that after you’ve collected the three guaranteed Blood Rocks from the chests, you have a chance of obtaining more if you are willing to grind. However, the drop rate is not guaranteed, so patience and persistence are necessary.
Blood Rock Farming Techniques
While it is difficult to farm Blood Rocks, the Chalice Dungeons are the best option. After exhausting the guaranteed locations each playthrough, farming chalice dungeons is your most consistent method for acquiring additional Blood Rocks.
- Root Isz Chalice: This chalice is highly recommended for Blood Rock farming. The Blood Rock is usually in the very first treasure area guarded by a Brainsucker, making a swift retrieval possible on each run.
It’s important to understand the process:
- Every new game cycle (NG+): The guaranteed Blood Rocks from the Nightmare of Mensis, the DLC, and the chalice dungeons reset, allowing you to obtain them again.
- Chalice Dungeon Limits: The only method that is consistently repeatable for farming is to run the Depth 5 Root Chalice dungeons, hoping the last boss drops the Blood Rock.
- Randomness: Be aware, that even with the best farming strategies, Blood Rocks are still rare, and it may take time before one drops.
Blood Rock Availability Summary
To summarise, here are the main methods to obtain Blood Rocks:
- Guaranteed Finds (Once per Playthrough):
- Nightmare of Mensis (in the late-game area on the bridge after using the cage elevator).
- The Old Hunters DLC (in the caverns under the Lighthouse in Fishing Hamlet).
- Three chests within each of the depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons. (One each of the Pthumeru, Loran and Isz root chalice).
- Repeatable Options (NG+ and Farming):
- Buying them with insight in the Hunter’s Dream. (Available after beating the Wet Nurse).
- Random drops from the final boss in Depth 5 Chalice Dungeons.
By combining these methods, you can maximize your chances of finding enough Blood Rocks to max out your desired weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Blood Rocks to provide additional insight:
1. How many Blood Rocks can I get in a single playthrough?
In a single playthrough, you can obtain five Blood Rocks: one from Nightmare of Mensis, one from The Old Hunters DLC, and three from Depth 5 Root Chalice dungeons. You can also purchase them for Insight in NG+ or get them via rare boss drops.
2. Do Blood Rocks respawn in New Game+?
Yes, the Blood Rocks found in the Nightmare of Mensis, the DLC, and the chalice dungeons reset with each NG+ cycle, allowing you to collect them again.
3. Can I farm Blood Rocks?
Yes, you can farm Blood Rocks by repeatedly running Depth 5 Root Chalice dungeons. While the boss drop is not guaranteed, it’s the only method that allows you to obtain them beyond the guaranteed location in each NG cycle.
4. What are Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons?
Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons are the most difficult and deepest randomly generated chalice dungeons. They can be accessed after completing the main story Chalice Dungeons and using specific chalice offerings at the Ritual Altars in the Hunter’s Dream.
5. Can I buy Blood Rocks?
Yes, after defeating the Wet Nurse in the main game and starting a new game cycle, you can purchase Blood Rocks for 60 Insight from the Insight Bath Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream.
6. Is there a specific chalice dungeon for Blood Rocks?
While three separate chalice dungeons each have a guaranteed Blood Rock in a chest, the most frequently used farming location is the Root Isz Chalice due to the convenient location of the first chest.
7. What if I get Great One’s Wisdom instead of a Blood Rock in a Chalice dungeon?
If you get Great One’s Wisdom instead of a Blood Rock, it indicates that you have already collected the Blood Rock from a dungeon of that specific type. For example, if you got a Blood Rock in the Pthumeru Root Chalice, no other Pthumeru Root Chalice will provide a Blood Rock in a chest, and will give Great One’s Wisdom instead.
8. How do I access Chalice Dungeons?
You access Chalice Dungeons using Chalice items and Ritual Altars found in the Hunter’s Dream. By completing the initial story chalice dungeons, more are then made available to use.
9. Can I sell Blood Rocks?
No, Blood Rocks cannot be sold to the messengers in the Hunter’s Dream.
10. Do Blood Rocks drop from regular enemies?
No, Blood Rocks do not drop from regular enemies in Bloodborne, nor can they be found on the ground or as pick-ups.
11. What is the fastest way to get Blood Rocks?
The fastest way is to get the guaranteed Blood Rocks in the Nightmare of Mensis, The Old Hunters DLC, and the three Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons in each NG cycle and then to farm the Depth 5 Root Chalice bosses.
12. What level should I be before going for Blood Rocks?
It is recommended to be level 80 or higher before attempting the more challenging areas with the Winter Lanterns or Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons.
13. Are the Depth 5 Root Chalice Dungeons infinite?
While Chalice Dungeons are procedurally generated, there is a limited number of unique combinations, about 2300, not infinite combinations.
14. What is the maximum upgrade level for a weapon?
The maximum upgrade level for a weapon in Bloodborne is +10, which requires a Blood Rock as the final upgrade material.
15. What is the best use for Blood Rocks?
Blood Rocks are best used to upgrade your most favorite and effective weapons, maximizing their potential in the toughest challenges Bloodborne has to offer.