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Is the Moon Presence Parryable in Bloodborne? A Hunter’s Guide

The short answer is a resounding no. The Moon Presence, the enigmatic and truly final boss of Bloodborne, cannot be parried. This celestial being, a Great One of immense power, is immune to the hunter’s bullets in this manner. Attempting to parry the Moon Presence will only leave you vulnerable to its devastating attacks. Understanding this limitation is crucial for strategizing your approach to this climactic encounter.

Understanding the Moon Presence

Before diving deeper into why the Moon Presence cannot be parried, let’s establish a foundational understanding of this boss. The Moon Presence is an optional final boss, only accessible if the hunter consumes three One Third of Umbilical Cord items before defeating Gehrman, the First Hunter. Its appearance is unnerving: a pale, slender, vaguely humanoid creature with squid-like appendages, radiating an otherworldly aura. The lore surrounding the Moon Presence is shrouded in mystery, but it’s generally believed to be a powerful Great One that influences the Hunter’s Dream and the events of the game.

Why No Parry?

The inability to parry the Moon Presence is likely a deliberate design choice by FromSoftware. Parrying in Bloodborne is a powerful tool, but it is generally reserved for more terrestrial or human-sized opponents. The Moon Presence, being a Great One with supernatural power, transcends these conventional combat tactics. Making it parryable would trivialize the encounter and undermine its intended difficulty and thematic significance.

Strategic Alternatives

Since parrying is off the table, Hunters must rely on other strategies to defeat the Moon Presence.

Dodging: The most crucial skill for this fight. The Moon Presence has wide-sweeping attacks, but many can be avoided by dodging behind it, creating openings for counterattacks.
Positioning: Staying aware of your position relative to the Moon Presence is critical. Avoid getting trapped against walls or in corners, as its attacks can quickly overwhelm you.
Exploiting Openings: After some of its three-hit combos, the Moon Presence will leave its back open for attacks. Take advantage of these windows to deal significant damage.
Beast Blood Pellets: These items can temporarily increase your beastly transformation and damage output, helping you to shorten the fight and minimize exposure to its attacks.
High Damage Output: Weapons with high raw damage or those that scale well with your stats will be essential for taking it down quickly. Consider using weapons like the Saw Cleaver (in its transformed state) or Ludwig’s Holy Blade.
Blood Vials: Ensure you have a plentiful supply of Blood Vials. This fight can be attritional, and you’ll need to heal frequently to survive its powerful attacks.
Understanding the Nullification Attack: Be wary of its special attack where it nullifies the hunter’s health, bringing it down to 1HP. It usually follows up with another attack, so heal quickly.

Moon Presence Compared to Other Bosses

Many players find the Moon Presence easier than Gehrman. Gehrman is extremely quick and aggressive, relentlessly pursuing the Hunter with tricky combos and firearm attacks. The Moon Presence, while possessing powerful attacks, is often slower and more predictable, allowing for more opportunities to dodge and counterattack. Also keep in mind that Orphan of Kos is considered to be one of the hardest bosses in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Moon Presence and related topics, to help you on your journey to defeating it:

Is the Moon Presence the hardest boss in Bloodborne? No. While a formidable opponent, many players consider bosses like the Orphan of Kos or Laurence, the First Vicar, to be significantly more challenging. The difficulty is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and builds.
What happens if I defeat Gehrman without consuming the Umbilical Cords? You will trigger the standard ending, waking up in Yharnam, unaware of the true nature of the hunt and the Great Ones.
How many Umbilical Cords are there to find? There are four One Third of Umbilical Cord items available in the game, but you only need to consume three to trigger the Moon Presence fight.
Can I fight the Moon Presence in co-op? Yes, you can summon other players to help you fight the Moon Presence. Co-op can make the fight significantly easier, as the boss’s attention will be divided between multiple targets.
What level should I be to fight the Moon Presence? A recommended level of 70-80 is ideal. The most important thing to consider is your weapon upgrades and skill allocation.
Is the Moon Presence evil? That’s a matter of interpretation. Unlike some Great Ones, the Moon Presence doesn’t seem to have inherently malicious intentions. It uses the Hunter’s Dream to guide and manipulate Hunters, perhaps with a benevolent goal, however, it is still unknown.
What is the Hunter’s Dream? The Hunter’s Dream is a sanctuary created by the Moon Presence, a safe haven for hunters to recover and prepare for their hunts.
Why does Gehrman want to kill me? If you refuse Gehrman’s offer to end the hunt, he will fight you to prevent you from discovering the truth about the Moon Presence and the Great Ones.
What are Great Ones? Great Ones are powerful, celestial beings that exist beyond human understanding. They are a central element of the Lovecraftian horror theme in Bloodborne.
What happens if the Moon Presence kills me? You will be sent back to the Hunter’s Dream to revive. You’ll have another opportunity to fight it, but you’ll have to start the encounter from the beginning.
What happens if I kill the Moon Presence? Killing the Moon Presence unlocks the secret ending of the game and immediately throws players into “New Game +”, starting a fresh playthrough.
Can I use items during the Moon Presence fight? Yes, you can use items like Blood Vials, Quicksilver Bullets, and various consumables to aid you in the fight.
What weapon is best for fighting the Moon Presence? Weapons with high damage output and good scaling with your stats are ideal. Ludwig’s Holy Blade, the Saw Cleaver, and the Burial Blade are all excellent choices.
Can I use Bolt or Fire Paper against the Moon Presence? While these can add extra damage, the Moon Presence doesn’t have a specific weakness to either. Focus on raw damage and exploiting openings.
Where can I learn more about the lore of Bloodborne? Exploring the game world, reading item descriptions, and watching lore videos on YouTube are great ways to delve deeper into Bloodborne’s rich lore. You can also check out academic discussions on gaming at sites like GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Thoughts

While the Moon Presence cannot be parried, don’t despair! With the right strategy, equipment, and understanding of its attack patterns, you can overcome this celestial foe and achieve the true ending of Bloodborne. Embrace the hunt, Hunter, and may the good blood guide your way.

Is the moon presence parryable?