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Should I Give Alfred the Unopened Summons in Bloodborne? A Hunter’s Dilemma

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Absolutely! Giving Alfred the Unopened Summons is almost universally the better choice in Bloodborne, unlocking a significant portion of his questline and providing access to unique rewards and lore. While there are alternative paths, choosing to cooperate with Alfred offers a more satisfying and rewarding experience for most players. This article dives deep into why you should hand over the summons and answers frequently asked questions to guide you through this pivotal decision.

Understanding the Consequences: Alfred’s Questline and Its Impact

Deciding whether or not to give Alfred the Unopened Summons, found atop Cainhurst Castle, is a crucial point in his questline. Here’s a breakdown of what happens when you choose to cooperate:

Alfred’s Journey to Cainhurst: Giving Alfred the summons triggers his departure to Cainhurst Castle. He’s driven by a fanatical devotion to his master, Logarius, and fueled by the desire to eradicate the Vilebloods.
The Queen’s Demise: Upon reaching Cainhurst, Alfred confronts Annalise, Queen of the Vilebloods, and fulfills his mission by brutally killing her. This act, while seemingly righteous in Alfred’s eyes, is a turning point in the narrative.
Rewards and Progression: By allowing Alfred to complete his quest, you will receive the Church Bow (Male) Gesture and the Wheel Hunter Badge. This badge allows you to purchase the Logarius Wheel, a unique and powerful weapon, from the Bath Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream.
Alfred’s Fate: After his grisly deed, Alfred returns to the altar where you first met him in Cathedral Ward. There, overcome with what he has done, he is found in a state of delirium, eventually dying. You can then obtain the Radiance Rune from him.

The Alternative: Killing Alfred and Missing Out

While you can choose to kill Alfred at various points in his questline, doing so cuts you off from a significant portion of his story and potentially valuable rewards.

Early Demise: Killing Alfred before giving him the summons, for example, at the church leading to Old Yharnam, will only net you a few Fire Papers.
Missed Badge Opportunity: Killing him before he goes to Cainhurst, but after you have the Unopened Summons, will give you the Wheel Hunter Badge. However, you still miss the conclusion of his quest.
Lost Lore: Killing Alfred prematurely also denies you the opportunity to witness the tragic conclusion of his quest and delve deeper into the lore surrounding the Executioners and the Vilebloods.

The Value of Cooperation: More Than Just Rewards

The decision to give Alfred the Unopened Summons extends beyond mere item acquisition. It allows you to:

Experience a Complete Narrative: Witnessing Alfred’s entire questline provides a more compelling and nuanced understanding of his character, motivations, and the conflict between the Executioners and the Vilebloods.
Unravel Bloodborne’s Complex Lore: Alfred’s questline sheds light on the history of the Healing Church, the Executioners, and the origins of the Vilebloods, enriching your understanding of Bloodborne‘s intricate world.
Make a Meaningful Choice: The decision to give Alfred the summons or not is a moral dilemma that forces you to confront the themes of justice, fanaticism, and the consequences of blind faith.

FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions About Alfred and the Summons

### 1. What exactly is the Unopened Summons?

The Unopened Summons is a letter found at the top of Cainhurst Castle, specifically on a table to the right of the throne where you find Queen Annalise. It’s essentially an invitation to Cainhurst, sent long ago. It acts as the trigger for Alfred to access Cainhurst.

### 2. Where do I find Alfred to give him the Summons?

After you have the Unopened Summons, Alfred will have moved from his initial location near the church leading to Old Yharnam. He’s now located at the connecting point between Cathedral Ward and the entrance to the Forbidden Woods. Look for him on the balcony overlooking the path to the Forbidden Woods.

### 3. What reward do I get for giving Alfred the Summons?

Upon giving Alfred the Unopened Summons, you will immediately receive the Church Bow (Male) Gesture and the Wheel Hunter Badge.

### 4. What does the Wheel Hunter Badge do?

The Wheel Hunter Badge unlocks the ability to purchase the Logarius Wheel, a unique and powerful weapon favored by the Executioners, from the Bath Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream.

### 5. Can I still get the Logarius Wheel if I kill Alfred?

Yes, if you kill Alfred after obtaining the Unopened Summons but before he goes to Cainhurst, he will drop the Wheel Hunter Badge.

### 6. What happens after Alfred kills the Vileblood Queen?

After killing Annalise, Queen of the Vilebloods, Alfred will return to the altar in Cathedral Ward where you first met him. You will find him standing over the queen’s remains, covered in blood, and filled with a chilling sense of accomplishment and madness. After exhausting his dialogue, he will eventually die, leaving behind the Radiance Rune.

### 7. What is the Radiance Rune?

The Radiance Rune is a Caryll Rune that increases the amount of HP restored by using Blood Vials.

### 8. Can I resurrect the Vileblood Queen after Alfred kills her?

Yes! You can resurrect Annalise, Queen of the Vilebloods, by obtaining the Queenly Flesh, which is left behind after Alfred kills her. Take the Queenly Flesh to the Altar of Despair in the Upper Cathedral Ward and “Offer Flesh To Altar”.

### 9. Is Alfred a good guy or a bad guy?

Alfred is a complex character. He’s a devout member of the Executioners, a fanatical group dedicated to eradicating the Vilebloods. His actions are driven by his unwavering faith and a desire to avenge his master, Logarius. However, his methods are brutal and his actions have tragic consequences. Whether he’s “good” or “bad” is a matter of perspective and interpretation.

### 10. What are the Executioners?

The Executioners are a branch of the Healing Church dedicated to hunting and destroying the Vilebloods of Cainhurst. They are known for their ruthless methods and fanatical devotion to their cause.

### 11. What are the Vilebloods?

The Vilebloods are an ancient lineage of nobles residing in Cainhurst Castle. They are known for their consumption of blood and their defiance of the Healing Church.

### 12. Is joining the Vilebloods Covenant worth it?

Joining the Vilebloods is a matter of personal preference. It allows you to participate in online multiplayer as a Vileblood Hunter, invading the worlds of other players. You also gain access to unique items and lore related to the Vileblood faction.

### 13. Can I complete Alfred’s questline if I’ve already joined the Vilebloods?

Yes, joining the Vilebloods does not prevent you from completing Alfred’s questline. However, he will be hostile towards you if he discovers your allegiance to the Vilebloods.

### 14. What happens if I attack Alfred after he kills the Vileblood Queen?

If you attack Alfred after he kills the Vileblood Queen but before he dies, he will become hostile. If you kill him at this point, he will drop the Radiance Rune. You can also just leave him at peace, and he will still die after a while.

### 15. Does Alfred’s questline affect any of the game’s endings?

No, Alfred’s questline does not directly affect any of the game’s endings. However, it does provide valuable insight into the lore and the factions vying for power in Yharnam, which can enrich your understanding of the narrative.

Conclusion: Choose Wisely, Hunter

In conclusion, giving Alfred the Unopened Summons unlocks a fascinating and rewarding questline that provides valuable insight into Bloodborne‘s lore, characters, and themes. While killing Alfred may offer immediate rewards, it comes at the cost of missing out on a significant and compelling narrative experience. Therefore, for most players, cooperating with Alfred is the more satisfying and enriching choice. The choices you make define your experience, so make them carefully!

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