What Happens After You Beat the Final Boss in Bloodborne?

So, you’ve finally conquered the horrors of Yharnam and faced the final boss (or bosses) of Bloodborne. Congratulations, Hunter! But what awaits you after that final, desperate swing of your weapon? The answer, like much of Bloodborne, is layered and depends entirely on your choices throughout the game. In essence, upon defeating what the game considers its “final boss,” (which varies depending on your actions) you will be thrust into a cutscene that leads to one of three possible endings. The game then automatically transitions into New Game Plus (NG+) unless you cleverly circumvent it. Let’s delve into the specifics.

The “final boss” isn’t necessarily the last boss you fight. It can be Gehrman, the First Hunter, or, if you’ve met the requirements for the secret ending, both Gehrman and the Moon Presence.

• Ending 1: “Honoring Wishes” (The “Bad” Ending): If you accept Gehrman’s offer to be released from the Hunter’s Dream, he will kill you, ending the game immediately and triggering the credits. You’ll then be prompted to start a new game cycle in NG+.
• Ending 2: “Childhood’s Beginning” (The Standard Ending): If you refuse Gehrman’s offer, you’ll be forced to fight him. After defeating him, the Moon Presence will descend and claim you as its new caretaker, trapping you in the Hunter’s Dream and also initiating NG+ after the credits.
• Ending 3: “Childhood’s Beginning” (The Secret Ending/True Ending): If you consume three Umbilical Cords before refusing Gehrman’s offer, you’ll fight him, and then, instead of being claimed by the Moon Presence, you’ll engage in one final boss battle against this Great One. Defeating the Moon Presence triggers the “true” ending, where your Hunter transcends and becomes an infant Great One, thus beginning a new cycle of existence. This ending also leads to NG+ after the credits.

The key takeaway is that regardless of the ending you achieve, Bloodborne will automatically begin a New Game Plus cycle. This means you’ll retain your character’s stats, weapons, and most items, but the enemies will be significantly stronger. Blood Echo rewards are also increased, allowing you to continue leveling up and improving your gear.

Evading New Game Plus: The Post-Game Trick

While the game defaults to NG+, there’s a neat trick you can employ to avoid it immediately. After defeating Gehrman (or the Moon Presence) but before the final cutscene fully plays out, you can quickly use a Bold Hunter’s Mark or a Hunter’s Mark. This will warp you out of the Hunter’s Dream and back to the last lamp you used in the game world, essentially putting you in a “post-game” state. This allows you to:

• Explore any areas you might have missed.
• Complete any unfinished quests.
• Tackle the challenging Bloodborne DLC: The Old Hunters.
• Collect any remaining items.
• Prepare thoroughly for NG+ if you choose to enter it later.

Remember, this is a temporary reprieve. Eventually, you will need to start NG+ to experience the full scope of Bloodborne’s gameplay and challenges.

The Importance of The Old Hunters DLC

Speaking of the DLC, The Old Hunters is a substantial addition to Bloodborne’s lore and gameplay. It introduces new areas, challenging bosses, formidable weapons, and deeper insights into the game’s narrative. Many consider it essential for a complete Bloodborne experience, and it’s generally recommended to tackle the DLC before starting NG+, as the DLC’s difficulty scales with NG+ cycles. The Games Learning Society explores such game design elements in-depth, analyzing how they enhance player engagement and learning through challenging gameplay. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bloodborne’s Endgame

Here are some common questions that Hunters often have after reaching the end of Bloodborne:

1. Can I go back and do the DLC after beating Gehrman? Yes, if you use the Bold Hunter’s Mark trick to avoid immediately entering NG+. You’ll be able to warp back to the Hunter’s Dream and access the DLC area.

2. What level should I be for NG+ in Bloodborne? This depends on your playstyle, but most players recommend being around level 60-80 with a fully upgraded weapon (+10) before starting NG+. Investing heavily in Vitality (HP) and your primary damage stat (Strength or Skill) is crucial.

3. Are the bosses harder in New Game Plus? Yes, all enemies, including bosses, have significantly increased health and damage output in NG+. However, you’ll also earn more Blood Echoes, allowing you to level up faster.

4. Do I keep all my weapons in New Game Plus? Yes, you retain all your weapons, armor, and most consumable items when you start NG+. Key items like storyline-related objects will be reset.

5. How do I get the secret ending in Bloodborne? To unlock the secret ending, you must find and consume three Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman. Refuse his offer, fight him, and then prepare for the final battle against the Moon Presence.

6. Where can I find Umbilical Cords in Bloodborne? There are four Umbilical Cords in the game:

   • One is obtained from Iosefka (either by killing her early or after defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider).
   • One is found in the Abandoned Workshop in the Hunter’s Dream (accessed after defeating the Vicar Amelia and obtaining the password).
   • One is given by Arianna after she gives birth.
   • One is obtained after killing Mergo’s Wet Nurse (mandatory).

7. What is the point of New Game Plus? NG+ allows you to continue leveling up your character, acquire more powerful Blood Gems, experience the game with increased difficulty, and potentially discover areas or secrets you missed in your first playthrough.

8. Should I do the dungeons before NG+? Chalice Dungeons don’t reset in NG+, so any progress you make in them remains. It’s a good idea to complete any dungeons you’re interested in before starting NG+, as the enemies in the dungeons will remain the same difficulty as they were in your initial game.

9. What is the hardest ending to get in Bloodborne? The secret ending is often considered the hardest to achieve, as it requires careful exploration and the acquisition of specific items (Umbilical Cords) that are easily missed.

10. What happens if I die to the Moon Presence after beating Gehrman? You will respawn at the last lamp you used. You can then return to the Hunter’s Dream and re-fight Gehrman and the Moon Presence (provided you consumed the required Umbilical Cords).

11. Can I explore the Hunter’s Dream after beating Gehrman? Yes, if you use the Bold Hunter’s Mark trick or die to the Moon Presence. This allows you to access the Hunter’s Dream and purchase items from the Messengers.

12. Is there a bad ending in Bloodborne? The “Honoring Wishes” ending (accepting Gehrman’s offer) is often considered the “bad” ending, as it offers the least satisfying conclusion and doesn’t allow you to fight the Moon Presence.

13. What is the true villain in Bloodborne? This is a complex question with no definitive answer. Many consider the Moon Presence to be the main antagonist, as it is the source of the Hunter’s Dream and is responsible for the cyclical nature of the hunt. However, other Great Ones and the Church are also implicated in the events that unfold in Yharnam.

14. How long does it take to 100% Bloodborne? Achieving 100% completion in Bloodborne typically takes around 70-80 hours, depending on your skill level and familiarity with the game.

15. What makes Bloodborne a great learning tool? Games like Bloodborne require players to learn complex systems, adapt to challenging situations, and persevere through repeated failures. These skills are valuable not only in gaming but also in real-world scenarios. The design principles used in Bloodborne, such as providing clear feedback, encouraging experimentation, and rewarding persistence, are elements that the Games Learning Society promotes for fostering effective learning environments.

Ultimately, what happens after you beat the final boss in Bloodborne is just the beginning. Whether you choose to dive into NG+, explore the depths of the DLC, or unravel the mysteries of Yharnam, the hunt never truly ends. Good luck, Hunter, and may the good blood guide your way!