What is the Strongest Gun in Bloodborne?
The question of the “strongest” gun in Bloodborne isn’t as straightforward as simply looking at base damage numbers. The game’s firearms serve primarily as tools for interrupting enemy attacks and setting up Visceral Attacks, rather than pure ranged damage dealers. However, if we’re talking about raw damage potential and overall effectiveness, the Evelyn stands out as the most powerful firearm when used with a Bloodtinge build, and the Flamesprayer reigns supreme as the strongest Arcane-scaling firearm. While both have different playstyles and requirements, they both represent the highest damage potential achievable with guns in Bloodborne.
The Evelyn, found in the optional area of Cainhurst Castle, is the favored firearm for players who prioritize maximum damage output with a Bloodtinge focus. Its high scaling with the Bloodtinge stat allows it to deal significant damage, especially when paired with the right Blood Gems. Meanwhile, the Flamesprayer stands as an outlier, being one of the strongest Arcane weapons in the game, making it exceptional even without gem enhancement. Its fiery damage is effective against a large number of Bloodborne’s enemy types, which are often weak to fire.
These weapons excel in very different build archetypes, making the “strongest” gun ultimately dependent on the hunter’s chosen stats and playstyle.
The Case for the Evelyn: Bloodtinge Powerhouse
Bloodtinge Scaling and Damage Output
The Evelyn’s primary strength lies in its superior Bloodtinge scaling. Unlike most firearms that primarily rely on a character’s Strength or Skill stats, the Evelyn’s damage output directly benefits from a high Bloodtinge stat. This makes it an absolute beast in the hands of a Bloodtinge build, allowing hunters to effectively combine ranged damage with powerful melee attacks from weapons like the Chikage or Bloodletter. Its damage far surpasses most other firearms, especially at higher Bloodtinge levels, making it a formidable tool against both regular enemies and bosses.
Bullet Economy and Drawbacks
While the Evelyn boasts impressive damage, its drawbacks are worth noting. Unlike some firearms that can stagger opponents effectively, the Evelyn focuses primarily on damage. It also consumes a single Quicksilver Bullet per shot, meaning the player has to manage their bullets carefully. However, the damage it provides more than makes up for this in most cases. This makes it an exceptional primary firearm for a Bloodtinge build. To utilize the Evelyn to its full potential, it’s crucial to achieve 18 Bloodtinge which allows for it to be used, further increasing damage output and effectiveness.
The Flamesprayer: An Arcane Behemoth
Arcane Scaling and Unique Functionality
The Flamesprayer is an oddball among Bloodborne’s firearms, as it operates more like a flamethrower than a traditional gun. Its power is tied to the Arcane stat, making it an ideal choice for Arcane-focused builds. What sets it apart is its continuous fire capability. Unlike the single shots of most other firearms, the Flamesprayer allows hunters to unleash a torrent of flames, which can be devastating against certain enemy types, making it one of the best Arcane weapons without relying on Blood Gems. It doesn’t rely on high base damage but instead on multiple, rapid hits, causing massive fire damage.
Fire Damage and Gemless Power
The Flamesprayer’s real strength lies in its consistent damage output and the fact it can be incredibly effective without relying on Blood Gems. Many enemies in Bloodborne are vulnerable to fire, making this weapon a reliable choice in a variety of situations. Its unique design makes it ideal for crowd control and area denial. Also, while it eats through Quicksilver Bullets, it is a staple of a hunter’s build due to how powerful it can be.
Other Firearms: Contenders and Alternatives
While the Evelyn and Flamesprayer are considered the most potent damage dealers in their respective categories, other firearms have their uses as well:
- Repeating Pistol: A decent damage option that consumes two bullets per shot. While not as powerful as the Evelyn, it’s more accessible and a good stepping stone for a Bloodtinge build. It’s often referred to as the poor man’s Evelyn due to its less significant damage output.
- Ludwig’s Rifle: Primarily for staggering enemies, rather than dealing significant damage.
- Hunter Blunderbuss: A close-range option that spreads damage, useful for interrupting and crowd control.
- Cannon: A high-damage but slow-firing weapon that requires significant investment in Strength.
- Piercing Rifle: Offers better range than most firearms and is decent for staggering.
- Church Cannon: A more powerful but slower version of the Cannon, requiring a very high level of Strength.
- Gatling Gun: Can inflict decent damage at range but is ultimately inferior to the Evelyn or Flamesprayer in the right builds, and has low bullet efficiency.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Best Firearm
Ultimately, the “strongest” gun in Bloodborne is subjective and depends on a player’s build and preferred playstyle. However, if your intention is maximum damage output, the Evelyn for Bloodtinge builds and the Flamesprayer for Arcane builds stand out as clear winners due to their incredible scaling and overall effectiveness. Other guns have their advantages and situational uses, but these two represent the highest damage ceiling for their respective builds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do guns primarily deal damage in Bloodborne?
No, guns in Bloodborne are primarily used to interrupt enemy attacks, create opportunities for Visceral Attacks, and stagger enemies. They don’t act as ranged damage dealers in the same way as other action RPGs.
2. What is a Visceral Attack?
A Visceral Attack is a powerful critical attack performed after an enemy has been staggered, often triggered by shooting them during their attack animation or after a parry. These deal high damage.
3. How do I obtain the Evelyn?
The Evelyn can be found in Cainhurst Castle, an optional area in Bloodborne. Players must progress through the level to obtain it. It can be found in a chest in the library.
4. How do I obtain the Flamesprayer?
The Flamesprayer is obtained by speaking to Gilbert, a citizen near the Central Yharnam Lantern, and killing a beast after talking to him.
5. What is Bloodtinge?
Bloodtinge is a stat in Bloodborne that primarily affects the damage output of certain firearms and weapons that deal blood damage, such as the Chikage or Bloodletter.
6. What is Arcane?
Arcane is a stat in Bloodborne that enhances the damage of elemental weapons, hunter tools, and, specifically, the Flamesprayer.
7. Is the Repeating Pistol a good gun?
The Repeating Pistol is a decent gun for builds that utilize Bloodtinge. However, it is generally outclassed by the Evelyn in terms of damage and has less bullet efficiency.
8. Is Ludwig’s Rifle useful?
Ludwig’s Rifle is primarily used for staggering enemies rather than dealing significant damage. Its staggering capabilities can be quite useful in various situations.
9. Should I upgrade my guns in Bloodborne?
Yes, upgrading your firearms will improve their base statistics and increase their damage output. It is recommended to level the firearms you use regularly.
10. How does Bloodtinge scaling work?
Firearms with Bloodtinge scaling gain damage based on the character’s Bloodtinge stat. The higher the Bloodtinge, the more damage the weapon will do.
11. Can the Flamesprayer be used in melee?
No, the Flamesprayer is solely a ranged weapon, unlike some other guns, such as the Rifle Spear.
12. Is there a best class for Bloodtinge or Arcane builds?
The Professional class is often recommended for Bloodtinge builds due to its higher base Bloodtinge stat, while the Troubled Childhood origin is better for Arcane builds due to its higher base Arcane stat.
13. What is the best weapon to pair with the Evelyn?
The Chikage is often paired with the Evelyn as it’s the premier Bloodtinge melee weapon and pairs incredibly well with the firearm.
14. What is the best weapon to pair with the Flamesprayer?
The Tonitrus is often paired with the Flamesprayer as it’s the premier Arcane melee weapon and pairs well with the firearm.
15. Which is more important, staggering or damage in a firearm?
While it is a case-by-case basis, generally, firearms are used more to stagger or interrupt, opening opportunities for the player to attack. A high-damage gun like the Evelyn is more for a bloodtinge build, and is used as a supplementary weapon. While staggering is incredibly important, high damage is still relevant.