Why Won’t It Let Me Summon Father Gascoigne?

You’re itching for some co-op in Bloodborne, ready to tackle that beastly Father Gascoigne with a little backup, but the summoning isn’t working. Frustrating, isn’t it? The most common reasons you can’t summon Father Gascoigne boil down to a few key factors: You’ve already defeated him, you’re in the wrong location, you lack the necessary Insight, or a combination of these. Let’s break it down in detail:

• You’ve Already Won: This is the number one culprit. Bloodborne prevents summoning in areas where the boss has been vanquished. The game sees no further threat, so the beckoning bell remains silent. If you’ve already sent Gascoigne to the Hunter’s Dream, there’s no bringing him back for another fight.

• Location, Location, Location: You have to be in specific spots to even attempt summoning. For Father Gascoigne, there are two primary summoning locations. One is near the fountain after the town square overrun with mobs and a burning Scourge Beast. The other is at the bottom of the stairs where the first brick troll is located near the Messenger’s note stating, “Ring the Beckoning Bell if you require assistance.” If you’re not within the vicinity of these locations, you won’t see the summoning glyph appear.

• Insight Deficit: Summoning in Bloodborne requires Insight. You need at least 1 Insight available to ring the Beckoning Bell to summon help. If your Insight is at zero, or if using the Old Hunter Bell would reduce it to zero, summoning will be impossible. This is because when summoning an NPC it consumes one point of Insight.

• Connectivity Issues: While less common, network problems can occasionally interfere with summoning. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and that your PlayStation Network (PSN) status is active.

• Game Progression: Sometimes, your progression in the game can impact summoning availability. While less likely in the Father Gascoigne area, it’s worth considering whether some other event in the game has temporarily disabled online play.

Essentially, make sure you haven’t beaten Gascoigne, you’re standing right where you can summon, have at least one point of Insight and your internet is connected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to summoning and Father Gascoigne, to ensure you have all the information you need.

Can I summon Father Gascoigne after killing him?

No, you cannot. Once Father Gascoigne is defeated in your world, the ability to summon assistance in that specific area is disabled. This applies to both NPC and player summons.

What if the Beckoning Bell icon is grayed out?

A grayed-out Beckoning Bell icon indicates one of two things: either you’ve already defeated the boss in the area, or there is no boss in the next area. You’ll have to progress to an area with an active boss to use the bell.

Does my level affect my ability to summon?

Yes, to an extent. Bloodborne uses a matchmaking system that takes player levels into account. The game does not match players who are too far apart in their current player Level. While level disparity is more relevant for summoning other players, it can indirectly affect NPC summons if the game struggles to find connections.

How do I gain Insight in Bloodborne?

Insight can be acquired in several ways:

• Discovering bosses: Upon discovering a boss for the first time, you gain one Insight.
• Defeating bosses: Successfully defeating a boss grants you Insight.
• Consuming Madman’s Knowledge: These items provide a single point of Insight when used.
• Consuming Great One’s Wisdom: These items give you two Insight when consumed.
• Completing certain story events: Specific story beats may award Insight.

Can I summon other NPCs besides Father Gascoigne?

Yes, Bloodborne features several NPC hunters that can be summoned to aid you in certain areas. Availability often depends on your progress through the game and whether you’ve completed specific questlines.

I don’t see any summoning signs near the fountain. What should I do?

Ensure you have at least 1 Insight, and that Father Gascoigne is still alive. If those two conditions are met, try restarting your game.

How do I use the Old Hunter Bell?

Simply stand in a valid summoning location (indicated by a shimmering glyph), and press the square button while the Old Hunter Bell is equipped. This will consume one Insight and attempt to summon an NPC hunter into your world.

I keep dying to Father Gascoigne. Any tips?

Father Gascoigne can be a tough fight, especially early on. Here are a few tips:

• Utilize the environment: The tombstones in the area can provide temporary cover from his attacks.
• Parry: Gascoigne is vulnerable to parrying, especially in his human form. Practice your timing to stagger him and land a visceral attack.
• Fire: Just like the Cleric Beast, Father Gascoigne is weak to fire. Use Molotov Cocktails to deal significant damage. Oil Urns thrown before a Molotov will further amplify the damage.
• The Tiny Music Box: This item can stagger Gascoigne, but it only works a limited number of times, especially in his beast form. Use it strategically.
• Dodge towards him: Gascoigne’s axe attacks are devastating, but he often leaves himself open for an attack if you dodge into him.

What happens if I summon an NPC and they die?

If an NPC summon dies, they simply disappear. You do not lose any additional Insight, and you can attempt to summon them again if you meet the requirements.

Is it possible to over-level for Father Gascoigne?

Yes, while it’s unlikely on your first playthrough, if you spend a significant amount of time farming echoes and leveling up before facing him, you can become significantly stronger than intended for that point in the game. This can make the fight considerably easier.

What are Chalice Dungeons and do they affect summoning?

Chalice Dungeons are optional, procedurally generated dungeons. Summoning rules within Chalice Dungeons are similar to the main game. You need to be in an area with an active boss, and have sufficient Insight.

Can I summon help for Chalice Dungeon bosses?

Yes, you can summon both other players and NPC hunters in Chalice Dungeons, provided you meet the necessary requirements and the area allows for summoning.

Where do I get the Old Hunter Bell?

After obtaining your first point of Insight, the Old Hunter Bell will appear on the steps of the Hunter’s Workshop inside the Hunter’s Dream.

Is Father Gascoigne considered the hardest boss in Bloodborne?

While difficulty is subjective, Father Gascoigne is considered a challenging boss, especially for new players. His aggressive nature and ability to transform into a beastly form can be overwhelming. However, many players find later bosses like Orphan of Kos, Laurence the First Vicar, and Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos to be significantly more difficult.

What if I need more help understanding Bloodborne’s mechanics?

There are countless resources available online, from wikis and forums to video guides and community discussions. Don’t hesitate to seek out additional information and assistance if you’re struggling with any aspect of the game. Remember, every hunter faces challenges, and learning from others is a valuable part of the experience. The knowledge you gain in gaming can be applied to other real world situations. Check out Games Learning Society for more information on how the skills acquired while gaming can be used in a variety of industries. You can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

I hope this comprehensive guide helps you understand why you might not be able to summon Father Gascoigne. Good luck, and happy hunting!