Ludwig's Holy Blade Bloodborne Wiki » Weapons » Ludwig's Holy Blade

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Table of Contents

Basic Information

In-Game Description

Overview

Availability

Gem Shapes and Alternate Weapons

Gem Advice

Key Attacks

Unique Attacks

Durability

Notes

Merchants

Upgrade Table

Average Physical Attack Increase (Strength & Skill)

Normal Mode Attacks Properties

Transformed Mode Attacks Properties

Key

Basic Information

Image	Name	Damage	QS Bullet Use	Durability	Stats Req. / Bonus	Special Attack	Rally	Buffable
	Ludwig's Holy Blade	100 / - / - / - / - (Phys./Thrust/Blunt)	-	250	16 / 12 / - / - D / D / - / D	- / - / 100 / 100	60 (no upgrade)	Yes

Ludwig's Holy Blade ❘ ルドウイークの聖剣	Right Hand Weapon

In-Game Description A trick weapon typically used by Healing Church hunters. It is said that the silver sword was employed by Ludwig, the first hunter of the church. When transformed, it combines with its sheath to form a greatsword. It exhibits several departures from the workshop's design, suggesting that the Church anticipated much larger inhuman beasts. Note 1: The same in-game description in US & UK versions. ✓ Note 2: Original Japanese text on Original Japanese Item Index page. ✓ Overview Ludwig's Holy Blade requires 16 strength and 12 skill to use. It has slightly lower base damage than the Kirkhammer but better scaling. At high stat levels, the Holy Blade is numerically superior to the Kirkhammer. It scales well, has great normal mode attacks, has an incredible transformed moveset, and even receives 50% bonus damage versus enemies weak against righteous weapons - in both of its modes! Make no mistake; for high-level characters, this weapon is a strong contender for the best in Bloodborne. Normal Mode: The normal mode of Ludwig's Holy Blade is literally identical to that of the Kirkhammer. The damage done only differs due to the different base attack power and scaling of the two weapons. While the multipliers are exactly the same, the Kirkhammer will fare better at lower stats while the Holy Blade will shine at high stat totals. Transformed Mode: Ludwig's Holy Blade's transformed mode changes the sword and its sheath into a massive greatsword. The greatsword has excellent damage and range. Many of its attacks do blunt damage rather than normal physical damage, but it has some thrusts, too. It tears through super armor quickly. It does cost more stamina than normal mode, and it's slower, too. A bigger concern is that attacks in this mode can rebound off of obstacles if it isn't used carefully. Availability Normal: Sold by: Bath Messengers Radiant Sword Hunter Badge: This badge can be found on the top of Healing Church Workshop. It is one of the most important badges to collect; obtaining it adds Bloodstone Shards to the shop's inventory, which will allow you to upgrade weapons easily. It also unlocks Fire Paper and Bone Marrow Ash; these are very useful support items. Uncanny: Treasure in (Root Dungeons): Pthumerian Defilement; rm9skkef, Cursed Pthumerian Defilement L1, side area before layer lamp [tested May 12, 2020]; alternatively found in False Depth Dungeon, v3nxwjrq, Cursed Pthumerian Defilement L1, side area before layer lamp [tested May 12, 2020] Lost: Treasure in (Root Dungeons): Isz Gravestone; gc2nhw6u, Isz Gravestone L1, side area before layer lamp [tested May 12, 2020]; alternatively found in False Depth Dungeon, vqpdzv9z, Isz Gravestone L2, side area before layer lamp [tested Aug 03, 2020] Gem Shapes and Alternate Weapons Right-hand weapons can have up to three gem slots, and some left-hand weapons have one slot. There are different slot shapes, though; not every gem will fit every slot. The slot types are: Radial, Triangular, Waning, and Circle. Your gem's shape needs to match the slot you want to use it in. If you find a really great gem but the shape doesn't properly match your weapon, don't give up hope. There are actually two alternate versions of every right-hand weapon - the Lost and Uncanny versions. They're identical to normal weapons except that they have different slot configurations (► Blood Gems Sockets on the right). These alternate weapons can be found in Chalice Dungeons. There is also an exceedingly rare fifth type of gem shape - Droplet gems. These are "almighty" gems; they can fit in any type of gem slot! Gem Advice Ludwig's Holy Blade really works well with a lot of gems. It has high base AR and solid base scalings in both str/skl and arcane, which gives it higher AR than most weapons until the player gains access to top tier scaling boosting gems. This weapon works well with tempering gems on any physical-oriented build, consider getting Uncanny variant for easier gemming. For overall moveset, three 27.2% tempering gems provide slighter advantage over tempering abyssals; with 40+ Strength and low Skill investment one Heavy abyssal provides additional AR increase. Alternatively you can focus on tricked mode only, which is mostly Blunt and is capable of dealing tremendous damage when gemmed with Adept gems; with three 32.6% blunt gems it reaches 1000 Blunt AR on 40/40 quality build. Transformed L1+R1,R1 is a true combo dealing blunt damage and is capable of instantly killing opponents without heavy vitality and damage reduction investments in PvP when gemmed with. Similarly, you can boost R2/charged R2 attack in both modes with Thrust gems, but such setup leaves you quite limited in terms of moveset. For elemental conversion, Holy Blade is one of a few weapons that require only one Cold Abyssal gem due to its high innate arcane scaling. Uncanny variant is recommended when converting this weapon to Arcane and Normal or Lost for Fire/Bolt conversion; Lost is advisable if you don’t have access to edited glyphs. The best converted setup for any element includes one Cold Abyssal, one elemental abyssal and one 27.2% elemental gem; 2nd cold abyssal can also work as temporary replacement. Best suited for: Quality builds, Strength builds, Arcane builds Arcane conversion: Yes For more information check the Best Blood Gem Setups page. Key Attacks Normal Mode: As mentioned in the Kirkhammer section, the normal mode of Ludwig's Holy Blade is fast but weak. One thing to consider about the R1 chain is that the fourth attack is a thrust. This has a couple of interesting implications. First, it's good damage against enemies that are weak against thrusts. Second, it can miss quite easily against some enemies, particularly large humanoid foes. If you fight without locking-on to the enemy, you'll need to aim that particular attack very carefully. The uncharged R2 is still quite good, but some other alternatives are the backstep R2 and the dashing R2. They are both thrust attacks as well. The backstep R2 does significantly less damage than the normal R2, but it also costs less stamina, even when you include the cost of the backstep! The dashing R2 does a bit less damage than the normal R2 but has a similar cost. The advantage is that it can be used when running in from out of the enemy's range and combos into an R1 chain well. The transformation attack does good super armor damage and has a solid impact. These features combine to make it a great combo finisher Land a few R1s against an enemy with high super armor, and then perform the transformation attack to land a big stumble. This gives you time to either continue your assault or regain stamina for your next move, and your weapon will be transformed into greatsword mode. Transformed Mode: The first two hits of the R1 chain are very good against crowds, as are the rolling, frontstep, and sidestep R1s. The backstep R1 is a push attack with some odd properties. It doesn't have a heavy impact, but it can stagger light enemies as if it did. It does very little damage, but it also costs little stamina and can lead into an R1 chain combo. Don't rely on the R1 attacks too much in narrow hallways; they are likely to hit the walls rather than your target. The uncharged R2 is a very hard-hitting thrust attack. The charged R2 takes that to the extreme, and it can (of course) stagger enemies when used from behind. The follow-up R2 can be used in place of a visceral attack for more damage once your weapon is sufficiently upgraded. The jumping R2 is another great attack; due to the weapon's large size, it has very good range. It doesn't do quite as much damage as the normal R2, but can be useful when you want to get closer to the enemy. Use it as an enemy approaches you; due to its range, many enemies can't react to it properly The L2 chain is a series of vertical strikes that are perfect for hitting the heads of tall enemies. They also work well in narrow spaces. The entire chain does good super armor damage and has good impact, too. It's also quick enough to hit mobile enemies. This is useful in Chalice Dungeons when another player has the enemy's attention; attack from the side and go for the stumble! Unique Attacks Transformation Attack: In either tricked or untricked form, press L1, then R1 while the transformation animation is still playing. [Extra Transforming Attacks - Ludwig's Holy Blade] Blocking Stance: Being attacked during certain moves causes the player to enter a blocking stance, maintained by holding L2. The stance reduces damage taken (blocks 55% Phys/Blood, 30% Arcane, 40% Fire, and 30% Bolt), prevents flinching from most frontal attacks, and deflects weak attacks. It persists until the player runs out of stamina after blocking an attack, or performs any action other than walking, running, or sprinting. The only moves that can initiate blocking are the transformed backstep R1 of Ludwig's Holy Blade and the Kirkhammer's transformed sprinting R1 and backstep R1. [Blocking Stance + Guard Broken] Durability Durability of the weapon depletes when used. This means hitting an enemy, destructible object or bouncing off the walls. Hitting undestructible objects and environment does not deplete your durability. Style of an attack or upgrade of the weapon, even different weapon, does not matter - each count as one hit. Every 10th hit against the enemy/object depletes 1 durability. Exception is Tonitrus, which when in self buffed mode, depletes durability at rate of 2 hits. Hitting an enemy in dying animation still counts as hit. Also hitting multiple enemies/destructible objects at once counts as one hit per enemy - hitting 3 enemies at once counts as 3 hits towards durability counter. Shields lose 1 durability every 10th hit. Bounce means when your hit is bounced back off the wall or other objects. Every 5th bounce depletes 1 durability. Not every weapon can be bounced off, Ludwig's Holy Blade belongs into the category which can. Damage reduction when heavily worn. When weapon is at 30% of total durability, it reaches the Risk state and AR is reduced by 30% and when it hits 0% of total durability, weapon is Broken, then AR is reduced by 50%. Ludwig's Holy Blade which has 250 points of durability reaches risk state at 75 Dur. Workshop's Repair: cost of repair depends on the weapon and its upgrade. For Ludwig's Holy Blade +0 it's 2 Blood Echoes per 1 point and for Ludwig's Holy Blade +10 it's 6 (values are rounded), full repair costs for +10 are 1600 Blood Echoes Notes Available for purchase after obtaining Radiant Sword Hunter Badge. Weapon's Rally: A lot of attacks multiply the rally number by their attack damage multiplier. Some of them are special-cased to have a different amount of rally, both multipliers can be seen in the Normal & Transformed Mode Attacks Properties tables below. Rally number (in flat HP) can be raised by upgrading the weapon, as seen in the Upgrade Table below. In-game description was slightly different on version 1.0 than what there is now on version 1.09. [image] Visual glitch was discovered where you can temporarily glitch cape [wiki page] from your chest garb if you use Yahar'gul teleport or portal traps in Chalice Dungeons. You need to equip any weapon your hunter puts on their back (Kirkhammer, Ludwig's Holy Blade, Burial Blade & Whirligig Saw) and enter the teleport. You can find concept art of the Ludwig's Holy Blade in Bloodborne Official Artworks, on page 235.

Blood Gems Sockets Ludwig's Holy Blade Ludwig's Holy Blade Ludwig's Holy Blade

Merchants

Shop	Buy (Day)	(Evening)	(Night)	(Red Moon)	(NG+)	Sell	Requirement
Bath Messengers [Hunter's Dream]	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000	14000	Radiant Sword Hunter Badge
Insight Bath Messengers [Hunter's Dream]	-	-	-	-	-	-	None
Chalice Bath Messengers [Chalice Dungeons Common]	-	-	-	-	-	-	None
Patches, the Spider [Chalice Dungeons Rare]	-	-	-	-	-	-	None

Upgrade Table

Name	Blood Gem Sockets	Rally
Ludwig's Holy Blade +0	0 / 3	60	100	-	-	-	-	D	D	-	D	-	-	-	-	-
Ludwig's Holy Blade +1	1 / 3	65	110	-	-	-	-	D	D	-	D	3	-	-	-	200
Ludwig's Holy Blade +2	1 / 3	70	120	-	-	-	-	C	D	-	C	5	-	-	-	260
Ludwig's Holy Blade +3	2 / 3	75	130	-	-	-	-	C	D	-	C	8	-	-	-	300
Ludwig's Holy Blade +4	2 / 3	80	140	-	-	-	-	C	C	-	C	-	3	-	-	360
Ludwig's Holy Blade +5	2 / 3	85	150	-	-	-	-	B	C	-	B	-	5	-	-	400
Ludwig's Holy Blade +6	3 / 3	90	160	-	-	-	-	B	C	-	B	-	8	-	-	440
Ludwig's Holy Blade +7	3 / 3	95	170	-	-	-	-	B	B	-	B	-	-	3	-	500
Ludwig's Holy Blade +8	3 / 3	100	180	-	-	-	-	B	B	-	B	-	-	5	-	540
Ludwig's Holy Blade +9	3 / 3	105	190	-	-	-	-	B	B	-	B	-	-	8	-	600
Ludwig's Holy Blade +10	3 / 3	110	200	-	-	-	-	B	B	-	A	-	-	-	1	640
		(in flat HP)	Damage					Stat Bonuses				Cost

To fully upgrade Ludwig's Holy Blade requires 16 Blood Stone Shards, 16 Twin Blood Stone Shards, 16 Blood Stone Chunks, 1 Blood Rock and 4240 Blood Echoes.

Name
Ludwig's Holy Blade +0	0.50	0.40	0.00	0.49
Ludwig's Holy Blade +1	0.53	0.44	0.00	0.53
Ludwig's Holy Blade +2	0.56	0.48	0.00	0.57
Ludwig's Holy Blade +3	0.59	0.52	0.00	0.61
Ludwig's Holy Blade +4	0.62	0.56	0.00	0.64
Ludwig's Holy Blade +5	0.65	0.60	0.00	0.68
Ludwig's Holy Blade +6	0.68	0.64	0.00	0.72
Ludwig's Holy Blade +7	0.71	0.68	0.00	0.76
Ludwig's Holy Blade +8	0.74	0.72	0.00	0.80
Ludwig's Holy Blade +9	0.77	0.76	0.00	0.84
Ludwig's Holy Blade +10	0.80	0.80	0.00	0.88
	Scaling

Scaling determines how much additional damage a weapon deals. You gain a percentage of the weapon's base damage as additional damage, indicated by a "+" next to the weapon's base damage.

Average Physical Attack Increase (Strength & Skill)

This table will show you the approximate damage increase you will gain per point of a stat with a +10 weapon. There are three main ranges: base to 26, 26 to 50, and 51 to 99. The Damage per Point is how much each point of the stat will raise your attack power in that range. The Estimated Attack Gained is how much attack power will gain from that range in total.

Stat Range (Strength)	Damage per Point	Estimated Attack Gained	Stat Range (Skill)	Damage per Point	Estimated Attack Gained
17 to 25	4.78	43	13 to 25	4.77	62
26 to 50	2.24	56	26 to 50	2.24	56
50 to 99	0.49	24	50 to 99	0.49	24

Normal Mode Attacks Properties

Attack	DMG X	Type	Stamina	Rally X	Impact	Note
R1	0.70	Physical	16	0.50	Light
→ R1 (2nd)	0.71	Physical	16	0.51	Light
→ → R1 (3rd)	0.72	Physical	16	0.52	Light
→ → → R1 (4th)	0.74	Thrust	16	0.54	Light	can miss against some enemies
→ → → →R1 (5th)	0.76	Physical	16	0.56	Light
R1 (backstep)	0.67	Physical	10(+10)	0.47	Light	effective lead-in to the R1 chain
R1 (rolling)	0.67	Physical	10(+10)	0.47	Light	strikes to the right of your character
R1 (frontstep)	0.67	Physical	10 (+10)	0.47	Light	strikes to the right of your character
R1 (sidestep)	0.67	Physical	10 (+10)	0.47	Light	long step forward; very easy to use
R1 (dash)	0.80	Physical	30 (+X)	0.60	Light
R2	1.00	Thrust	55	0.80	Normal
R2 (charged)	1.20	Thrust	75	1.00	Heavy	continuously hold the button to execute
R2 (backstep)	0.85	Thrust	30 (+10)	0.65	Normal	cheap alternative to the uncharged R2
R2 (dash)	0.95	Thrust	50 (+X)	0.75	Normal
R2 (forward leap)	1.20	Thrust	50	1.00	Heavy	tap forward on the stick just as you press R2 to execute
Transform Attack	1.05	Blunt	30 (+X)	1.05	Normal	press L1 while performing another action to execute; forced Guard Break
Transform Attack → R1	0.85	Physical	20	0.65	Normal
Plunge Attack	1.25	Thrust	50	1.05	Massive	press R1 or R2 while falling to execute
Plunge Attack (2nd hit)	0.60	Blunt	-	0.00	Normal	Plunge (AoE)

Note: Damage Multiplier data from official guide checked with http://darksouls2verificationdata.web.fc2.com/motion-bloodborne.html for correction after patch 1.09.

Feb 2022 Update: All attack properties (damage multiplier, damage type, stamina cost & attack impact) verified with datamined game files and added rally values for each attack.

Transformed Mode Attacks Properties

Attack	DMG X	Type	Stamina	Rally X	Impact	Note
R1	1.00	Blunt	36	1.00	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
→ R1 (2nd)	1.00	Blunt	36	1.00	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
→ → R1 (3rd)	1.06	Blunt	36	1.06	Normal
→ → → R1 (4th)	1.00	Blunt	36	1.00	Normal
R1 (backstep)	0.56	Blunt	10 (+10)	0.56	Special	blocks incoming attacks; blocking state can be maintained by holding L2
R1 (rolling)	0.90	Blunt	30 (+10)	0.90	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
R1 (frontstep)	0.90	Blunt	30 (+10)	0.90	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
R1 (sidestep)	0.90	Blunt	30 (+10)	0.90	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
R1 (dash)	1.01	Blunt	30 (+X)	1.01	Normal	be careful not to strike walls; often rebounds off of obstacles
R2	1.25	Thrust	50	1.25	Heavy
R2 (charged)	2.20	Thrust	75	2.20	Heavy	continuously hold the button to execute; extremely powerful
R2 (charged follow-up)	1.56	Blunt	50	1.56	Massive	excellent follow-up against staggered foes
R2 (backstep)	1.06	Blunt	25(+10)	1.06	Normal
R2 (dash)	1.14	Blunt	40 (+X)	1.14	Heavy	great for hit-and-run
R2(forward leap)	1.20	Blunt	50	1.20	Heavy	tap forward on the stick just as you press R2 to execute; key attack due to its range
L2	1.15	Blunt	38	1.15	Normal
→ L2 (2nd)	1.15	Blunt	38	1.15	Normal
→ → L2 (3rd)	1.18	Blunt	38	1.18	Normal
→ → → L2 (4th)	1.13	Thrust	38	1.13	Heavy	thrusting attack; can miss easily
Transform Attack	1.26	Blunt	30 (+X)	1.26	Normal	press L1 while performing another action to execute; forced Guard Break
Transform Attack → R1	0.96	Blunt	25	0.96	Normal
Plunge Attack	1.66	Blunt	50	1.66	Massive	press R1 or R2 while falling to execute
Plunge Attack (2nd hit)	0.56	Blunt	-	0.00	Normal	Plunge (AoE)

Note: Damage Multiplier data from official guide checked with http://darksouls2verificationdata.web.fc2.com/motion-bloodborne.html for correction after patch 1.09.

Feb 2022 Update: All attack properties (damage multiplier, damage type, stamina cost & attack impact) verified with datamined game files and added rally values for each attack.

Attack: Attacks are named for the input command required to execute them.

Attack Damage Multipliers: Each attack has a different multiplier. Your attack's power is equal to the attack power of your weapon times this multiplier. Higher multipliers mean stronger attacks.

Type: Damage type determines which gems will boost your attack and which defense the enemy will use to reduce the damage. If multiple types are listed, the attack has two separate damage components that are calculated separately.

Stamina: Each attack costs a different amount of stamina. Numbers in parentheses indicate the cost of the additional action required to execute the attack. For example, a backstep attack requires a backstep, which costs 10 stamina.

Impact: When you hit an enemy, it will be stunned momentarily. Impact is an assessment of how heavy the stun will be. The scale is Light > Normal > Heavy > Massive. Attacks with Massive Impact often cause knockdowns.

Key
Damage	Requirements	Stat Bonuses	Special Attack
The Damage stat dictates how much damage the weapon does. The Damage stats for a weapon are V / W / X / Y / Z: V is Physical damage W is Blood damage X is Arcane damage Y is Fire damage Z is Bolt damage	The Requirements determines how high various Stats must be in order to wield the weapon effectively. The Requirement stats for a weapon are W / X / Y / Z: W is the Strength required X is the Skill required Y is the Bloodtinge required Z is the Arcane required	The Stat Bonuses rating indicates the level of bonus you receive based on the associated Stat when you use a weapon. This rating can be S , A , B , C , D , or E (in order from most to least bonus for the associated stat). For more information about the scaling as a whole and its values visit the Scaling wiki page.	The special attack attributes for a weapon are W / X / Y / Z: W is the Slow Poison attack X is the Rapid Poison attack Y is the VS. Kin attack Z is the VS. Beasts attack