PvP Concepts & Techniques Bloodborne Wiki » Game Mechanics » PvP » PvP Concepts & Techniques

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Basic Information

This video made by Scorched knight shows off a number of techniques it is possible to execute in Bloodborne through understanding its mechanics. Included tech is pertaining to PvP, the Phantom Viscerals are only useable in PvP, the rest can be used in PvE if one wishes to do so. However, this will be very useful to use in PvP. On October 13th, 2018 Scorched knight released another video of Tech Showcase: Bolt Buffed Kos Parasite. On October 30th, 2018 Scorched knight released second part of Tech Showcase. On March 22nd, 2020 Scorched knight released video with few updates Bloodborne: Tech Guide and later on August 4th, 2021 Bloodborne: Tech Guide 2.

True Combo Showcase

True Combos wiki page: All weapons in Bloodborne have combination attacks achieved by chaining together light and heavy attacks in sequence. Some of these combination attacks have the property of stuning the target and leaving them open to futher attacks, making the combo inescapable if the first hit connects. A video showcase video showcase of these "true combos" has been created by Scorched Knight.

Animation Swap Tech

[Youtube] Tech Tutorial - animation swaps - two handed gun glitch. To perform these animation swaps you'll need a "buffer" animation. This can be something as simple as a toggle animation from either hand. At the end frames of your "buffer" animation, perform these inputs in quick succession "flick Left Stick > Toggle > L1". Swapping the tricking animation of a weapon that stays one handed in both forms onto a two handed weapon results in the two handed gun glitch. Swapping trick animations between other weapons can give some interesting looking results as well.

PvP Concepts & Techniques Gallery

Phantom Visceral	Phantom Visceral (Unlocked)
This technique allows you to perform an R1 attack, then transition immediately into a visceral attack. To perform it, you must successfully parry your opponent, then stand just outside of visceral attack range and preform an R1 attack. As soon as the attack connects, press R1 again and you will immediately perform a visceral. This can also be applied to backstabs.	The technique can still be performed if you are within visceral range by immediately unlocking and then turning away while pressing R1. When this R1 connects, you can then hit R1 again to perform the visceral.

Ghost Strike	Poison Roll
This technique allows you to bypass the damage reduction offered by shields, or by certain "block" attacks made by Ludwig's Holy Blade and the Kirkhammer. To perform it, you must be facing away from your opponent, perform an R1, then turn to face them on the last possible frame. If successful, the attack will connect as though they were not guarding.	This technique allows you to poison an opponent without attacking them directly. Simply equip blood gems with poison effects on your weapon and roll into your opponent. Each roll will build up poison as if you were attacking them. This works with both slow and rapid poison.

Two-Handed Block	Kos Gun Mode
This technique allows you to block with a weapon as though it is a shield, and provides very effective damage reduction. It only works with Ludwig's Holy Blade and the Kirkhammer, which have "block" attacks in their movesets. After a "block" attack from the Ludwig's Holy Blade backstep R1 or the Kirkhammer's backstep or running R1 connects, immediately hold L2. This will cause you to block using both hands until L2 is released, functioning like a shield.	This technique allows you to use the two-handed form the Kos Parasite at the same time as a left-hand weapon. To perform it, warp to a new area with the Kos Parasite and in one-handed mode. Begin by transforming the Kos Parasite by using the backstep transformation move. During the transformation from one-handed to two-handed, start moving forward and press left on the D-Pad to swap your left-hand weapon, then stop moving forward before the transformation animation completes. If this is successful, you will have the two-handed Kos Parasite moveset and appearance, but your L2 attack will activate the left-hand weapon, and you will be able to swap your left-handed weapon as normal. [Kosgun Glitch Study w/ Commentary by Fourthsequence]

Two-Handed Pistol Whip	Bolt Buffed Kos Parasite
This technique allows you to wield a left-handed weapon two-handed, using it to attack physically with the moveset that the Kos Parasite uses when you do not have Milkweed equipped. To perform it, first successfully perform the "Kos Gun Mode" technique detailed above, then return to the Hunter's Dream and remove the Milkweed Rune. Your character will now be holding their left-hand weapon with two hands, and can physically attack with it using the bare-handed moveset.	This technique applies the Tonitrus' transformed mode to the Kos Parasite, granting temporary flat damage buff (not bolt type dmg). Equip the Tonitrus as well as the Kos Parasite, then transform the Tonitrus, quickly switch back to the Kos Parasite and perform the Kos Gun Mode technique explained above. If executed correctly, the transformed Kos Parasite's tentacles will have the Tonitrus' bolt effect applied. Note that this only lasts as long as the Tonitrus' transformation does (seven seconds), but can be reapplied by performing the technique again.

Ghost Strike Backstab	Combo Stalling
The Ghost Strike Backstab is the same principle as the Ghost Strike, but renders the target prone as though they had been hit from behind with a charged R2. To perform it, face your opponent and begin charging up an R2 attack. While the attack is charging, hold the left analogue stick downward, facing you opponent. On the last possible frame, pull the stick upward.	Combo Stalling prevents a combo from beginning, meaning you can chain the same R1 attack together. To perform it, move the analogue stick forward at the same time as you press R1. If done correctly, the previous R1 will be repeated instead of transitioning into a combo.

Ravioli	Dead Angle Backstab
Backstep while facing away from your opponent. As your character backsteps, lock on, then dash toward them. This will cause your character to dash backward toward the opponent, allowing you to attack from an otherwise impossible angle.	This is the same principle as the Ghost Strike Backstab, but with the directions reversed. Begin by facing away from your opponent and begin charging an R2 attack. On the last frame, turn to face them. This will cause them to react as though the charged R2 hit them from behind.

Delayed Dash Attack	Item Cancel
This attack can only be used with the Saw Spear, Beasthunter Saif, and Hunter Axe. To perform it, dash or roll toward your opponent, then hit R1 a few frames after dash or roll animation ends.	This causes you to cancel out of an item animation before it finishes, and works on all items including blood vials, Hunter Tools, projectiles and weapon buffs. Face away from your opponent, but with your camera facing them. Remain still and begin using the item you want. Once the animation begins, lock on to your opponent. This will stop the animation instantly, and the item will not be used.

Instant Dash Attack	Shuffle Stance
To use a running attack without sprinting, start by walking toward your opponent, press the sprint button and then immediately pivot on the spot and press R1. This will cause your character to do a running attack without the sprint.	This changes your character's walking stance while using one of the two shields. Backstep, then pivot on the spot and press L2. Your character will not appear to have their shield raised, but they will still block attacks if they connect.

"Moonkage" Sword Visual Effect	Ritekeeper Buff
This does not alter damage in any way, but produces an interesting visual effect on the Chikage. You need to have the Holy Moonlight Sword and the Chikage equipped, and no Quicksilver Bullets. With the Holy Moonlight Sword in its transformed state, perform the R2 attack that normally consumes Quicksilver Bullets to shoot a projectile. Then switch to the Chikage, transform it and perform its R2. It will leave behind a trail like the Holy Moonlight Sword.	If you are an adversary in a dungeon, the Ritekeeper's buffs will affect you, granting additional physical damage.

Double Shot	Gataling Gun Move Swap
This technique allows you to increase the damage of firearms that fire continuously (the Gatling Gun, Flamesprayer, and Rosmarinus) by allowing each Quicksilver Bullet expended to hit multiple times. To perform this technique, release L2 just prior to the Quicksilver Bullet being expended, then quickly hold it down again. If successful, you will deal additional damage.	The Gatling Gun Move Swap allows you to apply the Gatling Gun's rate to fire to other firearms. To execute it, hold L2 to begin firing the Gatling Gun, then quickly enter the menu, switch to another firearm, exit, and hold L2 again. If successful, the firearm will fire rapidly, expending Quicksilver Bullets at the same rate as the Gatling Gun.

Firearm Combo Stalling	Transform Cancel
This technique allows you to repetedly perform the second move in an R1 combo without transitioning into the third move, preventing the combo from ending. It does not work with all weapons, and works best with the Beasthunter Saif, Stake Driver, and Church Pick. Equip the weapon, along with the Gatling Gun, Flamesprayer, or Rosmarinus, and ensure the weapon is in its untransformed mode. Perform the first two R1 moves in the combo, and on the third R1 move, hit L2 at the same time. If done correctly, the third movie will be cancelled, and the second move will be performed again. This can be done repeatedly, until the Player Character is out of Stamina.	Transform Cancel causes a weapon to transform instantly, without the animation playing. Face away from your target, press L1 to transform the weapon, then immediately lock on to your target and move your character. If successful, this will cause the weapon to instanstly switch to its transformed state as you move. Each weapon requires slightly different timing when moving the character, due to the transformation animations differing.

Trick Hunter Tool Recovery Cancel	Move Swap
This technique cancels the recovery animation on the Beast Roar, Tiny Tonitrus and A Call Beyond Hunter Tools, allowing you to follow the attack up instantly. Equip the desired Hunter Tool, then begin to transform your weapon. During the transform animation, flick the left analogue stick and hit Square to use the Hunter Tool. If successful, the Hunter Tool will play its use animation, then immediately stop, allowing you to perform another move.	This technique swaps the transformation movesets of two weapons - for example, swapping a two-handed moveset for one-handed one, allowing you to use a transformed weapon and a firearm at the same time. To perform it, equip the weapon you wish to use, and the weapon you wish to gain the moveset of. Change weapons and begin walking, then change back again while pressing L1. If a two-handed weapon's moveset is applied to one-handed weapon, you will not be able to use firearms, and will instead freeze in place.