Beasthunter Saif is a Trick Weapon in Bloodborne. It was added with The Old Hunters expansion. There are 3 versions of this weapon: Normal, Uncanny and Lost. The only known differences being the Gem Imprints and the locations in which they are found.
Beasthunter Saif Description
"A trick weapon used by the old hunters.
A second blade is found inside the curve of the main one. In its initial form, the saif can be wielded like a long curved sword, but when transformed, its blade is contracted, allowing for quick, repeated stabs.
Although this trick weapon allows for adaptive combat, it was later replaced by saws and similar weapons that were more effective at disposing of beasts."
Beasthunter Saif Information
- Transforms from a curved long sword to a short weapon like the Saw Cleaver
- Its default state is the extended form, unlike the Saw Cleaver and Saw Spear.
Location
Normal
- The Hunter's Nightmare. After the Blood River, when you pass through the cave with a tick, where you encounter two dogs and a large amount of crows along with an enemy Beast Cutter hunter. Climb the ladder on the left of the pit and instead of going forward, turn to the left and drop down the ledge. There will be a single piece of loot guarded by a Saif Hunter.
Uncanny Beasthunter Saif
- If you have the normal version: Create Glyph 8i29rqz3 (Pthumeru Labyrinth) and buy from Bath Messengers up a ladder from the main room for 16,000 Blood Echoes.
Lost Beasthunter Saif
- If you have the normal version: Create Glyph 8i29rqz3 (Pthumeru Labyrinth) and buy from Bath Messengers up a ladder from the main room for 16,000 Blood Echoes.
Player Notes
- Its shortened form has a quick lunging attack as its first R1, making it useful for PvP or agility-focused builds, or closing in after dodging boss attacks. The transformed dash R1 and regular R2 also has a slightly longer step forward compared to other weapons. This allows for successive, aggressive gap-closing attacks. The lunge does not reset when the combo is finished, however, so repeated R1 attacks won't move you forward every fourth swing.
- Transforming from the curved sword form to the shortened version will perform a quick gap-closing lunge attack.
- Transforming from the shortened to the curved sword, however, will perform a quick backstepping slash, useful for disengaging.
- Unlike the Saw Cleaver and Saw Spear, the Saif actually flips directions when transforming. In both modes, the same blade on the outer edge is used to attack, while the Saw weapons use different blades for different modes. The few times the inner edge is used is in the untransformed dash R1, the initial transformation attack, and the untransformed, uncharged R2 attack.
- Though the tricked form fights a lot like the Saw weapons, it is not serrated and therefore does no extra damage to beasts and has a thrust attack on R2.
- Its transformation is flipped compared to the other Saw weapons, as its extended form is the default.
Stats/Scaling
Movesets & Videos
| Move | Damage Type & Modifier | Stamina | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 Combo | 1.00x, 1.02x, 1.04x, 1.05x | ?? | Slow, overhead swipes with wide arcs, with altering directions after the 2nd swipe. |
| Quickstep R1 | .91x | ?? ~ ?? | A diagonal sweep from the bottom right to top left. |
| Dash R1 | 1.09x | ?? (+run) | Uses the inner blade to deliver a diagonal swipe from top right to bottom left. Somewhat short and narrow range. |
| R2 Attack | 1.32x | ?? | A wide, horizontal swipe from right to left. |
| Charged | 1.63x | ?? | The character does a clockwise 360 turn and delivers an overhead smash to the ground, downing most enemies while delivering blunt damage. (to confirm) |
| Backstep R2 | 1.18x | ||
| Dodge | .91x | ?? | |
| Dash | 1.36x | ?? | |
| Leap | 1.36x | ?? (+run) | |
| Transform Attack | 1.045x | ?? (+x) | The character takes a large step forward while performing a sweeping attack from right to left with the Saif swinging shut. |
| Move | Damage Type & Modifier | Stamina | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 Combo | .85x, .89x, .91x, .91x | ?? | An upwards lunge attack from right to left, followed by swipes from altering directions similar to the untransformed Saw Cleaver and Saw Spear. Slightly slower than the saw weapons, but still fast when compared to other weapons. There is a slight delay before the first lunge that becomes noticeable when hit-trading. |
| Quickstep R1 | .91x | ?? ~ ?? | An upwards lunge attack similar to the initial transformed R1, but with a shorter lunge. |
| Backstep R1 | .91x | ||
| Dash R1 | 1.00x | ?? (+run) | The character moves forward with quick, large steps and attacks with a right to left swipe. |
| R2 Attack | 1.18x | ?? | Attacks with a forward thrust with the tip of the Saif, with a forward lunge. |
| Backstep R2 | 1.13x | ||
| Charged R2 | 1.45x | ?? | Slams the Saif to the ground, knocking most enemies down and causing blunt (to confirm) damage. |
| Dodge R2 | ?? | ?? | |
| Dash R2 | 1.27x | ?? (+run) | |
| Leap | 1.27x | ?? | |
| Transform Attack | 1.00x | ?? (+x) | Transforms the Saif back to the untransformed mode by sweeping the weapon from left to right, while the character dodges backward. |
Trivia
- The word "saif" is Arabic for "sword."
Gallery
| Trick Weapons |
Amygdalan Arm ♦ Beast Claw ♦ Beast Cutter ♦ Blade of Mercy ♦ Bloodletter ♦ Blunderbuss ♦ Boom Hammer ♦ Burial Blade ♦ Cannon ♦ Chikage ♦ Church Cannon ♦ Church Pick ♦ Evelyn ♦ Fist of Gratia ♦ Flamesprayer ♦ Gatling Gun ♦ Holy Moonlight Sword ♦ Hunter's Torch ♦ Hunter Axe ♦ Hunter Blunderbuss ♦ Hunter Pistol ♦ Kirkhammer ♦ Kos Parasite ♦ Loch Shield ♦ Logarius' Wheel ♦ Ludwig's Holy Blade ♦ Ludwig's Rifle ♦ Piercing Rifle ♦ PVE Builds and Weapons Review ♦ Rakuyo ♦ Reiterpallasch ♦ Repeating Pistol ♦ Rifle Spear ♦ Rosmarinus ♦ Saw Cleaver ♦ Saw Spear ♦ Serrated Weapons ♦ Simon's Bowblade ♦ Stake Driver ♦ Threaded Cane ♦ Tonitrus ♦ Uncanny Chikage ♦ Weapon Moveset Damage Comparison ♦ Whirligig Saw ♦ Wooden Shield |
AnonymousBoring version of the saw cleaver, I don't even care if it's good
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If sex with two goth girlfriends were a weapon, this would be it.
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When I swing it overhead I imagine my hunter doing a Middle Eastern war cry.
- Anonymous
Because of it's name you'd think it would have a hidden damage boost against beasts (like the Church Pick) but it doesn't. Shame. Still a great weapon though :)
- Anonymous
This thing perfectly encapsulates every aspect of the game's combat, speed, aggression, style, versatility.
Whenever I think of Bloodborne's aggressive gameplay, THIS is always the first weapon comes to my mind.
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One of my favorite weapons to play with. It's worth it to get 25 Strength.
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The forward dash on the transformed R1 is literally life changing. Every other skill/DEX weapon in this and every other From game is but a pale shadow of the saif's glory.
- Anonymous
Why does it say its slower than the Saw Cleaver and Saw Spear when transformed? In my experience it actually swings faster, not slower. I almost never use the untransformed mode because the Beast Cutter is superior for my crowd control needs.
jumped back into bloodborne this week. my platinum trophy run a few years back was a kirkhammer big bonk run. i wanted something a little different. first thought about doing a full pure arcane run, but early game got destroyed. and lacking the patience to stick it out, decided to go for a skill run instead. i stuck with the hunter axe at the start still unsure of my what weapon i wanted to ease into. then i read about this weapon and my interest was piqued. so after beating vicar i just immediately jumped into the dlc, juked everyone and their mother, and grabbed this bad boy and this weapon has been very fun to use. ive so far taken down darkbeast paarl and undead giant with this, and its been a very effective. i'm pretty stoked to see how it fares against all of rom's minions. :)
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When the blade is folded in it kinda attacks like the Scimtar in DS2
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Interestingly, this weapon has a unique attack animation that's only accessible through a locked-on left-side quickstep. As mentioned above, the usual quick step attack slashes diagonally upward from bottom right to top left. However, this unique animation is a horizontal slash from left to right. The angle makes it better for clearing groups of enemies. Likely not something you'll frequently go for intentionally, but definitely a cool find.
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this weapon to me is what the holy moonlight sword is to ludwig
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I feel the same way about it, its really underrated weapon and Is my absolute favorite one to use in this game. It has alot of utility for instance the untricked form is good with crowds albeit slow but does good damage and it's charge attack is crazy strong. The tricked from is just good for any situation allowing quick engagement and with enough practice renders most enemy attacks useless and once you hit them it attacks so quick it'll melt anything. But the real icing on the cake is transforming mid attack, the backstep allows for dodging and can be followed up with tricking it to close back in and continue attacking. Oh and if you think this weapon couldn't get better well it has access to all the forms of physical damage in the game all in its moveset with a thrust on the tricked form, blunt on charged attacks, and slash on the untricked attacks. 10/10 weapon
Scrolling through Reddit had me thinking about this weapon. Since my last Bloodborne playthrough, I've played DS2 again, Demon Souls, and Elden Ring. I've yet to find a weapon in any From game, and to a larger extent, any game, that I enjoy as much as the Beasthunter Saif. On first look it's s so unassuming, aesthetically similar to the common hunter weapons, but it's such a brilliant weapon design. The fluidity of the moveset along with the incredible spacing attack allow you to seamlessly weave from enemy to enemy while maintaining consistent pressure in both PVE and PVP. Once you really click with it, this weapon makes you feel like a menace.
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the tricked curved greatsword form has an unusually massive amount of stagger, going as far as stun-locking winter lanterns from full hp to already dead
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Possibly the single most aggressive-designed weapon in the series. That dash, oh lord.
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Ironic that lore claims the saw cleaver and spear were more effective than this, since I always found this one to be way better
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*inserts +65 strength just to see what happens to the AR*
*ascends into a higher plane*
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Been deafulting to burial blade in a high BL character since launch and recently switched to this. Overall fills the same CC utility as BB while transformed and has a better moveset in its short form. Still testing gems but so far Saif has a higher AR than BB with 60 skill. Arguably the better weapon if your concerned about being fully optimized.
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Something of interst: The blade of this weapon is just like the one on the burial blade, although its not made out of the strange material BOM and BB are. Also too note, the Old Hunters that weild this (not the ones with the piercing rifile) are also wearing Gehrmans hat, suggesting their related in some way (perhaps his followers or apprentices).
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Man, I have soooo much fun with this weapon. The untransformed mode giving you that dash forward on the first swing is just *chef kiss*
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Gotta say that Rakuyo has totally conquered me for my ng+ run, but then i've seen this super funny moveset, what should i choose?
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Nope, sorry, made a mistake, saw hunter badge does NOT enable this weapon to be bought
- Anonymous
I think it’s possible to buy from the bath messengers after obtaining the saw hunter badge, have to check this though
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You thought this was a skill weapon? Cursed heavy abyssal gems exist, and render this (along with other skill weapons like the rakuyo and church pick) into a quality or even pure strength tool.
Not to mention the fact that this thing can give some pathetic Holy Blade users a really nasty wake-up call. 9/10, only flaw is the fact that the term "saif" isn't very clear.
This thing can stagger most enemies in untransformed mode, making str weapons even more obsolete.
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PSA for my fellow none ps plus members:
The alternate versions of this weapon can be found on the 3rd layer of either the lower hinterlands tomb or the Isz chalice. Assuming one has the normal version to begin with, naturally.
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Wait, slower?? After the first swing, it's faster than the cleaver or spear! I've tested this baby against fast enemies along with the saws, and it hits much faster.
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It’s like a little sickle.
Slice, slice, SLASH.
Used in good hands, this thing can be fantastic.
Not my type, but I have to give it all the good credit.
Love this thing.
8/10.
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As English isn't my first language I'd still consider my vocabulary acceptable, or so I thought. Srsly, what the hell is a saif? starting to think it's dev-slang for a scythe as it's a pain in the ass to spell.
- Anonymous
My favorite weapon hands down. When I was goofing around with weapons I stuck with this thing and never looked back. I had no "Favorite weapon" by that time but when I started a new playthrough a couple weeks ago, I immediately went to the DLC to get this thing. But damn is it worth it. Getting the moveset done and the sweet transformation attacks is just *Chefs Kiss*. What I absolutely love is that the stagger potential on the Normal Form is insane. Pigs, Winter Lanterns, Snatchers... No one stood a chance. (Yes I just said I beat Winter Lanterns with this thing without the parry I-frames) Its faster and farming the two in the Hamlet is so easy with this. Anyway, this weapon is an Allrounder. You can close gaps in an instant when in Transformed and if you have to retreat just us L1 to transform back to the Curved Sword Form. Also this things Normal Form is no joke. I had many times where I just used the L1 on transformed to get back into Regular sword and this thing Rollcatched my enemies so many times it was just amazing. (I'm speaking about NPC tho, mainly Boneash Hunters in Chalices, so I have no idea if it's the same in PVP) OH yeah, one thing. The dash attack on the Saif transformed is brutal! It is so fast and closes such a long distance you can attack mobs before they even notice you. My pick for favorite weapon in the game. (With Beast Cutter and Reiterpallasch) What do you think? And what are yours?
- Anonymous
Transformed r1 once or twice ->transformation attack -> transformation attack again. Mobile combo, badabinghammer badaboomhammer.
The multipliers on this weapon are a low making it a great bolt weapon on Arcane Builds because Bolt Abyssal gems have high flat damage (which isn't effected by the multipliers.) A marginal difference, but something to consider.
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Alright, I’ve waited years to make my ultimate decision on which weapon is my favourite and it is indeed ... the Beasthunter Saif.
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Lord have mercy on the poor souls who have to face a Saif-wielding Hunter. May their souls rest in peace.
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How to fight against this thing: stay calm. Attempt to parry. If you miss the parry, get your affairs in order and write your testament because you are essentially dead. The combos and damage potential on this thing are phenomenal. If you aren't using one yourself, why?
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At this point I guess the only sensible counter to this weapon is running.
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Apparently it has a bug, where one side of the blade won't get dirty with blood.
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Just realized they’re are Beasthunter Blood Gems...has anyone ever used them in the Beasthunter Saif??
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Also the word "Saif" can be used as name, so it's unclear if From used the word as alternative term for a sword, or the named after a Hunter called "Saif", or maybe because it's curved sword?
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At 50 strength 50 skill with an abyssal gem, all clawmark runes and a beast pellet for good measure this thing is monstrous. Vitality and Endurance? No need. If you can't visceral them to oblivion you sure can pummel them into it!
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With the C scaling in arc with upgrades, would it be worth switching to elemental? The moveset is very good and I'd like to use it without dex investment on my arcane build
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This is not only my favorite weapon in Bloodborne, it is one of my favorites in games, period. Both modes are phenomenal and this is the only trick weapon i feel is actually well suited to ANY Bloodborne fight. No serration, no problem. The stunlocking potential of the sweeping R1 alone is proof this weapon is tops but then you add in the great dashing and gap closing attacks of the transformed mode and you cannot be beat.
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Hands down, the best and most underated weapon of the entire game. Once you've used it, you'd never go back. Great for both PvE and PvP, can crowd control or duel easily, can stunlock, fast, decent damage, close in attacks so hard to miss, it's the weapon to end all conflict.
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I absolutely adore this weapon. I was doing my first playthrough with BoM and an Uncanny Burial Blade but ended up switching to this beast as soon as I tried the moveset. The step from R1 lets you avoid a surprising amount of projectiles, and the tricked L1 is a fantastic crowd controller with a huge sweep and a backstep to safety. 100% worth getting asap if you're doing a skill build.
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I haven’t seen anybody talk about this, the Saif’s fully charged R2 in short mode is bugged and does not naturally chain into a transformation attack if you tap L1 right after but instead simply extends the weapon like a normal transformation. Despite this odd glitch if you delay the L1 after the charged R2 (it has to be frame perfect, right before the moment your character can move again) you can do the transformation attack. I thought it was a developer choice similar to the beast claw until I pulled off the frame perfect attack.
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The Beasthunter Saif, because dodging and attacking with separate controls is old school.
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Arguably more practical and versatile than the Saw Cleaver and even the Saw Spear, albeit more technical to use really efficiently.
Don't underestimate the transformed R1. It has forward momentum to bring you toward the enemy. Very nice for closing the distance and getting an attack off. Also the transform attack from closed to open is a backstep, good for retreating and gaining some breathing room
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The dueling dagger's bigger, angry brother with decent rally
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Has anyone noticed that the the lunge of the transformed R1 will put the whole body below the standing lock-on position? I've dodged some bullets using this move during PvE.
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I keep trying out other weapons but nothing can beat the amazingness of this one. Perfect for making books fly everywhere
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In the item description it says "the saif can be wielded like a long curved sword" Saif means sword, so the item description [actually] says "the sword can be wielded like a long curved sword". ..What?
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Really doesnt make sense for so many edged weapons to have wraping on the blades. Like... why? And how?
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Couldn’t the shape of the blade have been influenced by the Burial Blade? The curved blade is the very symbol of the Old Hunters, judging from the Old Hunter badge dropped by Gehrman.
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I'm having a glitch where I switch to it and it's in its transformed state, anyone else had it?
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This weapon is a monster when used with the Old Hunter Bone. Hence why I reserve the two specifically for Orphan of Kos' second phase...
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The weapon is insane! Strange is that you can dive in in untransformed and punch with the fist of cartia for some badass stunlock. If you have that one and some ranged like church pick or burial , you can handle any pve or pvp.
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One of the best weapons imo simply for its movement options. It has the ease of use and relative DPS of the Saws (but lacking Serrated, which is for the best. That'd be too strong if it had it.) and the spacing and movement skills of the Blades of Mercy while being one handed so you have your firearm ready. Thing is so damn frightening.
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That chalice dungeon messenger doesn't sell any weapons at all
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This weapon has a strange bug; Only one side of the blade will get dirty with blood. Not a big deal, but it's kinda annoying...
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One of the weapons where the C in Arcane tricks new players into ramping up arcane. Why even put the C there.. Upping arcane for this weapon does literally nothing. That's literally used properly, does absolutely nothing.
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I wish this was a serrated weapon since it is the "Beasthunter" Saif.
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The perfect weapon for making books fly everywhere... Give the author of that a cookie
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I beat the orphan with this without using a single blood vial and only viceral attacking 5 times with 3 18% phys gems and bolt papered on my first try on a newer character 461 ar. Im dubbing this weapon either the beasts talon or fang because theres no way it should have such a simple name when its this good. Holy hells.
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Fastest weapon I know of that doesn't require being a dexfag. This paired with a great transformed weapon like the the Holy Moonlight Sword is a helluva lot of fun.
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Uncanny with 50STR/25SKL, +65 STR scaling gen, 2XPhys+26.3 gives me AR of 618. Pretty damn good for how fast this weapon is.
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I wanted to use this as a second weapon to my main Chikage but it seems to use a lot of stamina I may opt for Rakuyo instead not sure
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Getting this thing motivated me to go through the awful chore of farming Bloodstone Chunks. I still haven't upgraded it fully but its speed totally makes up for it so far. Can't wait to see how I fare with it when it's +10. Yeah, there's no serration, but I used the Threaded Cane and Burial Blade up to this point, so I'm used to not having it.
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Hardest enemies encountered through my NG+2 run:
1. Orphan of Kos
2. The ************************ who guards this weapon.
3. Everyone else. I really don't even recall.
For real, this guy drove me up the wall.
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The greatest strength for the saif seems to be it's ability to lock enemies in a combo chain, whether transformed or no. Non-transformed, it's heavy swings tend to lock larger enemies in its range, causing them to recoil just enough for more and more combos. Even Gascoigne didn't stand a chance against it, last I fought him. As for the retracted form, faster creatures like the scourge beasts and the bloodlickers are totally powerless. The only drawback is its lack of serration, but it's not exactly necessary when you can fill out a chain, retreat, rinse and repeat.
Now if only it's blood gem fortification game was a bit stronger...
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Extremely agile and deadly to a fault, this weapons is an extremely viable hit and run weapon when transformed however the lack of a serated edge leaves it wanting in say, bosses like the bloodstarved beast (assuming anyone still does the flamesprayer spam strategy). players should keep in mind that transformed it has a slower swing speed compared to the saw cleaver's transformed mode, and will be the cause of many deaths without practice. To the hunter willing to put the time and effort into fortifying and getting used to the unusual moveset it's an extremely viable pvp and pve weapon for those who are experenced with bloodborne, but may not be skilled enough to try some of the more difficult weapons
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Just check the Bath Messengers in the standard Great Isz Chalice Layer 3
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I absolutely love this weapon, but it doesn't really fit into the builds of any of my characters. I am also REALLY digging the Logarius wheel on my arcane character, and was thinking that this thing would fills in the holes of the wheel's moveset pretty nicely. I know it wouldn't be top-tier damage, but if I tossed some bolt or fire gems into this thing, would it's damage output be high enough to be workable as my secondary weapon?
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So I went to dungeon 8i29rqz3, and instead of there being the bath messengers, patches was there instead. It would seem that once you befriend patches he replaces the bath messengers in dungeons, and his items don't cost anymore than buying it from the dungeon messengers.
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The moveset of this weapon in my opinion, makes the most aggressive weapon. The style and utility of its attacks are perfect. This weapon is Bloodborne Incarnate.
Should I start with Professional origin and invest my stats in Skill?
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