The Hunter
A customizable vigilante who unravels Yharnam's mysteries while battling the blood-borne plague.
The Hunter serves as the customizable protagonist of Bloodborne, a silent avatar created by the player in 2015 to navigate the decrepit Gothic city of Yharnam. Unlike other characters with fixed histories, this figure is defined solely by an "Origin" chosen at the start, which sets their starting attributes while leaving their name and appearance entirely up to the player's design. Arriving in a city ravaged by a blood-borne disease, the Hunter seeks the source of the plague known as Paleblood. They are the sole force capable of entering the Hunter's Dream, a mysterious hub overseen by Gehrman, where they prepare for the Hunt against beasts and eldritch beings that defy natural law.
- Role
- Player Character / Protagonist
- First Appears
- Opening Sequence at the Gate of Yharnam
- Weaponry
- Various Transformable Weapons and Firearms
Lore & Background
The Hunter's journey begins when they arrive in Yharnam seeking Paleblood and receive a blood transfusion, awakening during a night of the Hunt. Guided by visions within the Hunter's Dream, they travel to the Healing Church's grand cathedral and eventually discover Byrgenwerth, where defeating Rom reveals the influence of the Great Ones. The narrative follows the Hunter as they uncover signs of Queen Yharnam and her child Mergo in the Nightmare of Mensis. After killing Micolash and the Wet Nurse, the Hunter returns to the Dream for a final confrontation with Gehrman. Depending on their actions—specifically whether they consumed three umbilical cords—the Hunter either accepts release at sunrise, defeats Gehrman to become the new Dream master, or consumes the Moon Presence to be reborn as an infant Great One.
In Their Own Story
Trapped in Yharnam during a night of the Hunt, the Hunter fights through infected citizens and beasts while exploring interconnected areas unlocked by shortcuts. They utilize trick weapons that transform between two forms and firearms to interrupt enemy attacks for visceral strikes. As they progress, the Hunter collects Blood Echoes to level up and gain Insight by encountering bosses, which alters the game world. The journey takes them from the Healing Church to the hidden village of Yahar'gul, where they defeat the One Reborn. In the Old Hunters expansion, the Hunter enters the Hunter's Nightmare, battles transformed hunters like Lady Maria at a clock tower, and travels to the Fishing Hamlet to defeat the Orphan of Kos, finally releasing the spirit bound to Kos's corpse.
Reader's Guide
Players control the Hunter through strategic combat emphasizing dodging, counterattacking, and close-range aggression. The Rally system allows the character to regain lost health by striking an enemy immediately after taking damage. Upon death, the Hunter drops their Blood Echoes at the site of defeat or on a nearby enemy; these must be reclaimed before dying again, or they are permanently lost. Insight acts as a secondary currency for items and multiplayer actions like summoning allies or invading other worlds. The Hunter can also access Chalice Dungeons via ritual items, with "root" versions offering procedurally generated layouts. Progression relies on upgrading weapons and managing resources while unraveling the city's mysteries through item descriptions and visual storytelling rather than explicit exposition.
Did You Know?
- The Hunter's customizable "Origin" determines their starting attributes, though they remain unnamed throughout the game.
- Defeating enemies grants Blood Echoes, which serve as both currency and experience points but are lost permanently if not recovered after a second death.
- Insight is a secondary currency obtained by encountering or defeating bosses that changes specific aspects of the game world when accumulated.
- The Hunter can access optional "root" Chalice Dungeons that use procedural generation to create new arrangements of rooms and enemies.
- Depending on ending choices, the Hunter may be reborn as an infant Great One after consuming three umbilical cords associated with the Great Ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Hunter in Bloodborne?
The Hunter serves as the player's customizable avatar within the narrative, functioning as a silent protagonist with no predefined history. This identity is shaped entirely by the chosen Origin at the start of the game, which dictates initial attributes rather than personal lore.
What is The Hunter's main goal in Yharnam?
Arriving at the gates of Yharnam, this vigilante seeks to track down the source of the blood-borne disease known as Paleblood. Their primary role involves battling mutated beasts and unraveling the city's dark secrets while navigating its Gothic streets.
What weapons or abilities does The Hunter possess?
Combat relies on a unique arsenal of firearms and versatile melee tools that can shift between different forms during battle. Additionally, they possess the rare ability to traverse into the Hunter's Dream, a mystical hub overseen by Gehrman.
How does The Hunter's story end?
Depending on specific choices made during the final confrontation, the narrative concludes with one of several distinct outcomes ranging from breaking the cycle to ascending as a cosmic entity. These paths determine whether the Hunter remains in the Dream or transcends their humanity entirely.
Why is The Hunter important to the lore?
As the sole individual capable of entering the Hunter's Dream, this figure acts as the central catalyst for resolving Yharnam's ancient curses. Their actions ultimately decide the fate of the city and the continuation of the blood-ministered cycle.
More in Characters
Related in Bloodborne
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Elsewhere in the Bloodborne universe
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