Home Gaming How to play co-op in Bloodborne

How to play co-op in Bloodborne

1 min read
24

Confused

Bloodborne is tough as nails – so it’s something you’re probably going to want a little bit of help with. Thankfully, the game does include the ability to play co-operatively – but like its predecessors, its mechanics for co-op play are purposefully obfuscated and confusing.

You won’t be able to just invite a friend in for a bit of a bash about, because that would be far too easy. Instead, you’ll have to use an item or two that you’ll only get after tackling some of the game’s early big, bad nasties.

To initiate a co-operative game, you’re going to need the Beckoning bell, which is something you only get after fighting an in-game boss – whether you win or lose. The first boss you’re likely to encounter is the great big Cleric Beast, which you’ll fight when you stumble upon him on a bridge. Starting a co-op game requires insight – which you’ll earn in a couple of ways that are never really explained. Here’s how you can earn insight, which you can also spend at the Insight shop.

  • Whenever you see a boss for the first time you’ll gain +1 Insight
  • You get +3 Insight for killing a boss
  • You get +1 as summoned player for helping others to defeat a boss in coop
  • You get +1 after using a Madman’s Knowledge Skull item.

To join somebody else’s game, you’ll need the Resonating bell – which you can purchase from a messenger located by a fountain outside of the house in the hunters dream. Once you have 10 insight, a messengers appear in the fountain, from whom you’ll be able to buy the bells necessary to join others’ games.

That all makes it very tricky to join up with a friend to slay beasties, though it is possible – and a little easier – if, as with Dark Souls,  you use the right timing, are in the same area, and have the same password set under the game’s networking options.

It’s all very convoluted and confusing – but I suppose it’s all part of Bloodborne’s sadistic charm.

Last Updated: March 25, 2015

24 Comments

  1. Pariah

    March 25, 2015 at 10:04

    Step 1: own a PS4
    Step 2: have friends who own a PS4

    Right, now that I’ve excluded half of you (including myself), shall we continue?

    Reply

    • Jaded_Reprobate

      March 25, 2015 at 10:06

      step 2 have friends………. now that I’ve excluded everyone?

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 25, 2015 at 10:06

        Speak for yourself mate, I have 212 people on MySpace!!!

        Reply

        • Jaded_Reprobate

          March 25, 2015 at 10:07

          LOL @ MySpace

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      March 25, 2015 at 10:26

      Step 3: Buy a PS4
      Step 4: Add me as friend

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 25, 2015 at 10:55

        Hey, be realistic. Who’d add you as a friend?

        *RUNS

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          March 25, 2015 at 11:30

          I did! Wait, that may not be a ringing endorsement.

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          March 25, 2015 at 11:30

          There are a few, though they wish they’ve never met me. Ask anyone I play GTA with or Helldivers XD

          Reply

          • Sageville

            March 25, 2015 at 11:41

            We don’t talk about it…. just like fight club, but without the benefits of being able to beat the shit out of each other …..

          • Ir0nseraph

            March 25, 2015 at 11:41

            XD

          • Hammersteyn

            March 25, 2015 at 11:48

            XD

  2. Pariah

    March 25, 2015 at 10:05

    Also what’s behind that sign? A cliff? Because there is nothing on the sign to indicate.

    Reply

    • Avi

      March 25, 2015 at 10:53

      Seems “unclear” right now

      Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    March 25, 2015 at 10:23

    Cant we rather solve chinese algebra problems to join?

    Reply

  4. Dean

    March 25, 2015 at 10:40

    Just be wary when you do summon someone. The game will spawn a Bell Maiden somewhere in the area that you are summoning from. This little cow has a bell of her own that she uses to summon invaders into your world. You got to find and kill her to make her stop this added service.

    Another glorious “up yours” from Miyazaki.

    Reply

    • Sageville

      March 25, 2015 at 10:49

      I see the future of gaming articles….

      1.) How to unlock “Voice Communications”…
      2.) How to unlock the right analog stick…
      3.) How to unlock game checkpoints….
      4.) How to unlock quick loading screen….

      Reply

      • Sageville

        March 25, 2015 at 10:49

        In hindsight that may actually be an interesting game mechanic….

        Reply

  5. Ghost In The Rift

    March 25, 2015 at 10:45

    Any news on a PC port?

    Reply

    • Viking Of Science

      March 25, 2015 at 11:32

      At this stage, a PC port is unlikely, and besides, The Souls
      ports were pretty bad, anyway…

      Reply

  6. RinceThis

    March 25, 2015 at 11:25

    And you have to turn around 3 times in front of a mirror while saying ‘Darryn’s pants, Darryn’s pants, Darryn’s pants’ I mean I can’t think of anything else as horrific…

    Reply

    • Viking Of Science

      March 25, 2015 at 11:33

      Darryn NOT wearing pants

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 25, 2015 at 11:33

        The mankini.

        Reply

      • RinceThis

        March 25, 2015 at 11:34

        TOOOO FAAAR!

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 25, 2015 at 11:35

          Not what she said?

          Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Elden Ring’s gameplay sounds like a big departure from the Soulsborne formula

Essentially, Elden Ring is designed to give players more options when dealing with threats…