Mastering the Bloodborne Rakuyo: Location and Build Guide

Unlocking the Secrets of the Bloodborne Rakuyo

Every seasoned hunter eventually searches for a weapon that redefines their combat experience, and the bloodborne rakuyo stands at the pinnacle of FromSoftware's design. If you are looking to elevate your dexterity build and master high-DPS encounters, understanding the bloodborne rakuyo is essential for conquering the toughest late-game challenges in Bloodborne. Originally wielded by Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, this elegant dual-wielding masterpiece trades blood-infused attacks for pure, relentless skill-based aggression.

Unlike traditional trick weapons that rely on strength or bloodtinge, mastering the bloodborne rakuyo transforms your character into a fluid dancer of death. According to community reports, players consistently rank this weapon in S-tier for its incredible damage-per-second capabilities and versatile combos. Below, we break down everything you need to know about acquiring, upgrading, and wielding this legendary armament.

How to Find and Acquire the Rakuyo

Securing the bloodborne rakuyo is widely considered one of the most punishing trials in the game. Located in the eerie Fishing Hamlet within The Old Hunters DLC, the weapon rests at the very bottom of a deep, dark well guarded by two terrifying Shark Giants.

According to player experience, fighting these two brutes simultaneously can easily lead to quick deaths. The first giant patrols the area and will scream to summon its anchor-wielding companion when its health drops low.

1. Descend into the Fishing Hamlet well via the ladder or the underground cave network at the end of the area.
2. Engage the first Shark Giant carefully, utilizing backstabs or ranged options like Simon's Bowblade if necessary.
3. Throw a Shaman Bone Blade just as the second giant drops from the ceiling to force them to fight each other.
4. Finish off the surviving giant to claim the weapon reward.

Upgrade Path and Stat Scaling

To unlock the true destructive potential of the bloodborne rakuyo, you must gather the necessary upgrade materials from Yharnam and the Nightmare. The weapon scales purely with Skill, making it a dream for pure dexterity builds.

Early Game Upgrades (+1 to +3)

Requires Blood Stone Shards. At +2, the weapon scaling transitions from C to B in Skill, immediately boosting your baseline damage output against early bosses like Father Gascoigne and the Blood-starved Beast.

Mid Game Upgrades (+4 to +6)

Requires Twin Blood Stone Shards. Pushing the weapon to +6 allows you to comfortably shred mid-game obstacles like Vicar Amelia and the Shadows of Yharnam with high-speed combos.

Late Game Upgrades (+7 to +10)

Requires Blood Stone Chunks and a Blood Rock. At +7, Skill scaling upgrades to A-tier, turning your R1 and L2 chains into an absolute boss-melting machine against Ludwig and Orphan of Kos.

The following table outlines the physical attack progression and attribute scaling across standard upgrade levels:

Moveset Analysis and Optimal Combos

The versatility of the bloodborne rakuyo stems from its unique transforming design. In its initial twin-blade state, it functions like a swift court sword, while transforming detaches a dagger for dual-wielding sabers that unleash devastating multi-hit combos.

Tip

Pair your dual-wield L2 spin attacks with Beast Blood Pellets and Fire Paper to maximize burst damage against aggressive bosses.

Here is a quick reference guide to the most effective attack strings reported by top-tier players:

• Neutral L2 Spin: Initiates a 360-degree counterclockwise dual slash, perfect for crowd control against mobs.
• R1 into L2 Combo: Pressing L2 immediately after an R1 attack executes a simultaneous diagonal slice with both blades.
• R2 into L2 Combo: Following a thrusting R2 with L2 delivers a high-impact forward thrust using both swords.
• Transformation Attack: Pressing L1 mid-combo attaches or detaches the dagger dynamically, maintaining uninterrupted pressure.

To experience the game officially on supported platforms, check out the PlayStation Store Bloodborne Page developed by FromSoftware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What stats do I need to effectively use the bloodborne rakuyo?

You will want to invest heavily in Skill, as the weapon scales up to A-tier in dexterity. Additionally, maintaining solid Endurance is crucial to sustain the infinite thrusting and slashing combos enabled by the dual-wield moveset.

Can the bloodborne rakuyo be infused with bloodtinge?

No. Unlike the Cainhurst Chikage, the rakuyo does not scale with Bloodtinge and relies entirely on physical attack power, making it ideal for pure skill builds rather than hybrid bloodtinge setups.

Where is the fastest place to find the rakuyo?

You must progress through The Old Hunters DLC until you reach the Fishing Hamlet. Descending into the deep well at the start of the area requires defeating two difficult Shark Giants to obtain the standard version. Alternative Uncanny and Lost variants can be found via Chalice Dungeon glyphs if you prefer dungeon exploration.