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Antidotes are a vital item for surviving the mid-game in Bloodborne.
But luckily, you won’t have to farm enemies for drops to get them – you can actually unlock unlimited Antidotes for purchase in the Hunter’s Dream Messenger Shop by killing the first optional boss, the Cleric Beast.
We’ll cover exactly how to find and kill the Beast down below, as well as where to find the Antidotes once they’re unlocked.
Finding The Cleric Beast
The Cleric Beast
The Cleric Beast is the first optional boss in Bloodborne, and although it’s fairly easy to find accidentally, you could still miss it if you stick to the main path through Central Yharnam.
If you need some directions, here’s how to find the Beast as quickly as possible.
Central Yharnam Lamp
Start from the Central Yharnam Lamp, then head right to follow the main path.
Take the ramp down, then walk across the bridge to find a gap in the railing to your left. Drop down through this gap and make your way down to the main street.
The view from the gap in the railing, with the main path down below
Once you’re down on the main street, start running away from the horde of enemies until you see a bonfire up ahead.
As you’re moving towards it, look for a set of steps to the left of the bonfire – this is the route to safety.
The stairs to the left of the bonfire, behind a large coffin
Head up these stairs and continue running along the walkway at the top, towards the small tunnel.
Run under this tunnel and keep going until you reach the second tree. This tree marks safety from the huge mob of enemies that you’ve run away from, as none will follow you this far.
The tree that marks safety from the bonfire mob
Walk down the steps here to enter a large courtyard. Make your way around the fountain in the center and up every flight of stairs on its far side.
At the top of the steps will be an ambush party of dogs and Villagers – this can be a tough fight, so run away if you need to.
The ambushing party coming down the stairs
However you deal with the ambush, run up the staircase they arrived from to step onto the Great Bridge.
On your right will be two Werewolves blocking your way to the Cleric Beast. Luckily, you won’t have to properly fight them.
The Werewolves patrolling the bridge in the distance
Walk up to them to get their attention, then run back the way you came to split them up slightly and open up a route forward.
Run back towards where the Werewolves were originally, then keep going until you see a thin staircase to your left.
The staircase that leads into the house next to the bridge
Take out the Villager at the top, then head down this staircase until you reach a darkened house that the Werewolves can’t follow you into.
As soon as you step into the house, search for the pair of Villagers hiding on this floor and take them out.
Now that the house is safe, turn your attention to the doorway you entered through.
Assuming the Werewolves were still chasing you when you entered, you’ll find them stuck in the doorway, trying and failing to squeeze through.
The Werewolves stuck in the door
If they’re there, slowly take them out from the safety of the house, dealing one R1 at a time until they fall.
If they didn’t follow you, you’re free to immediately walk back up this staircase.
Turn left once you step back onto the Great Bridge to see a Troll and some crows stood in front of a large arch.
The Troll and the arch at the far end of the Great Bridge
This arch marks the entrance to the Cleric Beast’s boss arena. Run past the Troll and through the arch to trigger the fight.
Opening the shortcut
The Central Yharnam shortcut gate after being opened
If you’re looking for a quicker way to reach the Cleric Beast for repeat attempts, you can actually continue heading through the darkened house instead of returning to the Great Bridge.
From the entrance of the house, walk down the steps and turn left, then open the door here to exit the building.
Once outside, walk up the stairs straight ahead, then turn right and climb another set to reach the metal gate on the left of Central Yharnam Lamp.
The other side of the shortcut gate
Interact with it to open the shortcut gate and give yourself a much simpler route to the Cleric Beast for repeat attempts.
With the gate open, you simply need to take the left path from Central Yharnam Lamp, and climb through the darkened house and up to the Great Bridge to reach the Cleric Beast fight.
Killing The Cleric Beast
Using fire to deal with the Cleric Beast
If you’re having some trouble taking down the Cleric Beast, here are some quick tips to boost your chances of winning:
Don’t panic – stay calm and only dodge when it’s necessary to keep your stamina up
Stay behind it – the Cleric Beast has very few attacks that can hit behind itself.
Don’t stay locked on – the camera can be buggy against large foes. Keep it unlocked and control it yourself to stay focused on the Beast.
Use fire – if you have Oil Urns and Molotov Cocktails, use them together on the Beast to deal massive damage.
Buying Antidotes
Once the Cleric Beast is taken out, you’ll receive the Sword Hunter Badge, which unlocks some new items in the Hunter’s Dream Messenger Shop, including Antidotes.
The Hunter’s Dream Messenger Shop
To find the Messenger Shop, warp back to the Hunter’s Dream, then turn left from the spawn point to see the shop underneath a small ledge.
Enter the shop menu to find and buy as many Antidotes as you’d like – the Messengers will stock an infinite amount for the rest of the game.
The store page for Antidotes
Depending on when you’re buying the Antidotes, their price will change. The prices are as follows:
300 Blood Echoes (default price)
600 Blood Echoes (after defeating Father Gascoigne)
1,300 Blood Echoes (after defeating Vicar Amelia)
2,300 Blood Echoes (after defeating Rom, The Vacuous Spider)
Jack is a writer from the UK that spends too much time Nuzlocking the Pokémon series. After a crushing defeat, he relaxes by rewatching Attack On Titan in the hope that it'll make the final season come out sooner - It never does.
