Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night may not be the hardest Metroidvania ever created, but it has enough complexity, secrets, and late-game difficulty spikes to humble even the most seasoned player. Whether you’re diving into the game for the first time or coming back after the release of new DLC and updates, this guide compiles intermediate and expert-level advice to help you survive—and thrive—in your journey as Miriam. From hidden weapons to overlooked NPCs, from subtle mechanics to overpowered builds, here’s how to elevate your play and uncover some of the game’s best-kept secrets.
1. Use Warp Points Strategically
Warp points are your best friends. These glowing rooms allow instant travel between key locations on the map and double as recovery stations when paired with nearby benches. The smartest play? Warp back to Arvantville often. It’s your main hub and contains a free healing bench, crafting stations, and access to potions and food. When you’re deep in an unforgiving zone, don’t force your way through—warp, rest, stock up, and come back stronger.
2. The 8-bit Coin: Your Early Game Power Boost
Buried behind two secret walls in a house in Arvantville lies one of the most crucial early-game advantages: an 8-bit coin. This rare item lets you craft one of several powerful weapons tuned to different playstyles—whether you’re a greatsword bruiser, a katana slasher, or a kung-fu kicker, there’s a crafted weapon for you. These weapons remain viable well into mid-game, even after your second boss. Grab it early, and the opening hours become significantly more manageable.
3. Break Every Wall You See
If you think you’re checking all the walls, you probably aren’t. Bloodstained is riddled with breakable walls, more so than most Metroidvanias. Behind them lie mana and health upgrades, new gear, consumables, and even quest items. Start hitting walls by default—it pays off. Miss one, and you might miss a major advantage.
4. Don’t Waste Money on Equipment in Shops
Dominique’s shop might seem like a useful place to gear up—but the truth is most of her gear is quickly outclassed by what you find or craft. Your money is better spent on potions, ingredients for food, or materials you need for crafting. If you’re short on gear, backtrack. Many of the places that were inaccessible earlier in the game now contain strong weapons and armor. Let the world provide for you—not the store.
5. Craft and Eat Food—Don’t Ignore It
Food isn’t just a health refill—it’s a permanent stat booster the first time you eat each dish. Johannes can craft dozens of meals using monster drops and ingredients you’ll find while exploring. Some boost strength, others raise HP, MP, or intelligence. These add up quickly, especially if you’ve been farming enemies regularly. Save your items and cook often—it’s an investment in long-term survival.
6. Always Farm EXP—Even When Backtracking
A mistake many players make (myself included) is running past enemies to get back to where they died. Resist this. Every enemy you kill provides valuable EXP and drops, which make you stronger and more resource-rich. If you skip fights too often, you’ll hit the late-game underleveled and underprepared. Make a habit of clearing out rooms. It’s safer, and smarter.
7. Borrow Books From OD—And Check Back Often
After gaining access to the train via the identification card, you’ll meet OD, a mysterious librarian who lets you borrow magical tomes. These tomes grant buffs like added strength, resistance, or other stat enhancements. You start with one slot, but gain a second after the Bridge of Evil—and a third later on, depending on progress. Pro tip: OD sometimes allows additional books at unpredictable times, so make it a habit to visit him. Just don’t get too cozy with the Tome of Conquest unless you’re confident in your build.
8. Specialize Your Build for Max Efficiency
Your gear and tomes should match your preferred weapon class. Sword user? Focus on strength. Spellcaster? Stack intelligence and mana regeneration. Learn what each armor piece, accessory, and headgear actually does—it’s often more than defense. Matching everything to support your style makes Bloodstained far easier. Avoid being a jack-of-all-trades; master one approach and build around it.
9. Master the Ducking Strike
Bosses often unleash massive sweeping attacks—but not all of them hit low. One of the best (and most overlooked) techniques is attacking while crouched. Press down during a swing, and Miriam will strike while low to the ground, dodging many high-level attacks. It may sound small, but this simple trick saved me in dozens of fights. Test crouching on every boss pattern—you’ll be surprised how often it works.
10. Know Your Potions—Don’t Waste Them
In the late game, healing items become crucial. But you don’t want to blow your best potions when a small heal will do. Learn how much each healing item restores so you can make better decisions mid-fight. Keep high potions for emergencies, and use food strategically when you can pause. Not every battle requires your top-shelf resources.
11. Shards: Powerful, But Not Always Worth Upgrading
Not all shards are created equal. While some are devastating, many lose relevance quickly. Don’t dump all your crafting resources into every shiny new spell. In my own playthrough, I found that melee was more consistent, especially once enemies became faster and more unpredictable. That said, certain shards like Draconic Rage or Directed Shield can be game-changers—especially the latter, which blocks incoming damage and turns tough bosses into manageable ones.
12. Directed Shield: The Best Shard You Might Be Ignoring
Found by defeating the Shield Outsiders in the Tower of Twin Dragons, Directed Shield is arguably one of the best shards in the game. Equip it in place of mobility shards like Reflector Ray and manually aim it to block incoming attacks. It’s a literal game-changer for late bosses, especially if you’re struggling to dodge their relentless assaults. Combine it with Jeeble’s Glasses—which let you use mana infinitely—and you can block almost everything forever. Yes, it’s that good.
13. Want Infinite Mana? Collect Every Shard
If you’re a mage, this should be your ultimate goal: collect one shard from every enemy in the game. Do that, and you’ll unlock Jeeble’s Glasses, a powerful accessory that lets you cast without spending mana. It’s not an easy task—some enemies are hidden, others have low drop rates—but if you’re willing to grind, the reward is tremendous. Pair this with Directed Shield or any high-damage spell and you’ll feel invincible.
14. Read Descriptions and Revisit Landmarks
Stuck on where to go next? Don’t skip flavor text. Shard and item descriptions often contain hints, and dialogue from NPCs might reference a location that only makes sense after gaining a new ability. Revisit old areas regularly and test your new powers—doors you ignored hours ago might now be your only way forward.
15. 100% Map Completion Has Real Rewards
Exploration isn’t just for the sake of completion. Fully exploring the map unlocks a secret boss and a powerful shardthat can help you conquer the final encounter. If you’re already addicted to uncovering every room, this is your payoff. Not to mention, you’ll find plenty of useful loot and hidden mechanics along the way.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has a deceptively deep system beneath its retro aesthetic. The more you explore, craft, and experiment, the more the game rewards you. With these advanced tips, you should find yourself better prepared for the challenges ahead—and maybe even discover a few of your own tricks along the way.
Now go crack some walls, grab your books, and let Directed Shield carry you to victory. And remember, crouch when in doubt.
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