blood starved beast... went down a few hours ago....

Key to the fight. Use saw spear. Roll behind him every time he telegraphs an attack (double roll if needed). Apply fire to weapon when he goes into the last stage. Beat him using 3 potions that way(no antidotes).

Guys, is there a glitch in the game that makes a dog unbeateble. I have beaten dogs with one blow but I came across with one that with no HP was still alive trying to kill me which eventually did because I was shock, anyone?

Vicar Amelia... -_-

Second boss is much easier with hammer and a few molotov ;)

Played 5 hours and had to stop. This game is boring as hell (just kidding). It's frigin' massive, complex and addictive.

I did discover something that I can't remember anyone saying about before. If your blood gets stolen by one of the enemies it doesn't matter if you die before you can get it back, the creature will still have your blood. I don't know if this is related to specific monsters but I died three times trying to kill that axe cleaver guy just inside the first door you open and when I did, I got ALL my blood back.

I have lost a copious amount of goddamn blood echoes. I can't get the hang of the stagger with the gun to pull off the finisher, the timing during their attack animation seems random. Still, it is addictive. For all the progress i lost, i couldn't stop.

where do I go after I 3rd boss. everywhere I go I feel I am under powered now. I rick rolled old yarnem but everywhere is a huge jump (especially the place you get kidnapped to)

I can kinda handle my own in and around the cathedral (except the those massive guys the 2 or 3 shot me from a long ways away.

I am lvl 32 with Kirkhammer +3 (also what weapon should I be looking for next) and saw spear if I need more range. I am in that weird area where Old Yarnem is a cake walk but Cathedral District (if that is where I need to go) is like pulling teeth.

Ive never got this down either, had the same issue in Demon's Souls. In that I would just hide behind the biggest shield now I have to learn how to evade at the right time... Also what am I supposed to put in my off hand now??

If you want more range, I recommend the axe. That thing is great. I still use it when I'm in a pinch and can't handle the snail paced Ludwig's sword. All weapons are nice, you just have to find the one that suits your play style. Staggering your opponents is key in this game. Make sure you rush them, dash, fire your gun if they rush you (time it right and it will give you a breather at least/a counter at best).

Ways to stagger your big enemies:
1. R2 (with big weapons)
2. R2+Left Joystick forward (same time)
3. Counter with firearm (I felt the shotgun gives you more a window to pull it off. Use it to learn)
4. Enough R1 damange (with large weapons)

Tip #1.
Don't feel like you need to respond right away when you get hit. Dodge out of the way once or twice, then unleash hell if opponent is staggered or sting like a bee if it's not. (The window to regain your health is like 1-2 seconds. It's actually a pretty good amount of time)

Tip #2. Stamina is very important in this game. It will literally make you handle your weapon a whole lot better and dash away to safety. If you run out of stamina you're dead.

Tip #3. Retrace your steps, You may have missed something in the beginning. Finding new paths and things you missed makes you appreciate the game more because it was your discovery.

I still haven't been able to get to the other side of beginning town. I've killed like 7 bosses and two chalice dungeons and I still can't find a way to get that gate open in the graveyard you start out from. (It's annoying, because I'm lost with the story and the game has psychologically drained me. I'm taking a break before going back for more (^_-)

I'm playing Offline, want to discover as much on my own. I'm currently level 63. (edited some grammar)

When you leave the cathedral from the left door you need to go up the stairs to the right and go right again up more stairs past the axe wielding giant through the gate there that usually requires the hunter chief seal or something.  From there you have to go left before the square with the two axe wielding giants and make your way around that path and there's a few places for you to go from there.

I haven't had much trouble with the axe wielding giants, they're slow and really telegraph their attacks.  Dash forward as they begin their swing and you'll wind up behind them and you should have plenty of time to land a charged attack with the hammer form of the kirkhammer.  Usually takes two of those and they go down.  The masked guys with canes/scythes/big wooden cross things are pretty easy to gun-stun, pull the trigger as they wind up their attacks and you should stun them no problem.  The masked guys with the undertaker hats that wield guns can be a pain in the ass though, especially if you get too close because they'll pull out a flame thrower that can fuck you up fast.  Best way to approach them I've found is to charge them head on and when they start to raise their weapon dash forward and you should be beside or behind them, then use the trick attack combo (kirkhammer sword form R1, L1, R1, R1), as long as the second attack hits they'll get stun locked and go down. 

There is a wooden shield, but I get the feeling it's not very effective as the item description basically says shields are for pussies.