Walkthrough · Updated 2026-10-24
Area-by-area route
This page is the spine of a playthrough, not a room-by-room item list. Each area has or will have its own map page. The boss order page is the same skeleton with checkboxes in mind.
Hunter's field tools
Playthrough action checklist
A route checklist, not a room-by-room item guide. Follow the main-path actions and choose your optional detours. Links cover all five published area guides; other regions link to the wiki rather than unpublished map pages.
Optional branches are included in the progress total but are not all required to finish the game. Old Yharnam is one of two access routes to Amelia. The expansion can be played any time after its access conditions, but finish it before ending the base game.
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This is a progression route, not an exhaustive item sweep. Finish time-sensitive NPC steps before advancing the world, open area shortcuts before a boss retry, and use the area guides for the local branches.
Opening route
Clear Central Yharnam and defeat Father Gascoigne to enter Cathedral Ward. Cleric Beast is optional, but its badge enables buying the Hunter Chief Emblem. Alternatively, defeat the Blood-starved Beast in Old Yharnam to open the Healing Church Workshop route around the Ward gate.
Reach Vicar Amelia, defeat her and examine the altar skull to turn the world to night. Before entering the Forbidden Woods, finish Eileen's Henryk step if you want her successful quest branch.
The required middle and finale
Use the password learned from the skull scene to enter the Forbidden Woods, defeat the Shadows of Yharnam and continue through Byrgenwerth to Rom. After Rom, proceed through the changed Yahar'gul and the One Reborn. The route through the lecture area leads onward to the Nightmare of Mensis.
Defeat Micolash and Mergo's Wet Nurse, then return to the Dream for the final decision. Complete remaining exploration and prepare any ending-save backup before accepting Gehrman or finishing the final boss sequence, because the ending advances into NG+.
Optional branches without false connections
Old Yharnam leads to the Blood-starved Beast. Paarl must be approached through Hypogean Gaol / Yahar'gul; his defeated arena opens a back door into Old Yharnam, not a direct downward route from its streets.
Hemwick unlocks rune equipment. Cainhurst needs its summons and carriage. The Nightmare Frontier and Upper Cathedral Ward are optional branches. The Old Hunters opens after Amelia, the skull check and the Eye/grab steps; it can be completed before the main-game ending.
Questions
Where is the first lamp after the clinic?
Central Yharnam, once you are through the Iosefka clinic gate and down into the street. The area page has the layout notes.
When do I fight Rom?
After the Forbidden Woods and Byrgenwerth. Rom’s death changes Yahar’gul and the sky.