In the haunting world of Bloodborne, players are constantly faced with difficult decisions, strange characters, and cryptic choices that often affect both the narrative and gameplay. One such mysterious moment comes when you encounter the dialogue prompt to either Cooperate or Refuse. This moment stands out not just for its ambiguity but for its potential consequences. For new players and veterans alike, understanding the implications of these choices adds depth to the game’s immersive lore and challenging structure. Whether you choose to cooperate or not, the decision influences your journey through Yharnam and the secrets it hides.
Understanding the Context
The Cooperate or Refuse choice in Bloodborne typically appears during certain NPC interactions, where your response affects questlines or outcomes. It is not always obvious who can be trusted or what the benefits are of siding with or going against a character. In many cases, the choice is presented without detailed explanation, leaving players to rely on intuition, lore knowledge, or simple curiosity.
Why These Choices Matter
Unlike traditional RPGs where morality systems are overt and clearly defined, Bloodborne relies on subtle world-building. Cooperation may lead to helpful alliances, shortcuts, or rewards, while refusal might trigger hostilities, deny access to side quests, or even change story events. Knowing when and why to cooperate or refuse requires understanding the game’s environment and paying attention to character behavior and dialogue.
Key Moments of Cooperation in Bloodborne
Let’s explore some of the more impactful moments in the game where this choice arises. These interactions can dramatically affect gameplay, unlock unique content, or influence the game’s endings.
Eileen the Crow
One of the earliest and most complex choices involves Eileen the Crow, a hunter of hunters. If you choose to cooperate with her and follow her questline, you gain access to unique lore, helpful items, and eventually her armor set. However, refusal or careless actions can cause her to disappear, turn hostile, or die prematurely, locking you out of these opportunities.
Alfred and the Vilebloods
Alfred, a member of the Executioners, offers another key opportunity to either cooperate or withhold cooperation. Choosing to assist Alfred in his crusade against the Vilebloods can lead to the tragic downfall of Queen Annalise and the destruction of Cainhurst’s royal bloodline. This cooperation gives you access to items and rewards, but also shuts down a portion of lore and a potential alliance with the Vileblood faction.
Adella and the Chapel
During the search for safe haven NPCs, you may encounter Adella, a nun found in the Cathedral Ward. By choosing to cooperate and send her to the Oedon Chapel, she can later assist you with restorative blood. However, sending too many characters to the same location without thought may lead to dangerous consequences, including the deaths of certain NPCs depending on who is present.
What Happens If You Refuse?
Refusing cooperation in Bloodborne is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, refusal can sometimes prevent a betrayal, save a life, or preserve a storyline path that would otherwise be lost. Since many NPCs have hidden motives, refusal often acts as a safeguard, allowing players to observe and choose the right moment to act later.
Examples of Beneficial Refusals
- Patches the Spider: Known for his treachery in FromSoftware games, cooperating with Patches usually leads to a trap. Refusing him may prevent being ambushed or misled.
- Suspicious Beggar: Found in Yahar’gul, this NPC appears harmless but becomes dangerous if allowed into the Chapel. Refusing to help may save lives and prevent bloodshed.
- Impure Deals: Certain characters offer shady bargains. Refusing these deals can preserve the purity of your Hunter and keep your allegiance intact.
Though refusing can close some doors, it often opens others, and can even result in alternative rewards or more fulfilling endings.
The Impact on Story and Endings
One of the most compelling aspects of Bloodborne is its multiple endings, shaped in part by player choices, item usage, and specific character interactions. Some paths to these endings involve cooperating or refusing at critical moments throughout the game.
Good Hunter Ending
This ending occurs if you refuse the final offer from Gehrman at the Hunter’s Dream. The act of refusal here leads to a boss fight, which then concludes the game with your character taking Gehrman’s place. Cooperation in this moment would end the game without this final battle, demonstrating how significant this binary choice can be.
Childhood’s Beginning Ending
To unlock this secret and most lore-rich ending, the player must consume three Third Umbilical Cords and refuse Gehrman’s offer. This cooperation/refusal moment affects not only the ending cutscene but also the meaning behind your character’s transformation and fate.
How to Decide: Cooperate or Refuse?
Choosing whether to cooperate or refuse in Bloodborne depends heavily on your goals as a player. Do you prioritize unlocking every piece of lore? Are you chasing trophies and endings? Or do you prefer role-playing your Hunter in a particular way?
Guidelines for Making the Right Choice
- Observe First: Listen carefully to what NPCs say. Pay attention to their tone and surroundings.
- Research Subtly: Without spoiling too much, glance at community hints or guides if you’re aiming for a specific outcome.
- Replay Value: Since Bloodborne encourages multiple playthroughs, don’t be afraid to experiment. Cooperate in one run and refuse in another.
- Follow Your Instinct: Often, the game’s tone and atmosphere give away whether a character is trustworthy or dangerous.
Bloodborne’s Choices
The decision to cooperate or refuse is more than just a yes-or-no mechanic. It symbolizes the uncertainty and mystery at the core of Bloodborne. Every choice carries weight, and every action can ripple through the world in unexpected ways. From small character interactions to game-ending confrontations, these decisions shape your experience in a game where nothing is ever truly explained and every revelation leads to more questions.
Whether you choose to assist or walk away, remember that in Yharnam, even cooperation can come at a price. Choose wisely, and embrace the hunt.