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This article summarizes everything currently known about The Blood of Dawnwalker ahead of its release.
Official announcements are treated as the primary sources, followed by hands-on preview reports as secondary sources.
After the game launches, this article will be revised, updated, and expanded as new information is verified through gameplay.
At Night, the Health Bar Also Serves as a Hunger Meter
An official gameplay video explains that, at night, the Health bar also serves as a meter representing Coen’s hunger.
Going Without Blood Triggers Blood Hunger
Because the protagonist, Coen, is a vampire, going without blood causes him to enter a state of Blood Hunger. This can weaken his abilities and may eventually trigger the forced feeding described below.
Forced Feeding
Once Coen’s Blood Hunger reaches a certain threshold, every dialogue option is replaced with an option to feed on the person he is speaking to.
When this happens, Coen drains the victim completely, killing them.
Even important NPCs and allies are not exempt: Coen can feed on them until they die.
Depending on the circumstances, an NPC’s death may also cause an associated quest to fail.
How to Satisfy Coen’s Hunger
Coen must consume blood to satisfy his hunger.
The blood of animals and monsters can also sustain him, but human blood is the most effective.
During the day, while Coen is human, he can reportedly satisfy his hunger by consuming food. At night, however, blood is the only way to do so.
Possible Sources of Blood
Coen can obtain blood from the following sources:
- Defeated enemies
- Defeated vampires
- Monsters
- Animals
- Ordinary villagers
- Vials of blood, which can be carried as consumable items
Controlling How Much Blood Coen Drinks
As long as Coen has not lost control of himself, the player can choose whether to stop after rendering the victim unconscious or continue feeding until the victim dies.
The more blood Coen drinks, the more completely his hunger is satisfied.
During a forced feeding, however, Coen always drains the victim completely and kills them.
Progression Through Feeding
Feeding is not merely a way to manage Coen’s hunger. It is also tied to the game’s character-progression systems.
Unlocking Vampire Perks by Increasing Corruption
Feeding increases Coen’s Corruption, allowing him to unlock new vampire Perks.
Acquiring Special Abilities by Feeding on Vampires
By feeding on certain vampires, Coen can steal their unique special abilities.
Points Requiring Further Testing
- Under exactly what conditions does the game count Coen as having gone without blood?
- What specific penalties occur, and at what thresholds?
- At what threshold does forced feeding become unavoidable?
- Exactly how much hunger does feeding restore, and how much does this vary depending on the target?
- How much does each act of feeding increase Corruption?
- Does Coen’s relationship with an NPC change if he feeds on them only until they lose consciousness?
- Does killing an NPC by feeding affect Coen’s relationships with characters connected to that NPC?
Sources
The Blood of Dawnwalker — Gameplay Overview (Part III) 4K4K subtitlesavailablesubtitles available
THE BLOOD OF DAWNWALKER – Gameplay Reveal Recap | Bandai Namco Europe
Choices and consequences in The Blood of Dawnwalker, out September 3 – PlayStation.Blog
