--- title: 'What Is The Duskbloods? From Software’s Switch 2 Exclusive Explained' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=yN1jWdkT5_k' video_id: 'yN1jWdkT5_k' date: 2026-08-20 duration_sec: 261 channel: 'GameSpot' --- # What Is The Duskbloods? From Software’s Switch 2 Exclusive Explained > Source: [What Is The Duskbloods? From Software’s Switch 2 Exclusive Explained](https://youtube.com/watch?v=yN1jWdkT5_k) ## Summary The video explains the core mechanics of FromSoftware's upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, Duskbloods. It covers the PvPvE structure, phases, combat, characters, and the unique sigil system that adds role-playing elements. ### Key Points - **Core Premise** [00:02] — Duskbloods is a PvPvE game where players explore a map, earn virtue, and compete to be the last three standing. - **Virtue System** [00:18] — Players earn virtue by killing enemies, completing objectives, and holding ritual sites. The least virtuous are culled until three remain. - **Four Phases** [00:46] — The game is split into four phases. Players must choose how to spend limited time—killing enemies, hunting bosses, or tracking items. - **Player Combat** [01:01] — Fighting other players typically wastes time and doesn't net virtue, except in ritual sites where killing players rewards points. - **Ritual Sites** [01:28] — Ritual sites appear at the end of phases two and three, where players can claim pillars of light for virtue, leading to King-of-the-Hill battles. - **Final Arena** [02:09] — The final three players are warped to an arena to fight for 'first blood'. - **Combat and Movement** [02:22] — Combat is similar to Elden Ring/Bloodborne but with more mobility—high jumps and midair dashes. Each character has unique weapons and skills. - **Character Roster** [02:36] — There are six characters: Albert, Trang Long, Bloodhand Jan, Sniper Layla, Senator Samir Patres, and Zork. - **Sigil System** [03:05] — Sigils alter a Bloodsworn's backstory and give specific objectives, encouraging role-playing within matches. - **Hub Area** [03:43] — Between matches, players return to a hub area called the House of Night, though most areas are locked in the technical test. ## Transcript Duskblood's technical test, I finally understand what this game is. So, let's understand what this game is. So, let's start at the beginning. PvPvE game, and that's not entirely wrong. You and seven other Bloodsworn explore a map crawling with enemies. Killing these enemies, not necessarily other players, and completing objectives awards you with virtue. The players with the least amount of virtue are culled over a series of rounds until three remain. The final three are then transported to an arena where they duke it out for first blood, a mysterious substance that the Bloodsworn are substance that the Bloodsworn are hunting down. split into four phases. Bloodsworn must choose how to spend their limited time. They can kill basic enemies to level up, hunt down bosses, track down objects and items that award virtue, and so on. The key is to be efficient with your time. As you explore the map, you might run into other players. You can duke it out, but in most cases, fighting other Bloodsworn won't net you any virtue. There are exceptions to this, but typically, fighting another player just wastes precious time. Alternatively, you could forge an alliance with them, which from accidentally hitting each other. The alliance dissolves if both make it to the final round. At the end of phase two and three, ritual sites appear on the map. Inside these zones, players will find stationary columns of light that can be claimed. Holding onto these pillars nets you a good amount of virtue. These segments almost play out like a game of King of the Hill. Multiple Bloodsworn converge on a ritual site and battle it out for control. However, holding onto these ritual sites isn't the only way to earn virtue. Killing other players within these zones also rewards you with points. offensive or defensive approach in the final few minutes of phase two and three. However, you don't have to go to the ritual site. You can chase other objectives, but you'll likely fall behind the pack if you do. At the end of phase two and three, two Bloodsworn and three Bloodsworn are culled, respectively. The final three players are warped to an arena to throw down. Fundamentally, the DUSK BLOODS plays like Elden Ring or Bloodborne. You have a light and heavy attack, a block, and a roll, and a ranged weapon. However, the Bloodsworn are a lot more mobile. They can jump incredibly high and dash midair to cover more ground. Each character has a unique melee and ranged weapon and two a unique melee and ranged weapon and two skills tied to a cooldown. able to choose from six different characters: Albert, Trang Long, Bloodhand Jan, Sniper Layla, Senator Samir Patres, and Zork. Each Bloodsworn fits into a FromSoftware character archetype we've come to expect. There's an added wrinkle to matches, though. Inspired by tabletop RPGs, the DUSK BLOOD introduces a customization mechanic called sigils. These items alter a Bloodsworn's backstory and encourage role-playing within a match by giving your character specific objectives. Rival Bloodsworn are assigned passive sigils based on your sigil and unknowingly play a role in your quest. For example, one sigil marks another player as your sworn enemy, and hunting them down will earn you extra virtue. Another one tasks you with tracking down an old friend and forming an alliance with them. One particularly interesting sigil has you find your lost love who also happens to be another player and propose to them. These sigils get more complicated as you progress, but they are relatively simple for the purposes of the technical test. In between matches, you return to a hub area called customize your Bloodsworn, to on a training dummy, and presumably talk to other characters. Though, most of these areas within the House of Night are areas within the House of Night are locked down for the technical test. match plays out in the Dusk Bloods. Check out our in-depth preview or interview with game director Hidetaka Miyazaki if you'd like to learn more about FromSoftware's Nintendo Switch to exclusive.