The Duskbloods Bloodsworn Roster Overview
Six fighters hands-on from the Network Test, plus the planned full launch lineup.
FromSoftware’s Network Test build in August 2026 surfaced six playable Bloodsworn: Albert, Bloodhand Jan, Senator Samir Patres, Trang Lanh, Sniper Layla, and Zork. Each wields a unique weapon, brings a ranged option to close quarters combat, and unlocks a Bloodsworn Skill at character level 12. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed during his Tokyo press interview that more than ten Bloodsworn are planned for the 2026 retail launch, so expect additional fighters between the Network Test and the eventual release.
This overview breaks down every confirmed fighter’s weapons, mobility options, and best match contexts. Pair it with Roles and Sigils for the full customisation matrix.
Albert
Albert is the most approachable fighter in the roster. He wields a sable and dual-wields a second blade in his off-hand, with a submachine gun for ranged pressure. His mid-range blood-infused attacks let him trade well without committing fully to a duel. A generally balanced fighter, Albert is the recommended starting pick for first-time players.
Albert’s Bloodsworn Skill at level 12 fires a beam-style projectile that punishes stationary targets. Pair him with Trespasser co-ops where his ranged damage shines during the damage windows. For PvP, his SMG pressure can keep rivals at range while you wait for an opening to close into melee.
Albert’s names tend toward the romantic vampire tradition: a sword-and-gun fighter dressed in tailored combat gear. If you prefer close-to-mid range combat with reliable ranged coverage, Albert is your starter.
Bloodhand Jan
Bloodhand Jan is the most visually striking fighter. He wears nothing but a onesie and a pot over his head. The visual gag carries over to his kit: he brandishes a one-handed axe and unleashes fire from his free hand like a flamethrower. His special strike leaps airborne and slams down with a giant, bloody AoE attack that punishes groups.
Jan’s strengths lie in AoE damage and psychological pressure. Players who clump together at Ritual Sites dread his ground-slam. Jan’s weakness is range: he cannot easily chase ranged characters like Sniper Layla. Use terrain and rooftops to counter him; use his flamethrower if he closes on your position.
Jan’s Bloodsworn Skill unlocks an extended flamethrower burst that ticks damage over a wide arc. This is your window to land a kill on multiple trapped players.
Senator Samir Patres
Senator Samir Patres is the wildcard of the roster. He fights with a rapier and fires spectral birds, but his Bloodsworn Skill at level 12 transforms him into a T-Rex-like dinosaur that charges and crushes foes in its mouth. The dinosaur form is one of the most memorable abilities in the Network Test.
Patres is the closest the game has to a melee duelist. He wins duels against most opponents at close range when the dinosaur form is active. He struggles in open maps where he cannot force engagements.
The visual of a senator in finery turning into a T-Rex embodies FromSoftware’s idiosyncratic design. If you enjoy aggressive duels and want a memorable visual, Patres is your pick.
Trang Lanh
Trang Lanh wields a giant ring blade for both close-quarters combat and long-range tosses. Her Bloodsworn Skill at level 12 lets her temporarily turn invisible and summon a giant white snake for heavy AoE damage and knockback. The combination of invisibility, ranged toss, and a Sekiro-style serpent makes Trang Lanh one of the most flexible fighters in the test.
Trang Lanh was a press favourite. She can rotate across maps quickly using the ring blade’s toss, ambush players at high-value targets like Flame corpses and Ritual Pledges using her invisibility, and disengage with a snake knockback when overwhelmed. Her weakness is sustained melee; she is a skirmisher, not a tank.
Use Trang Lanh in solo queues where mobility is essential. Pair her with Baritone for stat auras, Black Wolf of Mars for clean damage output, or Gargoyle for sustain during prolonged duels.
Sniper Layla
Sniper Layla wields dagger-esque blades for close range, but primarily snipes from afar using her rifle. Her Bloodsworn Skill at level 12 transforms her into a swarm of insects to quickly warp short distances and pull a Gatling gun out of her chest to mow down targets. The insect transformation is one of the most fun mobility abilities in the build.
Sniper Layla plays almost like a third-person shooter. She is the natural counter to slow characters like Zork, and her Gatling gun transform during the Moon Blood Bestowal can shred a tank if she lands the activation. Her weakness is the same as any sniper: taken in close combat, she struggles against aggressive fighters.
Sniper Layla works best with Black Wolf of Mars, Gunslinger Beatrice, or Thaumaturge Avester so her Kin can pressure enemies closing on her position.
Zork
Zork is the only armor-clad fighter in the Network Test roster. He makes up for slower, heavier movements by dealing heavy damage using his electric cable. Zork can pierce targets using a speargun, fire a barrage of missiles, and rocket himself headfirst into targets using his Bloodsworn Skill at level 12.
Zork is the meta brawler of the test. His rocket rush can close the distance against snipers, his speargun pierces groups, and his survivability in straight duels is unmatched. His weakness is mobility: characters like Trang Lanh can kite him indefinitely if they bait the rocket rush.
Zork pairs well with Nia for burst damage, Valentinos the Unwise for sustained zone control, and Gargoyle for tankiness.
Comparison chart
A summary of the six confirmed fighters from the Network Test build:
| Bloodsworn | Style | Best at | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert | Balanced | First-time players | Baritone |
| Bloodhand Jan | AoE and pressure | Ritual Site contention | Nia |
| Senator Samir Patres | Melee duelist | Phase IV duels | Black Wolf of Mars |
| Trang Lanh | Skirmisher | Solo queue rotation | Baritone, Black Wolf of Mars |
| Sniper Layla | Ranged | Kiting and zone control | Black Wolf of Mars, Avester |
| Zork | Tank brawler | Phase IV duels | Nia, Valentinos |
What to expect at launch
FromSoftware’s planned launch roster includes more than ten fighters. The Network Test build surfaces six; the remaining four (or more) are confirmed in design but not yet named publicly. Expect:
- Additional vampire-style variants based on the romantic-vampire tradition the press preview emphasised.
- At least one high-mobility glass cannon.
- At least one support-style fighter with team-friendly abilities.
- At least one Bloodsworn whose design is intentionally tuned for the Moon Blood Bestowal finale.
Press coverage cited the philosophy of mixing melee-forward and ranged-friendly fighters as a deliberate design pillar. The full roster should offer strong options for every playstyle while leaving room for emergent metagame development.
Customisation via Bloodlines
Beyond base fighters, every Bloodsworn has a Bloodline customisation system that unlocks appearance, abilities, characteristics, and historical lore as you play them. Director Miyazaki described during the Tokyo press interview that playing with certain Bloodsworn in multiplayer gradually unlocks new Bloodlines, branching into relationships between characters and emergent stories from the Sigil system and Events. This makes roster selection not just a mechanical choice but also a narrative unlock path.
For the broader lore behind Bloodlines, see Blood History and Fate.
Frequently asked questions
How many Bloodsworn are at launch?
Director Miyazaki confirmed more than ten Bloodsworn are planned for the 2026 retail launch, with additional fighters potentially added through post-launch content updates.
Will there be new fighters after launch?
FromSoftware has not officially confirmed post-launch fighter additions, but the multiplayer-focused design suggests that seasonal updates could add new Bloodsworn to refresh the meta.
Which Bloodsworn is best for beginners?
Albert. He is a balanced fighter with reliable ranged coverage and a forgiving melee kit. Once you understand his strengths, branch into more specialised fighters like Sniper Layla or Zork.
Can I switch fighters between matches?
Yes. The House of Night hub lets you switch freely between owned Bloodsworn. Use this to test different fighters against different opponents, especially when learning the meta before the 2026 launch.
Related pages
- Bloodsworn hub — full Bloodsworn concept
- Roles — Destined Rivals and Companions
- Sigils — per-match objectives
- Kin and Summons — companion synergy
- Builds — build philosophy for each fighter