The Duskbloods Leak Shows Wild PvP Combat

The first real glimpse of The Duskbloods gameplay has arrived earlier than expected, and it certainly did not disappoint. A two-minute gameplay video reportedly leaked on Bilibili on August 20, just one day before FromSoftware’s planned closed network test. The footage was later shared on X by NecroFelipe, quickly giving players their first look at the game’s frantic multiplayer combat.

From aerial combos and gunplay to summons and a completely unexpected dinosaur transformation, the clip packs an impressive amount into just two minutes. For fans watching closely, it also reveals some important details about how The Duskbloods could differentiate itself from other FromSoftware experiences.

The Duskbloods Gameplay Leak Arrives Early

The leaked footage focuses on the Moon Blood Bestowal scenario, which appears to function as a dramatic final-round elimination match.

Teams that accumulate the most Victory Points enter an arena battle where they compete to become the Victor of the Dusk. The footage showcases three playable characters in particular: Walter the Blood Eater, Gillian the Guillotine, and Rust-Gospel Baldur.

Rather than presenting a slow, methodical battle, the gameplay looks extremely aggressive. Characters constantly move around the arena, launch opponents into the air, and attempt to maintain pressure through rapid attacks.

For players familiar with FromSoftware's recent multiplayer experiments, the pace may immediately bring Elden Ring Nightreign to mind.

Fast Combat Takes to the Air

One of the most interesting things about the leak is how prominently aerial combat features in the action.

Several characters can perform aerial combos and continue attacking opponents while they are airborne. This suggests that vertical movement is not simply a visual flourish but an important part of the combat system.

That could make positioning particularly important. Players may need to think about more than dodging attacks on the ground. Launching an opponent, maintaining an air combo, escaping an aerial juggle, or finding an opportunity to counter could all become essential skills.

The system also appears to support multiple character classes, meaning different fighters could approach these encounters in dramatically different ways.

For anyone who follows blockchain games and the evolution of multiplayer gaming, this kind of class-driven combat is particularly interesting. Competitive games increasingly experiment with systems that give players different roles and playstyles, and The Duskbloods appears to be taking that philosophy in a distinctly FromSoftware direction.

Gunplay and Summons Add More Chaos

The leak also confirms that traditional melee combat is not the only option.

At one point, Walter pulls out a gun, immediately creating a familiar connection to Bloodborne. Firearms have always been an iconic part of FromSoftware's design language, so seeing guns return in The Duskbloods is hardly surprising. However, their role within a faster PvP-focused environment could make them particularly dangerous.

Then there are the summons.

Players can apparently call additional entities into the fight while simultaneously dealing with other combatants and PvE enemies. That means battles can quickly become complicated encounters involving multiple threats at once.

Instead of simply asking, "Can I beat this opponent?", players may have to consider several questions simultaneously: Where are the PvE enemies? Has another player summoned assistance? Is an opponent preparing an aerial combo? Is there an opportunity to attack from range?

That layered design could become one of The Duskbloods' biggest strengths.

The Dinosaur Moment Steals the Show

Of course, none of those features generated quite as much discussion as the dinosaur.

Near the end of the leaked footage, one character transforms into a literal dinosaur and throws another player out of the arena. There is currently no clear explanation of how the transformation works, which class can use it, or whether it is connected to a particular ability or scenario mechanic.

And honestly, that mystery makes the moment even better.

A dinosaur suddenly appearing during a FromSoftware PvP battle is not exactly what most fans would have predicted from the first gameplay footage. Yet it demonstrates that The Duskbloods may be willing to experiment with ideas that would feel completely out of place in a traditional Souls game.

The clip ends before providing any meaningful explanation, so players will have to wait for the network test to discover what is really happening.

The Duskbloods Looks Like PvPvE Mayhem

Beyond the flashy moments, the leak confirms an important part of the game's structure: The Duskbloods combines PvP and PvE combat.

Players are not simply fighting one another in isolated duels. PvE enemies can also occupy the same combat space, forcing players to manage environmental threats while competing against other human opponents.

Combine that with aerial combos, firearms, summons, different character classes, and Victory Points, and the result looks considerably more complicated than a standard FromSoftware PvE experience.

The real challenge could come from deciding when to fight and when to disengage. A player who focuses too heavily on an opponent could potentially leave themselves vulnerable to another player or an enemy NPC.

Closed Network Test Starts August 21

The timing of the leak is especially notable because the The Duskbloods closed network test begins on August 21, 2026.

Selected participants can preload the game through the Nintendo eShop, with the download reportedly requiring around 3.8 GB of storage.

There are some important limitations, however. The closed test does not include friend invites, and there is no solo mode available during this testing period. Those features are planned for the full release later in 2026.

The test is therefore best viewed as a multiplayer stress test rather than a complete preview of everything the game has to offer. FromSoftware is looking for valuable server and gameplay data before launch.

What Comes Next for The Duskbloods

The leaked footage may have spoiled a few surprises, but it has also created plenty of new questions.

How does the dinosaur transformation work? What other character classes are available? How deep are the summon mechanics? And how will Victory Points affect the flow of a complete match?

Those answers should become clearer once the closed network test gets underway.

For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: The Duskbloods looks much more chaotic and experimental than many players expected. Aerial combat, guns, summons, PvE enemies and a dinosaur transformation are a wild combination, but that unpredictability could be exactly what makes FromSoftware's latest multiplayer experiment stand out.

The leak arrived one day too early, but it has certainly made the August 21 network test even more interesting.