How do Heartshots work in Nightingale?


In Nightingale, discovering the lethal effectiveness of heartshots on creatures can make you a formidable hunter. However, achieving a heartshot is not as simple as it sounds.

How to Achieve a Heartshot in Nightingale

To score a heartshot in Nightingale, you must aim for the creature’s heart. This task, however, is more challenging than it seems.

Players facing this challenge may have come across the loading screen tip or received a quest from Bass Reeves, requiring them to achieve three heart shots and two head shots, which are comparatively easier.

Thankfully, nearly every creature in Nightingale has a heart, including the bipedal Bound monsters. For these creatures, simply aim for the chest as you would when shooting a human. Upon achieving a heartshot, you will notice significant damage and a small heart icon appearing.

Screenshot: PC Invasion

However, with other creatures such as Deer or Waywolves, achieving a heartshot is more challenging. The heart position varies among species, requiring an educated guess and trial-and-error to find the sweet spot. Many players have reported success by shooting from the side just above the creature’s front legs and shoulders.

Visualizing the creature’s lungs and realizing that the heart is near them can also help in aiming for a heartshot. This technique has proven to be effective in other hunting games and can be applied in Nightingale as well.

Related: Best ways to get Essence Dust quickly in Nightingale

Is this Technique Effective for Every Ranged Weapon?

Upon receiving the quest from Bass Reeves, you may have upgraded to a bow and arrow or a pistol. Despite assuming that the Slingbow would not be powerful enough to achieve a heartshot, players have reported success with it.

It is, however, more challenging to achieve a heartshot with the Slingbow due to the lack of a clear reticle or exact point, and the need to consider the arc and weight of the marbles you shoot.

Now that you have mastered the art of heartshots in Nightingale, why not create a dedicated server and showcase your skills to friends?