DLC Bosses
The Old Hunters DLC introduces some of the most challenging and memorable boss encounters in all of Bloodborne. Prepare for intense battles that will test your skill, patience, and understanding of the game's combat mechanics. This section will guide you through each of these formidable foes, offering strategies, item recommendations, and crucial insights to help you emerge victorious.
Ludwig, the Accursed / Ludwig, the Holy Blade
Ludwig is often the first major hurdle for players entering the DLC. This beast transforms mid-fight, demanding a shift in strategy. He guards the path to the Research Hall.
Phase 1: Ludwig, the Accursed
- Location: Nightmare Church, after descending from the Hunter's Nightmare lamp.
- Strategy:
- Ludwig's attacks in this phase are erratic and powerful. Focus on staying close to his hind legs or his right side (your left). Many of his attacks, especially his charge, can be dodged by rolling into him.
- Be wary of his jumping attack; he'll often jump onto the ceiling and then slam down. Listen for his roar and watch for the shadow. Dodge forward as he descends.
- His vomit attack creates a lingering pool of acid. Avoid standing in it.
- Use the pillars in the arena for temporary cover, but don't rely on them too heavily as they can be destroyed.
- Recommended Items: Fire Paper or Bolt Paper (depending on your weapon's scaling), Beast Blood Pellets for increased damage.
Phase 2: Ludwig, the Holy Blade
- Strategy:
- After a cinematic transformation, Ludwig wields the Moonlight Greatsword. His attacks become more deliberate and have longer wind-ups, but they hit incredibly hard and have wide arcs.
- The key here is to learn his sword combos. Many can be parried, especially his overhead slams. A successful parry and visceral attack can deal significant damage.
- When he raises his sword above his head and it glows, he's about to unleash a powerful ranged attack. Dodge to the side repeatedly to avoid the projectiles.
- Stay relatively close to him, but be prepared to dodge through his sweeping attacks. His back is often a safe spot after he commits to a combo.
- Recommended Items: Numbing Mist to prevent him from healing (though he rarely does in this phase), Lead Elixir for increased defense if you struggle with his heavy hits.
- Reward: Holy Moonlight Sword (if you speak to his head with a Church Garb equipped after the fight), Guidance Rune (from his head), Ludwig's Holy Blade (from his corpse).
Living Failures
A group boss encounter that serves as a precursor to a much larger threat. They are found at the top of the Research Hall.
- Location: Top of the Research Hall.
- Strategy:
- You'll face multiple Living Failures simultaneously. They are slow but can cast various arcane spells and perform melee attacks.
- Prioritize taking them down one by one. Their attacks include a slow melee swing, a projectile arcane blast, and a ground-slamming arcane explosion.
- When they all raise their hands and a celestial orb appears above the arena, they are charging a powerful meteor shower. Hide behind the large tree in the center of the arena to avoid this devastating attack.
- Use the environment to your advantage, separating them and focusing on single targets. Quick-hitting weapons are effective here.
- Recommended Items: Bolt Paper (they are weak to Bolt damage), Beast Blood Pellets.
- Reward: Astral Clocktower Key (allows access to the next area).
Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower
A fast, aggressive hunter boss that demands precise dodging and parrying. She is located in the Astral Clocktower.
- Location: Astral Clocktower, after defeating the Living Failures.
- Strategy:
- Maria is a hunter-style boss, meaning she is susceptible to parries and visceral attacks. This is often the most effective way to deal damage.
- Phase 1: She uses her Rakuyo in its twin-blade form. Learn her attack patterns and parry her predictable swings. Dodge forward into her attacks to get behind her.
- Phase 2: She imbues her blades with blood. Her attacks gain increased range and deal blood damage. Continue to parry, but be mindful of the extended reach.
- Phase 3: She ignites her blades with fire and blood. Her attacks become even more aggressive and create fiery explosions. The parry window remains, but the consequences of a missed parry are higher.
- Stay aggressive but controlled. Don't let her dictate the pace of the fight.
- Recommended Items: Blood Vials (lots of them!), Quicksilver Bullets for parrying, Lead Elixir if you struggle with her damage output.
- Reward: Orphanage Key (opens the way to the Fishing Hamlet), Rakuyo (found in the well in the Fishing Hamlet after defeating her), Maria's Hunter Set (can be purchased from the Insight Bath Messengers).
Orphan of Kos
Widely considered one of the most challenging bosses in all of Bloodborne, the Orphan of Kos is an incredibly aggressive and unpredictable foe. He is found at the end of the Fishing Hamlet.
- Location: Beach at the end of the Fishing Hamlet.
- Strategy:
- Phase 1: The Orphan is fast and uses his placenta-weapon for wide, sweeping attacks and powerful slams. His attacks are often followed by a shriek that can damage you.
- Dodge *into* his attacks rather than away. This often puts you behind him, allowing for a quick counter-attack.
- Look for openings after his longer combos or when he throws his weapon.
- He can be parried, especially during his overhead slams, but the timing is very tight.
- Phase 2: After a roar and transformation, the Orphan grows wings and becomes even more frenetic. His attacks gain increased range and speed, and he introduces new aerial maneuvers.
- He will often jump into the air and slam down, creating a shockwave. Dodge forward as he descends.
- His lightning attack (when he raises his weapon to the sky) can be avoided by running towards the ocean or finding cover behind the large rock.
- This phase is about constant movement and knowing when to commit to an attack. Don't get greedy. A single hit can often lead to a combo that kills you.
- Recommended Items: Bolt Paper (he is weak to Bolt), Beast Blood Pellets for burst damage, Blue Elixir for temporary stealth if you need to reposition.
- Reward: Kos Parasite (a unique Arcane weapon), Orphan of Kos Rune (from his corpse), Blood Rock (found on the beach after defeating him).
Laurence, the First Vicar
An optional but incredibly difficult boss, Laurence is a fiery beast that will test your endurance and ability to manage fire damage. He is found in the Grand Cathedral, accessible via the Eye of the Blood-drunk Hunter item.
- Location: Grand Cathedral (accessed by using the Eye of the Blood-drunk Hunter near the Nightmare Church lamp).
- Strategy:
- Phase 1: Laurence is essentially a fire-infused Cleric Beast. His attacks are powerful and often leave pools of fire on the ground.
- Stay close to his hind legs. Many of his attacks will miss you there. Be wary of his stomps and his fiery slam.
- He has a powerful grab attack that can be devastating. Dodge backward when he winds up for it.
- Phase 2: Laurence loses his legs, becoming a crawling, flailing mass of fire. This phase is extremely challenging due to the constant fire damage and his erratic movements.
- His remaining arm is his primary weapon, and he will slam it repeatedly. Try to stay behind him or to his side.
- The arena will become covered in fire. Use the small patches of non-burning ground to your advantage.
- Focus on hitting his head or his remaining arm. Don't get caught under his body, as the fire damage is constant.
- Recommended Items: Fire Resistant gear (Charred Hunter Set, Bone Ash Set), Fireproof Paper, Pungent Blood Cocktails (can distract him briefly), Lead Elixir for defense.
- Reward: Beast's Embrace Rune (allows you to transform into a beast-like form).