Laurence, the First Vicar, is a notoriously challenging boss in Bloodborne. His erratic attacks, unpredictable movements, and devastating damage output can leave even seasoned hunters frustrated. However, with a well-defined strategy and a keen understanding of his attack patterns, you can overcome this formidable foe. This guide provides a straightforward strategy to help you learn how to fight and ultimately defeat Laurence.
Understanding Laurence's Attacks
Before diving into the strategy, let's break down Laurence's key attacks:
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Fireball Barrage: Laurence unleashes a series of fireballs that arc across the arena. Dodging these requires precise timing and quick reflexes. Learning to anticipate the telltale signs before the barrage is crucial.
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Flame Breath: A long, sweeping flame attack that inflicts significant fire damage. Staying close to Laurence during this attack is risky, but maintaining distance might leave you vulnerable to other attacks. Understanding the optimal distance for dodging is key.
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Melee Attacks: Laurence utilizes a combination of swift, close-range attacks with his cane. These can be difficult to dodge if you're not paying close attention to his animations. Mastering the timing of your dodges is essential here.
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Fire Stomp: Laurence slams his foot down, creating a fiery explosion around him. This attack has a wide area of effect, so maintaining a safe distance is crucial.
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Summoning: Late in the fight, Laurence may summon several lesser enemies to aid him, adding another layer of complexity to the battle. Prioritize eliminating these quickly before focusing on Laurence again.
A Step-by-Step Strategy for Victory
This strategy focuses on patience, precision, and exploiting Laurence's weaknesses:
1. Weapon Choice: A weapon with high fire resistance is highly recommended to mitigate the significant fire damage Laurence inflicts. Consider using a weapon with reach to maximize your distance during his fire attacks.
2. Phase One: Keeping Your Distance: During the initial phase of the fight, prioritize maintaining a moderate distance from Laurence. This allows you to dodge his fireballs and flame breath attacks effectively. Use ranged attacks to chip away at his health while minimizing risk.
3. Phase Two: Strategic Close-Range Attacks: As Laurence's health diminishes, you can gradually increase your aggressiveness. Close-range attacks can be more effective, but be extremely cautious. Watch his animations closely to anticipate and dodge his melee attacks.
4. Managing the Summoned Enemies: When Laurence summons additional enemies, prioritize eliminating them quickly. They are significantly less durable than Laurence and pose a considerable distraction. Use visceral attacks to quickly dispatch them.
5. Exploiting Openings: After performing a significant attack, Laurence will often have a brief recovery period. Use this opening to land a few well-placed hits before retreating to a safe distance again.
6. Consistent Healing: Don't forget to heal consistently throughout the battle. Laurence inflicts high amounts of damage, and neglecting your health will significantly increase the difficulty. Learn when to heal safely and efficiently.
7. Patience is Key: The key to defeating Laurence is patience and consistency. Don't rush your attacks. Learn the rhythm of his attacks and exploit his openings.
Optimizing Your Approach
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Blood Vials: Bring plenty of Blood Vials. Laurence's attacks can inflict significant damage, making adequate healing essential.
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Fire Resistance: Increase your fire resistance through armor or consumables. This will significantly reduce the damage from Laurence’s fire-based attacks.
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Correct Build: Ensure your character build focuses on either high Dexterity (for quick dodging) or high Strength/Endurance (for damage absorption and stamina).
By understanding Laurence's attack patterns, selecting the right equipment, and employing this strategy, you'll significantly increase your chances of victory. Remember, perseverance and understanding are crucial for overcoming this challenging boss. Good hunting!
