iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To beat all five Bloodborne: The Old Hunters bosses, learn each encounter’s phase changes, evade the attack as it lands rather than reacting only to its wind-up, and punish brief recovery windows before resetting your position. The main route runs through Ludwig, the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos; Laurence is an optional encounter that requires a separate unlock.
How do you access The Old Hunters and reach its bosses?
You need access to the expansion, not merely a physical copy of the base game. PlayStation’s official DLC instructions say to defeat Vicar Amelia, then receive the Eye of a Blood-Drunk Hunter from a messenger in the Hunter’s Dream. Entering the Hunter’s Nightmare opens the expansion route.
If you own a disc, check the exact edition and its expansion entitlement before assuming The Old Hunters is included. A standard Bloodborne disc alone does not establish that you own the DLC. If you need the expansion, check the official digital listing for your platform and account before buying; the instructions for access do not mean that every physical edition includes it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe boss progression covered here is Ludwig, the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos. Laurence is an optional detour rather than a requirement for completing that main route; you need Laurence’s Skull to start his encounter. That distinction matters if you are trying to finish the expansion’s main sequence: Laurence is a fifth boss to beat, but not a required step after the Orphan.
Popular on Amazon
- 【90 Degree Full Function USB C Adapter】Supports the latest USB4 standard for up to 40Gbps of bandwidth, 8K video support, and up to 240W Fast charging; Support USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR) including 140W, 180W and 240W. Your productivity is easily doubled. *Warm Tip: For the best fit, please make sure the USB-C port is fully exposed; thick or bulky cases may affect compatibility.
- 【Reliable Quality】Made from high-quality, scratch-resistant aluminum alloy, delicate metal frame. get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation. Non-Slip Design for easier insertion and removal.
- 【Small and portable】Ultra thin size, ultra compact design, a petite physique that matches the minimalist design of your modern laptops. Coming with a slim figure that won't block the port next to the one it's plugged into.
- 【Compatibility】Widely work with most usb c, thunderbolt 4/3 devices. Compatibilit for ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Switch, MacBook Pro, Quest 3 VR headset, Surface Book 2, iPhone 18/17/16/15, Samsung Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20/10, Google Pixel, ChromeBook, etc.
- 【Excellence Customer Support】If you experience any issues or cable failure, simply reach out to our dedicated customer service team. We provide a prompt response within 18 hours, providing you with the necessary technical support to resolve any concerns.
What approach works across the Old Hunters boss fights?
There is no single build or attack pattern that guarantees a win. The reliable decision-making pattern is to identify what each boss’s attack actually covers, avoid it, take a short opening if one appears, and move back into a position where you can read the next attack. A recovery window is the moment after a committed attack when you have an opportunity to respond; it is not an invitation to assume the boss will remain open for a long combo.
- Do not attack through a committed move. A boss’s recovery is a safer opportunity than trying to trade hits during an attack. If you are not sure the attack has finished, prioritize getting clear and watching what comes next.
- Watch the whole attack. A wind-up can be misleading when the hitbox arrives later or follows through. This matters particularly against Lady Maria, whose later attacks can punish a dodge or hit that would have been safe earlier.
- Reassess after a phase change. New weapons, reach, speed, or terrain hazards can make a previously safe distance or timing unreliable. Treat the transition as information: observe what changed, then adjust rather than repeating the opening-phase plan automatically.
- Use the arena. Cover and open space are tactical resources in the Living Failures and Orphan of Kos fights. The tree can protect you from the overhead meteor sequence, while the shoreline gives you more room to move against the Orphan.
- Keep the goal modest. One or two safe hits are often more useful than a longer string that leaves you exposed. Short attacks make it easier to return to defense and respond to the next move.
- Manage attention as well as distance. In a group encounter, do not focus so narrowly on one target that you lose track of the others or their projectiles. Against a single boss, keep enough space to see the attack and respond.
These are decision-making principles, not a promise of a guaranteed win. Each fight asks you to notice a different source of pressure: Ludwig’s change in weapon and rhythm, the Failures’ numbers, Maria’s expanding reach, the Orphan’s mobility, or Laurence’s fire and lava.
How do you beat Ludwig, the Accursed and the Holy Blade?
Ludwig is a two-phase fight: the first is built around beast-like forward pressure, while the second turns into a more deliberate sword encounter. Treat the transition as a change in the fight, not as a cue to keep using your first-phase timing. The useful question is not simply how to deal damage, but when his current attack has finished and where you can safely stand to respond.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →First phase: stay mobile and punish committed attacks
Keep moving around Ludwig’s forward pressure and avoid the path of his leap. Rather than racing to deal damage, watch for a committed move to finish and use the recovery for one or two attacks. Damage to his head or limbs can create openings, but do not chase a stagger if doing so means running into an unsafe attack.
His forward movement can make it tempting to pursue him immediately or attack as soon as he appears to have passed you. Resist treating movement alone as proof that an opening has begun. Let the committed attack resolve, then use the space it leaves to land a short punish and reset. If you do create an opening by damaging his head or limbs, take it only when you can do so without crossing into another attack.
Second phase: reset your distance against the sword
When Ludwig draws the Holy Moonlight Sword, recheck your spacing and dodge timing. Avoid standing in the line of a charged or slamming sword attack, then attack during its recovery instead of trying to hit him through the swing. If your first-phase approach depended on closing in at a particular moment, reassess it here: the sword changes the encounter’s reach and timing.
For the question “How do I beat Ludwig’s second phase?”, the answer is to stop treating it like the first. The sword’s charged and slamming attacks make the line of attack important, so move clear of that path and wait until the strike has ended before taking a brief opening. Do not assume the transition itself creates a safe damage window; observe his new moves and return to the same basic cycle of evade, punish briefly, and reposition.
Historical game-data tables list Ludwig at 16,658 HP on NG. That figure is context for the encounter, not a recommended character level or a universal value for every New Game cycle. It is not a reason to turn the fight into a damage race: the safer tactical emphasis remains on recognizing attacks and using recoveries.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
How do you beat the Living Failures and avoid their meteors?
The Living Failures are a group-management fight with one shared boss health bar. Focus on brief attacks against an isolated Failure, avoid getting surrounded while pursuing one target, and keep track of ranged projectiles as you move. Since the targets share a bar, you do not need to treat each visible opponent as a separate health pool to empty before the encounter can end.
The challenge is the number of threats competing for your attention. A target that looks open may not be the only one acting, so avoid committing to a long pursuit while another Failure is close or a projectile is approaching. A short attack on an isolated opponent is a more controlled choice than trying to finish one target at the expense of losing sight of the group.
Use the central tree for the overhead meteor sequence
When the overhead meteor sequence begins, position yourself behind the arena’s central tree for cover. Do not wait in the open and rely on a last-second dodge. Move into cover before the projectiles land, and be ready to reposition as the sequence ends.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If you are wondering where to hide from the Living Failures’ meteors, use the central tree as cover. The key is timing your movement early enough to get behind it before the overhead projectiles arrive. Do not confuse that specific arena tool with a universal safe spot for every action: the practical instruction is to reach the tree for the meteor sequence, then resume tracking the group and its ranged attacks.
Because the health bar is shared, defeating one visible opponent does not end the encounter. Keep managing the group rather than treating each individual as a separate fight that must be finished before you look for the next threat. The target count and the meteor cover are the two details that most distinguish this fight from the single-boss encounters that follow.
Can you parry Lady Maria, and how do you handle her later phases?
Yes. Parrying is a useful option against Lady Maria’s opening humanoid attacks if you can read their timing, but it is not required to beat her. In every phase, pay attention to the actual hit rather than assuming the first dodge or early attack has made you safe.
Opening phase: use parries only if you can read the attacks
If her opening attacks are readable to you, a successful parry can create an opportunity to deal damage. If you cannot reliably time one, avoid the attack and look for a brief recovery instead; the fight does not depend on parrying. Trying to force parries without confidence in the timing can distract you from the more general task of avoiding the attack and finding a safe opening.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →So, can you parry Lady Maria? Yes—but think of it as an available tactic rather than an entry requirement. A player who prefers to evade can still build a plan around the same core rhythm used elsewhere: wait for the attack to finish, take a short punish, and reset your position.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Blood and fire change her reach and timing
As the fight progresses, blood attacks extend Maria’s effective reach, and the final phase adds fire. A dodge or hit that was safe earlier may be punished by a delayed follow-through later. Watch the full attack and evade through or away as its hitbox arrives; take a short punish only after the attack has finished rather than assuming your first evasive move guarantees a long opening.
That is why later phases need a fresh read instead of a reflex copied from the opening. The attack’s wind-up may look familiar, but the blood extension and final-phase fire alter what can reach you and when the danger is over. If a first dodge seems to clear the initial movement, do not immediately commit to a long attack string. Confirm that the full attack has passed, then use the brief opportunity that follows.
How do you beat the Orphan of Kos and avoid its lightning?
The Orphan of Kos becomes faster and more mobile in its second phase. Use the first phase to learn the rhythm of its swings and punish recoveries; in the later phase, keep moving, avoid long attack strings, and use the open shoreline to give yourself room. The fight rewards keeping space to react rather than getting pinned against the edge or staying committed to an attack.
First phase: learn the swing rhythm
Look for the end of a swing sequence before attacking. Players who can read the opportunities may use parries, but parrying is not the only way to find an opening: dodging the attacks and punishing the recovery also works as a plan. The important part is to identify when the sequence has genuinely ended rather than trying to interrupt it because a single swing has passed.
Second phase: preserve room to move
Do not let the fight become cramped against the edge of the arena. The open shoreline gives you more room to move as the Orphan speeds up. Keep attacks short so you can return to evading rather than becoming committed to an extended string.
Against the faster phase, room is useful because it gives you space to read and respond to movement. If you find yourself pressed toward the edge, reposition rather than continuing to attack from a cramped spot. The open shoreline is a tactical advantage, not a guarantee that every attack will miss there; continue to watch the boss and respond to each move.
Lightning: move away from the beachside corpse
When the lightning attack is coming, move away from the beachside corpse and use the space between the lightning paths. Do not assume that standing in one location will protect you from every attack; keep moving and respond to the paths of the incoming lightning.
For “How do I avoid Orphan of Kos lightning?”, the practical answer is to recognize the attack, move away from the beachside corpse, and use the gaps between the paths rather than betting on a single fixed position. Keep enough room to adjust as the lightning travels. Once the attack is over, return to the short-punish approach instead of staying in place or extending a combo without checking what the Orphan does next.
Also popular on Amazon
- Portable and powerful USB-C HUB: BENFEI USB Type-C HUB, with super-soft and knot-free silicone woven design cable, meets most mobile office needs. Compact, lightweight, stylish, and powerful portable USB C Hub equipped with 1 x HDMI port, 1 x 100W charging, and 3 x USB ports. 18-month warranty, 24-hour response, to ensure you feel at ease when using our product.
- Design centered on comfort and reliability: Thanks to BENFEI's end-to-end in-house cable production capability, in-house PCBA and assembly capability, using the industry's most advanced silicone woven design and process, 20cm cable in length, no knots, super-soft, the HUB is easy to use in all scenarios: laptop, tablet, stand etc. Super-soft, 25000+ life cycles, to meet your daily carrying and office needs.
- 100W Charging: Support up to 90W USB C pass-through charging via Type-C port to keep your laptop powered. 10W is reserved for other interface operations. No data and video function on the Type-C port.
- 4K HDMI Display: The HDMI port supports media display at resolutions up to 4K 30Hz, keeping every incredible moment detailed and ultra vivid. Please note that the C port of the Host device needs to support video output.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Transfer files and from your laptop at speeds up to 10 Gbps with USB A 3.2 port. Extra 2 USB A 2.0 ports are perfectly for your keyboards and mouse.
Is Laurence optional, and how do you beat his later phase?
Laurence is optional for the main Old Hunters route. To start his fight, use Laurence’s Skull; it is a separate detour, not another required step after the Orphan of Kos. If your aim is to complete the main route, you can leave this encounter aside. If you choose to fight him, plan for a distinct set of hazards rather than assuming the other beast encounter advice is enough.
Early fight: avoid greedy close-range attacks
Laurence’s broad, fire-bearing attacks make it costly to linger close and keep attacking. Wait for a brief opening, take a short punish, and be ready to move away rather than treating proximity as a reason to continue attacking. The danger is not just being near him, but staying committed to damage while his broad attack is still active.
Later fight: account for the crawl and lava
Later, Laurence loses his lower body and crawls, leaving damaging lava behind him. Move with him, watch the trail, and use short attacks from a safer side. Do not linger directly in front of his crawl and fire, and do not apply an ordinary beast-boss strategy that assumes the ground around the target remains clear.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe crawl phase needs its own plan. The lava trail changes the space around Laurence, so a position that was usable earlier can become hazardous as he moves. Keep tracking both his attack and the ground he leaves behind, and take only a brief opportunity from a safer side. Stationary aggression is especially costly here because it can leave you in front of his fire or in the damaging trail.
Historical game-data tables list Laurence at 21,243 HP on NG. Like Ludwig’s figure, this is encounter context, not a level recommendation and not a universal HP value across NG cycles. His optional status also means this number is not a requirement for completing the Orphan-led main route.
What changes most from one boss to the next?
The main tactical difference is what you need to re-evaluate: phase changes, number of targets, or how the arena can help you. These encounters reward different adjustments rather than one repeated approach.
| Boss | Key change or pressure | Useful adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Ludwig | Changes from beast-like pressure to Holy Moonlight Sword attacks | Reassess distance and timing after the sword transition |
| Living Failures | Multiple opponents share one health bar; overhead meteors threaten the arena | Manage the group and use the central tree for meteor cover |
| Lady Maria | Blood extends her reach; the final phase adds fire | Watch the complete attack and avoid assuming an early dodge ends its danger |
| Orphan of Kos | The second phase is faster and more mobile | Preserve room on the open shoreline and move away from the beachside corpse for lightning |
| Laurence | Optional encounter; later phase crawls and leaves lava | Move with him and avoid lingering in front of the crawl or on the lava trail |
In short, the main route contains four bosses and Laurence is the optional fifth. Ludwig’s sword phase, Maria’s later blood and fire, and the Orphan’s faster phase all call for renewed timing and spacing. The Living Failures are the group fight, where the central tree gives cover from the overhead meteors. Laurence’s lava makes a stationary, close-range approach unsafe in his later phase.
Is a guide or special build required?
No particular build is established as a universal winning setup, and the tactics here do not require a specific weapon, stat spread, or level threshold. The practical thread is observation: evade the attack rather than its wind-up, use a short opening, and reset your position. If you want a physical reference alongside the game, Future Press’s Bloodborne Complete Edition Guide—25th Anniversary Edition—is described by its publisher as covering The Old Hunters. It is an optional reference, not a requirement for winning, and availability can vary.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Read before You Buy】 Note: This adapter is USB 2.0 version and cannot transmit HDM, VGA, or other video signals. Nevertheless, they are fully capable of charging devices,duplicating files, and can be seamlessly integrated with USB-C earphones, wireless network adapters, and SD card adapters.
- 【Easy to Use and Safe】Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, we've made these adapters sufficiently compact so that they can remain inserted in your device without noticeable protrusion or inconvenience. This means you don't have to constantly plug and unplug them, reducing the likelihood of wear and misalignment, and making them more convenient to carry around.
- 【Reliable Quality】Engineered for enhanced durability, durable aluminum alloy shell material,get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation,the male USB C and female USB connectors & the male USB and female USB C connectors are designed to be plugged and unplugged up to 20000 times. Provides data transfer, device charging, memory space expansion, and additional computer peripherals.
- 【Think more for you】Do you need to connect a USB-C-enabled device to an odd device that only has USB-A ports? Then these USB-A male to USB-C female adapters are made for you.Simply insert the adapter into the USB-A port on the device, and you can instantly connect your USB-C device to the device that originally didn't have the correct connection port.
- 【Trusted xiwxi Quality and Service】As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and lifetime friendly customer service, you're not just buying a product,you're investing in peace of mind with all-round quality and exceptional customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finish The Old Hunters without killing Laurence?
Yes. Laurence is an optional detour; his encounter is not part of the main route through the Orphan of Kos. You need Laurence’s Skull to begin the fight.
Does a Bloodborne disc include The Old Hunters?
Not necessarily. Check the specific edition and expansion entitlement: owning a physical copy of the base game by itself does not confirm access to the DLC.
How do I access The Old Hunters?
PlayStation’s official DLC instructions direct players to defeat Vicar Amelia, then receive the Eye of a Blood-Drunk Hunter from a messenger in the Hunter’s Dream. Enter the Hunter’s Nightmare to open the expansion route.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How do I beat Ludwig’s second phase?
When he draws the Holy Moonlight Sword, reassess your spacing and timing. Get clear of charged or slamming sword attacks and punish their recovery rather than attacking through them.
Where do I hide from the Living Failures’ meteors?
Move behind the arena’s central tree before the overhead meteor projectiles land. Reposition when the sequence ends and continue watching the group and its ranged attacks.
Can you parry Lady Maria?
Yes. Parrying her opening humanoid attacks is an option if you can read the timing, but it is not required. Evading and punishing a brief recovery is another approach.
Do I have to parry the Orphan of Kos?
No. Parrying is an option for players who can read the opportunities, but you can instead learn the swing rhythm, evade, and attack during recoveries.
Recommended Free Tools
How do I avoid Orphan of Kos lightning?
Move away from the beachside corpse and use the space between the lightning paths. Keep moving and respond to the paths rather than relying on one fixed safe spot.
What is the main route boss order?
The route covered here runs through Ludwig, the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos. Laurence is an optional encounter that requires Laurence’s Skull.
Are the listed Ludwig and Laurence HP totals player-level recommendations?
No. The historical game-data figures—16,658 NG HP for Ludwig and 21,243 NG HP for Laurence—are context for those encounters, not recommended levels or universal values across New Game cycles.
The Bottom Line
There are five Old Hunters bosses, but Laurence is optional: the main route runs from Ludwig through the Living Failures and Lady Maria to the Orphan of Kos. Learn each phase’s timing, use the central tree against the Failures’ meteors, keep room to move against the Orphan, and respect the lava in Laurence’s crawl phase. Short, well-timed openings are safer than trying to force damage.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
