Phase One: Big, Scary Puppy
Ludwig has two phases that play out completely differently from one another. The first phase will have you dealing with his speed and physical range. He fights pretty much like every other beast you’ve come across (Cleric Beast, Vicar Amelia, Blood Starved Beast, etc.) so be prepared for wide swipes, quick lunges, and a pounce attack. He is much faster than any enemy you’ve faced, so always be ready to dodge. When you can get an attack in, don’t try to go for anything more than two swings before rolling out of harm’s way. His wide sweeps and straight claw attacks will catch you off guard even if you’re expecting them.
There will be moments when his body bursts into a pile of bones. This does not mean that you’ve won; it means he’s going to appear from the sky right over your head, so keep running. When you’re not running, go for his hind legs. That’s the safest part of him, if you can consider the back of a demented Hunter turned beast safe. If you can get to his side, target his arms, which can potentially lead to a stagger and allow you to perform a Visceral Attack, dealing a significant amount of damage. Continue this strategy until he’s at half health, and then the fight really gets interesting.
