Bloodborne Ludwig Boss Guide: Beat The Accursed & Holy Blade
Master the bloodborne ludwig boss fight with our expert strategy guide. Learn phase breakdowns, best weapons, and essential tips to win.
Published: Bloodborne Wiki Editorial Team
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Nightmare's Deadliest Hunter
Stepping into the bloodstained courtyard of the Hunter's Nightmare presents one of FromSoftware's most terrifying and unforgettable encounters. Facing off against bloodborne ludwig requires absolute precision, fast reflexes, and a deep understanding of his unpredictable move sets. Conquering this legendary first hunter of the Healing Church is essential for progressing through The Old Hunters expansion and claiming some of the game's finest armaments.
Preparation and Recommended Loadout
Before entering the fog gate, proper preparation can mean the difference between a swift victory and endless frustration. Based on community report data, most successful hunters take on this challenge around character level 65 using a fully upgraded weapon like the Saw Cleaver at +10. Because of Ludwig's unique design, he possesses a hidden character model that doubles beasthood generation, making Beast Blood Pellets exceptionally potent.
Consumables & Buffs
Fire Paper / Bolt Paper: Both provide substantial elemental damage boosts, scaling effectively on quality builds.
Beast Blood Pellets: Dramatically increase your physical attack power as your beasthood meter fills.
Bone Marrow Ash: Highly effective when paired with a Cannon to blast his head and trigger early staggers.
The following table outlines the optimal combat items and their primary benefits for the encounter:
Item Name
Function / Effect
Best Usage Timing
Fire Paper
Adds fire damage to weapon
Apply before entering the fog gate or during safe openings
Beast Blood Pellets
Increases damage output via beasthood
Use right at the start of Phase 1 for maximum burst
Blood Vials
Restores health
Use strictly after disengaging slashes or when he spits arcane
Lead Elixir
Temporarily boosts poise
Optional for trading blows during high-pressure moments
Phase 1: Mastering Ludwig, The Accursed
The first phase of the bloodborne ludwig fight is widely considered the most chaotic and difficult part of the encounter. Ludwig crawls as a feral, multi-limbed beast, shrieking wildly and executing erratic lunges. According to player experience, locking on can sometimes hinder your mobility here; many veterans prefer fighting unlocked to maintain precise camera control around his massive hitbox.
Pop Buffs Early: Apply Fire Paper and consume a Beast Blood Pellet just before stepping through the fog.
Hug His Flanks: Avoid standing directly in front of his jaws or behind his hind legs, which triggers a devastating mule kick. Instead, roll diagonally into his left or right side.
Break His Limbs: Focus your attacks on his side limbs. Breaking them causes him to stagger and take increased damage for the remainder of the phase.
Bait the Jump: When he leaps into the air and screeches, sprint in a straight line or time your roll precisely as the scream ends to avoid the crushing body slam.
To help you categorize his most dangerous attacks and counter them effectively, consult the reference breakdown below:
Phase 1 Attack
Description
Recommended Counter
Jumping Hand Slam
Leaps toward you and smashes the floor with his hand.
Dodge directly forward into him to open a 1-2 hit window.
Short Charge
Paces, pummels twice, and does a small leap.
Dodge back for the initial pummels, then side-step left.
Arcane Hose / Spray
Spits damaging arcane fluid from his secondary head.
Circle and walk to your right, keeping clear of his reach.
Full-Room Charge
Screeches and charges wildly across the arena.
Dodge to your left right as the high-pitched scream overlays.
Phase 2: Surviving Ludwig, The Holy Blade
Upon reaching 50% health, a dramatic cutscene plays, transforming the beast into bloodborne ludwig, the noble swordsman wielding the legendary Holy Moonlight Sword. This phase trades erratic ferocity for calculated, sweeping sword strikes and deadly projectile magic.
Tip
Unlike the first phase, where staying underneath him is safest, Phase 2 requires you to stay moderately close, dodge through his sweeping energy waves rather than away from them, and punish the recovery frames of his heavy overhead slashes.
The table below outlines his lethal Phase 2 sword combos and how to evade them:
Phase 2 Attack
Description
Evasion Strategy
Two Approaching Slashes
Lowers the blade and drags it forward in consecutive sweeps.
Dodge through the first slash towards him to close the distance.
Projectile Slashes
Swings the sword to send magical energy waves flying at you.
Do not dodge forward; sidestep left or right twice.
Blasting Zone (AoE)
Lifts the sword high, screams, and triggers a massive shockwave.
Rush underneath or behind him immediately to bypass the blast zone.
Ground Flash AoE
Slams the hilt down to create a localized close-range explosion.
Back away quickly or shoot him with a firearm during wind-up.
Utilizing Summons and Replenishing Resources
If the brutal difficulty proves overwhelming, cooperative mechanics can ease the burden. You can summon Old Hunter Henriet from the bottom of the stairs to the left of the Nightmare Church lantern for the cost of one Insight. While her damage output is modest, she serves as an invaluable distraction, drawing Ludwig's aggro so you can safely reposition and strike his vulnerable flanks.
Additionally, players can farm nearby resources to maintain supplies without wasting excessive echoes:
