Prepare for the Chapter 2 fight
This fight is at the end of Valley of Ashes, Chapter 2 — Regroup. Use the Lantern outside to rest, spend the Catalysts you want to put into upgrades, and prepare healing and ammunition.
Bring the Pistol for exposed red weak points and use Fire when you have a safe casting window. Stick with a defensive style you know. Endurance and Blocking are useful investments if you are using the Saber; you do not need a specific level or Amber pair to begin.
Phase one: read the attack before committing
| What you see | What to do | When to attack |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder-mounted cannon lifts or fires | Evade sideways and let the shots finish. | Once the firing sequence ends and you have a clear line. |
| A red glow followed by a leap toward you | Leave space, then evade as the landing approaches. | After the landing blast finishes. |
| Banner-pole or short-sword melee attacks | Parry attacks whose timing you recognize; keep Endurance in reserve. | Use a short counter after the sequence. |
| Full posture bar and Lothaire collapses | Move to his front for a critical attack. | Take the critical, then return to watching his next move. |
| Red growths are exposed | Aim the Pistol at a clear weak point. | Shoot during an opening; move first if a cannon or leap is incoming. |
The banner pole has a slower, longer reach than the short sword. Read the weapon rather than assuming every sequence has the same timing or number of hits.
Apply Fire in safe windows for burning damage. Avoid spending so long aiming or casting that you lose the Endurance and space needed for his next attack.
Phase two: a new health bar and claw attacks
Emptying the first health bar does not end the fight. Lothaire restores his health, regrows limbs and brings out a claw arm. Keep healing available for this phase and create room to read the new attacks.
Two ground attacks need different responses:
- Red orb followed by tracking spikes: keep moving, create distance and evade their path. Do not stand still waiting to jump one wave.
- Claw slams the ground and a wave expands outward: jump as the wave reaches you. Watch its travel across the floor rather than only the initial slam.
He continues mixing melee attacks with red-glowing attacks. Use parries on familiar, parryable moves, but keep evasion available.
Deal with the blood summons
Clear a nearby melee summon if it is pressuring you. Watch ranged summons for the glow that signals a shot, then evade. The summons disappear; avoid chasing one across the arena while losing sight of Lothaire.
Return to a simple rhythm: avoid the attack, take a short opening, then prepare to defend. Use the Pistol on exposed weak points when the line is clear.
Winning the fight
After the final health bar is depleted, Lothaire disappears and the battle rewards are granted. Victory awards 10,000 Catalysts, unlocks Torn Banner, and opens the way into Abandoned Church.
If you are asking about the opening encounter instead, use the first-boss guide below. Losing that first fight is a valid way to continue the story.