Table of Contents

When Should You Fight Laurence, the First Vicar?

Laurence, the First Vicar, from Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC, is a brutal and memorable encounter. Determining the optimal time to face him depends heavily on your skill level, character build, and New Game cycle. Generally, a good time to challenge Laurence is after completing the main game and most of the DLC, ideally around level 80-120, and after fully upgrading your weapon of choice. This gives you the best gear and stats to deal with his punishing attacks.

Preparing for the Inferno: Understanding Laurence, the First Vicar

Laurence isn’t just a boss; he’s a trial by fire—literally. Understanding his strengths, weaknesses, and move set is crucial before even thinking about entering the Nightmare Grand Cathedral. His sheer health pool, fire-based attacks, and aggressive nature make him one of the toughest bosses in Bloodborne. Therefore, rushing into the fight unprepared is almost a guaranteed death sentence. Consider this your comprehensive guide to determining your readiness.

Character Level and Stats

Recommended Level: As mentioned earlier, aiming for a character level between 80 and 120 is a safe bet. This ensures you have a decent health pool (at least 40 Vitality), sufficient damage stats (Strength and Skill, depending on your weapon), and adequate Stamina.
Stat Allocation: Vitality is paramount. Laurence deals massive damage, so more health is always better. Distribute your points between Strength and Skill depending on your preferred weapon. Endurance is also crucial for dodging and attacking. Arcane and Bloodtinge builds can work, but require more specialized knowledge and gear.

Weapon Selection and Upgrades

Serrated Weapons: Laurence, being a Beast, is weak to serrated weapons. The Saw Cleaver, Saw Spear, and Beast Cutter are excellent choices. Fully upgrading them to +10 is essential.
Weapon Gems: Equipping gems that boost physical attack and, to a lesser extent, fire damage can be beneficial. However, focusing on raw physical damage generally yields better results due to Laurence’s high fire resistance.
Weapon Familiarity: Mastering your chosen weapon’s moveset is crucial. Knowing its range, attack speed, and stamina consumption allows for more effective combat.

Armor and Resistance

Fire Resistance is a Trap: While the instinct is to stack fire resistance, Laurence deals primarily physical damage in his first phase. The Charred Hunter Set, while having the highest fire defense, might not be the best overall choice for the entire fight.
Balanced Defense: Prioritize armor with a balance of physical and fire defense. Armor sets like the Knight’s Set or Executioner Set can provide good protection without sacrificing mobility.
Poison Resistance: Laurence’s second phase leaves a trail of lava, which can inflict slow poison. Armor with good poison resistance can mitigate this annoyance.

Items and Consumables

Blood Vials: Stock up on as many Blood Vials as you can carry. You will need them.
Quicksilver Bullets: Crucial for using the Hunter Tools that can deal extra damage or stagger Laurence.
Bolt Paper: While Laurence is resistant to fire, he is more vulnerable to Bolt. This is a great way to deal some extra damage and potentially stun him.
Beast Blood Pellets: These can significantly increase your damage output, especially with serrated weapons. However, be mindful of the Frenzy buildup.
Sedatives: If you choose to use Beast Blood Pellets, having Sedatives on hand is crucial for managing Frenzy.

The Right Mindset and Strategy

Fighting Laurence isn’t just about stats and gear; it’s about strategy and patience. He’s a relentless attacker, so a hit-and-run approach is often the most effective.

Learning His Attack Patterns

First Phase: Laurence uses a variety of swipes, slams, and fire-based attacks. Learn the telegraphs for each move and dodge accordingly.
Second Phase: He loses his legs and begins crawling, leaving a trail of lava. This phase is more about endurance and dealing damage when you can. Stay to his sides or rear to avoid his attacks.
Third Phase: Laurence often spends this phase vomiting lava, which is an attack that gives you the opportunity to attack from the side.

Co-op Assistance

Summoning Help: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to summon other players for assistance. Having a co-op partner can significantly increase your chances of success.
NPC Summons: There are no NPC summons available for the Laurence fight.
Communication: If playing with a friend, coordinate your attacks and strategies for maximum effectiveness.

Mastering the Arena

The Nightmare Grand Cathedral: The arena is relatively small and offers limited space for maneuvering.
Environmental Awareness: Be aware of the lava pools in the second phase and avoid getting trapped in them.
Using Obstacles: Use the environment to your advantage, such as pillars to create distance or bait attacks.

Addressing Your Fears: Specific Scenarios

Let’s address some common concerns players have when considering tackling Laurence, the First Vicar.

New Game Plus (NG+): Fighting Laurence in NG+ and beyond significantly increases his health and damage. Be prepared for an even tougher challenge. Consider waiting until you’ve leveled up further and upgraded your gear even more before attempting him in NG+.
Low-Level Runs: While possible, fighting Laurence at a low level is incredibly difficult and requires exceptional skill and strategy. It’s generally not recommended for new players.
Solo vs. Co-op: Fighting Laurence solo is a greater challenge but can be more rewarding. Co-op can make the fight easier, but also increases his health pool.

The Final Verdict: Are You Ready?

Ultimately, the decision of when to fight Laurence is a personal one. Consider your skill level, character build, and tolerance for frustration. If you’ve completed the main game, upgraded your weapon, and have a solid understanding of his attack patterns, you’re likely ready to face the challenge. But remember, death is a learning experience in Bloodborne. Don’t be afraid to experiment, adapt, and keep trying until you finally emerge victorious. If you are interested in learning more about gaming and education visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Laurence, the First Vicar weak to anything?
Yes, Laurence is a Beast, making him weak to serrated weapons. However, he’s highly resistant to fire.
Which armor is best against Laurence, the First Vicar?
The Charred Hunter Set has the highest fire defense, but a set with balanced physical and fire defense like the Knight’s Set might be more beneficial overall.
Where do I fight Laurence, the First Vicar?
Laurence resides in the Nightmare Grand Cathedral. Start at the Research Hall lamp, warp to the Hunter’s Dream, then travel to the Hunter’s Nightmare. Work your way back to the first Grand Cathedral.
What level should I be to fight Laurence, the First Vicar?
A level between 80 and 120 is generally recommended for a challenging but manageable fight.
Is Laurence, the First Vicar missable?
Yes, Laurence is an optional boss. You can fight him whenever you want in the Nightmare Grand Cathedral after obtaining Laurence’s Skull.
Is Laurence the first Cleric Beast?
Laurence became the first Cleric Beast after his transformation due to the old blood.
Is Laurence an optional boss?
Yes, Laurence, the First Vicar is a completely optional boss in the The Old Hunters DLC.
Is Laurence the villain of Bloodborne?
Laurence is considered an overarching antagonist due to his role in founding the Healing Church and initiating blood ministration.
Who is the final boss in the Bloodborne DLC?
The Orphan of Kos is the final boss of The Old Hunters DLC, although some players prefer to save Laurence for last.
How do you beat Laurence easily?
There is no easy way but with careful planning and attention to detail, the battle can be won. Use a hit-and-run strategy, focusing on serrated weapons and learning his attack patterns.
Is Orphan of Kos the hardest boss of all time?
Many players consider the Orphan of Kos to be one of the hardest bosses due to his speed, damage, and unpredictable attack patterns.
Does beating Orphan of Kos end the game?
Beating the Orphan of Kos completes the main story arc of The Old Hunters DLC.
What is Gehrman waiting for Laurence?
Gehrman waits in the Hunter’s Dream for Laurence to find a cure for his condition.
Can you Parry Laurence the First Vicar?
No, Laurence the First Vicar is not parryable.
Should I use Fire Paper against Laurence, the First Vicar?
No, Fire Paper is not recommended against Laurence, as he has high fire resistance. Bolt Paper is generally a more effective choice to deal extra damage and stun him potentially.

When should you fight Laurence the first vicar?