Hunter's Nightmare · Updated 2026-10-24
How to beat Ludwig
Ludwig is the first boss of The Old Hunters, in the Hunter’s Nightmare. The fight has two phases. Bolt, fire, and arcane are the listed weaknesses. Hits along the side and the left leg can stagger him.
Separate the sword reward from its optional dialogue. Wearing Church chest attire and answering the severed head is one way to receive the Holy Moonlight Sword; killing the head also gives it. Missing a dialogue scene does not mean permanently losing the weapon.
Phase one: the beast
Work beside him rather than directly in front of the mouth. Punish a finished rush or a limb stagger with a short combo, then reset. If he leaves the floor, track the leap instead of continuing to swing underneath; do not heal until the landing or follow-up has passed.
Phase two: the swordsman
The cutscene marks a different moveset, not simply a faster beast. Watch the sword rather than the old bite timings, evade the committed sequence and attack during its recovery. A raised sword warns of a large special attack; create room and avoid standing still in front of it.
Collect the Holy Moonlight Sword
The severed head remains after the battle. Church chest attire and the appropriate conversation can award the sword; alternatively, kill the head to obtain it. The notes about Laurence concern missing dialogue, not an exclusive requirement to keep Laurence alive for the weapon. The boss also drops Guidance.
Questions
Where is Ludwig?
In the Underground Corpse Pile arena reached through the Hunter's Nightmare, before the Research Hall route.
Did I miss the Holy Moonlight Sword by missing the conversation?
Not necessarily. The Church-attire conversation is one route; killing Ludwig's severed head also awards the sword. Check the head before assuming the weapon is lost.