
Cheesing the first boss in *Bloodborne*, Cleric Beast, can be a strategic way for players to overcome this challenging encounter, especially for those new to the game's punishing difficulty. By exploiting the boss's AI and the environment, players can minimize direct confrontation and maximize damage output. One popular method involves luring the Cleric Beast to the edge of the arena and using the pillars to your advantage, allowing you to attack its hind legs or tail while avoiding its devastating frontal assaults. Another tactic is to use the environment to stun the boss by knocking it into walls or off ledges, creating opportunities for visceral attacks. Additionally, equipping high damage weapons like the Saw Cleaver or using consumables like Molotov cocktails can significantly speed up the fight. While cheesing may not align with the game's intended spirit of direct, skill-based combat, it offers a viable alternative for players struggling to progress, ensuring they can continue their journey through Yharnam without becoming discouraged.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Cleric Beast |
| Location | Central Yharnam, at the end of the first main area after the lamp |
| Cheese Strategy | Lure the boss to the stairs near the fog gate and exploit the terrain |
| Recommended Level | 10-15 |
| Recommended Weapons | Fast weapons (e.g., Saw Cleaver, Threaded Cane) for quick attacks |
| Recommended Tools | Molotov Cocktails, Pebbles (for distraction), and Blood Vials |
| Terrain Advantage | Stairs limit the boss's movement, making it easier to dodge and attack |
| Attack Pattern Exploit | Bait the boss's sweeping attacks and strike during recovery animations |
| Health Management | Stay near the lamp to minimize travel time for healing if needed |
| Difficulty Reduction | Significantly reduces the boss's aggression and mobility |
| Notes | Requires patience and timing to lure the boss to the correct position |
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What You'll Learn
- Learn Boss Patterns: Observe attack sequences, identify openings, and exploit vulnerabilities for safe strikes
- Use Dodge Timing: Master precise dodges to avoid attacks and create counter-attack opportunities effectively
- Choose Right Weapons: Select fast, high-damage weapons like the Saw Cleaver for quick strikes
- Manage Visceral Attacks: Build up damage with parries or backstabs for critical visceral finishers
- Stay Aggressive: Maintain pressure, avoid over-committing, and capitalize on the boss’s staggered moments

Learn Boss Patterns: Observe attack sequences, identify openings, and exploit vulnerabilities for safe strikes
The first boss in *Bloodborne*, Cleric Beast, is a frenzied, relentless foe that demands respect and strategy. To cheese this encounter, understanding its attack patterns is paramount. Cleric Beast’s moveset is predictable once observed closely: it alternates between sweeping strikes, lunging attacks, and a devastating ground slam. Each attack has a distinct wind-up, offering a brief window of vulnerability. For instance, after its three-hit combo, the beast pauses to reposition, leaving it open for 2-3 strikes. Mastering this rhythm is the foundation of any cheese strategy.
Observation is your greatest tool. Start by dodging through its attacks to identify recurring sequences. Notice how its ground slam is always preceded by a telltale roar, giving you ample time to roll away and circle behind it. Similarly, its lunging attack has a long recovery period, allowing you to punish it with a visceral attack if timed correctly. Use the environment to your advantage—the pillars near the boss arena can block its sweeping strikes, giving you a safe zone to regroup and plan your next move.
Exploiting vulnerabilities requires precision and patience. Cleric Beast’s head is its weak point, but targeting it recklessly will leave you exposed. Instead, focus on its limbs during its attack animations. For example, when it performs its side swipe, dodge inward and strike its exposed leg. This method deals moderate damage while minimizing risk. Save your visceral attacks for when it’s staggered, as these deal massive damage and can significantly shorten the fight.
A practical tip for cheese strategies is to lure Cleric Beast into specific positions. Position yourself near the edge of the arena during its ground slam to create distance, then sprint in for a few strikes while it recovers. Alternatively, bait its lunging attack toward a pillar, then circle around for a backstab. These tactics reduce the fight’s complexity, turning it into a game of patience and timing rather than brute force.
In conclusion, cheesing Cleric Beast isn’t about exploiting glitches or overpowered items—it’s about mastering its patterns and exploiting its vulnerabilities methodically. By observing its attack sequences, identifying openings, and striking safely, you transform a chaotic battle into a calculated dance. This approach not only makes the fight more manageable but also teaches you the core mechanics of *Bloodborne*’s combat system, setting you up for success in future encounters.
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Use Dodge Timing: Master precise dodges to avoid attacks and create counter-attack opportunities effectively
In Bloodborne, the first boss, Cleric Beast, is a formidable opponent that demands precision and patience. One of the most effective strategies to cheese this encounter is mastering precise dodge timing. The Cleric Beast’s attacks are telegraphed but relentless, leaving narrow windows for evasion. By honing your ability to dodge at the exact moment an attack connects, you not only avoid damage but also create brief, exploitable openings for counter-attacks. This technique transforms the fight from a chaotic scramble into a calculated dance, where every dodge is a step toward victory.
To execute this strategy, focus on the Cleric Beast’s attack patterns. For instance, its sweeping claw attack has a long wind-up but leaves it vulnerable for a split second afterward. Practice dodging *through* the attack, rather than away from it, positioning yourself behind the boss for a visceral attack or a few quick strikes. Similarly, its leaping slam is predictable but deadly—time your dodge just as it begins its descent, then roll forward to avoid the area-of-effect damage. The key is to observe the boss’s animations closely, as each attack has a distinct tell that signals the optimal dodge window.
Mastering dodge timing isn’t just about survival; it’s about efficiency. By minimizing damage taken, you reduce the need for healing items, which are scarce in early game. Additionally, precise dodges allow you to maintain aggression, keeping the boss off-balance and limiting its opportunities to attack. For example, after dodging its combo of two swipes and a bite, you have a full second to land three or four hits before it recovers. This methodical approach turns the fight into a rhythm game, where every successful dodge rewards you with a chance to deal significant damage.
However, this strategy requires practice and patience. Dodging too early or too late can leave you vulnerable to follow-up attacks, so start by fighting the Cleric Beast at half health or lower to reduce its aggression. Use the environment to your advantage—the small pillar near the fog gate can provide temporary cover while you regain stamina or heal. Remember, the goal isn’t to rush the fight but to control its pace, using your dodges to dictate when and where you engage. With enough repetition, you’ll internalize the timing, turning what once felt like a brutal challenge into a choreographed takedown.
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Choose Right Weapons: Select fast, high-damage weapons like the Saw Cleaver for quick strikes
In the unforgiving world of *Bloodborne*, the Cleric Beast demands precision and speed. Your weapon choice isn’t just a preference—it’s a survival strategy. The Saw Cleaver, with its transformative capabilities, exemplifies this. In its trick mode, it delivers rapid, high-damage strikes ideal for exploiting the Beast’s brief openings. Unlike slower weapons like the Axe, the Saw Cleaver’s speed minimizes your exposure to counterattacks, allowing you to strike and retreat before the Beast can react. This isn’t about brute force; it’s about efficiency.
Consider the mechanics: the Cleric Beast’s attacks are telegraphed but relentless. Fast weapons like the Saw Cleaver let you capitalize on its recovery frames, particularly after its sweeping strikes or lunges. For instance, immediately after its sideways leap attack, you have a 1.5-second window to land 2-3 quick strikes before repositioning. This pattern-based approach turns the fight into a rhythm: dodge, strike, retreat, repeat. The Saw Cleaver’s damage output ensures these strikes aren’t just chips—they’re meaningful chunks of health.
However, speed isn’t without trade-offs. Fast weapons often sacrifice range and poise damage, so positioning becomes critical. Stay within mid-range to maximize the Saw Cleaver’s reach without overextending. Avoid the temptation to greed for damage; one mistimed strike can leave you vulnerable to the Beast’s devastating combos. Pair the weapon with quickstep dodges (circle + direction) to maintain agility, and prioritize visceral attacks when possible—a well-timed parry followed by an R2 can deal upwards of 1,000 damage in early game.
Practically, upgrade your Saw Cleaver to +3 before the fight using Blood Stone Shards. This boosts its base damage from 120 to 150, making each strike count. Equip the Hunter Axe as a secondary weapon for its extended range during phase 2, when the Beast becomes more aggressive. Finally, use pebbles or molotov cocktails to stun it momentarily if you’re overwhelmed, but rely on your weapon’s speed as the primary strategy.
In essence, the Saw Cleaver isn’t just a weapon—it’s a tool for dismantling the Cleric Beast’s aggression. Its speed lets you dictate the fight’s pace, turning what feels like a chaotic brawl into a calculated dance. Master this, and the Beast becomes less of a wall and more of a stepping stone.
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Manage Visceral Attacks: Build up damage with parries or backstabs for critical visceral finishers
In the relentless world of *Bloodborne*, the first boss, Cleric Beast, demands precision and strategy. One of the most effective ways to cheese this encounter is by mastering visceral attacks, which deal massive damage and can drastically shorten the fight. The key lies in exploiting the boss’s vulnerabilities through parries or backstabs, setting up critical finishers that capitalize on its aggression.
To execute this strategy, timing is everything. Cleric Beast’s attacks are telegraphic, leaving brief openings after its swings. Position yourself at its side or rear, and wait for it to commit to an attack. When it does, dodge through the strike and immediately follow up with a parry or backstab. A successful parry stuns the boss, allowing you to unleash a visceral attack for devastating damage. Backstabs, though riskier, can be equally effective if you maintain positioning behind the boss. Practice recognizing its attack patterns to maximize your opportunities.
While this method is powerful, it’s not without risk. Cleric Beast’s wide sweeps and unpredictable movements can punish overaggression. Avoid greedily chasing visceral attacks; instead, prioritize survival and wait for confirmed openings. Equip a weapon with high visceral damage, such as the Threaded Cane or Saw Cleaver, to maximize your finishers. Additionally, invest in skill and arcane stats to boost your parry and backstab potential.
The beauty of this approach lies in its efficiency. By focusing on visceral attacks, you bypass the need for prolonged chip damage, turning a grueling fight into a calculated dance. It’s a testament to *Bloodborne*’s design: mastering its mechanics rewards players with shortcuts to victory. With patience and practice, you’ll transform Cleric Beast from a daunting obstacle into a predictable target, paving the way for the challenges that lie ahead.
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Stay Aggressive: Maintain pressure, avoid over-committing, and capitalize on the boss’s staggered moments
In the frenetic dance of combat against Bloodborne's first boss, Cleric Beast, aggression isn’t just a strategy—it’s a survival mechanism. The beast’s relentless attacks and massive health pool demand constant pressure to whittle down its stamina and health before it overwhelms you. However, aggression without restraint is a death sentence. The key lies in balancing relentless pursuit with calculated restraint, ensuring you exploit every staggered moment without exposing yourself to counterattacks.
To maintain pressure effectively, focus on short, precise combos rather than greedy, extended attacks. The Cleric Beast’s stagger threshold is relatively low early in the fight, so a well-timed R1 chain followed by a quick dodge can keep it off-balance. Use the environment to your advantage: position yourself near the pillars to limit its attack angles, forcing it into predictable patterns. For example, when it leaps backward, sprint in for a visceral attack or a quick strike before it recovers. This approach maximizes damage while minimizing exposure to its devastating combos.
Avoiding over-commitment is equally critical. The Cleric Beast’s attacks are slow but deal massive damage, and its grab can instantly end your run. Always leave enough stamina for a dodge or quickstep after each attack. A common mistake is chasing the boss too far, leaving you vulnerable to its sweeping strikes. Instead, stay within striking distance but not so close that you’re caught in its wide arcs. Think of it as a boxing match: you’re the aggressive striker, but you’re also mindful of your opponent’s reach.
Capitalizing on staggered moments is where the cheese comes in. The Cleric Beast staggers frequently when its stamina is depleted, often after a series of attacks. Watch for its labored breathing or the moment it pauses mid-combo—these are your openings. A charged R2 or a well-placed pistol parry can stun it, allowing for a visceral attack that deals massive damage. If you’re low on stamina, use this moment to heal instead, ensuring you’re ready for the next phase.
In practice, this strategy requires patience and rhythm. Start the fight by baiting its leap attack, then punish with a quick combo. As the battle progresses, prioritize stamina management over raw damage output. If you’re struggling, focus on dodging through its attacks rather than blocking, as this conserves stamina and creates opportunities to strike back. Remember, the goal isn’t to outlast the boss but to outmaneuver it, turning its aggression into your advantage. By staying aggressive yet disciplined, you’ll transform a brutal encounter into a calculated, exploitable pattern.
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Frequently asked questions
Position yourself near the left side of the arena, close to the pillar, and bait the Cleric Beast into charging. Dodge its attack, then strike its rear legs for safe damage. Repeat this process to minimize risk.
Yes, the pillar on the left side of the arena is key. Stand near it to block the boss’s frontal attacks and focus on hitting its legs or rear when it’s vulnerable.
Use a fast weapon like the Saw Cleaver or Threaded Cane in its trick mode for quick, safe strikes. Molotov cocktails can also deal significant damage from a distance.
Focus on dodging rather than parrying, as the Cleric Beast’s attacks are unpredictable for parries. Use the pillar to block attacks and dodge its charges to create openings.
While it’s challenging, it’s possible with careful positioning and timing. Stay near the pillar, dodge its attacks, and only strike when it’s vulnerable to minimize damage taken.

























