General Lothaire The Eagle Bearer serves as one of the initial major challenges in Valor Mortis. Players will encounter him twice during the early hours of William's story, with the second encounter serving as a full boss battle. This fight demands quick adaptation to Valor Mortis' combat system.
General Lothaire's Moveset
General Lothaire employs a variety of attacks that players must learn to counter.
Sweeping Blade
Lothaire performs a three-hit sweeping blade combo with considerable range. This attack can be parried. He may also sweep with the flag he carries.
Pistol Attacks
He fires his pistols three times in quick succession. Dodging or sprinting to the side is effective against this.
Pistol Combo
A more powerful variant sees all three pistols fire at once. When his guns glow gold, prepare to dodge sideways.
Lunge
Lothaire glows red, leaps into the air, and lunges at the player. This cannot be parried; the advised counter is to dodge beneath him as he ascends, creating an immediate opening for attack. An alternative version involves him glowing red and slamming his flag down.
Second Phase Attacks
Upon entering his second phase, General Lothaire gains new, more dangerous abilities:
Underground Corruption
His hand glows red before an attack where spikes erupt from the ground in a line before him after a short delay. Dodging or sprinting sideways will avoid this.
Arm Swipe
A red glow precedes a swipe from his large, mutated arm. This attack cannot be parried, and a backward dodge is recommended. He can also perform an overhead slam with this arm.
Summons
Lothaire summons swordsmen and gunmen using Nepthtoglobin. The gunmen typically disappear after a single shot, making them easier to avoid. The swordsmen are more persistent but can be defeated with a single hit; quickly dispatching them is key to avoiding being overwhelmed.
Strategies for Defeating Lothaire
Several tactics can help players overcome General Lothaire:
Parrying
While not always a preferred method, parrying Lothaire's sweeping blade combo is highly effective. Successful parries build his stagger bar, leading to a critical attack opportunity that deals significant damage.
Fire Transmutation
Utilizing the Fire Transmutation ability is crucial. Applying fire damage to Lothaire, especially after he lunges, provides a safe way to inflict damage over time.
Item Usage
Hand grenades and other consumables are plentiful and highly recommended for boss encounters. Using them strategically can create openings or deal burst damage.
Weak Spots
Lothaire has visible weak spots on his body. Targeting these with the pistol from a distance can inflict substantial damage.
Ranged Combat
During the fight, Lothaire drops a considerable amount of ammunition. Playing defensively at range and utilizing the pistol is a viable strategy, especially when needing a breather.