- Bloodborne Witch of Hemwick is an optional boss reached through the Lecture Building near Byrgenwerth.
- The real Witch hides among illusions—kill the casting clone to deal true damage.
- Watch for the blue paralysis grab; it can lead to an instant kill if summoned enemies swarm you.
- Bring a fast weapon and keep moving to avoid the summoning mobs.
- Reward: Witch's Abducting Eye and progress toward Insight and trophy cleanup.
Where to Find the Witch of Hemwick
The Witch of Hemwick is an optional boss hidden beyond the Lecture Building, which connects to Byrgenwerth. Unlike main-path bosses such as Vicar Amelia or Rom, the Vacuous Spider, many first-time hunters walk right past her arena because the route is not obvious from Central Yharnam.
To reach her:
- Progress through the Forbidden Woods and reach the windmill village.
- Take the side path to the building with a lit window and enter the trap door leading to the Lecture Building 2nd Floor.
- Fight or evade the student mobs in the lecture hall and exit through the door that leads to Lecture Building 1st Floor.
- From there you can either continue to Byrgenwerth or drop down near the Grand Cathedral lamp shortcut.
- The boss fog for the Witch of Hemwick is on the 1st floor side of the Lecture Building.
Most hunters fight the Witch between levels 40–60, after clearing the Forbidden Woods. Her difficulty rating is moderate (3/5), but her arena gimmicks punish players who stand still.
| Route Checkpoint | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Woods exit | Windmill village | Look for the trap door house |
| Lecture Building 2nd Floor | Mob-filled hall | Students drop Madman's Knowledge |
| Lecture Building 1st Floor | Boss fog | Witch arena is a wide graveyard-style room |
| Shortcut drop | Near Grand Cathedral | Opens a fast return route |
Boss Fight Mechanics
The fight against the Witch of Hemwick is a hunt for the real body among fakes. She teleports around the arena and spawns a decoy that shares her appearance. Only the Witch currently casting the summoning spell with glowing hands takes real damage.
Phase Behavior
| Attack | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Summon decoy | Two identical Witches appear | Attack the one casting magic |
| Magic bolt volley | Glowing projectiles arc toward you | Strafe sideways, keep moving |
| Paralysis grab | Blue tendril extends from a summon | Roll away immediately |
| Mad One summons | Hunched figures rise from ground | Kill or ignore; focus the Witch |
| Teleport | Body dissolves into sparks | Re-locate the caster quickly |
If the blue grab connects, you are held in place while Mad Ones converge. At low Vitality this often ends the run. Roll the moment you see the tendril wind-up animation.
Key principles:
- Aggression beats passivity. The longer the fight drags, the more Mad Ones clutter the arena.
- Damage numbers confirm the real target—the decoy takes zero damage.
- Mad Ones with glowing eyes are summoned; kill them only when they directly block your path to the Witch.
- A fast weapon like the Saw Spear or Threaded Cane lets you punish casting animations reliably.
Step-by-Step Strategy
Enter and identify the caster
Walk in, lock on, and observe. The genuine Witch is always the one channeling the summoning ritual with visible magical energy around her hands.
Rush the casting animation
Sprint toward the caster and unload a quick combo. Two to three hits usually force a teleport before she finishes summoning.
Manage the Mad Ones
Do not clear every summon. Instead, use the gravestones and pillars to break their line of sight while you relocate the Witch.
Dodge the paralysis grab
When a blue tether appears, roll sideways early. Getting caught once is survivable at 30+ Vitality; twice in one attempt usually is not.
Repeat until the kill
Each teleport cycle gives you a fresh punish window. With consistent pressure the fight typically ends in 2–4 minutes.
Defeating the Witch of Hemwick grants the Witch's Abducting Eye, a deposit item, plus Blood Echoes and Insight. It also counts toward optional boss trophies.
Recommended Loadout
The Witch has no dramatic elemental weakness, so loadout matters less than mobility and attack speed. Here is what works well:
Fast Weapon Setup
- Saw Spear / Threaded Cane
- Quick punishes on casting
- Low stamina commitment
Heavy Weapon Setup
- Hunter Axe transformed
- Wide sweeps clear Mad Ones
- Slower punish windows
Fire Support
- Fire Paper boosts damage
- Molotovs hit grouped summons
- Useful for slower builds
| Preparation Item | Purpose | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Vials (15+) | Sustain through grab mistakes | ★★★★★ |
| Quicksilver Bullets | Optional parries on Mad Ones | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Fire Paper | Flat damage increase | ★★★☆☆ |
| Bold Hunter Marks | Emergency exit if swarmed | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidotes | Not needed for this fight | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Skill builds clear this fight fastest because casting windows favor rapid multi-hit strings. Strength hunters should use charged attacks only after breaking line of sight from the Mad Ones.
Common Mistakes and Cleanup Checklist
Most failed attempts come from three habits: chasing the decoy, clearing every summon, and fighting with the camera locked on the wrong target. Fix those and the fight becomes one of the more manageable optional encounters in the mid-game.
Before the Fog Gate:
- Weapon upgraded to at least +6
- 15+ Blood Vials stocked
- Vitality at 25 or higher
- Identify the casting clone rule (decoy takes no damage)
- Plan an exit route if paralysis grabbed twice
FAQ
Q: Is the Witch of Hemwick a required boss in Bloodborne?
No. The Witch of Hemwick is an optional boss located in the Lecture Building. You can complete the main story without ever fighting her, but she counts toward optional boss trophies and drops the Witch's Abducting Eye.
Q: How do I tell which Witch is real in the Bloodborne Witch of Hemwick fight?
The real Witch is the one actively casting the summoning spell, with visible magical energy around her hands. The decoy takes zero damage, so watch your damage numbers to confirm you struck the correct target.
Q: What level should I be for the Witch of Hemwick?
Around level 40–60 is comfortable for most players, typically after clearing the Forbidden Woods. Vitality of 25 or higher gives you a buffer against the paralysis grab followed by Mad One attacks.
Q: Should I kill the Mad Ones during the fight?
Only when they block your path to the Witch. Killing every summon slows the fight and lets more accumulate. Use gravestones and pillars to break their line of sight while pressuring the caster.