Quick answer: The Greatblade Madwoman uses six greatblade attacks, ending in slams, sweeps and overhead chops. Clear the Ice Powderkeg and Corrupted Arsonists first, then dodge when she closes with the blade raised, since a second slam can follow.
She wears a red hooded robe and carries a huge greatblade shaped like a cleaver. Every attack she has comes from that blade, and most of them end with it coming down on your head.
Greatblade Madwoman location in Crimson Forest
In Crimson Forest, head to the bell at Mirrorwood Long Pillar. No warning appears; the group attacks immediately on arrival, and the battle begins on the ground near the bell. Three kinds of enemies rush you together:
- The Greatblade Madwoman, who wields a greatblade
- An Ice Powderkeg
- Corrupted Arsonists
Greatblade Madwoman moveset and attacks
The names below describe what each attack looks like. They are not in-game names.
| Attack | What you see | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| Rush-in swings | Flat greatblade swings as she closes from range | An overhead swing |
| Rising swing into low sweep | An upward swing | A low sweep that knocks you down |
| Raise and slam | She lifts the blade while you are on the ground | A slam onto you |
| Dark puff into overhead chop | A puff of dark smoke around her | An overhead chop |
| Blade held high into wide sweep | She backs off and holds the blade straight up | A wide sweep |
| Crushing overhead slam | She closes in with the blade raised | A slam with a dark burst, sometimes a second slam |
The crushing overhead slam is her biggest hit. It lands with a dark burst, and a second slam can come right after the first, so one dodge is not always enough.
Two of her attacks work as a pair. The low sweep at the end of her rising swing puts you on the floor, and the raise and slam is built to hit you while you are still down there.
How to fight the Greatblade Madwoman
Start with the crowd. The Ice Powderkeg and the Corrupted Arsonists arrive with her, and thinning that group first means you face her on her own instead of dodging greatblade swings while other enemies close in.
Once it is just her, watch the blade. When she closes in with it raised, dodge. That is the crushing slam, and it does more damage than anything else she throws at you. Be ready to move again, since a second slam can follow.
The dark puff of smoke is your cue for the overhead chop. It shows up around her right before the blade comes down, so treat it as a signal to get out of the way.
If she knocks you down, do not stay in front of her. Her slams come straight after a knockdown. Get up and put distance between you and the blade before she brings it down again.
