The Beast

[paladinjs]

I just started playing the Witcher. I'm having a hard time defeating the Beast
in chapter 1. I use the "group" attack and "swallow" potion. Just can't seem to beat him. Is there anything else I missed or overlooked? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[swcarter]

I think you're better off using the strong attack at the start, and only switching to the group attack if a lot of those other dogs appear. You should also use the swallow potion right away rather than waiting until you're wounded.

SWC

[Lady Dragonfly]

Spoiler:

Immediately after the cutscene pause and quick-save. Drink "tawny" potion for the energy regeneration. If given a chance, drink "swallow" as well. Concentrate on the Beast. When it's defeated, all other dogs will die.
Hit it with your Aard sign - that's your best, and probably the only chance. If you have it fully upgraded (all bronze slots filled), it is not that hard. Use the strong style.
As soon as it is defeated, save again.

Yes, it is annoying.

[Claudius]

The fast style is also good for the beast (its listed in the hellhound monster description as style of choice)

Another spoiler (if not mentioned yet)

Prepare specter oil or buy it from abigail. This will double your damage against the hellhound and I think the dogs he summons too. Wait at the fire until a little before midnight (a couple hours) and coat the blade in oil...the beast appears at midnight so if you coat the blade 1 am then 23 hours expire and you waste the coating thats why I said wait a little before midnight. You can tell there is the coating by it looks like blue oil on the blade.

[archaven]

Spoiler

At first i was having so much trouble defeating the hellhound. I'm on normal difficulty and i only require to spend just 1 bronze point in Strength to defeat the beast.

The key in defeating the hound is the aard sign and you must RUN!. My strategy is to use the group style and kill all the weak barghest first then confront the beast. Killing the barghest will be very much easy. When the hound get close use the aard sign and knockdown it. When confront the hound use the strong style. Once it's knocked down, confront it and try getting a couple of hits.

When your health is running low, RUN!!. This is the most important thing i guess most people miss. Use the OTS (Over The Shoulder mode) and run around avoiding the hound (it can't manage to chase you). This will both grants Abigail (considering if you have her on your side) to heal you and to regen your endurance (for the aard sign). Once you are healed and endurance regened, confront the hound and knocks it down and use your strong style against it.

Rinse and repeat and i just used only 1 bronze point in strength (23 points unused) to defeat the hound. In the process, remember to drink Blizzard and Tawny Oil. I think most importantly is RUN. Remember it

[Kenrenk]

Another suggestion :
- Prepare with spectre oil and tawmy potion.
- Do not care to Abigael she won't die but will just fall unconscious (Curse to all the time i tried not her die).
- Key is group style and never attack directly the beast but its dogs. This will avoid to be hit by the beast and be unconscious
- If there's no dogs to hit, run around to wait more spawn.
- After the beast get enough hurt, sometimes hit it with Aard and if it is down then final blow, otherwise go back to group style against dogs and later try again Aard.

[Ulfang]

Spectre Oil is all you really need. I didn't need any other potions one I'd coated my blade. Prior to using the oil I died like 12 times

[Kreez]

i had some troubles at start but for some reason 2nd aard always works. i've tried loading the game about 5-6 times and everytime i've knock it down on 2nd aard and one shoted it

[paladinjs]

Thanks for the help everyone. I saved just before I met the Beast and
coated my sword with the spectre oil. (Had to go back a few saves to get it)
I used group at first to kill most of the other "dogs" but that only took 2 or 3
hits and they were down. Then I switched to heavy and used "ard" to knock him down and then final blow. It was very quick. Thanks again!

[Ulfang]

Originally Posted by paladinjs

(Had to go back a few saves to get it)

Same here. Teaches you to have a few potions backed up even if you've not come across a creature they can help against ... just in case.