Valor Mortis ALT+F4 exploit lets players retry General Lothaire

A newly discovered workaround using ALT+F4 allows players to retry the punishing General Lothaire fight in Valor Mortis after death. The exploit, found by a player named Sean, bypasses the game's normal rule that grants only a single attempt at the early-game boss.

If you die fighting General Lothaire, a cutscene plays and the boss disappears. Hitting ALT + F4 the moment you die, however, lets you reload just before the boss arena for another try. This creates a loop to repeatedly challenge one of Valor Mortis's toughest early encounters. Sean explained the high stakes: "You only have one attempt to beat him, since if you die, a cutscene will play and the boss will disappear."

Boss mechanics and fight strategy

General Lothaire is the first major boss in Valor Mortis, encountered at the end of Chapter 1 and again at the end of Chapter 2. Defeating him in Chapter 2 is mandatory for progression. The battle is a two-phase affair against one of the most mechanically complex enemies in the game.

In the first phase, Lothaire's weak spots on his shoulder, thigh, and knee each yield a free nephtoglobin orb when shot. Managing this resource is critical. A full nephtoglobin bar without upgrades is enough to set him on fire for damage over time, but partial buildup drains away if the bar is low. Landing melee attacks also recovers some nephtoglobin.

Parrying is vital. The right moment is when Lothaire walks forward, lifts his arm, and unleashes two to three consecutive slashes. Successfully parrying until his posture meter fills allows a finishing move that cuts his health by about 20%. Blocking is a safer alternative; it removes only around 20% of your HP compared to over half from a direct hit, and the lost HP becomes 'recoverable' for a short time. Hitting Lothaire after a block regains that health. Players must dodge his unblockable forward slam.

Phase two escalates the danger. Lothaire grows a claw on his left arm for unblockable attacks, throws explosives, and creates energy orbs that cause arena-wide shockwaves. Shooting these projectiles while still in his hand is advised. He also summons musketeers, who dissolve after their shots are dodged, and common soldiers, who die in one melee hit.

Recommended builds and consumables

Players typically reach this fight around level 8 with six to eight skill points. Optimal skill investment can turn the tide. Key recommendations include Maximum Endurance for stamina, Parrying Impact to fill the posture bar faster, and skills that enhance survivability like Blocking or Transmuted Persistence.

Consumable choice is strategic. Nephtoglobin Vials, Flaming Whetstones, and Fire-Clad Rounds are lifesavers for maintaining fire pressure. Refreshing Vials boost endurance regeneration, and hand grenades offer extra damage. The advice is to avoid finite items at the fight's start and deploy grenades in phase two when victory is in sight.

Lothaire opens with either a triple shoulder cannon shot or a jump attack. Dodging the jump attack creates a narrow window to move behind him and unleash a fire transmutation. Hesitation means a swift counter-strike.

Rewards and progression

Victory is highly rewarding. Beating General Lothaire grants 10,000 catalysts and the Torn-Banner achievement. Sean highlighted the full prize: "If you beat General Lothaire you get the General's Catalyst Clot, 10k catalysts, and the Torn-Banner achievement." The Clot itself is worth another 10,000 catalysts, providing a massive early-game resource injection.

The boss arena is located on the cliff behind the stone quarry area. Clearing that quarry unlocks the elevator leading to the fight. It is worth noting that Valor Mortis does not award boss weapons for this or other defeats.

Defeating General Lothaire at the end of Chapter 2 is required to progress in the game.