Crow Mauler

""The Crow Mauler is a strong enemy that can be encountered early in the game. He can be found on level 5 and under and will chase the player in an attempt to kill them. Alternatively, another Crow Mauler can be found in level 2 (basement) after failing the coin flip when attempting to save the game by sleeping on the bed.

If Le'garde is found alive and joins your party, the crow mauler will become much more aggressive in pursuit and can show up on any level of the dungeon.

Strategy
The Crow Mauler isn't an easy opponent, having a fight against him can have consequences for the rest of your run. He deals massive damage and gives horrible state effects to your party members, such as broken bones or blindness (which, if apllied to the player, makes your screen turn completely black forever). If you don't feel ready to face this boss, the best advice is to run.

When fighting the crow mauler he has two main attacks: peck and maul. Maul is his standard attack, inflicting broken bones while also doing damage each turn. He can also summon a flock of crows.

Peck will instantly kill a character if the attack lands and it does not use the coin flip mechanic, making fighting the Crow Mauler very dangerous. The only way to prevent this is to loot and equip a Plate helmet, or obtain Isayah's Iron mask from his corpse.

The crow mauler is weak to fire attacks. Using Pyromancy trick or Combustion is especially effective. Talking has no use, it doesn't respond. He can be defeated quickly with the use of fire magic and Explosive vials.

Loot

 * After killing the one that chases you, search his corpse for the Crow emblem key which allows access to a strong weapon called the Miasma. He does not spawn on any floor after death.
 * However, if you kill the one that appeared after failing the coinflip at the bed, his corpse won't have any items.