Darkest Dungeon - Crocodilian (Champion Lvl.5) Strategy

Hey guys, I've been asked by a lot of people from this subreddit to share my strategy on reliably defeating the Champion Lvl 5 Crocodilian. So here's what I do (Note: There are going to be several different and unique strategies in defeating the Croc. but I've found this one to be relatively easy). A. Stack move resist on all characters: Perhaps the Crocodilian's most malicious attack is the "Teeth Rake" because it causes 115% Pull 2, 100% Bleed 2, and 80% Stress +9!! This seems to be particularly troubling when your back row characters are now pulled to the front, and your front row characters can't contribute adequately anymore. Solution: Heavy Boots (+40% Move Resist, 10% PROT, -2SPD) on all party members. *Crews Bell trinket which gives 50% Move Resist is a viable alternative but it doesn't provide the 10% PROT that Heavy Boots provides that can really come in handy when facing high damaging skills such as "Apex Predator" (11-13 DMG). The second trinket can be anything that gives DMG, CRT, DODGE, PROT, MAX HP, +% STUN SKILL, or BLEED RESIST (Teeth Rake can inflict 100% Bleed 2). I will go over these alternate trinkets below. B. Party Members: Choose a back row that can deal heavy damage to Ranks 3 & 4 during the early rounds. *Choose a front row that can tank the inevitable "Apex Predator" skill. * Solution: Rank 4: Crusader (Smite, Bulwork of Faith, Holy Lance, Inspiring Cry) *Equip: Heavy Boots (required), Flesh's Heart (+50% Bleed Resist and +15% MAX HP) Rank 3: Vestal (Judgement, Dazzling Light, Divine Grace, Divine Comfort) *Equip: Heavy Boots (required), Dazzling Mirror (+30% Stun Skill chance vs Bloodsuckers . Crocodilian is considered Bloodsucker Rank 2: HoundMaster (Hound's Rush, Target Whistle, Guard Dog, Lick Wounds) *Equip: Heavy Boots (required), Ancestor's Musket Ball (+5% CRT and +15% DMG) Rank 1: Leper (Chop, Revenge, Intimidate, Withstand) *Equip: Heavy Boots (required), Sun Ring (+10 ACC, +15% DMG) C. Strategy: The Crocodilian will begin the early rounds in Ranks 4 and 3 and will not move to the front rows until it submerges and then attacks with "Apex Predator". Early Stage Strategy (Croc @ position 3/4): Crusader: Use Holy Lance to attack positions 3/4. You should be able to do this move twice since the Crusader starts in position 4. When the Crusader reaches position 2, use Bulwork of Faith for the +40% PROT (lasts for entire battle) Vestal: Use Judgement and prevent ally Death's Door Houndmaster: Consume Dog Treats and use Hounds rush Leper: Use Revenge (+10 ACC, +25 DMG, +1% CRT & Debuffs DODGE AND PROT) Make sure to consume medicinal herbs after using Revenge to get rid of the debuffs. After Revenge use Withstand for the (+40 PROT). Mid Stage Strategy (Croc @ Submerged State): "PREPARE FOR APEX PREDATOR" Crusader: The Crusader should now be in Position 2 and should activate Bulwork of Faith (+40% PROT lasts for entire battle), use Inspiring Cry to stress relieve party if necessary, in preparation for "Apex Predator" Vestal: Use Divine Grave or Divine Comfort to party heal in preparation for "Apex Predator" Houndmaster: Guard Dog (+25 DODGE stackable) in preparation for "Apex Predator" Leper: Use Withstand (+40% PROT for 3 rounds) and make sure to consume medicinal herbs after using Revenge in the early stage to get rid of the debuffs. in preparation for "Apex Predator" Late Stage Strategy (Croc @ position 1/2 POST-APEX PREDATOR): Crusader: If you have Bloodlust, double buff with 2 vials of blood, and use Smite Vestal: If you have Bloodlust, double buff with 2 vials of blood, and use Judgement Houndmaster: If you have Bloodlust, double buff with 2 vials of blood, and use Hounds Rush Leper: If you have Bloodlust, double buff with 2 vials of blood, and use Chop I recorded a Champion Lvl 5 Croc Run for you guys on twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/15607383... Enjoy and please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. http://i.imgur.com/O99cyo5.png Time to take this reptilian bloodsucker down! :)