This battle illustrates the classic case of using the size differential to your advantage. With the lock-on activated, stay close to the beast and strafe your way to its sides and rear. You can deal frontal blows at the risk of being hit. At least getting damaged will give you more practice with the regain system, where you can regain lost health by fighting back. Its attacks aren’t as rapid as some of the other bosses, so feel free to use the slower, more potent R2 attack if you wish. As you reduce its health to 30% or less, the Cleric Beast will perform fewer downward strikes and more frontal sweeps. Expect to heal with blood vials more frequently during this last section.