Cult of the Lamb combat is dodge first, hit second. The player who moves wins.
Dodge the tell
Every enemy has a tell before it hits. Learn it, dodge it, then swing in the gap. A hit avoided is better than a hit traded.
Use reach
A weapon with reach lets you hit without closing. Keep enemies at the edge of your swing and they cannot reach you while you work.
Retreat on time
Retreat when hearts are low and the next room is a question. The crusade continues if you leave. A greedy room that kills you spent the whole run.
Bosses
A bishop is phases. Dodge each tell, hold something for the turn, and swing in the gaps. You win by surviving the phases, not by out-damaging the boss.
The weapon tier list shows which weapon keeps you moving. Read it with this guide.
Survive the crusade room to room
Crusade rooms are small arenas with a telegraphed attack to dodge and a window to punish. Stay mobile — most deaths are from standing still in a poison or AoE. Use the environment (barrels, ledges) and your ranged weapon to thin enemies before they close. Darkness and cursed followers are side objectives; take them only when the room is already safe.
Weapons that keep you alive
A fast melee weapon plus a reliable ranged option lets you kite and punish without committing. The weapon tier list ranks them by mobility, not raw damage, because mobility is what keeps crusades alive. Pair it with the dodge timing from the crusade guide so any weapon works.