The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Template:Bestiaryinfobox2"Saying a botchling's ugly is like saying shit's not particularly tasty: can't say it's a lie, but it doesn't exactly convey the whole truth either." - Lambert, Witcher of theWolf School
Botchlings are perhaps the most repulsive creatures a Witcher will ever have the displeasure of meeting. Born of dead, unwanted babies discarded without a proper burial, their appearance is that of a partially decayed fetus, their unformed flesh twisted with hate, fear and malice. These hideous creatures feed on the blood of pregnant women, driven by mad hunger that most often leads to their victim's death.
A Botchling emerges from its lair at night to lurk by the bedside of an expectant mother, draining the strength and that of her unborn progeny as she sleeps. A women thus beleaguered first suffers from troubling dreams, then fever, delirium and general weakening of the flesh. After a few such nights she is enfeebled and unable to defend herself- it is then the Botchling attacks directly, sinking its long, sharp fangs into her body and drinking her blood until mother and fetus perish together.
A Botchling stands around a foot and half in height, but, when threatened and if gorged with blood, it can change form. At such times it grows into a deformed man, hunched over and striding ape-like, on its forearms. Stronger and fiercer after this alterations, it hurls itself into direct, physical contact, gnashing at its opponent or attacking him with sharp claws.
A Botchling's curse can be lifted by transforming it into a lubberkin- a guardian spirit of the hearth that watches over the family it never knew in the house it could never call home.
Combat
Should you choose to kill it and draw its blood, be prepared. It changes to a ghoul-ish appearance, and it fights similarly. Watch it closely and be prepared to parry and counter any of its claw swipes.
As you deal damage to it, the Botchling becomes enraged, growing spines similar to those of an Alghoul During this time, the Botchling will begin to regenerate at an alarming rate, and the spikes will harm Geralt should he attempt to strike with swords.
The Botchling is weak to Axii. Use this weakness to pacify the monster, retracting its spines and keeping it in place for you to circle around it to deliver punishing sword strikes. This also cuts off rapid regeneration.
In the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt encounters a Botchling while speaking with the Bloody Baron. If Geralt decides to have the baron embrace the disfigured child, the Botchling will become pacified, but if Geralt decides he wishes to take a different route and use the Botchlings blood the Botchling will take on a more hideous and ferocious form.
Gallery
Aggressive Botchling
The Witcher 3 Botchling Boss Fight (Hard Mode)