I finally downed this son of a bitch yesterday. I did try bow and arrow lady and she was rocking it during the first phase. Once the second phase kicked in, she did jack shit. Every time. I don't understand it, it's like the game kicks into Nightmare Mode for this fight, just for me. She would fire off her arrows and they'd just never seem to land. The dragon would ultimately teleport onto her face and down into the abyss (or up into the dragon's ass, idk) she'd go.
I tried yet again with the Mimic, and this time I tried keeping the dragon's attention on me as much as possible since I don't happily run my face directly into every. Fucking. Attack. That seemed to work alright. The Mimic eventually died as always and with 1/3 health and no flasks left I managed to get the dragon down to a sliver of red.
Then, he teleports, does a couple giant laser claw swipes, I roll, he tosses out fire, I run. I turn, fire off a flame attack with the BB and he's...he's...HE'S...still alive. Shit. He teleports, I roll. I stand up and he's in the process of turning to face me and...come on controller I'm hitting the fucking butttooooonnnn come oooon...flame attack hits, YES. DONE. Jesus Christ why was this fight such on ordeal? lol I think I'd have had less trouble dealing with Malenia and the Fire Giant at the same time if it took place in a half bathroom. Guess I can finally go and beat the game now.