Tried 100 times probably. If anyone can come help, I'd be greatly appreciative!

Finally beat him solo after about 2 solid weeks of trying at least 2hrs a day. Don't give up skeleton!

I would offer to help you but I deleted the game afterwards :(

It's been a while, but rest assured—if you're good enough to reach the Orphan, you're good enough to beat the Orphan. Don't despair.

I don't recall specific details about the fight as well as I'd like, but always remember the fundamentals of Bloodborne:

• Dodging into your enemies' attacks is often more beneficial than dodging away.
• With humanoid enemies, the Orphan included, parries are tremendously effective. Try to fire your gun during the downswing.
• Be sure to use your best weapon AND your best gems.
• Don't be afraid to use Bolt/Fire Paper to boost your damage.

I finally beat the Orphan after slamming my head against it for two days straight. It was not easy and there were several attacks I still hadn't figured out. Fight in the water for the most space.

There's no shame in using a guide to break down boss attacks. This is a good step-by-step account to help you learn what the Orphan has in its arsenal.

It took me over 30 tries, but I finally beat him labbing a bit. I took several runs just finding out which of his moves were parryable and which of his moves left him wide open to be punished. I'm not sure which weapon you're using but I've beaten him with the whirligig saw, the bowblade, and the hunters axe. I found a hunter's axe to be slightly easier, because it can be buffed with paper and it's two handed Power Attack puts him on his ass if you can charge it up. He still is massive dick, but don't give up.

I think I fought him about five to ten times, then was like '... I'm just going to go finish the game now.' So, unfortunately, he is one of the two bosses from Soulsborne games I never beat. The other being Nameless King from DS3. I can do it, I just need time and motivation. Not sure when or if I'll fight Orphan of Kos again since I'd have to get all the way through Bloodborne again, but I didn't start a new game on DS3 so I can keep trying Nameless King. I've reinstalled both games relatively recently and played them for a while, but they're not my main games right now.

I used several guides but the best tip I found was using any rune that steals health on visceral attacks. Kos seems glitched and even the weakest rune will give you a massive healing surge. I believe I had the weakest of those and two increase visceral damage runes with an increase stamina in the special rune slot. Sorry but I cannot remember any names at the moment. He is fairly easy to counter in the first phase and his second is mostly comprised of 3 or four moves only. They are fast and miserable though. I fought him about twenty or thirty times before I beat him and I never an to fight him again.