no he is not

I wasn't able to, not for lack of trying.

I got 12k.

I got 12k.

with a game so open ended it shouldn't be a problem

You’re just bad :)

Normally I expect a boss at this time in the game to be Vordt level.
Magrit is Soul of Cinder Level

Yep super annoying that this is the first boss. Losing interest in playing the game before I even get anywhere. Good strategy developers!

You can explore so much of the map (basically all of it) before you approach this fight. You aren't forced to do it "early" its just the first must-clear boss to progress the main story. Explore dungeons, kill field bosses. Level up find better gear. And then just practice. If you die try again. You'll learn the moves eventually.

Tough fight no doubt but you have options go explore and level up then come back

Bleed certainly works well.