Looks like you want to frontload your damage, since once the gargoyle stops moving it seems to get buffed up. Though it may not apply to all damage types:
You punch the gargoyle, throwing the whole weight of your body behind it and dealing 12 melee damage.
The gargoyle drops down on you, viciously clawing you for 1 melee damage.
You slam into the gargoyle and deal 12 melee damage before it can fend off the attack.
The gargoyle tears into you with its claws for 1 melee damage.
You latch onto the gargoyle and tear a chunk out of it with your teeth, dealing 13 melee damage.
The gargoyle bites into you with crushing force for 1 melee damage.
You grab the gargoyle to shake it for 12 melee damage, but its stony flesh turns aside all but 1 damage.
The gargoyle stops moving.
The gargoyle remains motionless.