FromSoftware, the masters of challenging action RPGs, have gifted us unforgettable journeys through grim, wondrous landscapes. Their unparalleled level and lore design is impressive, but their enduring legacy rests on their bosses: terrifying, intensely challenging foes that push players to their limits. Elden Ring Nightreign, their next game, doubles down on this legacy. This roguelike-ish co-op title is pure combat, each run escalating the boss difficulty. The first trailer even teased returning Dark Souls foes, including the magnificent Nameless King.
This isn't a list of the *hardest* bosses, but the *greatest*. We considered battles across the "Soulsborne" series—Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy—judging not only difficulty, but music, setting, mechanics, lore, and more. Here are our 25 favorites.
This isn't a list of the most difficult bosses. This is a list of the *greatest* bosses in FromSoftware history.
25. Old Monk (Demon’s Souls)
The Old Monk cleverly uses player-controlled invasions, showcasing FromSoftware's innovative take on PvP. While the challenge depends on the invader's skill, it's a chilling reminder that enemies can appear anytime, even during boss fights.
24. Old Hero (Demon’s Souls)
Demon's Souls' puzzle-like boss encounters are fascinating. Old Hero, a blind, powerful warrior, is the best example. His inability to see you makes combat a stealth game; you must listen for his movements, strike, and retreat. Though not difficult, it's unique and foreshadows later bosses like Elden Ring's Rennala and Sekiro's Folding Screen Monkeys.
23. Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King)
Dragons are often tough, but early encounters felt like prototypes. Sinh changed that. This challenging fight in a poisonous cavern, with its powerful music, sets the standard for epic dragon battles in FromSoftware games.
22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)
Ebrietas perfectly embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian horror. A monstrous being central to the Healing Church and Blood Ministration, her battle is thematically rich. Her attacks, ripping open the cosmos and inflicting Frenzy, are pure Lovecraftian nightmare fuel.
21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)
Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest fight, the Fume Knight is a whirlwind of speed and power. Dual-wielding weapons, he seamlessly transitions between fast strikes and devastating heavy blows, culminating in a fiery giant sword. Despite his difficulty, he's incredibly fun to fight.
20. Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
Already a challenging boss in a difficult DLC, Bayle the Dread is elevated by the NPC ally, Igon. His intense hatred for Bayle, expressed throughout the fight, adds another layer to this epic dragon encounter.
19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)
Every FromSoftware game has an early challenge that tests player understanding of the mechanics. Father Gascoigne is Bloodborne's masterpiece in this regard. He forces players to learn environmental awareness, measured aggression, and gun parries—essential skills for the rest of the game.
18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)
Elden Ring is full of spectacle, but few match Radahn's scale. This gravity-manipulating boss provides an inventive battle, allowing players to summon various NPCs for a truly epic fight culminating in a world-altering moment.
17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)
Sif, Artorias' loyal wolf, guards his grave, wielding his greatsword. While not the hardest fight, the atmosphere and story make it emotionally resonant, highlighting the moral ambiguity of FromSoftware's worlds.
16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)
Maliketh is aggressively relentless. Even in his first phase, he's a whirlwind of attacks. His second phase, revealing his true form, is even more intense, offering little room for error. The high-intensity combat makes him a memorable Elden Ring boss.
15. Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)
Visually stunning and technically unique, the Dancer utilizes unpredictable animations and long-range attacks to keep players guessing. Her dance-like movements add to her eerie presence.
14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)
Genichiro's first encounter is a short, memorable fight. The rematch atop Ashina Castle is an epic duel, testing players' mastery of parrying and deflecting, particularly against his lightning attacks. It's a crucial test of Sekiro's core mechanics.
13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)
Fighting your father, Owl, is emotionally charged. He's one of Sekiro's most aggressive and powerful bosses, using shuriken, smoke, and a spectral owl to teleport, demanding precision and skill to overcome.
Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6
While focusing on "Soulsborne" games, Armored Core 6 deserves recognition. Three bosses stand out:
AA P07 Balteus, a fast and merciless boss with swarms of missiles; IA-02: Ice Worm, a cinematic battle utilizing allies and off-screen weaponry; and IB-01: CEL 240, with a dramatic, projectile-heavy second phase.
12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)
The Soul of Cinder embodies Dark Souls. This amalgamation of past Lords of Cinder fights with unpredictable styles and weaponry, culminating in a second phase mirroring Gwyn's moves from the original Dark Souls—a fitting end to the trilogy.
11. Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel)
A brutal three-phase fight, Sister Friede is arguably Dark Souls' most punishing boss. Her relentless aggression and the addition of Father Ariandel in the second phase create a challenging and memorable encounter.
10. Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Orphan of Kos is Bloodborne's most infamous foe, a terrifyingly fast and aggressive boss with unpredictable combos and grotesque attacks. His use of his own placenta as a weapon adds to the nightmarish experience.
9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)
Malenia's cultural impact is undeniable. This incredibly challenging two-phase fight, featuring her deadly Waterfowl Dance and devastating rot attacks, is visually spectacular and deeply rooted in Elden Ring's lore.
8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)
The Guardian Ape is comedically grotesque, using farts and feces as attacks. But its second phase, after seemingly being defeated, is a shocking and effective twist, making it a truly memorable fight.
7. Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss)
Artorias' tragic backstory adds depth to this exhilarating fight. His rapid attacks and tricky combos make defeating him a significant accomplishment, feeling like a rite of passage for Dark Souls players.
6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)
The Nameless King is a near-perfect Dark Souls boss. Challenging yet fair, his two-phase fight—a dragon mount duel followed by a grounded combat—is visually stunning and sonically unforgettable.
5. Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)
The two-on-one fight against Ornstein and Smough is iconic, establishing the template for future double-boss encounters. The second phase, where the surviving boss absorbs the other's power, adds another layer of challenge and memorability.
4. Ludwig, The Accursed/Holy Blade (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Ludwig is one of Bloodborne's most complex bosses, constantly evolving throughout the fight with a vast array of attacks. His speed and ferocity demand aggressive play and precise timing to overcome.
3. Slave Knight Gael (Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City)
Gael's fight feels mythical. The final boss of The Ringed City, his two-phase battle—a beastly first phase followed by a godlike second—is a culmination of the Dark Souls trilogy's story and gameplay, soundtracked by an epic orchestral score.
2. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Lady Maria is a technically brilliant duelist. Her elegant yet deadly attacks, combined with her blood powers in the second phase, create a breathtaking and intensely challenging fight.
1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)
Isshin embodies Sekiro's combat system. This four-phase battle, incorporating elements from previous encounters and demanding mastery of parrying, deflecting, and posture management, is a perfect blend of challenge and elegance, providing an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
Our top 25 is complete. Let us know your favorites!
