Bloodborne is an action-packed game notorious for its challenging bosses, and determining the optimal sequence to confront them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide outlines the best boss order for Bloodborne, highlighting where and when to tackle each formidable adversary.
Table of contents
The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne
Our Best Boss Order, Explained
Cleric Beast (Optional)
Father Gascoigne
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Vicar Amelia
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Shadow of Yharnam
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
The One Reborn
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Amygdala (Optional)
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
The Old Hunters Bosses
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
Navigating Bloodborne involves facing a series of challenging bosses, and while not all must be defeated to complete the game, doing so can unlock valuable rewards. We strongly suggest tackling as many bosses as you can during your playthrough. This guide presents both the non-optional and complete boss orders, with further explanation to follow.
In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses through the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide excludes the Chalice Dungeon bosses. While the DLC can be started after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to approach it near the endgame. Some players prefer tackling the DLC before facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others recommend doing so afterward, noting potential impacts on in-game dialogue.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Here's the sequence for confronting the non-optional bosses in Bloodborne:
- Father Gascoigne
- Vicar Amelia
- Shadow of Yharnam
- Rom, the Vacuous Spider
- The One Reborn
- Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
- Mergo’s Wet Nurse
- Gehrman, the First Hunter
- Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne
For those aiming to conquer every boss in Bloodborne, here's the recommended order:
- Cleric Beast (Optional)
- Father Gascoigne
- Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
- Vicar Amelia
- The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
- Shadow of Yharnam
- Rom, the Vacuous Spider
- Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
- The One Reborn
- Martyr Logarius (Optional)
- Amygdala (Optional)
- Celestial Emissary (Optional)
- Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
- Ludwig the Accursed/Holy Blade (DLC/Optional)
- Laurence, the First Vicar (DLC/Optional)
- Living Failures (DLC/Optional)
- Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (DLC/Optional)
- Orphan of Kos (DLC/Optional)
- Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
- Mergo’s Wet Nurse
- Gehrman, the First Hunter
- Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Our Best Boss Order, Explained
Cleric Beast (Optional)
The Cleric Beast, one of the initial encounters in Bloodborne, resides in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, it can inflict significant damage. A strategic approach involves attacking its hind legs to destabilize it, then targeting its head for maximum impact.
Father Gascoigne
Father Gascoigne, a deranged hunter, presents an early challenge in Bloodborne. His agility and frequent use of his firearm demand precise timing for parries, which can significantly expedite the battle.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable foe with high health and powerful strikes. Keeping a safe distance and employing fire or explosive weapons can simplify the encounter.
Vicar Amelia
Vicar Amelia, a massive beast in Cathedral Ward, uses melee attacks and has a self-healing ability. Striking during her immobile healing phase is key, but be cautious of her glowing body signaling a heal.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
The Witch of Hemwick, found in Hemwick Charnel Lane, remains invisible at a distance but can be seen up close, typically lurking in corners. Be prepared to deal with her henchmen and use your firearm effectively when she's in sight.
Shadow of Yharnam
The Shadow of Yharnam in Forbidden Woods wields a large club. Dodge its swings, shoot at its head with your gun, and slash at its legs with a knife to expose its vulnerable underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Rom, found in Moonside Lake at Byrgenwerth, requires careful management of its poisonous and physical attacks. Swiftly eliminate the summoned spiders to focus on damaging Rom. Note that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially locking out certain areas if not explored beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Located in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, Darkbeast Paarl is best approached after defeating Rom. This large creature demands strategic maneuvering to overcome.
The One Reborn
The One Reborn, also in Yahar’gul Unseen Village, utilizes both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge his arm-raising moves, and quickly eliminate summoned minions before focusing on the boss.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Martyr Logarius in Forsaken Castle Cainhurst is a formidable foe with Arcane attacks. Mastering parry timing is crucial to overcoming this challenging boss.
Amygdala (Optional)
Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles in Nightmare Frontier, is one of Bloodborne's toughest encounters due to her size and reach. Navigating her multiple attacks requires careful positioning and evasion.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
The fast-moving Celestial Emissary in Upper Cathedral Ward uses arm swings for attacks. Roll towards their legs to dodge, then counterattack, and be vigilant of their ground-based grab attacks.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Micolash in the Nightmare of Mensis requires chasing him through his arena, dealing with his magical fog and summoned minions. Cornering him and avoiding his potent attacks is key, with poison knives offering a strategic advantage.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence's Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss in this area. Then, face the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, each presenting significant challenges.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Ebrietas in the Altar of Despair uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be wary of her head-slamming move, which can cause massive damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Mergo’s Wet Nurse in the Nightmare of Mensis uses tentacles and a fast-moving water projectile, with a fog attack that obscures vision. Prioritize evasion during the fog phase. After defeating Mergo, consider completing any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, including the DLC bosses if not already done.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Gehrman, the final non-optional boss in Hunter’s Dream, wields a scythe and various firearms. Mastering parry timings can ease this encounter, paving the way to potentially end the game.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The true final boss, Moon Presence, requires three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords to be consumed before facing Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to encounter Moon Presence, who uses tails, claws, and dark orbs. While challenging, Moon Presence is generally less difficult than Gehrman, demanding caution and the application of learned skills.
And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!
For more Bloodborne insights, explore the Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake. For additional FromSoftware content, delve into Armored Core VI.
Related: How to Access the Hunter’s Nightmare for Bloodborne DLC on Attack of the Fanboy
Update: This article was updated on 2/3/2025 by Escapist Editorial to include more information about the various bosses, provide a high-level summary of the boss order, and to include the bosses from the Old Hunters DLC.
