FromSoftware: A Pantheon of Epic Boss Battles – Ranking the 25 Greatest
FromSoftware has redefined action RPGs, crafting unforgettable journeys through dark and wondrous realms. While their level and lore design are unparalleled, their enduring legacy rests on their bosses: brutally challenging, often terrifying adversaries that test your skills to the limit.
Their upcoming title, Elden Ring Nightreign, a roguelike co-op experience, doubles down on boss encounters, presenting players with increasingly difficult challenges in each playthrough. Returning favorites from the Dark Souls series, such as the formidable Nameless King, are confirmed.
This isn't a list of the hardest bosses, but rather a celebration of the greatest, considering battles across the "Soulsborne" series (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy). We evaluated challenge, music, setting, mechanical complexity, lore significance, and more. Here are our top 25:
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Old Monk (Demon's Souls)
The Old Monk ingeniously blends PvP into the PvE experience. Controlled by another player, the challenge varies, but its unique design highlights the ever-present threat of online invasions, even during boss fights.
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Old Hero (Demon's Souls)
Demon's Souls' puzzle-like encounters are fascinating. The Old Hero, a blind ancient warrior, relies on sound, turning the fight into a stealth-like challenge. Its simplicity belies its innovative approach, foreshadowing later bosses like Rennala (Elden Ring) and the Folding Screen Monkeys (Sekiro).
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Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King)
Dragons often pose significant challenges, but Sinh elevates the dragon encounter. Set within a poisonous cavern and accompanied by powerful music, Sinh sets the standard for epic and terrifying dragon fights in subsequent FromSoftware games.
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Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)
Ebrietas embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian horror. A central figure in the Healing Church's lore, her attacks, including cosmic energy blasts and Frenzy-inducing blood, perfectly capture the game's themes.
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Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)
Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest boss, the Fume Knight masterfully blends speed and power. His dual-wielding style and devastating flame attacks create a thrilling and challenging encounter.
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Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
Bayle the Dread is a formidable opponent, even among the challenging bosses of Elden Ring's DLC. The emotional intensity is amplified by the presence of the NPC ally, Igon, whose hatred for Bayle adds another layer to the already epic battle.
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Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)
Father Gascoigne serves as a crucial early-game test. Mastering his fight requires environmental awareness, strategic offense, and skillful parrying, teaching players essential skills for later encounters.
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Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)
Radahn's colossal scale and inventive battle design are unforgettable. The ability to summon NPC allies adds to the epic feel, culminating in a truly earth-shattering moment.
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Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)
Sif's fight is emotionally resonant, guarding Artorias' grave. The atmosphere and narrative weight make this a memorable and poignant encounter.
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Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)
Maliketh is relentlessly aggressive, even in his first phase. His brutal combos and surprising attacks make for a high-intensity and memorable fight.
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Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)
The Dancer's unique fighting style and unpredictable animations create a visually stunning and technically challenging encounter.
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Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)
Genichiro's fight, especially the rematch atop Ashina Castle, is an epic duel that tests the player's mastery of Sekiro's deflecting mechanics.
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Owl (Father) (Sekiro)
Fighting Owl, your father figure, is emotionally charged. His aggressive attacks and use of gadgets create one of the game's most challenging and memorable battles.
Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6
- AA P07 Balteus: A swift and challenging gatekeeper.
- IA-02: Ice Worm: A cinematic battle utilizing allied NPCs.
- IB-01: CEL 240: A dramatic encounter with a rapid-fire second phase.
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Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)
The Soul of Cinder, a culmination of all Lords of Cinder, embodies the essence of Dark Souls. His unpredictable fighting style and final phase mirroring Gwyn's create a fitting and memorable conclusion.
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Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel)
Sister Friede's three-phase fight is relentlessly punishing. The combination of Friede's aggression and Father Ariandel's fiery attacks makes this one of the series' most demanding battles.
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Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Orphan of Kos is terrifyingly fast and aggressive. His unpredictable combos and grotesque appearance make this a truly nightmarish encounter.
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Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)
Malenia's notoriety is undeniable. Her challenging two-stage fight, featuring the deadly Waterfowl Dance and devastating Scarlet Rot, cemented her place in gaming culture.
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Guardian Ape (Sekiro)
The Guardian Ape's comedic elements, including its use of gas and feces, contrast sharply with its brutal second phase, making it a uniquely memorable and unsettling encounter.
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Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss)
Artorias' tragic backstory and challenging fight make him a memorable and significant boss. His speed and tricky combos make defeating him a significant accomplishment.
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Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)
The Nameless King is a near-perfect example of a Dark Souls boss. His two-phase fight, featuring a dragon mount and a thrilling ground duel, is both challenging and visually spectacular.
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Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)
Ornstein and Smough's two-on-one fight established the template for this type of encounter. Their unique mechanics and influence on the genre make them unforgettable.
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Ludwig, The Accursed/Holy Blade (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Ludwig's complex fight evolves across two phases, requiring mastery of Bloodborne's aggressive combat. His tragic backstory adds depth to the encounter.
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Slave Knight Gael (Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City)
Gael's fight is epic in scale and narrative significance. His two phases, along with the powerful soundtrack and setting, create a truly memorable and climactic encounter.
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Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Lady Maria is a technically brilliant duel. Her use of twin swords, pistol, and blood powers creates a thrilling and intense fight.
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Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)
Isshin, the Sword Saint, embodies Sekiro's refined combat. His four-phase fight is a masterclass in challenging yet elegant boss design, culminating in an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
This ranking reflects our opinions. What are your favorite FromSoftware boss battles? Let us know!
