The 25 Best FromSoftware Bosses

FromSoftware: A Pantheon of Epic Boss Battles – Ranking the 25 Greatest

FromSoftware has redefined the action RPG genre, 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 latest title, Elden Ring Nightreign, a roguelike co-op game, doubles down on this legacy, featuring increasingly difficult boss encounters, including returning favorites from the Dark Souls series like the formidable Nameless King.

This isn't a list of the hardest bosses, but rather the greatest, judged across all "Soulsborne" titles (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy). We considered challenge, music, setting, mechanics, lore significance, and more. Here are our top 25:

Old Monk (Demon's Souls)

The Old Monk ingeniously blends PvP and PvE. Controlled by another player, the challenge varies, but it's a chilling reminder of the ever-present threat of online invasions, even during boss fights.

Old Hero (Demon's Souls)

Demon's Souls' puzzle-like bosses are fascinating. The Old Hero, a blind ancient warrior, relies on sound, transforming the fight into a stealth-like experience. While not difficult, its unique design foreshadows later bosses like Rennala (Elden Ring) and the Folding Screen Monkeys (Sekiro).

Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King)

Dragons are usually tough, but early iterations felt like prototypes. Sinh elevates the dragon fight, setting a new standard for epic, terrifying encounters within a poisonous cavern, accompanied by a powerful score.

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.

Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest boss, the Fume Knight blends speed and power, dual-wielding weapons and culminating in a devastating flaming greatsword attack. Despite the difficulty, the fight is incredibly engaging.

Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)

Bayle the Dread is challenging, but its unforgettable element is the NPC ally, Igon. His intense hatred for Bayle adds another layer of emotional depth to an already thrilling encounter.

Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

Father Gascoigne is a quintessential early-game challenge, teaching crucial skills like environmental awareness, measured offense, and gun parrying, essential for later battles.

Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Radahn's colossal scale and inventive battle design, allowing for NPC summons, make it an unforgettable spectacle, culminating in a truly earth-shattering moment.

Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Sif's fight is emotionally resonant, guarding Artorias' grave. The melancholic atmosphere and story implications create a lasting impact, showcasing the moral ambiguity of FromSoftware's worlds.

Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is relentlessly aggressive, even in his first phase. His second form is brutal, with long, unpredictable combos and minimal opportunities to attack. The high-intensity fight is unforgettable.

Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)

The Dancer is visually stunning and mechanically unique. Her erratic attacks and unusually timed animations keep players constantly engaged.

Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro's initial encounter is memorable, but the rematch atop Ashina Castle is an epic duel, testing your mastery of parrying and deflecting, particularly the lightning attacks.

Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Fighting Owl, your father, is emotionally charged. His aggressive attacks, gadgets, and teleportation abilities make this one of Sekiro's most challenging and thrilling encounters.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

AA P07 Balteus: A fast and challenging boss that tests your mastery of the game's mechanics.
IA-02: Ice Worm: A cinematic battle utilizing allied NPCs and various weaponry.
IB-01: CEL 240: A dramatic boss with a rapid-fire second phase emphasizing projectile dodging.

Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

The Soul of Cinder embodies the essence of Dark Souls, fighting with a variety of styles, culminating in a second phase that mirrors Gwyn's attacks from the original Dark Souls.

Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel)

Sister Friede's three-phase fight is brutally punishing. Her relentless aggression and the addition of Father Ariandel in the second phase create an unforgettable challenge.

Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)

The Orphan of Kos is terrifyingly fast and unpredictable, with lengthy combos and organic projectile attacks. A truly nightmarish encounter.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia's notoriety speaks for itself. Her two-phase fight, featuring the deadly Waterfowl Dance and Scarlet Rot, is one of Elden Ring's most challenging and memorable battles.

Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

The Guardian Ape is comically grotesque, using farts and feces as attacks. Its second phase, after a seemingly successful decapitation, is a brilliant and unexpected twist.

Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss)

Artorias' tragic backstory and challenging fight make him a memorable boss. His speed and tricky combos make victory feel like a true accomplishment.

Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

The Nameless King is a near-perfect boss. The two-phase fight, featuring a mounted dragon phase and a grounded duel, is challenging but fair, set to an incredible soundtrack.

Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)

Ornstein and Smough's two-on-one fight established the template for this type of boss battle. The added challenge of one absorbing the other's power after defeat makes it truly unforgettable.

Ludwig, The Accursed/Holy Blade (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)

Ludwig's complexity lies in his evolving moveset across two phases, demanding mastery of Bloodborne's aggressive combat style. His tragic backstory adds another layer.

Slave Knight Gael (Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City)

Gael's fight feels truly epic. His two phases, from a crawling beast to a powerful knight wielding various abilities, culminate in a momentous victory within a desolate battlefield.

Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)

Lady Maria is a technically brilliant duel, demanding precise parrying and dodging. Her blood magic adds intensity to this unforgettable encounter.

Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin, the Sword Saint, embodies Sekiro's refined combat system. His four-phase fight is a relentless test of skill, demanding mastery of every technique learned throughout the game. His fight is a deadly dance of precision and elegance.