The 25 Best FromSoftware Bosses

FromSoftware has cemented its place as a leading developer of action RPGs, crafting unforgettable journeys through grim, dark worlds brimming with both terror and wonder. While their innovative level and lore design are unparalleled, FromSoftware's enduring legacy will likely always be their bosses: brutally challenging, often horrific foes that push players to their absolute limits.

For their next game, Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware is doubling down on boss encounters. This roguelike-inspired co-op game is purely combat-focused, with each playthrough presenting players with increasingly difficult boss battles. As the first trailer revealed, some familiar faces from the Dark Souls series, such as the majestic Nameless King, will be making a return.

This isn't a list of the *hardest* bosses. This is a list of the greatest bosses in FromSoftware history. We considered battles across the "Soulsborne" games—Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy. Our assessment encompassed challenge, music, setting, mechanical complexity, lore significance, and numerous other factors. The following are our 25 favorites, judged across all these criteria.

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)

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Conceptually, Demon's Souls' Old Monk is a brilliant example of FromSoftware's innovative approach to PvP multiplayer invasions. Instead of a standard AI-controlled boss, the Old Monk can be controlled by another player. The challenge varies depending on the player's skill, but the encounter effectively reminds you that enemy players can appear at any time, even during a boss fight.

24. Old Hero (Demon’s Souls)

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While many of Demon's Souls' bosses have been surpassed by later, more refined designs, its puzzle-like boss encounters remain fascinating. Old Hero exemplifies this; a tall, glowing ancient warrior who is blind. His attacks are indiscriminate, but his blindness makes evasion relatively easy. However, he can hear you, transforming the fight into a stealth-like experience. It's not difficult, following a pattern of sneaking in, striking, and waiting for him to reset. Despite its simplicity, Old Hero is unique, laying the groundwork for 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)

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Dragons are often formidable bosses in FromSoftware games, but early dragon encounters in Dark Souls and Demon's Souls felt like prototypes compared to later iterations. Dark Souls 2's Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon, marks a turning point. This incredibly difficult fight, set within a poisonous cavern and accompanied by powerful music, established the epic scale and terror of future dragon encounters.

22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)

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Bloodborne features numerous eldritch creatures, but Ebrietas embodies the game's Lovecraftian influences. A mass of tentacles and wings, she is the being worshipped by the Healing Church and the source of Blood Ministration, a key element of Bloodborne's narrative. While not as terrifying as her backstory suggests, her fight is thematically rich; her most devastating attack tears open the cosmos, unleashing arcane energy, while her blood inflicts Frenzy, a status effect that slowly drives you insane. A truly Lovecraftian experience.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

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Arguably the hardest fight in Dark Souls 2, the Fume Knight combines speed and power. He dual-wields weapons, using a longsword for quick attacks and a greatsword for heavy damage, later combining them into a giant flame sword. His difficulty is noteworthy, but the fight is also incredibly engaging. FromSoftware's duels often pit you against either a fast or heavy opponent; the Fume Knight uniquely blends both styles.

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

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Bayle the Dread is memorable in its own right, being one of the hardest bosses in a DLC already known for its challenging encounters. What truly elevates it is the presence of the NPC ally, Igon. His intense hatred for Bayle, expressed both before and during the fight, adds another layer to this already thrilling battle against a fearsome dragon.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

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Every FromSoftware game has an early challenge that tests the player's understanding of the mechanics. Bloodborne's Father Gascoigne is perhaps the best example. Mindless aggression will be punished, as will relying solely on reflexes. To defeat him, you must utilize the environment, manage your aggression, and ideally learn to parry his attacks—essential skills for later encounters.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

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Elden Ring is full of spectacle, but few encounters match the scale of Starscourge Radahn and his vast battlefield. The battle, while less challenging now due to a patch, remains one of Miyazaki's most inventive. The ability to summon numerous NPC companions adds to the epic feel, making it a truly memorable encounter.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

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FromSoftware's games are often melancholic, but few moments are as emotionally resonant as fighting Great Grey Wolf Sif. Artorias' loyal companion, Sif guards his grave, wielding his greatsword. While not the most challenging fight, its atmosphere and story implications leave a lasting impact, highlighting the moral ambiguity of FromSoftware's worlds.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

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Maliketh is arguably one of the most aggressively designed bosses in Soulslike history. Even in his first phase, he relentlessly attacks, dodging and throwing rocks. His true form is even more terrifying, with long, unpredictable combos that leave little room for error. Despite the difficulty, Maliketh remains memorable for the intense, high-stakes nature of the entire fight.

15. Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)

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The Dancer of the Boreal Valley is visually stunning and mechanically unique. Her erratic fighting style and unusually timed animations keep players constantly guessing, making prediction difficult. The eerie figure and dance-like movements are a testament to the game's animation team.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

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The first encounter with Genichiro Ashina, a short but memorable fight, takes place in a field of reeds at night. The rematch atop Ashina Castle is an epic duel, requiring skill and strategy. Deflecting lightning back at your foe is a highlight, showcasing Sekiro's unique swordplay.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

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In Sekiro's final act, progressing towards the Purification ending involves fighting Wolf's father, Owl. The fight is emotionally charged, with Owl being one of the game's most aggressive and powerful bosses. His arsenal includes shuriken, smoke, and a spectral owl for teleportation, making for a challenging and memorable encounter.

### Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

While this list focuses on FromSoftware's "Soulsborne" games, it's worth mentioning Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Three bosses stand out: AA P07 Balteus, a fast and challenging encounter; IA-02: Ice Worm, a cinematic battle utilizing allied NPCs and a mega-cannon; and IB-01: CEL 240, with a dynamic second phase that showcases the game's unique projectile-dodging action.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

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The Soul of Cinder embodies the essence of Dark Souls. The final boss of Dark Souls 3, this manifestation of every Lord who linked the Flame fights with an unpredictable array of styles, referencing past bosses and culminating in a powerful reflection of the original Dark Souls' final encounter.

11. Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel)

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A brutal three-phase fight, Sister Friede is arguably the most punishing boss in the Dark Souls series. Her relentless aggression makes dealing damage a significant challenge. The middle phase introduces Father Ariandel, creating a challenging dual boss encounter.

10. Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)

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Bloodborne's most infamous foe, Orphan of Kos is a terrifyingly fast and aggressive boss. His unpredictable combos and use of his own placenta as a weapon make for a truly nightmarish encounter.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

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Malenia's impact on the gaming community is undeniable. This incredibly challenging two-stage fight, featuring her deadly Waterfowl Dance and her rot-based attacks, is one of Elden Ring's most memorable and visually spectacular encounters.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

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Sekiro's Guardian Ape is comically grotesque, utilizing poison gas and feces as part of its attacks. However, the fight's true trickery lies in its second phase, where the seemingly defeated ape reanimates, creating a shocking and memorable encounter.

7. Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss)

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Artorias, a tragic figure in Dark Souls' lore, is also an exhilarating boss fight. His rapid attacks and tricky combos make for a challenging and rewarding encounter, often considered a rite of passage for mastering Dark Souls.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

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The Nameless King is a prime example of a perfect Dark Souls boss. Challenging but fair, his two-phase fight, featuring a dragon mount and a grounded duel, is visually stunning and musically memorable.

5. Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)

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The two-on-one fight against Ornstein and Smough established the template for many subsequent double boss encounters. The unique mechanic of one absorbing the other's power upon death makes this a truly unforgettable and influential fight.

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

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Ludwig is arguably Bloodborne's most complex boss, constantly evolving throughout the fight with new moves and attacks. His ferocity and the depth of his lore make him a memorable and challenging encounter.

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

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The final boss of Dark Souls 3's DLC, Slave Knight Gael is a truly mythical encounter. His two-phase fight, with his transformation in the second phase, is visually spectacular, musically powerful, and deeply connected to the overarching narrative of the Dark Souls series.

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

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Lady Maria is a technically accomplished and intensely challenging duel. Her use of twin swords and a pistol, combined with her blood powers, creates a thrilling and memorable fight.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

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Isshin, the Sword Saint, embodies the best aspects of Sekiro's combat system. This four-phase fight, a culmination of everything learned throughout the game, is a relentless but elegant duel that provides an unmatched sense of accomplishment upon victory.

Victory achieved. Prey slaughtered. Enemy felled. Our choices and ranking of the top 25 FromSoftware bosses is complete. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know your picks in the comments. You can also rank these 25 bosses yourself using the IGN Tier List tool below.

### Top 25 FromSoftware Bosses

### Top 25 FromSoftware Bosses