FromSoftware Bosses Ranked: Ultimate 25

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

FromSoftware has redefined the action RPG genre, crafting unforgettable journeys through dark and fantastical worlds. 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.

For their latest game, Elden Ring Nightreign, a roguelike co-op title, FromSoftware doubles down on boss encounters. Each run presents players with increasingly difficult bosses, including returning favorites from the Dark Souls series like the formidable Nameless King.

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

25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls)

The Old Monk cleverly integrates PvP invasions. Instead of a standard AI boss, he's potentially controlled by another player, offering a unique, skill-dependent challenge and a constant reminder of the game's unpredictable nature.

24. Old Hero (Demon's Souls)

Demon's Souls' puzzle-like bosses are fascinating. The Old Hero, a blind, powerful warrior, necessitates a stealth-based approach, making it a unique and memorable encounter despite its relative ease. This innovative design foreshadowed later bosses like Rennala (Elden Ring) and the Folding Screen Monkeys (Sekiro).

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

Dragons are often formidable, but early iterations felt like prototypes. Sinh elevates the dragon fight, setting a new standard for epic, terrifying encounters with its challenging combat and atmospheric music within a poisonous cavern.

22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)

Ebrietas embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian themes. A central figure in the Healing Church's lore, her battle is thematically rich, featuring devastating attacks and the Frenzy status effect, perfectly capturing the game's cosmic horror.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest boss, the Fume Knight is a thrilling blend of speed and power, utilizing dual weapons and a fiery greatsword for a uniquely challenging and engaging fight.

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

Bayle the Dread is a standout even within the challenging Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The fight's intensity is amplified by the emotional support of the NPC ally, Igon, whose hatred for Bayle adds another layer to the already epic encounter.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

Father Gascoigne serves as Bloodborne's early challenge, forcing players to master environmental awareness, measured aggression, and gun parrying – essential skills for later encounters.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Radahn's battle is a spectacle of scale and inventiveness. The ability to summon numerous NPCs adds to the epic feel, culminating in a memorable, earth-shattering conclusion.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Sif's fight is emotionally resonant, highlighting the game's morally grey characters and the tragic bond between Sif and Artorias. The atmosphere and story make it a truly memorable encounter.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is relentlessly aggressive, even in his first phase. His second phase, revealing his true form, is an unrelenting barrage of attacks, making for a high-intensity, unforgettable battle.

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

Visually striking and mechanically unique, the Dancer utilizes erratic movements and unpredictable attacks, making for a challenging and visually stunning fight.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro's fight, especially the later encounter atop Ashina Castle, is a memorable duel that tests mastery of Sekiro's parry and deflect mechanics.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Fighting Owl, Wolf's father, is both emotionally and physically challenging. His aggressive tactics, gadgets, and teleportation abilities make this a thrilling and memorable encounter.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

• AA P07 Balteus: A fast-paced challenge testing mastery of the game's systems.
• IA-02: Ice Worm: A cinematic battle utilizing allied NPCs and various weaponry.
• IB-01: CEL 240: A dramatic fight with a rapid-fire second phase.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

The Soul of Cinder embodies the essence of Dark Souls, fighting with unpredictable styles and recreating attacks from Gwyn, the final boss of the original Dark Souls, making it a fitting and emotionally resonant conclusion.

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

Sister Friede is a punishing three-phase fight, demanding relentless aggression and precise timing to overcome both Friede and Father Ariandel simultaneously.

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

Orphan of Kos is a terrifyingly fast and aggressive boss, utilizing unpredictable combos and organic weaponry for a truly nightmarish encounter.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia's fight is a cultural phenomenon, known for its difficulty and visual spectacle. Her two phases, featuring the deadly Waterfowl Dance and Scarlet Rot, make this a challenging yet rewarding encounter.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

The Guardian Ape is comically grotesque, utilizing farts, poop, and a shocking second phase after seemingly being defeated, making it a memorably absurd and challenging encounter.

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

Artorias' fight is a challenging yet rewarding duel against a tragic figure, testing player skill and providing a sense of accomplishment.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

The Nameless King is a perfect example of a challenging yet fair boss fight. His two phases, a dragon mount and a ground duel, are visually stunning and musically memorable.

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

Ornstein and Smough established the two-on-one boss fight template, a challenging and influential encounter that remains iconic.

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

Ludwig is a complex boss with a constantly evolving moveset across two phases, demanding precise timing and aggressive play.

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

Gael's fight is a mythical and challenging conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy, featuring a dramatic transformation and a wide array of devastating attacks.

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

Lady Maria is a technically masterful duel, demanding precise parrying and dodging, with a dramatic escalation of intensity as the fight progresses.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin, the Sword Saint, embodies Sekiro's refined combat, presenting a four-phase fight demanding mastery of every technique learned throughout the game. His precision and elegance make this the ultimate FromSoftware boss battle.

This ranking is subjective. What are your favorite FromSoftware boss fights? Let us know!