The 25 Best FromSoftware Bosses

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

FromSoftware has redefined action RPGs, crafting unforgettable journeys through grim, wondrous landscapes. While their level and lore design are unparalleled, their enduring legacy rests on their bosses: brutally challenging, often terrifying adversaries pushing players to their limits. This isn't a difficulty ranking; it's a celebration of the greatest FromSoftware boss fights, encompassing the "Soulsborne" series (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and Dark Souls). We considered challenge, music, setting, mechanics, lore, and more.

This isn't a list of the hardest bosses. This is a list of the greatest bosses in FromSoftware history.

25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls)

The Old Monk uniquely blends FromSoftware's PvP invasion mechanic into boss design. Controlled by another player, the challenge varies, but it effectively reminds you of the ever-present threat of online intrusion, even during boss encounters.

24. Old Hero (Demon's Souls)

Demon's Souls' puzzle-like bosses are fascinating, and Old Hero epitomizes this. A blind, powerful warrior, his attacks are easily avoided due to his blindness. However, his hearing makes the fight a stealth-based challenge, requiring strategic positioning and timing. This unique approach foreshadows 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)

While dragons are frequent FromSoftware antagonists, Sinh elevates the dragon encounter. Set within a poisonous cavern and accompanied by intense music, this challenging battle sets the standard for epic, terrifying dragon fights in later games.

22. 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 of cosmic dread and madness.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest fight, the Fume Knight masterfully blends speed and power. His dual-wielding and fiery attacks create a dynamic, challenging, and ultimately rewarding encounter.

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

Bayle the Dread is exceptionally challenging, even by Elden Ring DLC standards. However, the inclusion of the NPC ally Igon, and his visceral hatred for Bayle, adds unforgettable emotional depth to an already intense fight.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

Father Gascoigne serves as Bloodborne's early-game trial. Mastering environmental awareness, measured aggression, and gun parries is crucial for success, establishing core mechanics for later encounters.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Radahn's battle is a spectacle of scale and inventiveness. The vast battlefield and ability to summon numerous NPCs create an epic, memorable encounter, culminating in a truly earth-shattering moment.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Sif's fight is emotionally resonant. Facing Artorias' loyal companion, guarding his grave, is a poignant moment, highlighting the morally grey nature of FromSoftware's worlds.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is relentlessly aggressive. His brutal attacks and unwavering intensity, especially in his second phase, create a high-stakes, memorable encounter.

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

The Dancer is visually striking and mechanically unique. Her erratic movements and unpredictable attacks demand constant adaptation, showcasing FromSoftware's animation prowess.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro's duel, especially the Ashina Castle rematch, is an unforgettable test of Sekiro's core mechanics. Mastering parrying and deflecting, particularly his lightning attacks, is crucial for victory.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Fighting Owl, Wolf's father, is emotionally charged. His aggressive attacks, gadgets, and teleportation abilities create a thrilling, challenging encounter.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

While outside the "Soulsborne" scope, Armored Core 6's bosses deserve recognition: AA P07 Balteus (a challenging gatekeeper), IA-02: Ice Worm (cinematic, event-style battle), and IB-01: CEL 240 (dramatic, fast-paced second phase).

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

The Soul of Cinder perfectly embodies Dark Souls' essence. As a culmination of past Lords, his unpredictable fighting style, mirroring Gwyn's in the second phase, provides a powerful, nostalgic conclusion.

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

Sister Friede is a punishing, three-phase endurance test. Her relentless aggression and the addition of Father Ariandel in the second phase create an incredibly difficult but memorable fight.

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

Orphan of Kos is Bloodborne's most infamous foe. His terrifying speed, unpredictable combos, and grotesque appearance create a truly nightmarish encounter.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia's immense challenge and iconic status define her. Her Waterfowl Dance and Rot abilities demand mastery of combat and create a visually stunning, deeply challenging fight.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

The Guardian Ape is comically brutal. His primal attacks and unexpected second phase (reanimating after decapitation) create a shockingly memorable and darkly humorous experience.

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

Artorias is a tragic figure and a thrilling boss. His challenging attacks and the weight of his lore create a deeply satisfying and memorable encounter.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

The Nameless King is a near-perfect Dark Souls boss. His two-phase fight, featuring a mounted dragon phase and a grounded duel, is challenging yet fair, culminating in a breathtaking spectacle.

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

Ornstein and Smough established the iconic two-on-one boss fight. Their unique combination of speed and power, and the second phase where the victor absorbs the other's power, remains unforgettable.

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

Ludwig is Bloodborne's most complex boss. His evolving moveset and relentless attacks demand precise timing and mastery of Bloodborne's combat.

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

Gael's fight feels truly epic. His two phases, the beastly first and the powerful second, along with his deeply intertwined lore, make for a momentous, climactic battle.

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

Lady Maria is a technically brilliant duel. Her elegant yet deadly attacks, culminating in a powerful blood-infused phase, create an unforgettable, heart-pounding encounter.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin, the Sword Saint, is the pinnacle of Sekiro's combat. His four-phase fight, demanding mastery of parrying, deflecting, and all of Sekiro's mechanics, provides an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

This ranking represents our perspective. What are your top FromSoftware boss battles? Share your thoughts!