The 25 Best FromSoftware Bosses

FromSoftware: A Pantheon of Epic Boss Battles

FromSoftware has redefined the action RPG genre, crafting unforgettable journeys through grim, fantastical worlds. While their level and lore design are unparalleled, their enduring legacy rests on their bosses: brutally challenging, often terrifying adversaries that test players to their limits. This isn't a list of the hardest bosses, but the greatest, judged on challenge, music, setting, mechanics, lore, and overall impact. We've considered titles across FromSoftware's "Soulsborne" catalog: Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy.

25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls)

The Old Monk cleverly integrates PvP into the boss experience. Controlled by another player, the challenge varies, but the unexpected invasion during a boss fight is a memorable and unsettling twist.

24. Old Hero (Demon's Souls)

Demon's Souls' puzzle-like bosses are a unique highlight. The Old Hero, a blind warrior, relies on sound, transforming the fight into a stealth-like encounter. While not difficult, its originality is noteworthy, foreshadowing later designs like Rennala (Elden Ring) and the Folding Screen Monkeys (Sekiro).

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

Sinh elevates the classic dragon fight. Set in a poisonous cavern with an epic soundtrack, this challenging encounter sets the standard for future FromSoftware dragon battles.

22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)

Ebrietas embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian horror. A central figure in the game's lore, her attacks, including cosmic energy blasts and frenzy-inducing blood, perfectly capture the game's themes.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Arguably Dark Souls 2's hardest fight, the Fume Knight is a masterclass in aggressive design. His dual-wielding style and fiery attacks create a thrilling and challenging battle.

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

Bayle the Dread stands out, not just for its difficulty, but for the unforgettable NPC ally, Igon, whose intense hatred for the dragon adds another layer to the already epic battle.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

Father Gascoigne is Bloodborne's early-game trial by fire. Mastering his fight teaches crucial skills: environmental awareness, measured aggression, and gun parrying – all essential for later challenges.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Radahn's battle is a spectacle of scale and inventive design. The ability to summon numerous NPCs adds to the epic feel, culminating in a truly earth-shattering moment.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Sif's fight is emotionally resonant. The battle against Artorias' loyal companion is heavy with atmosphere and story, showcasing the morally grey nature of FromSoftware's worlds.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is relentless aggression personified. His brutal attacks and punishing combos make for a high-intensity fight that remains memorable for its raw power.

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

The Dancer's fight is visually stunning and mechanically unique. Her unpredictable attacks and eerie design create a memorable and challenging encounter.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro's duel is a memorable test of Sekiro's core mechanics. The fight, especially the later encounter atop Ashina Castle, is a thrilling showcase of Sekiro's parry and deflect system.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Owl's fight is both emotionally and physically challenging. His aggressive attacks, gadgets, and teleportation abilities make for a relentlessly difficult but thrilling encounter.

Armored Core 6 Honorable Mentions:

While outside the "Soulsborne" scope, Armored Core 6 deserves recognition for its Soulsian boss battles. AA P07 Balteus, IA-02: Ice Worm, and IB-01: CEL 240 showcase FromSoftware's continued excellence in boss design.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

The Soul of Cinder embodies Dark Souls' essence. This final boss, a manifestation of past Lords, fights with a diverse and unpredictable array of styles, culminating in a haunting reflection of the original game's final boss.

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

Sister Friede is a brutal endurance test. Her relentless aggression and the addition of Father Ariandel in the second phase make this one of the most punishing fights in the series.

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

Orphan of Kos is a terrifyingly fast and aggressive boss. His unpredictable combos and grotesque design make for a truly nightmarish encounter.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia's fight is a cultural phenomenon. Her challenging two-stage battle, featuring the iconic Waterfowl Dance, has cemented her place in FromSoftware's boss pantheon.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

The Guardian Ape is both comedic and brutally challenging. Its surprising second phase, after seemingly being defeated, is a memorable and effective twist.

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

Artorias' fight is a rite of passage. His challenging attacks and tragic backstory create a memorable and emotionally impactful battle.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

The Nameless King is a near-perfect Dark Souls boss. His two-stage fight, featuring a dragon mount and a thrilling ground duel, is a spectacle of skill and unforgettable atmosphere.

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

Ornstein and Smough established the iconic double boss fight. Their challenging two-stage encounter, where the surviving boss absorbs the other's power, is a landmark moment in FromSoftware's history.

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

Ludwig is a complex and challenging boss. His constantly evolving moveset and tragic backstory make him one of Bloodborne's most memorable encounters.

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

Gael's fight is a mythical culmination. His two-stage battle, with its epic soundtrack and lore significance, is a fitting end to the Dark Souls trilogy.

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

Lady Maria is a masterclass in dueling. Her elegant and deadly attacks, combined with the intense atmosphere, create a truly unforgettable fight.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin, the Sword Saint, is FromSoftware's greatest boss. His four-stage fight perfectly embodies Sekiro's combat system, culminating in a thrilling and rewarding final duel.

This ranking is subjective, and many other bosses deserve recognition. What are your favorites?