FromSoftware has solidified its reputation as a premier developer of action RPGs, crafting unforgettable journeys through dark and mysterious worlds filled with both horror and wonder. Central to their legacy are their bosses: challenging, often horrific adversaries that test players' skills to the limit.
In their upcoming game, Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware is doubling down on this focus. This roguelike-inspired co-op title is centered entirely around combat, with each run challenging players to face an increasingly difficult array of bosses. The first trailer showcased some familiar faces from the Dark Souls series, including the majestic Nameless King, returning to haunt players once more.
This isn't just a list of the most difficult bosses; it's a compilation of the greatest boss fights FromSoftware has ever created. We've drawn from their "Soulsborne" style games—including Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy—to assess not just the challenge, but the music, setting, mechanical complexity, lore significance, and many other elements. Here are our top 25 picks, based on these criteria.
25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls)
The Old Monk from Demon's Souls stands out for its innovative approach to PvP multiplayer invasions. Instead of a traditional AI boss, the Old Monk can be controlled by another player, making the challenge dependent on the skill of the summoned player. This unique twist serves as a constant reminder that enemy players can invade your game at any moment, even during a boss fight.
24. Old Hero (Demon's Souls)
While many of Demon's Souls' bosses have been outshone by later games, its puzzle-style encounters remain a highlight in FromSoft's catalog. The Old Hero, a towering, blind ancient warrior, turns the battle into a stealth challenge as players must avoid detection by sound alone. This fight laid the groundwork for similarly esoteric encounters in future titles.
23. Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King)
Dragons in FromSoftware's games are typically formidable, and the battle against Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon, marked a significant evolution in dragon fights. Set in a poisonous cavern and accompanied by swelling music, this fight set a new standard for epic dragon encounters in later games.
22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)
Bloodborne's Ebrietas embodies the game's Lovecraftian themes, being a tentacled, winged creature central to the story's events. Her attacks, including cosmic energy volleys and blood-induced Frenzy, make for a thematically rich battle.
21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)
Arguably the toughest fight in Dark Souls 2, Fume Knight combines speed and power with dual-wielded weapons that he later merges into a devastating flame sword. His duel-style fight is both challenging and enjoyable.
20. Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
The battle against Bayle the Dread is elevated by the presence of NPC ally Igon, whose passionate hatred for the dragon adds depth and excitement to an already intense fight. It's one of the hardest and most memorable encounters in Elden Ring.
19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)
Father Gascoigne serves as a crucial early test in Bloodborne, challenging players to master the game's mechanics. Defeating him requires strategic use of the environment and precise timing, setting the stage for later battles.
18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)
The fight against Starscourge Radahn is a spectacle, set on a vast festival battlefield where players can summon numerous NPC allies. This battle's scale and epic conclusion make it a standout in Elden Ring.
17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)
The emotional weight of fighting Great Grey Wolf Sif, Artorias' loyal companion, is palpable. This battle is less about challenge and more about the poignant story it tells, leaving a lasting impact on players.
16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)
Maliketh is one of the most aggressive bosses in Soulslike history, with relentless attacks that require precise timing to counter. His high-intensity battle is unforgettable for its sheer ferocity.
15. Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)
The Dancer of the Boreal Valley is a visually stunning and technically unique fight. Her erratic movements and long limbs keep players on their toes, making for a challenging and memorable encounter.
14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)
Genichiro Ashina's battles in Sekiro are both visually striking and mechanically demanding. Facing him on a moonlit field and later atop Ashina Castle, players must master parrying and deflecting to prevail.
13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)
The fight against Owl in Sekiro is emotionally charged and physically demanding. His arsenal of gadgets and quick movements make for a thrilling battle, especially in its second phase with the spectral owl.
Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6
While focusing on Soulsborne games, we can't overlook Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Its bosses, like AA P07 Balteus, IA-02: Ice Worm, and IB-01: CEL 240, showcase FromSoft's knack for creating intense and cinematic encounters.
12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)
The Soul of Cinder encapsulates the essence of Dark Souls with its unpredictable fighting style, drawing from every Lord who linked the Flame. Its second phase, echoing the original game's final boss, provides a fitting end to the trilogy.
11. Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel)
Sister Friede's three-phase battle is one of the most punishing in the Dark Souls series. Her relentless aggression and the added challenge of fighting alongside Father Ariandel make this fight a true endurance test.
10. Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
The Orphan of Kos is Bloodborne's most infamous boss, known for its speed and unpredictability. Its grotesque design and challenging combat make it a nightmare to face.
9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)
Malenia defined the Elden Ring experience with her challenging and visually spectacular fight. Her two-phase battle tests players' skills and showcases the game's deep lore.
8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)
The Guardian Ape combines humor with horror, attacking with poison gas and feces before surprising players with a second phase where it fights with its own severed head. It's a unique and memorable encounter.
7. Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss)
Knight Artorias is a tragic figure whose fight is both exhilarating and a rite of passage for Dark Souls players. His rapid attacks and challenging combos make for an unforgettable battle.
6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)
The Nameless King is a perfect Dark Souls boss, offering a fair yet challenging fight with clearly telegraphed attacks. His two-phase battle, set against a stormy backdrop, is a visual and auditory spectacle.
5. Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)
Ornstein and Smough set the standard for double boss fights, with the surviving boss absorbing the other's power. Their fight is both challenging and influential, impacting the genre as a whole.
4. Ludwig, The Accursed/Holy Blade (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Ludwig is one of Bloodborne's most complex bosses, evolving throughout the fight and requiring players to master the game's aggressive style. His tragic backstory and the Moonlight Great Sword add depth to the encounter.
3. Slave Knight Gael (Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City)
Slave Knight Gael's fight is mythical in scope, serving as the final challenge of Dark Souls 3. His transformation and powerful attacks, set against a backdrop of orchestral music, make for a fitting end to the series.
2. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters)
Lady Maria's fight is a technical masterpiece, with her twin swords and blood powers requiring precise dodging and parrying. Her battle is both intense and satisfying to complete.
1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)
Isshin, the Sword Saint, encapsulates everything that makes Sekiro special. His four-phase battle is a thrilling test of the game's focused combat system, offering an unmatched sense of accomplishment upon victory.
Our 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
