Top 25 FromSoftware Bosses Ranked

FromSoftware has solidified its reputation as a premier developer of action RPGs, crafting unforgettable journeys through grimdark worlds filled with both horror and wonder. Central to their acclaim are their bosses—challenging, often terrifying adversaries that test players' skills to the brink. In their upcoming game, Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware is doubling down on this focus, creating a roguelike co-op experience centered entirely on combat, with each run featuring increasingly difficult boss encounters. Notably, the first trailer showcased the return of iconic foes from the Dark Souls series, including the majestic Nameless King.

This article isn't about the most difficult bosses; rather, it's a celebration of the greatest boss fights FromSoftware has ever created. We've considered battles from across their "Soulsborne" games—Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy. Our evaluation goes beyond mere difficulty, encompassing elements like music, setting, mechanical complexity, and lore significance. Here are our top 25 picks, based on these criteria.

25. Old Monk (Demon’s Souls)

Conceptually, the Old Monk from Demon’s Souls stands out for its innovative approach to PvP multiplayer invasions. Instead of a traditional AI-controlled boss, the Old Monk can be controlled by another player, making the challenge dependent on the skill of the summoned player. This unique mechanic 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 overshadowed by later, more refined designs, its puzzle-style encounters remain fascinating. Old Hero, a towering, blind ancient warrior, exemplifies this. His inability to see you forces a stealth-like approach, where you must sneak and strike at his ankles before retreating. This unique fight laid the groundwork for future esoteric 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)

Dragons are typically formidable foes in FromSoftware’s games, but early dragon fights felt like prototypes compared to later epic encounters. Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon, marks a turning point, offering a challenging battle in a poisonous cavern, accompanied by swelling music. This fight set the standard for the awe-inspiring dragon battles that followed.

22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)

Among Bloodborne’s eldritch horrors, Ebrietas embodies the game’s Lovecraftian themes. As the creature worshipped by the Healing Church and the origin of Blood Ministration, she's central to the game's narrative. Her attacks, including cosmic energy volleys and blood-induced Frenzy, create a thematically rich and memorable showdown.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Arguably the toughest fight in Dark Souls 2, Fume Knight combines speed and power, wielding a longsword and a massive Buster Sword-style blade. His ability to merge these into a giant flame sword adds to the challenge. Despite his difficulty, the fight is engaging and fun, blending elements of both speed and strength.

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

Bayle the Dread's fight is memorable not just for its difficulty but for the presence of NPC ally Igon, whose passionate hatred for Bayle adds an unforgettable layer of intensity to the battle against this fearsome dragon.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

Every FromSoft game has an early boss that tests players' understanding of the game’s mechanics. Father Gascoigne in Bloodborne is a prime example, requiring players to use the environment, manage their offense, and master parrying to succeed. Overcoming him is crucial for tackling future challenges.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Elden Ring's Starscourge Radahn fight is a spectacle of scale and spectacle, set on a vast battlefield during a festival. Despite a patch reducing his initial challenge, the battle remains inventive, with the ability to summon numerous NPC allies adding to its epic feel. The fight culminates in a dramatic, earth-shattering conclusion.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Great Grey Wolf Sif's fight is laden with melancholy, as players must confront Artorias' loyal companion guarding his grave. While not the most challenging, the emotional weight and story implications make it one of the series' most enduring moments, highlighting the moral complexity of FromSoft’s worlds.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is a prime example of aggressive boss design, with relentless attacks in both phases. His transformation into the Black Blade in the second phase is particularly intense, requiring precise pattern recognition to survive. Despite the difficulty, the high-intensity fight remains one of Elden Ring's most memorable.

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

Dancer of the Boreal Valley is visually stunning and technically unique, wielding dual curved blades with erratic, dance-like movements. Her unpredictable animations keep players on their toes, making for a challenging and eerie encounter.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro Ashina's first encounter in a moonlit field of reeds is memorable, but the rematch atop Ashina Castle is truly epic. This duel tests players' mastery of Sekiro’s parrying and deflecting mechanics, culminating in the iconic moment of deflecting lightning back at the enemy.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Owl (Father) is a thrilling and emotionally charged fight, as players must confront their traitorous father. His aggressive attacks and lethal gadgets, combined with his surprising speed, make for a challenging and exhilarating battle.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

While our list focuses on FromSoftware’s "Soulsborne" games, we must acknowledge 2023’s Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. This game brought FromSoft’s signature boss fight design to the mech genre, with standout battles like AA P07 Balteus, IA-02: Ice Worm, and IB-01: CEL 240 showcasing the studio’s flair for cinematic and challenging encounters.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

As the final boss of Dark Souls 3, Soul of Cinder embodies the essence of the series. Its unpredictable fighting style, drawn from every Lord who linked the Flame, culminates in a second phase that echoes the original Dark Souls' final boss, Gwyn, creating a haunting reflection of the trilogy's beginning.

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

Sister Friede's three-phase fight is one of the most punishing in the Dark Souls series. Hidden in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, she combines relentless aggression with the challenge of fighting both her and Father Ariandel simultaneously, creating a memorable endurance test.

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

Orphan of Kos is Bloodborne’s most infamous boss, known for its terrifying speed and unpredictable combos. Its grotesque appearance and use of its own placenta as a weapon make it a nightmarish encounter that haunts players.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, became a cultural phenomenon in the gaming community. Her challenging two-phase fight at the bottom of Elden Ring’s Haligtree tests players' dueling skills, with her waterfowl dance and scarlet rot attacks creating a visually spectacular and deeply rooted narrative experience.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

Guardian Ape combines comedy with horror, using poison gas and feces as part of its attacks. The fight's twist, where the ape reanimates after being decapitated, is one of FromSoft’s most memorable surprises, turning a seemingly comedic encounter into a terrifying ordeal.

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

Artorias the Abysswalker is a tragic figure in Dark Souls' lore, and his fight is both exhilarating and challenging. His rapid attacks and tricky combos make defeating him a rite of passage for mastering the game.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

Nameless King is a perfect Dark Souls boss, offering a fair yet challenging fight. His two-phase battle, from dragon duel to ground combat, is set against a storm on Archdragon Peak, accompanied by one of the series' best musical themes.

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

Ornstein and Smough set the standard for double boss fights in FromSoftware games. Their ability to absorb each other's power after one is defeated adds a unique twist, making this fight both challenging and influential.

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

Ludwig's complex fight evolves as you progress, requiring players to embrace Bloodborne’s aggressive combat style. His transformation from a frenzied beast to a tragic figure wielding the Moonlight Great Sword encapsulates the game’s lore and challenge.

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

Slave Knight Gael's fight is the mythical conclusion to Dark Souls 3, with his transformation and powerful attacks making him the ultimate test of skill. Set against a backdrop of orchestral music and the ashes of existence, defeating Gael feels like a monumental achievement.

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

Lady Maria's fight in her horological throne room is a masterclass in technical dueling. Her twin swords and blood powers create an intense battle that requires precise dodging and parrying, culminating in a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin, the Sword Saint, represents the pinnacle of Sekiro’s focused combat system. His four-phase battle, beginning with a duel against Genichiro and culminating in a relentless fight against Isshin, showcases the game’s intricate swordplay. Conquering Isshin is a testament to mastering Sekiro’s mechanics, making it FromSoftware’s finest boss battle.

Our ranking of the top 25 FromSoftware bosses celebrates the studio's ability to create challenging, memorable, and deeply engaging encounters. Did we miss one of your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments below.