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 dark and wondrous realms. 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; this celebrates the greatest FromSoftware boss encounters across the "Soulsborne" series (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and Dark Souls). We considered challenge, music, setting, mechanics, lore, and more.

25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls)

The Old Monk ingeniously blends PvP and PvE. Controlled by another player, the challenge fluctuates, but the unexpected appearance of a human opponent during a boss fight is a memorable twist.

24. Old Hero (Demon's Souls)

Demon's Souls' puzzle-like encounters are fascinating. The Old Hero, a blind, powerful warrior, necessitates a stealthy approach. His inability to see you, coupled with his audible presence, creates a unique, less challenging yet memorable fight. He foreshadows future 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 Sinh elevates the dragon encounter. This challenging fight in a poisonous cavern, underscored by epic music, sets a new standard for future dragon battles in FromSoftware games.

22. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne)

Ebrietas embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian horror. A monstrous being central to the game's lore, her attacks, including cosmic energy blasts and Frenzy-inducing blood, are thematically rich and unforgettable.

21. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)

Potentially Dark Souls 2's hardest boss, the Fume Knight blends speed and power. His dual-wielding and fiery attacks create a thrilling, challenging, and rewarding fight.

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

Bayle's difficulty is amplified by the presence of the NPC ally, Igon. His intense hatred for Bayle adds an emotional layer to an already challenging and memorable dragon fight.

19. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne)

A crucial early-game encounter, Father Gascoigne teaches essential skills: environmental awareness, measured aggression, and gun parrying. Mastering him unlocks success in later, harder fights.

18. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring)

Radahn's massive scale and the ability to summon numerous NPCs create an epic, unforgettable battle. The sheer spectacle and the collaborative aspect elevate this fight.

17. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls)

Sif's fight is emotionally resonant. Facing Artorias' loyal companion adds a layer of sadness and moral ambiguity, making it a memorable and impactful encounter.

16. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring)

Maliketh is relentlessly aggressive. His brutal attacks and swift movements create a high-intensity fight that demands precise timing and memorization.

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

Visually stunning and mechanically unique, the Dancer's erratic movements and unpredictable attacks keep players on edge. Her dance-like movements are both terrifying and memorable.

14. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro)

Genichiro's fight, particularly the rematch atop Ashina Castle, is an epic duel. Mastering deflection and parrying against his lightning attacks is a crucial test of Sekiro's core mechanics.

13. Owl (Father) (Sekiro)

Fighting your father, Owl, is emotionally charged. His aggressive attacks, gadgets, and teleportation abilities make this a challenging and memorable final act encounter.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

AA P07 Balteus, IA-02: Ice Worm, and IB-01: CEL 240 showcase FromSoftware's continued excellence in boss design outside the Soulsborne series.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3)

The Soul of Cinder embodies Dark Souls. His unpredictable fighting style, mirroring past Lords of Cinder, creates a fitting and emotionally resonant conclusion to the trilogy.

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

Sister Friede's three-phase fight is punishing. Her relentless aggression and the addition of Father Ariandel in the second phase create a brutal but rewarding challenge.

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

Orphan of Kos is terrifyingly fast and aggressive. His unpredictable combos and grotesque appearance create a truly nightmare-inducing experience.

9. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring)

Malenia's notoriety is undeniable. Her challenging two-phase fight, featuring the iconic Waterfowl Dance, is visually spectacular and deeply rooted in Elden Ring's lore.

8. Guardian Ape (Sekiro)

The Guardian Ape is comically brutal. His attacks, including poison gas and projectile feces, are offset by the shocking second phase after his apparent defeat.

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

Artorias' tragic backstory adds depth to his challenging fight. His speed and tricky combos make him a rite of passage for Dark Souls masters.

6. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)

A perfect Dark Souls boss, the Nameless King presents a fair yet challenging two-phase fight. His lightning attacks and the epic setting make this an unforgettable encounter.

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

Ornstein and Smough established the iconic dual-boss fight. Their challenging encounter and influence on the genre solidify their place in FromSoftware history.

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

Ludwig's complexity shines through his evolving attacks. His speed, power, and tragic lore make him one of FromSoftware's most memorable creations.

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

Gael's mythical showdown is a fitting end to the Dark Souls trilogy. His challenging attacks, epic setting, and connection to the game's overarching narrative create a momentous encounter.

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

Lady Maria is a technically brilliant duelist. Her elegant and deadly attacks, combined with the emotional weight of the encounter, create a truly unforgettable fight.

1. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro)

Isshin embodies Sekiro's combat system. His four-phase fight demands mastery of parrying, deflecting, and precise timing, creating a thrilling and rewarding final battle. His elegant and deadly style makes him the ultimate FromSoftware boss.

This ranking is subjective. What are your top FromSoftware boss fights?