Top 25 FromSoftware Bosses Ranked

FromSoftware has solidified its status as a leading developer of action RPGs, renowned for crafting unforgettable journeys through grimdark realms filled with equal parts horror and wonder. Despite their unparalleled mastery of level and lore design, it's FromSoft's bosses that have cemented their lasting legacy. These deeply challenging, often terrifying adversaries push players' skills to their limits.

In their upcoming game, Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware is doubling down on its boss-centric approach. This roguelike-inspired co-op game focuses entirely on combat, with each run challenging players against a progressively tougher lineup of bosses. Notably, the first trailer showcased some returning foes from the Dark Souls series, including the majestic Nameless King.

This isn't a list of the most difficult bosses. Rather, it's a compilation of the greatest bosses in FromSoftware's history. To determine these, we considered battles from across FromSoft's "Soulsborne" style games—Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Demon's Souls, and the Dark Souls trilogy. We evaluated not just the difficulty of each fight, but also the music, setting, mechanical complexity, lore significance, and numerous other details. Here are our top 25 favorites, based on these criteria.

25. Old Monk (Demon's Souls) The Old Monk stands out for its innovative approach to PvP multiplayer invasions. Rather than facing a traditional AI-controlled boss, players might encounter another player controlling the Monk. This unique mechanic serves as a constant reminder that enemy players can invade your game at any moment, even during a boss fight.

26. Old Hero (Demon's Souls) Though many of Demon's Souls' bosses have been outshone by later games, its puzzle-style encounters remain a highlight. Old Hero, a blind ancient warrior, challenges players to use stealth and strategy. His inability to see but ability to hear makes for a unique fight, laying the groundwork for future esoteric bosses like Elden Ring's Rennala and Sekiro's Folding Screen Monkeys.

27. Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King) Dragons have always been formidable in FromSoftware games, but Sinh marks a turning point. Fought in a poisonous cavern with swelling music, this battle against the slumbering dragon set a new standard for epic dragon encounters in subsequent games.

28. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Bloodborne) Ebrietas embodies Bloodborne's Lovecraftian themes. As the creature worshiped by the Healing Church and the origin of Blood Ministration, her battle is rich with thematic depth. Her devastating attacks, including ripping open the cosmos to unleash arcane energy, make for a memorable fight.

29. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2) Arguably the toughest fight in Dark Souls 2, Fume Knight wields both a longsword for swift attacks and a heavy Buster Sword for crushing blows. His ability to combine these into a giant flame sword adds to the challenge and fun of this duel-style fight.

30. Bayle the Dread (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree) The battle against Bayle the Dread is one of the hardest in Elden Ring's DLC, but what truly elevates it is the NPC ally, Igon. His passionate cries of hatred for Bayle add an unforgettable layer of excitement to this intense dragon showdown.

31. Father Gascoigne (Bloodborne) Every FromSoft game has a proving ground boss, and Father Gascoigne is one of the best. Early in Bloodborne, he challenges players to master the game's mechanics, requiring environmental awareness, strategic offense, and precise parrying to overcome.

32. Starscourge Radahn (Elden Ring) Radahn's battle epitomizes Elden Ring's grand scale. Fought on a vast battlefield during a festival, this oversized gravity magic user presents a visually stunning and inventive fight. The ability to summon numerous NPC allies adds to the epic feel, culminating in a battle that reshapes the game's world.

33. Great Grey Wolf Sif (Dark Souls) Sif's fight is steeped in melancholy, as players must confront Artorias' loyal wolf companion guarding his grave. Though not the most challenging, the emotional depth and story implications make this one of the series' most enduring moments.

34. Maliketh, the Black Blade (Elden Ring) Maliketh is a masterclass in aggressive boss design. From his rapid first phase to his terrifying transformation into the Black Blade, he keeps players on their toes with relentless attacks and unpredictable combos, making for a high-intensity battle.

35. Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3) The Dancer's visually stunning fight utilizes her long limbs and erratic movements to keep players guessing. Her dance-like combat style lives up to her name, making her a unique and memorable adversary.

36. Genichiro Ashina (Sekiro) Genichiro's battles, first in a field of reeds and later atop Ashina Castle, are pivotal moments in Sekiro. They test players' grasp of parrying and deflecting, culminating in an epic duel that encapsulates the game's swordsman fantasy.

37. Owl (Father) (Sekiro) Facing Owl in Sekiro's final act is both emotionally and physically challenging. His aggressive attacks and lethal gadgets, combined with his surprising agility, make for a thrilling fight that tests players' skills to their limits.

Honorable Mention: Armored Core 6

While our focus remains on FromSoftware's "Soulsborne" games, we must acknowledge 2023's Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. This game introduced boss fights built on the Soulsian tradition of pattern recognition and strategic retaliation. Three standout bosses are AA P07 Balteus, known for its relentless missile barrages; IA-02: Ice Worm, a cinematic battle involving allied NPCs and massive weapons; and IB-01: CEL 240, which showcases rapid-fire action and projectile-dodging unique to the Armored Core series.

12. Soul of Cinder (Dark Souls 3) As the final boss of Dark Souls 3, the Soul of Cinder embodies the essence of the series. Its unpredictable fighting styles, culminating in a second phase that echoes the original Dark Souls' final boss, Gwyn, make for a hauntingly beautiful conclusion to the trilogy.

13. Sister Friede (Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel) Sister Friede's three-phase fight in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC is one of the most punishing in the series. Her relentless aggression and the added challenge of fighting alongside Father Ariandel make this an endurance test of epic proportions.

14. Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters) The Orphan of Kos is Bloodborne's most infamous foe. Its fast, unpredictable attacks and grotesque appearance, including wielding its own placenta as a weapon, make it a terrifying nightmare to face.

15. Malenia, Blade of Miquella (Elden Ring) Malenia captured the gaming community's attention with her challenging two-phase fight at the bottom of Elden Ring's Haligtree. Her deadly waterfowl dance and transformation into the Goddess of Rot make this a visually spectacular and deeply rooted battle in the game's lore.

16. Guardian Ape (Sekiro) The Guardian Ape combines comedy with a shocking twist. Its initial defeat is followed by a frenzied second phase where the headless ape continues to fight, making for one of the most surprising and memorable battles in FromSoft's catalog.

17. Knight Artorias (Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss) Artorias' tragic backstory and exhilarating fight make him a standout. His rapid attacks and tricky combos provide a true rite of passage for Dark Souls players.

18. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3) The Nameless King is a perfect Dark Souls boss, offering a fair yet challenging fight. His two-phase battle, set against the backdrop of Archdragon Peak and accompanied by one of the series' best musical themes, is an unforgettable spectacle.

19. 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 the other's power upon defeat adds a layer of strategy and challenge that has influenced the genre.

20. Ludwig, The Accursed/Holy Blade (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters) Ludwig's complex fight evolves with each phase, requiring players to master Bloodborne's aggressive combat. His transformation from a frenzied beast to a wielder of the Moonlight Great Sword encapsulates the game's tragic lore.

21. Slave Knight Gael (Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City) Gael's battle is the ultimate test of skill, culminating in a mythical showdown that ties into the Dark Souls narrative. His transformation and the epic setting make this the trilogy's finest boss fight.

22. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters) Lady Maria's fight is a masterclass in technical dueling. Her twin swords and blood powers create an intense battle that showcases Bloodborne's combat at its finest.

23. Isshin, the Sword Saint (Sekiro) Isshin's four-phase battle is the pinnacle of Sekiro's focused combat system. His relentless attacks and the need to master every technique learned throughout the game make this the most satisfying and accomplished boss fight in FromSoftware's history.

With this ranking, we celebrate the top 25 FromSoftware bosses, each a testament to the studio's ability to craft unforgettable challenges and stories. Let us know your favorites in the comments, and feel free to rank these bosses using the IGN Tier List tool below.