Navigating the challenging world of Bloodborne requires a strategic approach to tackling its formidable bosses. This guide outlines the optimal boss order to enhance your gameplay experience, ensuring you're well-prepared for each encounter.
Table of Contents
- The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
- Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
- Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne
- Our Best Boss Order, Explained
- Cleric Beast (Optional)
- Father Gascoigne
- Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
- Vicar Amelia
- The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
- Shadow of Yharnam
- Rom, the Vacuous Spider
- Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
- The One Reborn
- Martyr Logarius (Optional)
- Amygdala (Optional)
- Celestial Emissary (Optional)
- Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
- The Old Hunters Bosses
- Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
- Mergo’s Wet Nurse
- Gehrman, the First Hunter
- Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
Bloodborne offers multiple paths to victory, with not all bosses being mandatory for completing the game. However, defeating as many bosses as possible can significantly enhance your gameplay and rewards. This guide provides both the non-optional and complete boss orders, along with detailed strategies for each encounter.
In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses from The Old Hunters DLC. While you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally recommended to tackle it towards the end of the game. The timing of the DLC can affect certain dialogues, so consider this when planning your route.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Here's the recommended sequence for the non-optional bosses in Bloodborne:
- Father Gascoigne
- Vicar Amelia
- Shadow of Yharnam
- Rom, the Vacuous Spider
- The One Reborn
- Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
- Mergo’s Wet Nurse
- Gehrman, the First Hunter
- Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne
For those aiming to conquer every boss, here's the suggested order:
- Cleric Beast (Optional)
- Father Gascoigne
- Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
- Vicar Amelia
- The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
- Shadow of Yharnam
- Rom, the Vacuous Spider
- Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
- The One Reborn
- Martyr Logarius (Optional)
- Amygdala (Optional)
- Celestial Emissary (Optional)
- Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
- Ludwig the Accursed/Holy Blade (DLC/Optional)
- Laurence, the First Vicar (DLC/Optional)
- Living Failures (DLC/Optional)
- Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (DLC/Optional)
- Orphan of Kos (DLC/Optional)
- Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
- Mergo’s Wet Nurse
- Gehrman, the First Hunter
- Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Our Best Boss Order, Explained
Cleric Beast (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can deal significant damage. To defeat it, stay behind it and target its hind legs to trip it up, then attack its head when it's down.
Father Gascoigne
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
Father Gascoigne, a crazed hunter, presents one of the first major challenges in the game. His quick movements and frequent use of his gun make him a formidable opponent. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to quickly defeating him.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam
Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough adversary with high health and powerful attacks. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to take it down more easily.
Vicar Amelia
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward
Vicar Amelia, a massive beast with self-healing abilities, is found in the Cathedral Ward. Attack her when she's immobile during self-healing, but be cautious of her glowing body, which signals her healing phase.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane
The Witch of Hemwick is unique as she remains invisible at a distance and fights alongside her henchmen. Approach her to reveal her position, often found in corners, and use your firearm to attack her effectively.
Shadow of Yharnam
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forbidden Woods
The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club and can be defeated with a strategic approach. Dodge its swings, shoot its head with your gun, and slash its legs with your knife to expose its vulnerable underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake
Located at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth, Rom uses poisonous and physical attacks and summons spiders. Quickly eliminate the spiders and attack Rom when possible. Be aware that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially causing you to miss certain elements if not explored beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol
Found in Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village, Darkbeast Paarl is a formidable creature. It's recommended to face this boss after defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider, to maintain the best boss fight order.
The One Reborn
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar'gul Unseen Village
The One Reborn in Yahar'gul Unseen Village uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge when it raises its arms, and attack when it's down. Be prepared to deal with summoned smaller enemies during the fight.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst
Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Mastering the parry timing is essential to dealing significant damage to him, though it may take some practice.
Amygdala (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier
Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles, is one of the toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Her various attacks can quickly deplete your health, making this a harrowing encounter.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward
The Celestial Emissary is fast and dangerous, capable of grabbing you with its long arms. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back when possible.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Micolash requires you to chase him around his arena, dealing with magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, be cautious of his potent attacks. A common strategy is to use poison knives to take him down.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear order. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence's Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss in this area. Then, face the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of which are challenging encounters.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair
Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be cautious when she slams her head on the ground, as it can cause significant damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Mergo's Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles, eventually obscuring your vision with fog. Focus on avoiding damage during this phase. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as you're nearing the game's end.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, uses a scythe and firearms. Mastering parrying can make this fight manageable once you understand his attack timings.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
To face the Moon Presence, the true final boss, you must collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to encounter the Moon Presence. Her attacks include tail and claw strikes, as well as orbs of darkness. With caution and the skills you've honed throughout the game, you should be able to overcome this final challenge.
And that's the best Bloodborne boss order! For more on Bloodborne, explore our coverage of the Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake, and other FromSoftware titles like Armored Core VI.
Related: How to Access the Hunter’s Nightmare for Bloodborne DLC on Attack of the Fanboy
Update: This article was updated on 2/3/2025 by Escapist Editorial to include more information about the various bosses, provide a high-level summary of the boss order, and to include the bosses from the Old Hunters DLC.
