Navigating the dark and challenging world of Bloodborne can be daunting, especially when it comes to facing its formidable bosses. This guide aims to provide you with the optimal boss order to enhance your gameplay experience, whether you're aiming to complete the main storyline or conquer all the challenges the game has to offer.
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 a rich and immersive experience, and while it's not necessary to defeat every boss to complete the game, doing so can enrich your journey with valuable rewards. We suggest tackling as many bosses as possible to maximize your gameplay experience. Below, we'll outline the recommended order for both non-optional and all bosses, followed by detailed explanations.
In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses through The Old Hunters DLC. While you can technically start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's often recommended to delay it until closer to the game's end for a smoother experience. Some players prefer to engage with the DLC before facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others opt to do so afterward, which can influence certain dialogues.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Here's the suggested 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 looking to tackle every challenge, here's the recommended order for all bosses in Bloodborne:
- 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)
Area: Central Yharnam
The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. This aggressive boss requires you to stay behind it, attacking its hind legs to make it stumble, then striking its head for maximum damage.
Father Gascoigne
Area: Central Yharnam
Father Gascoigne, a frenzied hunter, presents one of the initial major challenges. Mastering parry timing is crucial to quickly defeating him as he uses his gun frequently and moves swiftly.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Area: Old Yharnam
Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable foe. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to overcome its high health and powerful attacks.
Vicar Amelia
Area: Cathedral Ward
Vicar Amelia, a massive beast with self-healing abilities, becomes vulnerable when she heals. Strike during these moments, but be cautious of her powerful melee attacks.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane
The Witch of Hemwick is elusive, remaining invisible at a distance. Approach her to reveal her position, typically found in room corners, and use your firearm to deal damage.
Shadow of Yharnam
Area: Forbidden Woods
The Shadow of Yharnam is manageable with a solid strategy. Dodge its weapon swings, shoot its head with your gun, and slash its legs to expose its weak underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Area: Moonside Lake
Rom's battle at Byrgenwerth involves managing his poisonous and physical attacks, as well as his summoned spiders. Quickly dispatch the spiders to focus on damaging Rom before he relocates.
Note: Defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially causing you to miss certain elements if not explored beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Area: Hypogean Gaol
Darkbeast Paarl, found in Yahar'gul's Graveyard, is a formidable opponent best tackled after Rom. Its large size and brute strength make it a challenging fight.
The One Reborn
Area: Yahar'gul Unseen Village
The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge its arm raises, and take advantage of its grounded state to land quick hits. Clear out any summoned enemies first.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst
Martyr Logarius is a tough boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Mastering parry timing is essential to significantly damage him, though it requires practice.
Amygdala (Optional)
Area: Nightmare Frontier
Amygdala's large size and tentacle reach make her a challenging boss. Her various attacks can quickly drain your health, so stay vigilant and strategic.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward
The Celestial Emissary's fast movements and arm swings require you to dodge effectively and counterattack. Be cautious of its ground-based grabs.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Micolash presents a unique challenge with his arena navigation and summoning tactics. Once cornered, be prepared for his potent attacks, or use poison knives as a strategy.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear order. After defeating Ludwig, return Laurence's Skull to the Eye Pendant location to face Laurence, the only optional boss. Then, confront Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of which are challenging encounters.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Area: Altar of Despair
Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Watch out for her head-slamming move, which can deal massive damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Mergo's Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving projectiles, eventually employing fog to obscure vision. Focus on evasion during this phase.
Note: After defeating Mergo, consider completing any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as you're nearing the game's end. If you haven't tackled the DLC bosses, now's the time.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Area: Hunter’s Dream
Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and firearms. Parrying effectively is key to overcoming his challenge.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Area: Hunter’s Dream
To face the Moon Presence, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before battling Gehrman, then refuse his offer. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and dark orbs, but with caution and learned strategies, you can prevail.
And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!
For more on Bloodborne, explore our coverage of the Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake. For additional FromSoftware content, check out 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.
