Bloodborne is renowned for its challenging bosses, and choosing the right order to tackle them can significantly impact your gaming experience. This guide will provide you with the optimal boss order for Bloodborne, detailing where and when to face each formidable foe.
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
Navigating the boss sequence in Bloodborne can be done in several ways, as not all bosses are mandatory to complete the game. However, conquering as many bosses as possible enhances your gameplay with valuable rewards. Below, you'll find the suggested order for both non-optional and all bosses, followed by detailed strategies for each encounter.
In Bloodborne, you'll encounter 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses from the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide focuses solely on these encounters and does not include Chalice Dungeon bosses. The DLC can be started after defeating Vicar Amelia, though it's generally recommended to tackle it towards the game's end. Some players suggest engaging the DLC before Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others prefer after, noting that this choice can affect certain dialogues.
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 in Bloodborne, follow this 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, situated in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, it can deal significant damage. Position yourself behind it and target its hind legs to make it stumble, then attack its head for maximum effect.
Father Gascoigne
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
Father Gascoigne, a deranged hunter, presents a significant early challenge. His rapid movements and frequent use of a gun necessitate mastering parry timing to swiftly defeat him.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam
Located in the Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable foe with powerful strikes and high health. Maintain distance and employ fire or explosive weapons to secure victory.
Vicar Amelia
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward
Vicar Amelia, a beastly creature with melee attacks and self-healing abilities, is vulnerable when healing. Her body glows during this phase, offering a prime opportunity for attack.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane
The Witch of Hemwick can be tricky due to her invisibility from a distance. She often hides in room corners, so approach carefully and use your firearm once you spot her.
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, and slash at its legs to expose its vulnerable underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake
Rom's poisonous and physical attacks, along with summoned spiders, require quick action. Prioritize killing the spiders and then focus on dealing damage to Rom. Note that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially causing you to miss certain elements if not addressed beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol
Darkbeast Paarl, located in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, is a hulking brute best faced after Rom. Prepare for a challenging fight against this formidable creature.
The One Reborn
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village
The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Maintain distance, dodge when it raises its arms, and attack during its ground phase. Be prepared to deal with summoned smaller enemies as well.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst
Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss due to his Arcane damage. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to overcoming this formidable opponent.
Amygdala (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier
Amygdala, a giant tentacled creature, presents a tough battle due to its size and reach. Be prepared for a variety of damaging attacks and stay vigilant throughout the encounter.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward
The Celestial Emissary's fast movements and arm swings demand quick reflexes. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back effectively.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Micolash requires chasing him through his arena, dealing with magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, be cautious of his potent attacks, or use poison knives as a strategy to defeat him.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The bosses in The Old Hunters DLC follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, use Laurence’s Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss here. Then, proceed to face Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, each a formidable challenge.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair
Ebrietas employs tentacle and magical attacks. Be wary of her head slam, which can deal massive damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacle attacks and fast-moving water projectiles, eventually obscuring your vision with fog. Focus on evasion during the fog phase.
After defeating Mergo, ensure you complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as the endgame approaches. If you haven't tackled the DLC bosses yet, now is the time.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and various firearms. Master parrying to overcome this challenging encounter.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
To face the true final boss, the Moon Presence, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman’s offer and defeat him to unlock this battle. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness, but with the skills you've honed throughout the game, victory is within reach.
And that's the optimal Bloodborne boss order!
For more Bloodborne content, check out our coverage of the Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake. For other FromSoftware titles, explore 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 detailed information about the various bosses, provide a high-level summary of the boss order, and incorporate the bosses from the Old Hunters DLC.
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