Bloodborne is a challenging game renowned for its tough bosses, and figuring out the best order to tackle them can greatly enhance your gaming experience. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the ideal boss order, ensuring you're well-prepared for each encounter and maximizing your rewards.
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 through its world, and not every boss is required to complete the game. However, defeating as many bosses as possible enriches your gameplay with valuable rewards. Below, you'll find both the non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by a detailed explanation of each encounter.
In total, there are 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses from The Old Hunters DLC. This guide focuses on the main game and DLC bosses, excluding Chalice Dungeon bosses. While the DLC can be accessed after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's advisable to tackle it near the end of the game for a smoother experience.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Here’s the recommended sequence for the non-optional bosses:
- 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 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, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can deal significant damage. To defeat it, focus on staying behind it and attacking its hind legs to make it stumble, then target its head for maximum damage.
Father Gascoigne
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
Father Gascoigne is a formidable hunter and one of your first major challenges. His quick movements and frequent use of his gun make him a tough opponent. Mastering the timing of parries is key to defeating him swiftly.
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 formidable foe with high damage output and health. Maintain distance and use fire or explosive weapons to bring it down effectively.
Vicar Amelia
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward
Vicar Amelia is a massive beast with melee attacks and self-healing abilities. When she's healing, she becomes immobile, providing a perfect opportunity to attack. Be cautious of her glowing body during self-healing and strike when the time is right.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane
The Witch of Hemwick is unique as she remains invisible from a distance and is often accompanied by henchmen. She tends to hide in corners, so approach carefully and use your firearm when she becomes visible.
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 at its head, and slash its legs to make it stumble, allowing you to attack its vulnerable underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake
Rom is found at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth. Be wary of his poisonous and powerful physical attacks, and quickly eliminate the spiders he summons. Note that defeating Rom alters the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary tasks beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol
Located in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, Darkbeast Paarl is a large, aggressive creature. It's recommended to face this beast after defeating Rom for a smoother progression.
The One Reborn
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village
The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll away from its raised arms, and take advantage of its grounded moments to attack. Be sure to deal with the smaller enemies it summons.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst
Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss who deals Arcane damage. Parry him to maximize your damage output, but be patient as the timing requires practice.
Amygdala (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier
Amygdala, a giant with tentacles and a single eye, is one of the toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Be prepared for a variety of attacks that can quickly deplete your health.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward
The Celestial Emissary is fast and uses arm swings to attack. Roll towards its legs to dodge and counterattack. Be cautious even when it's grounded, as it can grab you with its long arms.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Micolash requires you to chase him around his arena, dealing with his magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, watch out for his potent attacks. A common strategy is to use poison knives to wear him down.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence's Skull and fight Laurence. Then, tackle Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of whom are formidable foes.
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 deal massive damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles. She also employs fog to obscure your vision. Focus on evasion during these moments. After defeating her, consider completing any remaining tasks before the game's end.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
Gehrman is the last non-optional boss before the game's end. He wields a scythe and firearms, making him a challenging opponent. Mastering parries will help you overcome him.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
To face the Moon Presence, you must collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords and use them before fighting Gehrman. The Moon Presence attacks with tails, claws, and orbs of darkness but is generally less challenging than Gehrman.
And that concludes the best Bloodborne boss order! For more insights on Bloodborne, explore our coverage on the Bloodborne PSX demake, and don't miss out on 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.
