Best Bloodborne Boss Order: All Game Bosses Ranked

Bloodborne is a challenging game renowned for its tough bosses, and understanding the optimal order to tackle them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the best boss order for Bloodborne, helping you navigate the game's various challenges effectively.

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

There are multiple approaches to tackling the bosses in Bloodborne, as not all are mandatory to complete the game. However, defeating as many bosses as possible can yield significant rewards, enhancing your overall gameplay. This guide will present both the non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by a detailed explanation of each encounter.

In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses from the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide excludes Chalice Dungeon bosses. While the DLC can be started after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally recommended to tackle it closer to the end of the game. Some players suggest engaging with the DLC before facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others prefer after, which can impact certain dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

Here’s the recommended order 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

Here’s the suggested order for tackling 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. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can deal significant damage. To defeat it, stay behind it and target its hind legs to cause it to stumble, then attack its head for maximum damage.

Father Gascoigne

Area: Central Yharnam

Father Gascoigne, a crazed hunter, presents one of the first major challenges in the game. He's quick and frequently uses his gun. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to defeating him swiftly.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Area: Old Yharnam

Located in Old Yharnam’s Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable foe with high damage output. Keep your distance and utilize fire or explosive weapons to take it down more easily.

Vicar Amelia

Area: Cathedral Ward

Vicar Amelia, a massive beast, uses melee attacks and has a self-healing ability. Attack her when she's immobile during self-healing, but be cautious of her glowing body.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

The Witch of Hemwick is accompanied by henchmen and becomes visible only at close range, often hiding in corners. Use your firearm when you spot her to gain the upper hand.

Shadow of Yharnam

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 to expose its vulnerable underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Area: Moonside Lake

Located at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth, Rom uses poisonous and physical attacks, summoning spiders to aid in battle. 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)

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.

The One Reborn

Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge when it raises its arms, and attack when it's grounded. Be prepared to deal with summoned smaller enemies during the fight.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

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.

Amygdala (Optional)

Area: Nightmare Frontier

Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles, is one of the toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Be cautious of her various attacks that can quickly deplete your health.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary is fast and uses arm swings to attack. Roll towards its legs to avoid damage and counterattack. Be wary of its grabbing attacks even when grounded.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash can be tricky as you chase him through 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)

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

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

Area: Hunter’s Dream

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and firearms. Mastering parry timings can make this fight manageable.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

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. Be cautious of her tail and claw attacks, as well as her orbs of darkness.

And that’s the best Bloodborne boss order!

For more news on Bloodborne, check out our Bloodborne PSX, a brutal fan-made PS1 demake. For cool FromSoftware stuff in general, 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.