Conquering Bloodborne's challenging bosses requires strategy. This guide outlines the optimal boss order, differentiating between essential and optional encounters. While completing all bosses isn't mandatory, it yields significant rewards. We'll provide both non-optional and complete boss order lists, followed by a detailed explanation.
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
- The Old Hunters Bosses
The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
Several approaches exist, as completing every boss isn't required to finish the game. However, defeating most bosses offers substantial rewards. Therefore, tackling as many as possible is highly recommended. We'll present both non-optional and comprehensive boss order lists, then delve into the reasoning.
The game features 17 standard bosses and 5 DLC bosses from The Old Hunters. Chalice Dungeon bosses are excluded. The DLC can theoretically begin after Vicar Amelia; however, many players (including myself) suggest waiting until the game's later stages. Some prefer pre-Mergo's Wet Nurse, others post, impacting certain dialogue.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
The optimal order for 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
The recommended order for all bosses:
- 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)
An early encounter, the Cleric Beast is aggressive and high-damage. Target its hind legs to trip it, then focus on its head.
Father Gascoigne
A challenging early boss, mastering parries is key to efficient combat.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Located in Old Yharnam's Church, this beast hits hard. Maintain distance and utilize fire/explosive weapons.
Vicar Amelia
A large creature with melee attacks and self-healing. Exploit its immobility during self-healing.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Engage her henchmen first. She's invisible at range but visible up close; utilize firearms.
Shadow of Yharnam
Dodge its attacks, target its head with firearms, and slash its legs to create openings.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Beware of poisonous and physical attacks, and quickly eliminate summoned spiders. Defeating Rom alters the game world.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
A large brute; recommended after Rom.
The One Reborn
Deals physical and magical damage; maintain distance and attack when grounded.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
A challenging boss dealing Arcane damage; mastering parries is advantageous.
Amygdala (Optional)
A massive, difficult boss with long-range attacks.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Fast-moving with sweeping arm attacks; roll towards its legs to avoid damage.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
A non-optional boss; chase him, deal with summoned enemies, and watch out for potent attacks. Poison knives are a common strategy.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters boss order is linear: After Ludwig, return to where you obtained the Eye Pendant to fight Laurence (optional). Then, face Living Failures, Lady Maria, and Orphan of Kos. All are extremely difficult.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Uses tentacles and magical attacks; avoid her head slam.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
A challenging but potentially easier fight than some preceding ones. Avoid her attacks and water projectiles; she uses fog to obscure vision. Defeating her signals the game's end.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
The final non-optional boss; uses a scythe and firearms. Parrying is effective.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The true final boss; requires obtaining three Umbilical Cords before facing Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer to fight him. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and darkness orbs.
This detailed guide provides a comprehensive strategy for tackling Bloodborne's challenging bosses. Remember to adapt your approach based on your playstyle and build.
