Best Bloodborne Boss Order: All Game Bosses Ranked

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

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

In Bloodborne, you don't need to defeat every boss to complete the game, but doing so can unlock valuable rewards and enrich your playthrough. We recommend tackling as many bosses as possible. Below, we'll provide both the non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by a detailed explanation.

There are 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses in the The Old Hunters DLC. While you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to wait until near the end of the game. The timing of the DLC can affect certain dialogues, with some players suggesting it before Mergo’s Wet Nurse, and others after.

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 conquer every boss, here's the ideal sequence:

• 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)

The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, it 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.

Father Gascoigne

Father Gascoigne, a frenzied hunter, presents an early challenge. He moves swiftly and uses his gun frequently. Mastering parry timing is crucial for quickly defeating him.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable opponent with powerful attacks. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to defeat it more easily.

Vicar Amelia

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

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

The Witch of Hemwick is elusive and often invisible at a distance. She hides in corners, so approach her carefully and use your firearm when you spot her.

Shadow of Yharnam

This hunched creature wields a large club. Dodge its swings, shoot its head, and slash its legs to make it fall, then attack its underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Rom uses poisonous and powerful physical attacks and summons spiders. Prioritize killing the spiders and hitting Rom whenever possible. Note that defeating Rom alters the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary tasks beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Found in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, Darkbeast Paarl is a hulking beast best fought after Rom. Use its aggressive nature against it.

The One Reborn

The One Reborn uses physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll away from its raised arms, and strike when it's down. Clear summoned enemies first.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Martyr Logarius is tough, using Arcane damage. Parry him to deal significant damage, though mastering the timing will take practice.

Amygdala (Optional)

Amygdala is a giant with tentacles and a single eye, making her a formidable foe. Her size and varied attacks require careful strategy.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Fast-moving and dangerous, the Celestial Emissary can grab you with its long arms. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Micolash requires chasing him through his arena and dealing with his magical fog and summoned underlings. Learn his patterns and use poison knives strategically.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear order. After defeating Ludwig, use Laurence's Skull to fight Laurence. Then, proceed to battle Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all challenging foes.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

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

Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles, eventually obscuring your vision with fog. Focus on avoiding damage during the fog.

After defeating Mergo, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as you're nearing the game's end. Consider tackling the DLC bosses if you haven't already.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, uses a scythe and firearms. Master parrying to overcome him.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

To fight the Moon Presence, the true final boss, consume three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before defeating Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to face the Moon Presence, who uses tails, claws, and 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.