Conquering Bloodborne's challenging bosses requires strategy. This guide outlines optimal boss fight orders, differentiating between mandatory and optional encounters. While completing all boss fights isn't essential to finish the game, it yields substantial rewards.
Table of Contents
- The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
- Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses
- Best Boss Order for All Bosses
- Our Recommended 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
Multiple approaches exist, as not all bosses are mandatory. However, defeating most bosses provides significant advantages. We'll present both non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by a detailed explanation. 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, but many players recommend tackling it closer to the game's end. The DLC's placement relative to Mergo's Wet Nurse impacts dialogue.
Best Boss 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
- 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 Recommended Boss Order Explained
Cleric Beast (Optional)
An early encounter, the Cleric Beast is fast and aggressive. Target its hind legs to trip it, then focus on its head.
Father Gascoigne
A challenging early boss, mastering parrying is key to victory.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Located in Old Yharnam's Church, this boss hits hard. Maintain distance and utilize fire/explosive weapons.
Vicar Amelia
A self-healing beast; exploit its immobility during healing.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Deal with her henchmen first, then utilize firearms when she's visible.
Shadow of Yharnam
Dodge its attacks and target its head and legs.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Beware of poison and summoned spiders. Prioritize Rom between spider spawns. Defeating Rom alters the game world.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
A large, powerful creature; recommended after Rom.
The One Reborn
Keep your distance and attack when he's vulnerable; eliminate summoned enemies first.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
A tough boss; mastering parrying is highly effective.
Amygdala (Optional)
A massive, challenging boss with long-range attacks.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Fast and dangerous; roll towards its legs to avoid attacks.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Chase him and deal with summoned enemies; poison knives are effective.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters bosses follow a linear order.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Watch out for her damaging tentacles and magical attacks.
Mergo's Wet Nurse
Avoid her attacks and focus on damage when vision isn't obscured.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
The penultimate boss; parrying is advantageous.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The final boss; requires obtaining three One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman.
This comprehensive guide provides a strategic approach to conquering Bloodborne's challenging roster of bosses. Remember to adapt your tactics based on your playstyle and build.
For more Bloodborne news, see our Bloodborne PSX demake. For FromSoftware content, explore Armored Core VI. Updated 2/3/2025.
