*Bloodborne* is renowned for its challenging bosses, and determining the best order to face them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide outlines the optimal boss order for *Bloodborne*, detailing when and where to tackle each formidable adversary.
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 have to defeat every boss to complete the game, but doing so can yield significant rewards. We strongly encourage you to challenge as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. Below, you'll find the recommended order for both non-optional and all bosses, with further explanation provided later.
In total, there are 17 regular bosses and five DLC bosses from The Old Hunters. This guide excludes Chalice Dungeon bosses. While you can start the DLC after beating Vicar Amelia, most players suggest waiting until near the end of the game. Some recommend tackling the DLC before Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others suggest after, which can impact certain dialogues.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
Here’s the recommended 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 aiming 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)
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, stay behind it, target its hind legs to make it stumble, and then attack its head.
Father Gascoigne
Father Gascoigne is a formidable hunter who presents one of your initial major challenges. He's quick and uses his gun frequently. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to quickly defeating him.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Located in Old Yharnam’s Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough opponent. It hits hard and has substantial health. Maintain distance and use fire or explosive weapons to bring it down safely.
Vicar Amelia
Vicar Amelia, a massive beast-like creature, uses melee attacks and has a self-healing ability. When she heals, she becomes immobile, providing an opportunity for attack. Be cautious of her glowing body during healing phases.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Prepare to face the Witch of Hemwick and her henchmen. She remains invisible at a distance but becomes visible up close, often hiding in corners. Use your firearm when you spot her.
Shadow of Yharnam
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 at its legs to make it stumble, exposing its vulnerable underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Found in Moonside Lake at Byrgenwerth, Rom uses poisonous and powerful physical attacks, summoning spiders to aid him. Quickly eliminate the spiders and attack Rom during this window. Be aware that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially missing certain elements if not previously explored.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Darkbeast Paarl resides in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, specifically in The Graveyard of the Darkbeast. It's recommended to face this beast after defeating Rom.
The One Reborn
The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll away from his arm-raising signals, and attack when he's down. He summons smaller enemies, so prioritize their elimination first.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Parrying him effectively can deal significant damage, though mastering the timing takes practice.
Amygdala (Optional)
Amygdala is a giant mass of tentacles with a single eye, known for her difficulty due to her size and reach. Be prepared for a tough fight with her varied attacks.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
The Celestial Emissary is fast and uses arm swings to attack. Roll towards its legs to dodge and counterattack. Even on the ground, it remains dangerous with its long arms capable of grabbing you.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Micolash can be tricky as you chase him through his arena, dealing with his magical fog and summoned minions. Once cornered, be wary of his potent attacks. A popular strategy involves using poison knives.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence’s Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss in the area. Then, face Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of which are formidable challenges.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Ebrietas uses tentacle and magical attacks. Be cautious when she slams her head on the ground, as it can cause significant damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles, eventually obscuring your vision with fog. Focus on evasion during these phases. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne as you approach the game's end.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Gehrman is the final non-optional boss before the game's credits roll. He wields a scythe and firearms, but mastering parry timings can make the fight manageable.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
To face the Moon Presence, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman, then refuse his offer and defeat him. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness, but with caution and the skills you've honed, you should manage this final challenge.
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.
