Best Bloodborne Boss Order: All Game Bosses Ranked

Bloodborne is a game renowned for its challenging bosses, and figuring out the best sequence to tackle them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide will detail the optimal boss order for Bloodborne, offering insights into where and when to face each 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 need to defeat every boss to complete the game, but doing so can yield valuable rewards. We highly recommend facing as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. Below, you'll find both the non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by detailed explanations.

There are 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses in the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide does not cover Chalice Dungeon bosses. While you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to wait until nearer the game's end. Some players recommend engaging with the DLC before facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others suggest doing so afterward, which can impact certain dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

Here’s the recommended sequence for tackling 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 all bosses, here's the ideal 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)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

The Cleric Beast, one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, resides in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can deal substantial damage if you're not cautious. To defeat it, try to position yourself behind it and attack its hind legs to cause it to stumble. Once downed, aim for its head.

Father Gascoigne

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

Father Gascoigne is a formidable hunter who becomes a significant challenge early in the game. Quick on his feet and adept with a firearm, mastering the timing of parries is crucial to swiftly defeating him.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam

Found in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough adversary with significant health and powerful attacks. To overcome it, maintain your distance and utilize fire or explosive weapons for an easier victory.

Vicar Amelia

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward

Vicar Amelia, a massive beast with melee and self-healing abilities, becomes vulnerable when she heals, as she remains stationary. This is your opportunity to strike, but be wary of her glowing body during this phase.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

The Witch of Hemwick can be tricky as she's invisible from a distance and often hides in corners. Prepare to deal with her henchmen and use your firearm when you get close enough to see her.

Shadow of Yharnam

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forbidden Woods

The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club and can be defeated with a strategic approach. Dodge its swings, shoot at its head with your gun, and slash at its legs with your knife to expose its weak underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake

Located at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth, Rom's poisonous and physical attacks, along with summoned spiders, require quick action. Kill the spiders first to focus your attacks on Rom. Note that defeating Rom will alter some elements in the game world.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol

Darkbeast Paarl, found in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, is a formidable creature best fought after defeating Rom. Its large size and strength make it a challenging encounter.

The One Reborn

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

The One Reborn combines physical and magical attacks, summoning smaller enemies during the fight. Keep your distance, roll away from its arm-raising attacks, and take out the summoned enemies before focusing on the boss.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

Martyr Logarius is a tough boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Parrying him is a key strategy to deal significant damage, though it requires precise timing.

Amygdala (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier

Amygdala, with her large size and tentacle reach, is one of the game's most challenging bosses. Her various attacks can quickly deplete your health, making this a harrowing fight.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary is fast and dangerous, even when grounded. Dodge towards its legs to avoid attacks and retaliate quickly, but watch out for its long-reaching grabs.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash can be tricky as you chase him through his arena and deal with his magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, be cautious of his potent attacks, or use poison knives as an alternative strategy.

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 here), then proceed to face Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos. These encounters are notably tough.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair

Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be particularly cautious when she slams her head on the ground, as it can cause massive damage.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Mergo’s Wet Nurse can be challenging, yet easier than some previous encounters. Watch out for her tentacle attacks and fast-moving water projectiles, and be prepared for the fog that obscures your vision. After defeating Mergo, consider completing any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as the game's end is near.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and various firearms. Mastering parries is key to overcoming him, especially once you grasp the timing.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Image via FromSoftware
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. These can be obtained from Mergo’s Wet Nurse, the Abandoned Workshop, the Arianna questline, or Iosefka after defeating Rom. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to confront the Moon Presence, who uses tails, claws, and dark orbs. While challenging, she is generally considered easier than Gehrman.

And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!

For more Bloodborne news, check out our coverage of Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake. For more FromSoftware content, explore 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 detailed information about the various bosses, provide a high-level summary of the boss order, and incorporate the bosses from the Old Hunters DLC.