Conquering Bloodborne's challenging bosses requires strategy. This guide outlines optimal boss fight orders, differentiating between essential and optional encounters. While completing all bosses isn't mandatory for finishing the game, it yields significant rewards. We recommend tackling as many as possible.
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 essential. However, defeating most provides substantial rewards. We'll present both non-optional and complete boss order strategies, followed by a detailed explanation.
There are 17 standard bosses and 5 DLC bosses (The Old Hunters). This guide excludes Chalice Dungeon bosses. The DLC is theoretically accessible after Vicar Amelia, but many players recommend delaying it until the game's later stages. The optimal timing for the DLC (before or after Mergo's Wet Nurse) can subtly impact 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, aggressive boss in Central Yharnam. Target its hind legs to trip it, then focus on its head.
Father Gascoigne
A challenging early hunter. Mastering parries significantly aids this fight.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Located in Old Yharnam's Church. Maintain distance and utilize fire/explosive weapons.
Vicar Amelia
A large creature with self-healing. Attack during its immobile healing phase.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Fight her and her minions. She's invisible at a distance; use firearms when visible.
Shadow of Yharnam
A large club-wielding creature. Dodge its attacks and target its head and legs.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Located in Byrgenwerth's Moonside Lake. Beware of poison and summoned spiders. Defeating Rom alters the game world.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
A large brute in Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village. Recommended after Rom.
The One Reborn
In Yahar'gul. Deals physical and magical damage; prioritize eliminating summoned enemies.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
A challenging boss inflicting Arcane damage. Mastering parries is advantageous.
Amygdala (Optional)
A massive, tentacled creature with a wide attack range. Extremely challenging.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Fast-moving with powerful arm swings. Roll towards its legs to evade attacks.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
A non-optional boss who hides and summons underlings. Poison knives are an effective strategy.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The Old Hunters bosses follow a linear progression. After Ludwig, return to where you obtained the Eye Pendant to fight Laurence (optional). Then, engage Living Failures, Lady Maria, and Orphan of Kos. All are exceptionally difficult.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Uses tentacles and magical attacks; be wary of her head slam attack.
Mergo's Wet Nurse
A challenging but potentially easier fight than some preceding bosses. Avoid her attacks and the obscuring fog.
Defeating Mergo signals the game's late stages. Complete any remaining tasks, including the Old Hunters DLC if not already done.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
The final non-optional boss. His scythe and firearms require careful timing and parrying.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
The true final boss. Requires obtaining three One Third of Umbilical Cords before facing Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer to fight him. The Moon Presence uses tail and claw attacks and dark orbs.
This concludes the optimal Bloodborne boss order. Good hunting!
(Updated 2/3/2025)
