*Bloodborne* is an exhilarating journey filled with challenging bosses that test your skills and strategy. Understanding the best order to tackle these formidable foes can enhance your gameplay experience and ensure you don't miss out on valuable rewards. This guide outlines the optimal boss order for *Bloodborne*, detailing where and when to face each challenge.
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
The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne
While it's not necessary to defeat every boss in *Bloodborne* to complete the game, doing so can unlock significant rewards and enrich your gaming experience. This guide will provide you with two boss orders: one for non-optional bosses and another for all bosses, including those from the *The Old Hunters* DLC. Remember, you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, though it's often recommended to tackle it closer to the game's end.
Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne
For those focusing solely on the non-optional bosses, follow this order:
- 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
If you're aiming to conquer every boss, including the optional ones and those from the *The Old Hunters* DLC, follow this 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)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in *Bloodborne*, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can inflict significant damage if you're not cautious. To defeat it, aim to stay behind and attack its hind legs to trip it up, then target its head when it's down.
Father Gascoigne
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam
Father Gascoigne, a crazed hunter, presents a significant challenge early in the game. He's quick and uses a firearm effectively. Mastering parry timing is key to defeating him swiftly.
Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam
Located in Old Yharnam’s Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable opponent with high health and powerful attacks. Keep your distance and utilize fire or explosive weapons to bring it down effectively.
Vicar Amelia
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward
Vicar Amelia, a massive beast-like creature, uses melee attacks and self-healing. When she heals, she becomes immobile, providing a perfect opportunity to attack. Be cautious of her glowing body during self-healing and strike accordingly.
The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane
The Witch of Hemwick can be tricky due to her invisibility at a distance. She often hides in room corners, so approach cautiously and use your firearm when you spot her.
Shadow of Yharnam
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forbidden Woods
The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club and can be defeated by dodging its swings, shooting its head, and slashing its legs to expose its weak underbelly.
Rom, the Vacuous Spider
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake
Rom, located in Moonside Lake at Byrgenwerth, uses poisonous and powerful physical attacks, summoning spiders during the fight. Quickly dispatch the spiders and focus your attacks on Rom. Note that defeating Rom will alter some aspects of the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary tasks beforehand.
Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol
The Darkbeast Paarl, found in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, is a hulking brute. It's best to tackle this beast after defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider.
The One Reborn
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village
The One Reborn employs both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge when it raises its arms, and seize opportunities to attack when it's grounded. Be prepared to deal with summoned smaller enemies as well.
Martyr Logarius (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst
Martyr Logarius is challenging due to his Arcane damage capabilities. Mastering parry timing is essential to defeating him effectively.
Amygdala (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier
Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles with a single eye, is one of the toughest bosses in *Bloodborne*. Her size and reach, along with varied attacks, make this a harrowing encounter.
Celestial Emissary (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward
The Celestial Emissary is fast and dangerous, capable of swinging its arms and grabbing you with long limbs. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back when possible.
Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Micolash can be challenging due to his tactics of hiding in magical fog and summoning underlings. Chase him around the arena, be wary of his potent attacks, and consider using poison knives as a strategy to take him down.
The Old Hunters Bosses
The *Old Hunters* DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, return Laurence's Skull to the area where you obtained the Eye Pendant to battle Laurence, the only optional boss in this sequence. Then, face the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos. Each of these encounters is demanding, so prepare thoroughly.
Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair
Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be cautious when she slams her head on the ground, as it can cause significant damage.
Mergo’s Wet Nurse
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis
Mergo’s Wet Nurse can be challenging but is easier than some previous fights. Watch out for her tentacle attacks and fast-moving water projectiles, and be prepared for her fog that obscures your vision. After defeating her, ensure you complete any remaining tasks in *Bloodborne*, as the endgame is near.
Gehrman, the First Hunter
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
Gehrman, the last non-optional boss, wields a long scythe and firearms. Mastering parry timings is crucial for overcoming him.
Moon Presence (Ending Specific)
Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream
To face the Moon Presence, the true final boss, you must consume 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 from Iosefka after defeating Rom. Refuse Gehrman’s offer and defeat him to trigger this battle. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness, but with caution and the skills you've honed throughout the game, you should be able to overcome this challenge.
And that's the optimal boss order for *Bloodborne*! Following this sequence can help you navigate the game's challenges more effectively and enjoy a more rewarding experience.
For more news on *Bloodborne*, explore our coverage of *Bloodborne PSX*, a fan-made PS1 demake. For additional FromSoftware content, 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 detailed information about the various bosses, provide a comprehensive summary of the boss order, and incorporate the bosses from the Old Hunters DLC.*
