Here’s the Best Bloodborne Boss Order – All Bosses in Game

Conquering Bloodborne's challenging bosses requires strategy. This guide outlines optimal boss fight orders, catering to both completionists and those aiming for a quicker playthrough. We'll cover the best order for essential bosses and then explore a comprehensive approach including optional encounters.

Note: While not all bosses are mandatory for game completion, defeating them often yields significant rewards. We strongly recommend tackling as many as possible.

The game features 17 main bosses and 5 additional bosses in the Old Hunters DLC (Chalice Dungeon bosses are excluded). The DLC can technically be accessed after Vicar Amelia, but many players prefer tackling it closer to the game's end. The timing of DLC completion can subtly affect certain dialogue.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

This order focuses solely on the bosses required to finish the main storyline:

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

This order incorporates all bosses, both mandatory and optional:

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

Below, we detail each boss encounter, offering strategies and context within the optimal fight order.

Cleric Beast (Optional)

Area: Central Yharnam

This early boss serves as a tutorial, introducing aggressive combat. Focus on attacking its hind legs to trip it, then target its head.

Father Gascoigne

Area: Central Yharnam

Mastering parries is key here. His quick attacks and gun usage require precise timing and skillful dodging.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Area: Old Yharnam

Keep your distance and utilize fire or explosive weapons to effectively manage this high-health, hard-hitting boss.

Vicar Amelia

Area: Cathedral Ward

Exploit her self-healing animation for significant damage opportunities. Be wary of her glowing body during this phase.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

Her invisibility necessitates close-range combat. Use your firearm to reveal and damage her, focusing on cornering her.

Shadow of Yharnam

Area: Forbidden Woods

Dodge its attacks, exploit openings after its swings, and target its head and legs strategically.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Area: Moonside Lake

Prioritize eliminating summoned spiders before focusing on Rom. Be mindful of its poisonous and physical attacks. Completing this fight alters the game world, so plan accordingly.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Area: Hypogean Gaol

This hulking beast is best tackled after Rom.

The One Reborn

Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

Maintain distance to avoid his magical and physical attacks. Prioritize eliminating summoned enemies.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

Mastering parries is crucial for efficiently dealing damage. Be prepared for his potent Arcane attacks.

Amygdala (Optional)

Area: Nightmare Frontier

This tentacled behemoth is exceptionally challenging due to its size, reach, and varied attacks.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

Dodge its sweeping attacks by rolling towards its legs. Be cautious of its grab attack.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

This boss requires chasing him through his arena, dealing with fog and summoned enemies. Poison knives can be a highly effective strategy.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The *Old Hunters* DLC bosses are fought in a linear order: Ludwig, Laurence (optional), Living Failures, Lady Maria, and Orphan of Kos. Prepare for intense challenges.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Area: Altar of Despair

Watch out for her damaging tentacle and magical attacks, particularly her head slam.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

While challenging, this boss is often considered easier than some preceding encounters. Dodge her tentacle attacks and water projectiles, and be prepared for periods of obscured vision. Defeating her brings you close to the game's conclusion.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Area: Hunter’s Dream

This penultimate boss utilizes a scythe and firearms. Parrying proficiency is highly advantageous.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Area: Hunter’s Dream

The final boss requires obtaining three One Third of Umbilical Cords before facing Gehrman and refusing his offer. This boss is often considered less difficult than Gehrman.

This comprehensive guide provides a strategic approach to conquering Bloodborne's challenging roster of bosses. Remember to adapt your strategies based on your playstyle and build.

For more Bloodborne news, check out our Bloodborne PSX, a brutal fan-made PS1 demake. For other FromSoftware news, 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.