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

Bloodborne presents a challenging journey with its array of formidable bosses. Understanding the ideal boss order can significantly enhance your gaming experience, allowing you to tackle these encounters more effectively. This guide outlines the recommended boss order for Bloodborne, detailing both the essential and optional bosses, along with strategic insights to help you navigate the game’s challenges.

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, not all bosses are mandatory to complete the game, but defeating them can yield valuable rewards. We strongly recommend tackling as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. This guide will provide both the non-optional and complete boss orders, along with a detailed breakdown of each encounter.

In total, there are 17 regular bosses and five additional bosses from the The Old Hunters DLC. While the DLC can be started after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to engage with it closer to the game's end. The optimal timing for the DLC can vary, with some players suggesting before Mergo’s Wet Nurse and others after, which can impact certain dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

For those focusing solely on the non-optional bosses, here's the recommended sequence:

• 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 a complete playthrough, including all optional bosses, follow this 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)

Area: Central Yharnam

The Cleric Beast, one of your first encounters, resides in Central Yharnam. It's a fast and aggressive boss, capable of inflicting significant damage. To defeat it, stay behind it and target its hind legs to make it stumble. Once downed, aim for its head to finish it off.

Father Gascoigne

Area: Central Yharnam

Father Gascoigne, a crazed hunter, presents an early challenge in Bloodborne. He's quick and uses a gun frequently. Mastering the parry timing is key to defeating him efficiently.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Area: Old Yharnam

Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a formidable foe. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to take it down safely.

Vicar Amelia

Area: Cathedral Ward

Vicar Amelia, a large beast with self-healing capabilities, is found in Cathedral Ward. Attack her when she's immobilized during self-healing, but be cautious of her powerful melee attacks.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

The Witch of Hemwick becomes visible when approached. Prepare to fight her and her henchmen, focusing on using your firearm to deal damage effectively.

Shadow of Yharnam

Area: Forbidden Woods

The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club. Dodge its swings to attack, use your gun to target its head, and slash at its legs to expose its vulnerable underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Area: Moonside Lake

Rom, found at Moonside Lake, requires careful avoidance of its poisonous and physical attacks. Quickly eliminate the summoned spiders to focus on Rom. Beating Rom alters the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary tasks beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Area: Hypogean Gaol

Darkbeast Paarl resides in Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village. It's recommended to fight this beast after Rom, using strategies to counter its brute force.

The One Reborn

Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

The One Reborn uses physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll away from its arm raises, and attack when it's grounded. Clear out summoned enemies first.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Master the parry timing to deal significant damage and overcome his attacks.

Amygdala (Optional)

Area: Nightmare Frontier

Amygdala, a giant with tentacles and a single eye, is one of the toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Be prepared for her diverse attacks and plan your moves carefully.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary is fast and dangerous, even when grounded. Dodge towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back swiftly.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash requires you to chase him around his arena, dealing with his magical fog and summoned minions. Once cornered, watch out for his potent attacks and use strategies like poison knives.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, return Laurence's Skull to fight Laurence, then proceed through Living Failures, Lady Maria, and Orphan of Kos. Each encounter is tough, so prepare thoroughly.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Area: Altar of Despair

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

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles. When she obscures your vision with fog, focus on evasion. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks before proceeding.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Area: Hunter’s Dream

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and firearms. Parrying his attacks can make this fight manageable once you master the timing.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Area: Hunter’s Dream

To face the Moon Presence, you need to consume three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman’s offer and defeat him to encounter this final boss. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and dark orbs, but with caution and learned skills, you can triumph.

And that’s the best Bloodborne boss order! For more insights on Bloodborne, explore our coverage of the Bloodborne PSX demake. For 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.