Bloodborne is renowned for its challenging boss encounters, and determining the optimal order to face them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide outlines the best boss order for Bloodborne, helping you navigate the game's formidable challenges with ease.

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

Navigating Bloodborne involves facing numerous bosses, but not all are mandatory to complete the game. However, tackling as many bosses as possible can reward you with valuable items and experience. Here, we provide both a non-optional and a complete boss order, offering insights into the best approach for your playthrough.

In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses from the The Old Hunters DLC. While you can access the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally recommended to engage with it closer to the end of the game. Depending on your preference, you can start the DLC either before or after facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, though this choice may affect certain in-game dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

For those focusing solely on the necessary bosses to complete Bloodborne, follow this 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

If you're aiming to conquer every boss in Bloodborne, including optional encounters and those from the DLC, here's the recommended 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)

The Cleric Beast is one of the earliest encounters in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can be tackled by staying behind it, targeting its hind legs to cause it to stumble, and then attacking its head for maximum damage.

Father Gascoigne

Father Gascoigne presents an early challenge in Bloodborne. A crazed hunter, his speed and use of a firearm make him formidable. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to quickly defeating him.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is known for its powerful attacks and high health. Using fire or explosive weapons while maintaining distance can help in defeating it more easily.

Vicar Amelia

Vicar Amelia, a massive beast with self-healing abilities, can be tackled by attacking during her immobile healing phase. Watch for her glowing body as a signal to strike.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

The Witch of Hemwick is unique as she remains invisible at a distance. Close in to reveal her, and be prepared to fight her minions. Using a firearm can be effective once she's visible.

Shadow of Yharnam

This boss can be defeated by dodging its club swings and attacking its head and legs. Targeting its underbelly when it falls is key to victory.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Located at Byrgenwerth, Rom's poisonous and physical attacks, along with summoned spiders, make this fight challenging. Quick disposal of the spiders and focused attacks on Rom are essential.

Note: Defeating Rom alters the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary actions beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Found in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, Darkbeast Paarl is best engaged after defeating Rom. This large creature requires careful timing and strategic attacks.

The One Reborn

The One Reborn combines physical and magical attacks. Maintain distance, roll away from its arm-raising signals, and take advantage of its grounded moments to attack. Clear out summoned enemies first.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Martyr Logarius is a formidable opponent due to his Arcane damage. Mastering the parry timing is crucial for dealing significant damage.

Amygdala (Optional)

Amygdala's large size and tentacle attacks make her a challenging boss. Her single eye and various attacks require careful dodging and strategic strikes.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

The Celestial Emissary's fast movements and arm swings necessitate quick dodging and counterattacks. Be wary of its ground-based grab attacks.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Micolash requires chasing him through his arena, dealing with magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, his potent attacks demand careful engagement, with poison knives being a common strategy.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence’s Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss in this sequence. Then, face the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of which are challenging encounters.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be cautious of her head-slamming move, which can cause significant damage.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Mergo’s Wet Nurse employs tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles, with fog obscuring vision later in the fight. Focus on evasion and strategic attacks.

Note: After defeating Mergo, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as the end of the game is near. If you haven't tackled the DLC bosses yet, now is the time.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, wields a scythe and firearms. Mastering parry timings can make this fight manageable.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

To face the Moon Presence, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman, and refuse his offer. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness, but with caution and learned skills, this fight is manageable.

And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!

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