Bloodborne Boss Order - All Mandatory And Optional Bosses With DLC (2023)

Bloodborne is one of PlayStation’s most acclaimed video games. The title, developed by FromSoftware, follows the Hunter as they explore the Gothic and Victorian-era-inspired city of Yharnam which has become inflicted with a strange blood-borne disease. While exploring the city and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious disease, you’ll fight a range of challenging bosses with trick weapons, many mandatory and some optional. Take a look through this page to discover the best Bloodborne boss order for the main game and DLC, and to find out what bosses are mandatory and which are optional. It’s all here.

*Warning: There will be spoilers for some bosses below so check at your own discretion*

Bloodborne Mandatory Bosses

There are a total of nine mandatory bosses in Bloodborne that you will need to defeat in order to complete the game and unlock any of Bloodborne’s three endings.

Father Gascoigne

Father Gascoigne is the game’s first mandatory Bloodborne boss, but usually the second boss player’s face after their encounter with the Cleric Beast. Found in Central Yharnam past the sewers, Father Gascoigne is an incredibly tough boss in the early game, requiring you to quickly adjust to the game’s mechanics by learning how to dodge, parry, and use the regain system to your advantage.

Father Gascoigne uses the Hunters Axe and the Blunderbuss, and has three phases in which he gets progressively more aggressive until he transforms into a beast in his final phase. It’s important to note that Gascoigne is weak to fire both as a human and beast, but since he’s so agile throwing Molotov Cocktails can be challenging. Father Gascoigne drops the Oedon Tomb Key.

Vicar Amelia

Vicar Amelia is the second mandatoryBloodborne boss. Defeating Vicar Amelia is required to unlock several new areas within the game and progresses the world state into nighttime where some enemies behave differently. Found inside Cathedral Ward inside the Grand Cathedral. There are two ways of reaching her, either by defeating the Blood-Starved Beast optional boss or purchase the Hunter Chief Emblem for 10,000 Blood Echoes after defeating the Cleric Beast and obtaining the Sword Hunter Badge.

Since she’s a beast, Vicar Amelia is weak to fire, but she has both long and short-range attacks that cover all sides, so be careful. There are two phases to the fight, the second of which Vicar Amelia will begin to heal herself whenever possible, slowing down the fight. Vicar Amelia drops the Gold Pendant.

Shadow Of Yharnam

The Shadow Of Yharnam is the third mandatoryBloodborne boss and defeating them is required to progress further into the game. The Shadow Of Yharnam boss fight requires you to face three dangerous foes and defeat each one without dying. Each Shadow possesses a different weapon; a scimitar, a scimitar with a flame-throwing candle, and a flame. The Shadows are found past the Forbidden Woods in a valley with a giant tombstone, which is helpful for dodging attacks.

There are three phases to the fight, with the latter two triggered when one Shadow Of Yharnam has its health reduced below 40% and when two are dead or the two remaining Shadows have hit 30% health. Each phase gives the Shadow Of Yharnam additional abilities. The Shadows are strong against fire but weak to bolt. Once defeated, the Shadow Of Yharnam drop the Blood Rapture Caryll Rune where visceral attacks restore health.

Rom, The Vacuous Spider

Rom, The Vacuous Spider is one of the most important bosses in Bloodborne, responsible for triggering the second half of the game and the Blood Moon. Found at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth, Rom summons dozens of spider enemies to distract you and teleports twice across the boss area, although it is possible to prevent her from teleporting. Rom is weak to bolt but can perform dangerous arcane attacks.

One Reborn

The One Reborn is another mandatoryBloodborne boss, unlocking the game’s final mandatory area; the Nightmare Of Mensis. The One Reborn is a mass of bones that have been animated by the Chime Maidens. During the fight, you’ll have to battle the main boss and several killable Chime Maidens that shoot fireballs and heal the One Reborn from above the plaza. The One Reborn is weak to bolt and fire and drops three Yellow Backbone, which is used to create Chalice Dungeons.

Micolash, Host Of The Nightmare

Micolash, Host Of The Nightmare, is another mandatory boss in Bloodborne. Located in Mergo’s Loft in the Nightmare Of Mensis, this boss fight has two phases. During the first, you’ll need to chase Micolash throughout the area into a room where you will fight him and two animated skeletons. After you’ve beaten him to half health, he’ll disappear.

After this, you’ll need to climb a spiral staircase, take on some enemies, and you’ll end up in an area similar to where the first chase took place. You’ll need to chase him again until he runs into another room and drops a gate. You’ll need to make your way above the room, drop down, and defeat him. Micolash isn’t very aggressive but can perform several attacks that are difficult to dodge and can call in one hit, so be careful.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Mergo’s Wet Nurse is an endgame, mandatory Bloodborne boss. Found in the Nightmare Of Mensis after defeating Micolash, Mergo’s Wet Nurse is one of three potential final bosses. The fight consists of two phases where Mergo’s Wet Nurse becomes more aggressive. The boss can unleash a series of devastating attacks but is extremely weak to poison and bolt.

Bloodborne Optional Bosses

In addition to the nine mandatory Bloodborne bosses, there are eight optional fights that unlock side areas or new rewards. These are all worth defeating for the Blood Echoes and to get the full Bloodborne experience. Check out the optional Bloodborne bosses below.

Cleric Beast

The Cleric Beast is usually the first boss players face. Found in Central Yharnam, the Cleric Beast is a gigantic horned creature that is aggressive and agile. It usually provides a tough challenge to new players, requiring you to work on your dodging abilities. The boss is weak to fire and drops the Sword Hunter Badge, which allows you to purchase the Hunter Chief Emblem.

Blood-Starved Beast

The Blood-Starved Beast is an optional boss found in Old Yharnam that is quick, aggressive, and deals poison damage for quick deaths. The Blood-Starved Beast is weak to fire and the fight is comprised of three phases in which the Beast’s poison becomes stronger and she becomes more aggressive. It’s important to keep antidotes on you during this fight and Pungent Blood Cocktails are great at distracting the boss. Defeating the Blood-Starved Beast is required if you want to access Hypogean Gaol, the Healing Church Workshop, and Upper Cathedral Ward, and if you want to complete some of the game’s Chalice Dungeons.

Witch Of Hemwick

The Witch Of Hemwick is an optional Bloodborne boss that can be found in Hemwick Charnel Lane. The boss fight is more of a puzzle, requiring you to search the area, avoid the Mad Ones enemies, and find the Witch to deal damage. After killing the Witch, a second will appear and you will have to defeat her before she revives the first. The fight is incredibly simple, and once defeated, you’ll unlock the Rune Workshop Tool that allows you to equip Caryll Runes, which we’ve discussed in detail in our Bloodborne Rune Guide.

Darkbeast Paarl

Darkbeast Paarl is an optional Bloodborne boss, a skeletal beast with lightning abilities that is found in Hypogean Gaol or Yahar’gul down a flight of spiral stairs and past the prison home to two Witches and Snatchers. Darkbeast Paarl is aggressive and fast and can deal serious bolt damage. The boss also has an incredibly dangerous in which he unleashes a charge of electricity that can kill you. Paarl is weak to both arcane and fire, and drops the Spark Hunter Badge, which allows you to purchase Bolt Paper at the Insight Shop.

Celestial Emissary

Celestial Emissary is an optional Bloodborne boss that is found in Upper Cathedral Ward. Upon triggering the fight, you’ll be surrounded by small Celestial enemies and will need to work out which is the boss, avoid taking damage from the mob, and deal damage. Once the Celestial Emissary has lost half of its health, it will grow in size and perform new attacks. When it has a quarter of its health, it will grow tentacles and perform ranged attacks. Although relatively simple, you can quickly get bombarded by the mob and die, so keep an eye out. Once defeated, the Celestial Emissary drops the Communion Rune, which increases your maximum number of Blood Vials.

Ebrietas, Daughter Of The Cosmos

Ebrietas, Daughter Of The Cosmos is generally viewed as one of the harder Bloodborne bosses. Found at the Altar Of Despair in Upper Cathedral Ward just past the Celestial Emissary, Ebrietas is a gigantic Great One that doesn’t attack until provoked. The fight is incredibly hard as Ebrietas deals lots of damage and has several attacks that can quickly kill you. However, she’s weak to bolt.

Amygdala

Amygdala is an optional Bloodborne boss that can be found in the Nightmare Frontier. Amygdala is gigantic and you can only deal damage to its head and front limbs, which can make the fight somewhat tricky. The fight consists of three phases, getting more aggressive with each until it rips off two of its arms and uses them as weapons. Amygdala can perform ranged attacks that can quickly kill you. The boss is weak to arcane, bolt, and fire.

Martyr Logarius

Martyr Logarius is another Bloodborne optional boss. Found at Cainhurst Castle, Logarius is skilled in arcane and can deal massive amounts of damage to anyone with little arcane defence. This boss can be very difficult due to Logarius’ aggressiveness and agility, as well as his arcane attacks. What’s more, players can fall from the roof, resulting in instant death. Logarius cannot. Once defeated, Martyr Logarius drops the Crown Of Illusions, which can be used to unlock a secret area when worn.

Best Bloodborne Boss Order

If you’re looking for the best Bloodborne boss order, we’ve put together below that combines both mandatory and optional bosses, ensuring that you unlock as much as possible and experience everything that Bloodborne offers.

• Cleric Beast
• Father Gascoigne
• Blood-Starved Beast
• Vicar Amelia
• Witch Of Hemwick
• Darkbeast Paarl
• The Shadow Of Yharnam
• Rom, The Vacuous Spider
• One Reborn
• Martyr Logarius
• Celestial Emissary
• Micolash, Host Of The Nightmare
• Amygdala
• Ebrietas, Daughter Of The Cosmos
• Mergo’s Wet Nurse
• Final boss

The above is by no means a definite Bloodborne boss order, but we’ve taken each of the boss’ difficulties into account along with their rewards and area unlocks. We believe this is one of the best ways to progress through the game. However, it’s important to note that a players’ difficulty with a boss is subjective, so take them on whenever you feel you can.

Bloodborne DLC Bosses

There are a total of five bosses in the Bloodborne DLC The Old Hunters. Four of the Bloodborne DLC bosses are mandatory and one is optional. Like with the base game, we suggest you take all of them on for the complete experience. Find out more about each of the bosses below.

Ludwig, The Holy Blade

Ludwig, The Holy Blade is the first boss you’ll face in the Bloodborne DLC. Found in the Hunter’s Nightmare, Ludwig is a malformed beast and only appears once you’ve triggered the cutscene after entering his boss arena. The fight consists of four phases, two when fighting him as Ludwig, The Accursed and two when fighting him as Ludwig, The Holy Blade. During his first two phases, Ludwig will attack on all fours and can deal lots of damage through his melee and arcane attacks.

When half of his health remains, a cutscene will trigger and you will have to fight Ludwig, The Holy Blade. During this part of the fight, Ludwig will attack upright with his Holy Moonlight Sword, which can unleash devastating attacks. During all phases, Ludwig is incredibly aggressive and agile, so be quick on your feet. Fire and bolt can be useful here, and once defeated Ludwig drops the Guidance Rune, which boosts rally potential.

Laurence, The First Vicar

Laurence, The First Vicar is an optional Bloodborne DLC boss. Found in the Hunter’s Nightmare in the Grand Cathedral, Laurence is similar to the Cleric Beast but deals fire damage. The fight has three phases, with Laurence getting more aggressive in the second. In the third phase, Lauren will break his legs and crawl on the floor, leaving lava in his wake. His quick attacks deal tremendous damage, so be prepared to dodge a lot and take your time with Laurence. Once defeated, Laurence drops the Beast’s Embrace Rune, which transforms you into a beast.

Lady Maria Of The Astral Clocktower

Lady Maria Of The Astral Clocktower is one of the most famous Bloodborne fights. A mandatory boss in the Astral Clocktower after the Living Failures, Lady Maria is human and uses the Rakuyo with a gun. There are three phases to the fight. In the second, Lady Maria will use blood in her attacks and in the third, will use fire. Lady Maria is aggressive and agile, requiring you to use all of your skills to take her down. Since she’s fast, there’s little point in using Molotov Cocktails or similar tools, you’ll simply have to focus on dodging and dealing damage when possible.

Living Failures

The Living Failures is a mandatory Bloodborne DLC boss found at the top of the Research Hall. These enemies are similar in appearance to the Celestial Emissary, but to defeat this boss you’ll have to run around the arena dodging melee and ranged attacks, killing each Living Failure and all that respawn until the boss’ entire health bar has been drained. The fight isn’t difficult, but the Living Failures can perform some deadly arcane attacks, including one that can kill if low on health.

Orphan Of Kos

The Orphan Of Kos is the final boss in the Bloodborne DLC and arguably one of the hardest bosses in the entire game. The fight consists of two phases, with the Orphan using a transformable weapon and becoming increasingly erratic and aggressive in the latter phase. The Orphan Of Kos is one of the most aggressive bosses in the game, rarely giving you time to heal. You will need to rely on dodging to get through this fight and you may find it easier to fight on the water as it provides plenty more open space.

Bloodborne DLC Boss Order

Since the majority of the bosses in the Bloodborne DLC are mandatory, there’s isn’t a need to list a recommended order in defeating them, since you’ll face each of them in turn as you progress through the DLC. Laurence, the First Vicar is optional, so you can take him on at anytime of the DLC. However, due to his difficulty, we suggest you wait until after you’ve defeated Lady Maria to face Laurence.

Again, there is no definitive order for the Bloodborne bosses both in the main game and its DLC. However, following our Bloodborne boss order may make the game somewhat easier for you to complete. If you enjoyed the challenges of Bloodborne, it may be worth taking a look at other FromSoftware titles and our boss guides for Dark Souls Remastered, Sekiro, Dark Souls 3, Demon’s Souls, and Limgrave bosses in Elden Ring.