Bloodborne presents a challenging array of bosses, and determining the optimal sequence to tackle them can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. This guide outlines the ideal boss order for Bloodborne, helping you navigate through 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

In Bloodborne, you don't need to defeat every boss to complete the game, but doing so can unlock valuable rewards that enhance your gameplay. We recommend tackling as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. Here, we'll provide both the non-optional and complete boss orders, followed by detailed explanations.

The game features 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses from The Old Hunters DLC. While you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to wait until later in the game. Some players suggest engaging with the DLC before facing Mergo’s Wet Nurse, while others recommend doing so afterward, which can impact certain dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

Here's the recommended sequence for the non-optional bosses in Bloodborne:

• 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 those aiming to conquer every boss, here's the suggested 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)

The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, it can deal significant damage. To defeat it, stay behind it and target its hind legs to trip it up, then attack its head when it's down.

Father Gascoigne

Father Gascoigne is a formidable hunter who presents an early challenge. He's quick and uses his gun frequently. Mastering the parry timing is crucial to defeating him swiftly.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Located in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough adversary with high health and powerful attacks. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to take it down more easily.

Vicar Amelia

Vicar Amelia is a large beast with melee attacks and a self-healing ability. Attack her when she's immobile during self-healing, but be cautious of her glowing body.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

The Witch of Hemwick is accompanied by henchmen and becomes visible only at close range. She often hides in corners, so approach carefully and use your firearm when you spot her.

Shadow of Yharnam

The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club and can be defeated with a strategic approach. Dodge its swings, shoot its head with your gun, and slash its legs to make it stumble, then attack its underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Rom is located at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth. Be wary of his poisonous and physical attacks, and quickly dispatch the spiders he summons to focus on damaging him. Note that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially causing you to miss certain elements if not explored beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Darkbeast Paarl resides in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, in The Graveyard of the Darkbeast. It's recommended to face this boss after defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider.

The One Reborn

The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll away from its raised arms, and attack when it's down. Be prepared to deal with smaller enemies it summons during the fight.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Martyr Logarius is a challenging boss with Arcane damage capabilities. Parrying him effectively can deal significant damage, though mastering the timing is essential.

Amygdala (Optional)

Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles, is one of the toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Be cautious of her various attacks that can quickly deplete your health.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

The Celestial Emissary is fast and uses arm swings to attack. Roll towards its legs to avoid damage and counterattack. Be wary of its grabbing attacks even when it's down.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Micolash requires you to chase him around his arena, dealing with magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, be cautious of his potent attacks. A common strategy is to use poison knives to take him down.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear order. After defeating Ludwig, retrieve Laurence’s Skull to fight Laurence, the only optional boss in this area. 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 when she slams her head on the ground, as it can cause significant damage.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles. When she obscures your vision with fog, focus on avoiding damage. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as you're nearing the game's end.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Gehrman is the final non-optional boss, wielding a scythe and firearms. Mastering parrying can make this fight manageable once you understand his attack timings.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

To face the Moon Presence, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords before fighting Gehrman, then refuse his offer and defeat him. The Moon Presence uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness, but with caution and the skills you've honed, you should overcome this final challenge.

And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!

For more news on Bloodborne, check out our Bloodborne PSX, a brutal fan-made PS1 demake. For cool FromSoftware stuff in general, 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.