Conquering Bloodborne's challenging bosses requires strategy. This guide outlines optimal boss encounter orders, differentiating between mandatory and optional fights. While completing all boss fights isn't strictly necessary to finish the game, it yields significant rewards. We recommend tackling as many as possible.

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

Several approaches exist, as not all bosses are mandatory. However, defeating most provides substantial rewards. The following outlines both non-optional and complete boss orders.

There are 17 standard bosses and 5 DLC bosses (The Old Hunters). Chalice Dungeon bosses are excluded. The DLC is theoretically accessible after Vicar Amelia, but many players recommend tackling it closer to the game's end. The timing relative to Mergo's Wet Nurse can influence dialogue.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

1. Father Gascoigne
2. Vicar Amelia
3. Shadow of Yharnam
4. Rom, the Vacuous Spider
5. The One Reborn
6. Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
7. Mergo’s Wet Nurse
8. Gehrman, the First Hunter
9. Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne

1. Cleric Beast (Optional)
2. Father Gascoigne
3. Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)
4. Vicar Amelia
5. The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)
6. Shadow of Yharnam
7. Rom, the Vacuous Spider
8. Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)
9. The One Reborn
10. Martyr Logarius (Optional)
11. Amygdala (Optional)
12. Celestial Emissary (Optional)
13. Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
14. Ludwig the Accursed/Holy Blade (DLC/Optional)
15. Laurence, the First Vicar (DLC/Optional)
16. Living Failures (DLC/Optional)
17. Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower (DLC/Optional)
18. Orphan of Kos (DLC/Optional)
19. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)
20. Mergo’s Wet Nurse
21. Gehrman, the First Hunter
22. Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Our Best Boss Order, Explained

Each boss presents unique challenges:

Cleric Beast (Optional): Located in Central Yharnam. Focus on its hind legs to trip it, then attack its head.

Father Gascoigne: A challenging early hunter. Mastering parries is key.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional): Found in Old Yharnam's Church. Maintain distance and utilize fire/explosive weapons.

Vicar Amelia: A large creature with self-healing abilities. Attack during this vulnerability.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional): Fight her henchmen first. Use firearms when she's visible.

Shadow of Yharnam: Dodge its attacks and target its underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider: Beware of poison and summoned spiders. Prioritize Rom's attacks between spider spawns. Defeating Rom alters the game world.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional): A large, powerful creature. Recommended after Rom.

The One Reborn: Deals physical and magical damage. Prioritize smaller enemies before focusing on him.

Martyr Logarius (Optional): Deals Arcane damage. Parrying is a highly effective strategy.

Amygdala (Optional): A large, challenging boss with a wide range of attacks.

Celestial Emissary (Optional): Fast-moving and dangerous. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare: Requires chasing and dealing with summoned enemies. Poison knives are a viable strategy.

The Old Hunters Bosses: The order here is largely linear after defeating Ludwig.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional): Uses tentacles and magical attacks. Beware of her head slam.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse: A challenging fight, but potentially easier than some preceding encounters.

Gehrman, the First Hunter: The final non-optional boss. Parrying is highly effective.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific): The true final boss. Requires obtaining three Umbilical Cords and refusing Gehrman's offer.

This comprehensive guide provides a strategic approach to conquering Bloodborne's challenging boss roster. 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 more FromSoftware content, explore Armored Core VI. This article was updated on 2/3/2025 to include additional boss details, a high-level summary, and the Old Hunters DLC bosses.