"Optimal Bloodborne Boss Sequence Revealed"

*Bloodborne* is a challenging game known for its tough bosses. This guide will help you navigate the ideal boss order, ensuring you face the game's challenges at the right time and in the right place.

Table of contents

The Best Boss Order for BloodborneBest Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in BloodborneBest Boss Order for All Bosses in BloodborneOur Best Boss Order, ExplainedCleric Beast (Optional)Father GascoigneBlood-Starved Beast (Optional)Vicar AmeliaThe Witch of Hemwick (Optional)Shadow of YharnamRom, the Vacuous SpiderDarkbeast Paarl (Optional)The One RebornMartyr Logarius (Optional)Amygdala (Optional)Celestial Emissary (Optional)Micolash, Host of the NightmareThe Old Hunters BossesEbrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)Mergo’s Wet NurseGehrman, the First HunterMoon Presence (Ending Specific)

The Best Boss Order for Bloodborne

There are multiple approaches to tackling Bloodborne's bosses. While you don't need to defeat every boss to complete the game, doing so can unlock valuable rewards. We highly recommend attempting as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. Below, you'll find suggested orders for both non-optional and all bosses, followed by detailed explanations.

Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses in the The Old Hunters DLC. Although you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to wait until later in the game. Opinions vary on whether to tackle the DLC before or after Mergo’s Wet Nurse, as it can impact certain dialogues.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

Here’s the recommended order for facing the non-optional bosses in Bloodborne:

Father GascoigneVicar AmeliaShadow of YharnamRom, the Vacuous SpiderThe One RebornMicolash, Host of the NightmareMergo’s Wet NurseGehrman, the First HunterMoon Presence (Ending Specific)

Best Boss Order for All Bosses in Bloodborne

Here’s the suggested order for tackling all bosses in Bloodborne:

Cleric Beast (Optional)Father GascoigneBlood-Starved Beast (Optional)Vicar AmeliaThe Witch of Hemwick (Optional)Shadow of YharnamRom, the Vacuous SpiderDarkbeast Paarl (Optional)The One RebornMartyr Logarius (Optional)Amygdala (Optional)Celestial Emissary (Optional)Micolash, Host of the NightmareLudwig 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 NurseGehrman, the First HunterMoon Presence (Ending Specific)

Our Best Boss Order, Explained

Cleric Beast (Optional)

Area: Central Yharnam

The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. It's fast, aggressive, and can deal significant damage if you're not careful. To defeat it, try staying behind it and attacking its hind legs to trip it up. Once it's down, target its head.

Father Gascoigne

Area: Central Yharnam

Father Gascoigne is a crazed hunter and one of the first major challenges in the game. He moves quickly and uses his gun often. Mastering the parry timing is key to defeating him swiftly.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Area: Old Yharnam

Located in Old Yharnam’s Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast hits hard and has substantial health. Maintain your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to take it down more easily.

Vicar Amelia

Area: Cathedral Ward

Vicar Amelia is a large, animal-like creature with melee attacks and self-healing capabilities. When she heals, she becomes immobile, providing an ideal opportunity to attack. Be cautious of her glowing body during this phase.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

Prepare to fight the Witch of Hemwick and her henchmen. She becomes visible when you approach, often hiding in corners. Use your firearm to target her effectively.

Shadow of Yharnam

Area: Forbidden Woods

The Shadow of Yharnam wields a large club and can be defeated with a solid strategy. Dodge its swings, shoot its head with your gun, and slash its legs with your knife to expose its vulnerable underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Area: Moonside Lake

Located at Moonside Lake in Byrgenwerth, Rom uses poisonous and physical attacks while summoning spiders. Quickly dispatch the spiders to focus on damaging Rom. Beating Rom will alter the game world, so ensure you've completed necessary tasks beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Area: Hypogean Gaol

Found in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, specifically in The Graveyard of the Darkbeast, Darkbeast Paarl is a formidable opponent. It's recommended to fight it after Rom.

The One Reborn

Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

The One Reborn uses both physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, dodge when it raises its arms, and attack when it's down. Deal with the summoned enemies first before focusing on the boss.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

Martyr Logarius is challenging due to his Arcane damage. Mastering parry timing can help you deal significant damage to him.

Amygdala (Optional)

Area: Nightmare Frontier

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

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary moves quickly and can grab you with its long arms. Roll towards its legs to avoid attacks and strike back when safe.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash can be tricky to defeat due to his tendency to hide in magical fog and summon underlings. After chasing him down, watch out for his potent attacks and consider using poison knives.

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 the area. Then, tackle Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos, all of which are challenging encounters.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Area: Altar of Despair

Ebrietas uses tentacle and magical attacks. Watch out for her head-slamming move, which can deal massive 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 avoiding damage. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks in the game, including the DLC bosses if not already done.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Area: Hunter’s Dream

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

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Area: Hunter’s Dream

To fight the Moon Presence, the true final boss, collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords and use them before facing Gehrman. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to encounter the Moon Presence. This boss uses tails, claws, and orbs of darkness but is generally less challenging than Gehrman.

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.