Optimal Bloodborne Boss Sequence Revealed: All Game Bosses Listed

Navigating the challenging world of *Bloodborne* involves facing a series of formidable bosses, each with unique abilities and tactics. This guide outlines the optimal boss order to help you progress through the game smoothly, ensuring you're well-prepared for each encounter. Whether you're aiming to conquer all bosses or focus on the essential ones, this sequence will maximize your rewards and gameplay experience.

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

Bloodborne offers a flexible approach to boss encounters, allowing you to choose which challenges to face. While completing the game requires defeating certain bosses, tackling all available bosses can enhance your gameplay with valuable rewards. Below, you'll find recommended sequences for both non-optional and all bosses, along with detailed strategies for each.

In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and an additional 5 from the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide focuses on the main game and DLC bosses, excluding the Chalice Dungeon encounters. The DLC can be started after Vicar Amelia, but for the best experience, consider tackling it near the game's end, ideally before or after Mergo’s Wet Nurse, depending on your preference for dialogue outcomes.

Best Boss Order for Non-Optional Bosses in Bloodborne

Here's the recommended order 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 looking to conquer every boss in Bloodborne, here's the suggested 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)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

The Cleric Beast is an early encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. This fast and aggressive boss can be challenging, but targeting its hind legs can trip it up, allowing you to attack its vulnerable head.

Father Gascoigne

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

Father Gascoigne, a crazed hunter, is your first major challenge. Mastering parry timing is key to quickly defeating him, as he moves swiftly and uses his gun frequently.

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam

Found in Old Yharnam's Church of the Good Chalice, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough fight. Keep your distance and use fire or explosive weapons to take it down more easily.

Vicar Amelia

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Cathedral Ward

Vicar Amelia, a massive creature with self-healing abilities, is vulnerable when healing. Watch for her glowing body, then strike while she's immobile.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

Prepare for the Witch of Hemwick and her henchmen. She's invisible at a distance but visible up close, often hiding in corners. Use your firearm when you spot her.

Shadow of Yharnam

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forbidden Woods

The Shadow of Yharnam, wielding a large club, can be defeated by dodging its swings, shooting its head, and slashing its legs to expose its underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake

Rom's poisonous and physical attacks, along with summoned spiders, require quick action. Defeat the spiders first, then focus on Rom. Be aware that defeating Rom alters the game world.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol

The Darkbeast Paarl, located in Yahar’gul, the Unseen Village, is a hulking brute. It's best to fight him after Rom to ensure you're adequately prepared.

The One Reborn

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Yahar’gul Unseen Village

The One Reborn uses physical and magical attacks. Keep your distance, roll to avoid his arm-raising attacks, and take out summoned enemies before focusing on him.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

Martyr Logarius is challenging due to his Arcane damage. Mastering parry timing is crucial to dealing significant damage to him.

Amygdala (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier

Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles, is difficult due to her size and reach. Her varied attacks require you to be vigilant and strategic.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary's fast movements and arm swings demand quick dodging. Be cautious of its grab attack even when it's on the ground.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash requires chasing him through his arena, dealing with his magical fog and summoned minions. Once cornered, watch for his potent attacks and consider using poison knives.

The Old Hunters Bosses

The Old Hunters DLC bosses follow a linear progression. After defeating Ludwig, use Laurence's Skull to fight Laurence, then tackle the Living Failures, Lady Maria, and the Orphan of Kos. Each encounter is tough, so prepare thoroughly.

Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair

Ebrietas uses tentacles and magical attacks. Be cautious when she slams her head, as it can deal massive damage.

Mergo’s Wet Nurse

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles, later obscuring your vision with fog. Focus on evasion during these phases.

After defeating Mergo, complete any remaining tasks before proceeding to the endgame. If you haven't tackled the DLC bosses yet, now is the time.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream

Gehrman, the final non-optional boss, uses a scythe and firearms. Mastering parry timing will ease this fight, allowing you to roll credits upon victory.

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream

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 dark orbs but is less challenging than Gehrman if you're cautious and apply your learned skills.

And that's the best Bloodborne boss order! For more on Bloodborne, explore our coverage of the Bloodborne PSX, a fan-made PS1 demake, or delve into other FromSoftware titles like 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.