FromSoftware games are known for their brutal bosses, and Elden Ring bosses is no exception. With over 100 bosses in the game, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But some stand out above the rest — either because they’re insanely tough, emotionally powerful, or deeply connected to the lore. Here are the top 15 hardest and most iconic Elden Ring bosses, ranked by a combination of difficulty and story impact.
Table of Contents
- What Makes a Boss Memorable in Elden Ring
- #15 – Commander Niall
- #14 – Fire Giant
- #13 – Crucible Knight
- #12 – Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
- #11 – Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
- #10 – Radagon of the Golden Order
- #9 – Maliketh, the Black Blade
- #8 – Dragonlord Placidusax
- #7 – Godfrey, First Elden Lord
- #6 – Morgott, the Omen King
- #5 – Mohg, Lord of Blood
- #4 – Malenia, Blade of Miquella
- #3 – Starscourge Radahn
- #2 – Godskin Duo
- #1 – Elden Beast
- Honorable Mentions
- Final Thoughts
1. What Makes Elden Ring Bosses one of the hardest bosses?
- High difficulty: Relentless attack patterns and mechanics
- Epic visuals or soundtrack: Atmosphere matters
- Lore significance: Their story impacts the world
- Replay value: You want to fight them again
Let’s dive into the top 15.
2. #15 – Commander Niall
Location: Castle Sol, Mountaintops of the Giants
Difficulty: High
Why He’s Brutal:
Summons two elite knights before engaging you himself. Deals massive frost and lightning AoE damage. A true DPS and stamina check.
3. #14 – Fire Giant
Location: Flame Peak
Difficulty: High
Lore: Guardian of the Forge of the Giants
Fight Highlights:
He’s slow but tanky. His second phase features ranged fire attacks and insane AoE. His size can make camera angles frustrating — which is part of the challenge.
4. #13 – Crucible Knight
Location: Various (Stormhill Evergaol, Farum Azula, etc.)
Difficulty: Very high
Why He’s Here:
This early-game mini-boss has parry-perfect timing, insane poise, and punishes mistakes. Often found in pairs later on. A true skill check.
5. #12 – Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Location: Grand Cloister
Difficulty: Medium to High
Lore: Cosmic horror, possible origin of the stars’ destruction
Fight Highlights:
One of the game’s most visually stunning bosses. Lasers, teleportation, and a grab attack that can one-shot unprepared players.
6. #11 – Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Location: Volcano Manor
Difficulty: Moderate
Lore: A demigod who fused with the God-Devouring Serpent
Fight Highlights:
Uses a special weapon: the Serpent-Hunter. Rykard’s second phase unleashes lava, skulls, and serpentine chaos. Epic but manageable.
7. #10 – Radagon of the Golden Order
Location: Erdtree
Difficulty: Very High
Lore: Former husband of Queen Marika and the first phase of the final boss
Fight Highlights:
Fast, heavy-hitting, and unpredictable. Lightning and holy magic blend with swordplay. Second phase transitions to the Elden Beast.
8. #9 – Maliketh, the Black Blade
Location: Crumbling Farum Azula
Difficulty: Very High
Lore: The shadow of Marika and wielder of Destined Death
Fight Highlights:
Moves like a ninja on fire. Can reduce your HP with every hit. His second phase is brutally fast, with high-damage combos and AoEs.
9. #8 – Dragonlord Placidusax
Location: Hidden in Crumbling Farum Azula
Difficulty: Very High
Lore: Ancient godlike dragon that once ruled the world
Fight Highlights:
Epic arena in a field of clouds. Disappears and reappears during attacks. Fights like a mythic creature from ancient tales.
10. #7 – Godfrey, First Elden Lord
Location: Leyndell, Ashen Capital
Difficulty: High
Lore: First Elden Lord and Marika’s consort
Fight Highlights:
Starts stoic and strategic. Second phase (Hoarah Loux) becomes an all-out brawler with grapples and ground shatters. Pure warrior boss fight.
11. #6 – Morgott, the Omen King
Location: Leyndell
Difficulty: High
Lore: True form of Margit, heir to the Erdtree
Fight Highlights:
Uses holy spears and deadly AoEs. Aggressive with limited openings. A lore-heavy, intimidating mid-game boss.
12. #5 – Mohg, Lord of Blood
Location: Mohgwyn Palace
Difficulty: Extremely High
Lore: Brother of Morgott, servant of an outer god
Fight Highlights:
Blood magic, bleed damage, and the infamous “Nihil” phase where you’re drained while he chants. Easily one of the hardest optional bosses.
13. #4 – Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Location: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Difficulty: Arguably the hardest in the game
Lore: Twin sister of Miquella, scarlet rot goddess
Fight Highlights:
Fast, graceful, and relentless. Heals when she hits you. Waterfowl Dance is feared across the community. Phase two? Scarlet rot angel of death.
14. #3 – Starscourge Radahn
Location: Redmane Castle
Difficulty: High
Lore: Hero general, gravity magic wielder, consumed by rot
Fight Highlights:
An open-world festival duel. You ride Torrent in a massive battlefield. Gravity arrows, meteor slams, and lore-rich tragedy make him unforgettable.
15. #2 – Godskin Duo
Location: Crumbling Farum Azula
Difficulty: Frustratingly high
Why They’re Brutal:
You fight two bosses at once who revive indefinitely. Requires AoE and crowd control. Most players consider this fight “cheap” but iconic.
16. #1 – Elden Beast
Location: Final Boss
Difficulty: Extremely High
Lore: Literal embodiment of the Greater Will
Fight Highlights:
Shifts reality, creates cosmic trails, and flies around the arena. Tests every skill you’ve learned. Immense, mystical, and cinematic.
17. Honorable Mentions
- Godrick the Grafted – Memorable first legacy dungeon boss
- Renalla – Magical boss with multiple phases
- Bell Bearing Hunters – Tough invaders with late-game power
- Ulcerated Tree Spirits – Aggressive, twisted tree demons
- Black Blade Kindred – Twinblade titan that punishes greed
18. Final Thoughts
Elden Ring’s bosses aren’t just battles—they’re epic set pieces with emotional weight and world-shaping consequences. Whether it’s Malenia’s endless elegance or Radahn’s tragic festival, each boss brings something unforgettable to the Lands Between.
Which one gave you the most trouble?
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Who is the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
Most players agree that Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is the hardest Elden Ring boss due to her healing ability, speed, and devastating Waterfowl Dance attack.
Is the Elden Beast harder than Radagon?
The Elden Beast is considered harder overall because of its massive arena, constant movement, and cosmic attacks. However, Radagon can feel tougher due to his aggressive, unpredictable melee combos.
Why is Commander Niall so difficult?
Commander Niall summons two elite knights at the start of the fight, forcing you to deal with multiple threats at once. His frost and lightning attacks also punish stamina management.
What makes Godskin Duo frustrating?
The Godskin Duo is infamous because you fight two bosses at once, and they can revive indefinitely. Without AoE or crowd control, the fight can feel overwhelming and unfair.
Is Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, one of the hardest bosses?
Not really. While Rykard looks intimidating, the fight relies on a special weapon (Serpent-Hunter) that makes it more manageable compared to other demigod bosses.
Who is the most lore-important boss in Elden Ring?
Several bosses hold major lore weight, but Radagon and the Elden Beast are central to the game’s final act. Godfrey and Morgott also carry deep connections to Queen Marika and the Golden Order.
Which boss has the most epic visuals?
Many argue that Dragonlord Placidusax and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, have the most stunning arenas, with cosmic skies and mythic atmospheres that make their fights unforgettable.
What boss is considered the biggest skill check?
The Crucible Knight is often called an early-game skill check because of his parry timing, poise, and punishing counterattacks. Defeating him teaches patience and precision.
Are optional bosses harder than story bosses?
Yes — some optional bosses like Mohg, Lord of Blood and Malenia are much harder than required story bosses. They’re designed as endgame challenges for skilled players.
How many main bosses are in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring has over 150 bosses total, but only around 12–15 are considered major mandatory bosses that progress the story. The rest are optional, though many are extremely challenging.
