"Optimal Bloodborne Boss Sequence Revealed"

Bloodborne is a challenging game renowned for its tough bosses, and understanding the optimal order to tackle them can significantly enhance your gaming experience. This guide will outline the best boss order for Bloodborne, detailing where and when to face each challenge.

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 multiple paths to victory, and while it's not necessary to defeat every boss to complete the game, doing so can unlock valuable rewards. We strongly recommend tackling as many bosses as possible during your playthrough. Below, you'll find the suggested order for both non-optional and all bosses, followed by detailed explanations.

In total, Bloodborne features 17 regular bosses and 5 additional bosses from the The Old Hunters DLC. This guide excludes Chalice Dungeon bosses. While you can start the DLC after defeating Vicar Amelia, it's generally advised to wait until later in the game. Some players suggest tackling 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)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

The Cleric Beast is one of the first bosses you'll encounter in Bloodborne, located in Central Yharnam. Known for its speed and aggression, this boss can deal significant damage if you're not cautious. To defeat it, stay behind and target its hind legs to trip it up, then attack its head when it's down.

Father Gascoigne

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Central Yharnam

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

Blood-Starved Beast (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Old Yharnam

Found in the Church of the Good Chalice in Old Yharnam, the Blood-Starved Beast is a tough adversary with high damage output. 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 is a large beast with melee attacks and a self-healing ability. Attack her when she's immobile during self-healing, but be wary of her glowing body, which signals her healing phase.

The Witch of Hemwick (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hemwick Charnel Lane

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

Shadow of Yharnam

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forbidden Woods

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 with your knife to expose its vulnerable underbelly.

Rom, the Vacuous Spider

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Moonside Lake

Located at Byrgenwerth's Moonside Lake, Rom uses poisonous and physical attacks and summons spiders. Quickly eliminate the spiders and attack Rom when possible. Be aware that defeating Rom alters the game world, potentially causing you to miss certain elements if not explored beforehand.

Darkbeast Paarl (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hypogean Gaol

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

Image via FromSoftware
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 grounded. Be prepared to deal with summoned smaller enemies during the fight.

Martyr Logarius (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Forsaken Castle Cainhurst

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

Amygdala (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare Frontier

Amygdala, a giant mass of tentacles with a single eye, is one of the game's toughest bosses due to her size and reach. Be prepared for a variety of attacks that can quickly deplete your health.

Celestial Emissary (Optional)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Upper Cathedral Ward

The Celestial Emissary is fast and uses arm swings to attack. Roll towards its legs to avoid damage and counterattack. Be cautious of its ground-based grab attacks.

Micolash, Host of the Nightmare

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Micolash requires you to chase him through his arena, dealing with magical fog and summoned underlings. Once cornered, watch out for his potent attacks. A common strategy is to use poison knives to defeat him.

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)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Altar of Despair

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

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Nightmare of Mensis

Mergo’s Wet Nurse uses tentacles and fast-moving water projectiles. She also employs fog to obscure your vision. Focus on avoiding damage during this phase. After defeating her, complete any remaining tasks in Bloodborne, as you're nearing the game's end.

Gehrman, the First Hunter

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream

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

Moon Presence (Ending Specific)

Image via FromSoftware
Area: Hunter’s Dream

To face the Moon Presence, the true final boss, you must collect three of the four One Third of Umbilical Cords and use them before fighting Gehrman. These can be obtained from Mergo’s Wet Nurse, the Abandoned Workshop, the Arianna questline, or Iosefka after defeating Rom. Refuse Gehrman's offer and defeat him to face the Moon Presence. She uses her tails, claws, and orbs of darkness to attack, but with caution and the skills you've honed throughout the game, you should be able to overcome her.

And that's the best Bloodborne boss order!

For more news on Bloodborne, check out our coverage of Bloodborne PSX, a brutal fan-made PS1 demake. For more FromSoftware content, explore 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.