We independently assess all our recommendations. Purchases through our links may earn us a commission.
With Elden Ring currently on sale, it’s high time we introduce you once more to 10 of the best reasons why players quit or almost did in their journey throughout the Lands Between. Out of all the hundreds of bosses in the game, you need to watch out for the 10 hardest Elden Ring bosses we’ll be mentioning here, and why they will put your foolish ambitions to rest.
We’d also like to point out that we’re not telling you to stay away from these hardest Elden Ring bosses simply because they might incite you to punch your screen or turn your controller into a weaponized projectile. On the contrary, you wouldn’t want to miss them on your journey of becoming a full-fledged masochist. Welcome to the Souls-like genre.
Margit, the Fell Omen
Speaking of welcomes, Margit, the Fell Omen, takes the throne as one of the earliest bosses you’ll mandatorily confront. This ragged old man here is a literal gatekeeper and he gets to separate the ‘men from the boys’ so to speak. He’s also one of the reasons why a lot of players quit early on, never unearthing the full extent of the Elden Ring experience.
His relentless aggression and delayed attack patterns can be an overwhelming initiation into Elden Ring‘s unforgiving world. To conquer Margit is to conquer your worst gaming impulses, as you learn the importance of precise timing and pattern recognition.
Mohg, Lord of Blood
Among the most enigmatic and oppressive bosses you’ll encounter is Mohg, Lord of Blood. A master of fire-based attacks and a relentless Bleed tormentor, Mohg excels in inflicting Blood loss buildup, which can cause even seasoned players to panic.
His moves carry deliberate delays (much like his brother, Margit/Morgott, leaving you guessing when to dodge and counter. Careful preparation and a deep understanding of his mechanics are crucial to survival and there’s actually an in-game item that can cancel out Mohg’s most devastating trick.
Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast
The Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast is huge and unexpected in its rather odd arena– who would have expected a crater on top of a pointy mountain?
Its ferocious onslaught of combos offers few openings for retaliation, challenging your mastery of dodging and striking. Engaging in this formidable battle becomes an exercise in patience and strategy, as you’ll need to chip away at its monstrous health bar gradually.
In hindsight, this fight would have only been half as hard as it should be were it not for the lopsided crater arena.
Godskin Duo
A trademark of a Souls game is an unfair boss duo like Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls. The developers thus channeled the notoriety of those two once more with the Godskin Duo albeit in a less elegant and more inconsiderate manner.
By the way!
Did you know we’re launching a Kickstarter campaign? In the next few months, our campaign for ‘Gentle Jack: The Party Game for Bad Friends‘ goes live! Visit the official website or follow the Kickstarter page to stay in the loop.
The Godskin Duo presents an exasperating challenge. Consisting of the Godskin Apostle and Godskin Noble, both share a single health bar. This dual-boss battle requires exceptional multitasking skills.
Each boss respawns until the shared health bar is fully depleted, and an intricate dance of managing two opponents in a confined arena is something you’ll need to perform. Luckily, you can level the playing field with a Mimic Tear.
Dragonlord Placidusax
Concealed within the depths of Crumble Farum Azula, Dragonlord Placidusax is a nightmare-made flesh (or stone since he’s nearly fossilized from all the waiting). This is an optional boss fight that you wouldn’t want to miss since; it’s the most epic dragon fight you can engage in your Elden Ring playthrough.
Breathing fire, summoning red crackling lightning, and employing teleportation, Placidusax’s combat demands your full attention and an ability to adapt quickly to this twin-headed dragon.
Unlike other dragon encounters, you’ll need to face this one on foot, because your damn mount is far from the most faithful and noble steed.
Beast Clergyman / Maliketh, the Black Blade
This battle unfolds in two distinctive phases because it’s tradition for Souls players to suffer at least twice in major boss fights.
The Beast Clergyman is remarkably agile, with delayed attacks that can catch you off guard with little to no window for counterattacks.
Upon transforming into Maliketh, the Black Blade, his pace accelerates dramatically and he’ll shower you with a bunch of hateful debuffs. His acrobatic feats and relentless red energy attacks make Phase 2 of the fight a true test of caution and spatial awareness.
Godfrey, First Elden Lord / Hoarah Loux, Warrior
Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, presents a multifaceted battle. With a majestic cinematic introduction, a back story integral to the Elden Ring lore, and an ethereal lion companion, Godfrey commands your full attention.
His second form, Horah Loux, escalates the difficulty into an awe-inspiring beatdown. Barehanded and drenched in blood, Horah Loux will employ grab attacks with varying delays and devastating area-of-effect bursts that are almost impossible to dodge.
This fight will wear you down though by no means will it burn away your respect for this boss. Man’s a legend, a true ‘wariuurggh.’
Starscourge Radahn
Speaking of true warriors, the fight against Starscourge Radahn delivers a violently festive spectacle filled with the finest combatants in the Lands Between looking to make a name for themselves.
Radahn’s gravity arrows and massive swords pose a substantial threat, making the encounter incredibly punishing. Attempting to level the playing field by mounting your own steed becomes a tactical dance of quick strikes and strategic retreats. While you can summon eight warriors to aid you, almost none of them will survive.
On the off-chance that you and a couple of allies persist, Radahn will just turn himself and his horse into a meteor. Afterward, he will nuke you into ash while you watch helplessly as the crazed giant zombie general brings down the force of a falling star on your frail existence. What a show-off.
Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast
Radagon, the ultimate roadblock at the game’s conclusion, presents a two-phase showdown. To succeed, you must first defeat Radagon before immediately engaging the formidable Elden Beast. Radagon boasts an array of flashy and straightforward moves, each with its distinct rhythm though he’s not entirely unmanageable.
Phase 2 features the Elden Beast once Radagon has been defeated. This is where the nonsense happens. It’s a giant boss, meaning you’ll be fighting the camera as much as the actual boss.
Moreover, the Elden Beast frequently retreats across the battlefield, launching ranged attacks that demand pursuit and evasion, which is a shame since the boss arena is so huge and you’ll spend most of your time in this fight chasing the beast. Still, that makes the victory all the more savory, especially after all the odds you went through.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Earning the crown as the hardest out of all Elden Ring bosses, we present you Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Her reputation as the most challenging boss in the entire Soulsborne genre is well-deserved.
Every one of her attacks hits like a Radahn’s meteor, complete with deceptive combos, and she also heals after each successful strike, turning the fight into an endurance test.
However, it’s her dreaded Waterfowl Dance attack that truly distinguishes her as the ultimate test. Only the most accomplished of Elden Ring players can dodge such an unfair attack move. Still, the battle unfolds in mesmerizing and deadly poetry, showcasing the epitome of Elden Ring‘s signature brand of challenge.
Expect to dedicate anywhere from 1 to 12 hours in order to defeat her. That’s a generous estimate.
