As someone who has spent over a decade navigating the treacherous landscapes of the FromSoftware universe, I can confidently say that the challenges these games present have become an integral part of my life experience. Among all the formidable adversaries I’ve faced, there are certain boss battles that stand out as particularly daunting and memorable.
The Orphan of Kos, for instance, has been a source of both dread and determination since its introduction in Bloodborne’s DLC. Despite countless attempts, this erratic, unpredictable creature continues to test my mettle and push me to my limits. And let’s not forget the infamous Promised Consort Radahn, whose return in Elden Ring was as shocking as it was brutal. With its low frames, blinding rays of light, and seemingly inescapable attack patterns, that battle proved to be the most challenging I have ever faced in a FromSoftware game.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go back and give Radahn another shot – for the hundredth time! But hey, at least I’ll never run out of things to do in the interim, right? After all, they say laughter is the best medicine, and trying to defeat these bosses sure does make me laugh sometimes… in sheer frustration.
In the realm of video game development, FromSoftware is renowned for crafting exceptional expansion packs that frequently match or surpass the quality of their base games.
As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that each DLC from “Artorias of the Abyss” to “Shadow of the Erdtree” has left an indelible mark on me. Each one is unique in its own right, but they share a common trait that I particularly appreciate – they are brimming with memorable and extremely challenging bosses. These battles have tested my skills, patience, and strategy to the limit, making each victory all the more satisfying. I eagerly anticipate the next DLC, hoping it will continue this tradition of providing unforgettable gaming experiences.
In other words, the studio consistently sets a higher standard with every new bit of extra content, making way for significantly tougher and more gratifying challenges.
The Soulsborne series owes much of its character to the expansions, which is a testament to their high-quality design.
Indeed, we frequently acknowledge FromSoftware’s brilliance, and now let us delve into the task of listing the top ten toughest Soulsborne DLC bosses.
10. Burnt Ivory King
A Fight Turned Into War
| Game | Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Ivory King |
| Location | Old Chaos |
Considering that its bosses are among the most straightforward in the entire Soulsborne series, it’s challenging to envision Dark Souls 2 making this list, yet there are still some potential contenders.
Instead of choosing any other option, I’ve made the Burnt Ivory King my top priority. In my opinion, he presents the greatest challenge among all bosses in the sequel, surpassing even formidable opponents like the Fume Knight.
The struggle begins as soon as you enter Eleum Loyce, a place where your mission is to reclaim the knights who’ll aid you in the fight, and ensure the battle doesn’t become any harder than it already is.
Even though the King of Burnt Ivory is nimble, he does not afford you opportunities to recuperate, and his damage output is substantial. This contrasts significantly with encounters in the base game, which tend to be slower-paced and offer multiple chances for healing.
As a dedicated fan, I can attest that while Dark Souls 2 might not be renowned for having the most challenging bosses across the board, it certainly doesn’t fall short when it comes to delivering tough tests, as evident with the formidable Burnt Ivory King in its expansions.
9. Knight Artorias
The Abyss is Terrifying
| Game | Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss |
| Location | Royal Wood |
Dark Souls is a game that requires careful strategy and deliberate movement, as mastering the art of defensive maneuvers and keen perception of your environment are crucial for staying alive in this challenging world.
Nevertheless, upon arriving at Oolacile and meeting Artorias, all your knowledge from the initial game becomes obsolete. This is because the Abyss Walker presents a relentless, high-adrenaline experience.
As someone who has spent countless hours battling monstrous beasts and treacherous environments in the world of Dark Souls, I can confidently say that Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, is a formidable foe. His openings are scarce, and one wrong move can lead to swift and severe punishment. However, when it comes to Artorias, I find myself treading on even more dangerous ground.
Artorias’ attack patterns are intricate and unpredictable, always keeping me on my toes. His endurance is seemingly endless, making him a relentless adversary. What makes Artorias especially challenging for me is the fact that parrying is not an option in our duels – a strategy I have grown to rely on in many other encounters within this dark realm.
The experience of facing Artorias has left an indelible mark on my journey through this soul-crushing world, as he stands as one of the most formidable opponents I have ever faced.
Due to this, triumphing over Artorias can only be achieved by fighting flawlessly. Any deviation from perfection will result in your demise. The encounter with him is the lengthiest and most frustrating boss battle in the entire game, yet it remains the best in the series.
8. Ludwig, The Accursed
A Beast and A Knight
| Game | Bloodborne: The Old Hunters |
| Location | Hunter’s Nightmare |
It’s quite rare for me to find Ludwig, the Accursed challenging since I usually don’t need numerous attempts, however, I must admit that it’s a complex confrontation indeed.
In essence, Bloodborne: The Old Hunters stands out as one of the toughest Soulsborne expansion packs ever made, with Ludwig being a clear contender for the hardest bosses within that difficulty range.
Without his progression into the second stage, characterized by smoother, understandable, and foreseeable actions, he might have achieved even greater heights, given that the initial stage is incredibly challenging.
It’s evident that he’s exceptionally well-crafted as a boss, considering his actions are always perceived as fair. Unlike many others on the list, Ludwig stands out for being both rewarding and demanding, yet he never becomes annoying or frustrating.
7. Messmer the Impaler
You Will Know Defeat Once Again
| Game | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Location | Shadow Keep |
Despite needing more attempts than any other boss in the original game, I have a blend of emotions regarding the challenge posed by Messmer the Impaler.
Interestingly, the number of times I tried to defeat him didn’t mirror my feelings towards each attempt, because I was consistently aware of the strategies needed to win.
In contrast to bosses such as Malenia and Maliketh from the main game, whom I defeated faster albeit with reduced certainty, Messmer stood out to me as less intimidating. Yet, despite this initial impression, he eventually emerged as my preferred boss across all of Elden Ring.
The design and choreography of Messmer are exceptionally well thought out, making him a delight to read and easy to understand. This indicates that he would have been challenging had FromSoftware not invested so much passion into his creation.
Despite the numbers being accurate, it wasn’t any other enemy that compelled me to repeat the battle as often as the Impaler. To be honest, I might not have conveyed my feelings accurately, but it’s indisputable that he gave me a tough time for quite some time during our fight.
6. Darkeater Midir
The Hardest Soulsborne Dragon
| Game | Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City |
| Location | The Ringed City |
Among the managers I’ve encountered while playing the Soulsborne series, only a select few have caused me to take breaks lasting weeks. However, I can truthfully say that Darkeater Midir is one such boss who managed to halt my progression in the game.
In the game Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City, the toughest dragon ever conceived by FromSoftware resides. This formidable creature is injured yet potent, lying in wait until you accidentally descend into its lair, where it lies in wait to shred you to pieces.
My main problem is that Midir behaves differently from other dragons in the Soulsborne series, since you must engage him directly in combat rather than pursuing him by attacking his body and tail to deplete his health.
Taking a pause from my usual routine left me feeling distinctly uneasy, given that Midir relentlessly assaults me. His fiery breath, lethal beams, and swift claws make pausing for even a breath impossible.
Indeed, I deeply care for him, yet he represents one of the rare instances when Dark Souls left me feeling thoroughly defeated.
5. Sister Friede
A Three-phase Headache
| Game | Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel |
| Location | Painted World of Ariandel |
I admit that Dark Souls 3 played a significant role in making the series one of the greatest, yet Sister Friede’s impact on me is something I’ll always remember vividly.
When I successfully conquered the second phase, it was incredibly disheartening to witness the boss reemerge from the ground, much like few other Soulsborne games had managed to make me feel during my gaming experiences.
Only much time passed before I consistently managed to conquer her third stage. Before that point, I often had to attack from a distance with arrows and exploit her weaknesses in programming since I couldn’t win against her directly.
At some stage, you could manage the initial two stages without getting hurt, but the third one… That’s an entirely different scenario. It’s a tale that makes Sister Friede a formidable adversary, even for seasoned gamers.
In this rephrased version, I have used a more conversational tone and replaced technical terms with common expressions to make it easier to understand.
4. Slave Knight Gael
The Most Relentless Foe
| Game | Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City |
| Location | Filianore’s Rest |
In a more straightforward manner, the Downloadable Contents (DLC) in Dark Souls 3 are exceptional works of art and models of excellence for crafting remarkable bosses, with Slave Knight Gael standing out as the best among them.
To put it simply, this boss presents the toughest fight throughout the entire trilogy, since it’s one of the few instances where there are no exploitable weaknesses whatsoever.
In terms of speed, resilience, damage output, intricacy, durability, artificial intelligence, and other aspects, Slave Knight Gael reigns supreme in every category. Just like Artorias, achieving perfection is the key to success, but what sets Dark Souls 3 apart is its remarkable speed compared to the original Dark Souls.
Although Soul of Cinder presents a considerable level of challenge, bosses such as Sister Friede and Gael exceed it by delivering the same type of challenge, yet on a grander scale. This clearly demonstrates why these bosses are considered among the finest in the game.
3. Laurence, The First Vicar
A Punishing Nightmare
| Game | Bloodborne: The Old Hunters |
| Location | Grand Cathedral |
Together with Sister Friede, Laurence, The First Vicar is the only character in the Soulsborne series that has made me abandon the game for several weeks before eventually overcoming him.
Bloodborne: The Old Hunters notoriously challenges players who assume they can conquer its bosses using strategies from the main game, and Laurence serves as an illustrative case of this difficulty.
Unlike Amelia, it’s extremely challenging to approach him from behind for an attack, and even more so during his second phase. In this phase, he transforms into a terrifying spectacle of lava and uses peculiar hitbox patterns for his attacks.
In contrast, while Gehrman, The First Hunter, represents a harmonious interaction between two professionals aiming to rescue each other, Lawrence is a perplexing puzzle that I find hard to develop affection for.
2. Orphan of Kos
The Only Fight That Never Gets Easy
| Game | Bloodborne: The Old Hunters |
| Location | Fishing Hamlet Coast |
Regardless of the number of years that elapse, the prospect of encountering the Orphan of Kos, a notoriously challenging boss in Bloodborne’s DLC, will continue to fill me with apprehension. This fear is rooted in its status as one of the most difficult bosses ever featured in video games.
Despite having played The Old Hunters multiple times with various characters and observing many speedruns, their heart-wrenching final confrontation never fails to make my palms sweat.
This enemy is unusually unpredictable compared to others in the Soulsborne series, with a second phase that’s hard to anticipate and the power to drastically deplete your health with a single strike.
As a gamer, I can tell you that battling Gehrman feels like a razor-thin line between life and death. It’s only by some sort of supernatural aid that I manage to emerge victorious from this grueling encounter.
The Orphan of Kos embodies a terrifying experience, with its ability to vanish swiftly from sight, summon sudden lightning strikes across the battlefield, and let out piercing cries – truly earning the title of a horrifying specter.
1. Promised Consort Radahn
The Maximum Exaggeration of Difficulty
| Game | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree |
| Location | Enir-Ilim |
As a devoted enthusiast of the Soulsborne series, I must confess that no challenge within these captivating worlds has ever tested my mettle quite like the formidable Promised Consort Radahn.
Apart from towering above Radagon and the Elden Beast in a way that no other character does, the reappearance of Radahn took everyone by surprise, much like how no boss in this kind of game has ever left me defeated as many times as Miquella’s lord did.
In simpler terms, Malenia, the Orphan of Kos, as well as Isshin, find the ending of “Shadow of the Erdtree” unjustifiably challenging. The game features low frame rates, blinding flashes of light, and at times, relentless attack patterns that make it incredibly difficult to overcome. Essentially, it’s a tough fight.
Thankfully, the Promised Consort Radahn has been well-balanced and makes a superb final boss, living up to the level of challenge anticipated for a character of such significance.
No matter how many times I tried, over 100 in total, defeating its original version remains the most challenging feat I’ve accomplished as a dedicated FromSoftware game enthusiast.
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2025-01-04 17:10