Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked

Highlights

  • Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has some of the toughest bosses in FromSoftware’s games.
  • Players need to be prepared to their limits to face these challenging bosses, each with unique abilities and extremely aggressive attacks.
  • Some of the hardest boss fights in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC are optional.

As a seasoned veteran of FromSoftware games, I have faced my fair share of formidable foes, but none has tested my mettle quite like Bayle the Dread and Radahn, Consort of Miquella. These two titans from Shadow of the Erdtree are not just bosses, they’re monuments to the studio’s unwavering commitment to creating challenging encounters that push players to their limits.


In the gaming world, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is widely recognized as one of the toughest DLCs available, featuring some of the hardest bosses ever designed by FromSoftware. Given Hidetaka Miyazaki’s role as director, it comes as no surprise that the game aims to challenge players to their utmost limits.

At last, the eagerly anticipated expansion delivers as promised. Boasting a whopping 80 bosses, the Shadow Land tests even the most experienced Tarnished warriors. Let’s dive right in! Here are the toughest bosses within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, sorted from least challenging to the hardest to conquer.

12 Romina, The Saint Of The Bud

Meet The Lady Centiscorpede

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Church of the Bud
Difficulty Rating 4/10

Although Romina appears quite formidable and dangerous, she is actually one of the simpler boss battles within the game Shadow of the Erdtree. However, don’t let this fool you; even relatively easy opponents can catch you off guard with sudden attacks that swiftly deplete your health bar. Romina is no exception to this rule.

Inside the Church of the Bud, Romina is known for unleashing Scarlet Rot attacks using her extended spear combos and rot-infused strikes. Furthermore, she often grabs opponents and delivers lethal blows immediately following an attack with her stings.

When she starts her slash sequence, it’s wisest to roll towards the slashes in order to dodge them. Avoiding these slashes becomes particularly crucial if you don’t have the necessary items to treat your Rot and protect yourself from her attacks, because these slashes will accelerate the buildup of your Rot.

We suggest equipping the as it offers a solid resistance against Poison and Scarlet Rot, which is critical for this fight.

11 Golden Hippopotamus

A Health Bar Worthy Of Demigods

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Shadow Keep
Difficulty Rating 5/10

Players familiar with FromSoftware’s titles will recognize that some of the most challenging bosses are typically found in cramped spaces. This trend persists with the , a massive and nimble creature, whose health bar is almost as substantial as Lord Rykard’s, a character we encounter who is essentially a demigod within the main game.

As a seasoned adventurer who has faced many fearsome creatures in my travels, I can confidently say that this hippo is no joke. While its impressive health bar may be a testament to its divine origins, it’s not just its durability that makes it a formidable foe. This beast can hurl its massive body with ease, closing the distance between itself and me in an instant. Its colossal jaws snap and bite relentlessly, making every corner of the arena a dangerous place to be. I’ve fought many fearsome creatures in my time, but this hippo is one I won’t soon forget.

When the hippo’s health dips below 65%, it unexpectedly switches tactics, raining down quills for area-of-effect damage instead of primarily biting or slamming with its chin.

The move that poses the greatest danger is known as leap-and-crash, which inflicts massive damage that could destroy your structure in a single hit, given its high power. Since the space is quite confined, your smartest strategy would be to duck forward just before it slams onto the ground.

Among the challenging optional bosses in “Shadow of the Erdtree,” the Gold-colored Hippopotamus, known for its erratic quills like a porcupine and a mouth that often catches players off guard, is particularly tough. Defeating it grants the Tarnished an incantation with spikes as its reward.

10 Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame

Vulnerable Stance With Frenzy-Infused Attacks

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Abyssal Woods
Difficulty Rating 6/10

In the realm of Darkness, Midra stands out as one of the hardest and most unsettling beings. Just by knowing this, you might guess his toughness without directly encountering him, for even Torrent, the mount, is unable to be summoned before venturing into the forest due to sheer terror.

As I tread along the path leading to Midra, I can’t help but encounter nightmarish creatures reminiscent of those from Bloodborne. It’s only natural that Torrent reacts with a bit of fear. Luckily, navigating the woods and confronting Midra’s relentless aggression is entirely up to me – optional, even. However, for those daring souls who crave the thrill of exploring this area and tackling one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s most challenging bosses, it promises to be a fight worth every effort.

In a twofold manifestation, Midra, infamously titled the Lord of Frenzy, presents himself. The latter phase intensifies significantly, teeming with erratic, swift actions and long-range assaults that keep you guessing. To add to the challenge, Midra is exceptionally agile with his mighty sword, swiftly bridging gaps to engage the player in combat.

As a gamer, I can tell you that The Lord of Frenzy is more than ready to drag you into an endless whirlwind of chaos with his ferocious, hard-to-dodge attacks tainted by Frenzy. To stand a better chance against him, it’s wise to boost your Focus and equip items to strengthen your character’s resilience towards Madness.

Additionally, Midra’s defensive position can be disrupted through a series of three counterattacks. Unlike most Shadow of the Erdtree bosses, he is susceptible to Bleed damage, and he often signals his greatsword strikes well ahead in the combat.

9 Blackgaol Knight

A Bad, Really Bad Welcome To The DLC

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Scorched Ruins
Difficulty Rating 7/10

Located in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, Blackgaol Knight is one of those Shadow of the Erdtree bosses to warn the players before fully dedicating themselves to the DLC. Although he seems like a humble knight, he is no pushover and can be incredibly difficult to beat.

For example, His constant stream of fire bolts poses a challenge for characters who rely on close combat, and he frequently launches swift, powerful sword strikes that make it tough to evade.

In addition to the overall challenge of the battle, the compact boss arena and swift knight armed with a powerful Greatsword add to the fight’s complexity. The knight often unleashes widespread suppressing fire, while his Greatsword strike generates a deadly wave of energy.

Overcoming Blackgaol Knight requires adopting an offensive strategy. Hesitating and allowing him to initiate attacks can lead to being overwhelmed by his flurry of firebolts, potentially resulting in death, or sustaining significant damage from his Greatsword strikes.

1. As soon as you emerge from the misty barrier, it would be wise to charge straight at him. A smart strategy could be attacking him while he’s in the process of reloading his crossbow, then quickly moving away when he draws his sword.

Although his range of abilities isn’t broad, perfecting those skills can prove quite challenging, making the encounter one of the toughest fights during the initial phases of the DLC expansion.

8 The Divine Beast Dancing Lion

Sets The Tone Right For The DLC

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Belurat
Difficulty Rating 7.5/10

Among the initial challenges that Tarnished travelers might encounter, the enigmatic guardian known as the Dancing Lion Divine Beast acts as a warning after Miquella the Kind. Comprised of two colossal figures concealed beneath a blanket, the Dancing Lion Divine Beast is notorious for its erratic attacks that cover extensive areas.

1. In addition to spinning and whirling assaults, these attacks deal cold and electric harm, exacerbating the difficulty level for players newly arriving in the DLC expansion. Unlike traditional foes, this beast doesn’t wield a weapon but rather relies on its physical form to launch attacks.

Players need to study the dance moves of this character and plan ahead to avoid its attacks. Due to being draped in a blanket, its oversized form doesn’t give many warning signs about its next move.

Even though it’s known for its deadly moves, keep an eye on the lion’s head as it may provide a clue about its upcoming actions.

It’s also worth noting that the NPC Redmane Freyja can be summoned before entering the wall of fog, making the fight against one of the hardest Shadow of the Erdtree bosses a bit more manageable.

7 Needle Knight Leda and Miquella’s Followers

Dreadful And Overwhelming

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Enir-Ilim
Difficulty Rating 8/10

Engaging in battle against Leda, the Needle Knight, and Miquella’s loyal allies is undeniably one of the most impactful fights in the game’s entirety. Overcoming them is essential for progression within the DLC expansion. However, this isn’t an accomplishment to be taken lightly, as Leda and her band of Needle Knights are among the toughest opponents you’ll encounter in Shadow of the Erdtree.

In Enir-Ilim’s unique boss battles, players aren’t just facing a single opponent. Instead, they need to engage multiple combatants to progress their quest. Leda and her team are formidable foes, often forcing players to call upon non-player character allies for reinforcement.

Consequently, it’s often a highly debated boss battle due to many gamers being firm on completing the game solely by themselves, eschewing any aid from summons or allies.

It appears that this particular boss tends to favor summoned assistance, as Leda and her companions relentlessly attack the Tarnished with little room for them to catch their breath.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve discovered that battling Leda and multiple opponents becomes less challenging when equipped with a weapon causing Bleeding, complemented by Talismans, for added advantage.

Initially, this ability boosts your attack power by 20% for 20 seconds when used on opponents affected by Hemorrhage. Alternatively, this Talisman significantly enhances your attack power as you continue to attack.

With a special Ash of War that unleashes multiple attacks, your odds of coming out on top greatly increase.

6 Scadutree Avatar

Third Time’s The Charm

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Scadutree Base
Difficulty Rating 8/10

As I delved into the Shadow Keep, I faced one of the toughest foes yet – the Scadutree Avatar. Unlike any other boss I’ve encountered in Shadow of the Erdtree, this battle is divided into three phases, each more challenging than the last. The Avatar wields a formidable arsenal of powerful moves, growing increasingly serious as the fight progresses.

Additionally, the Tarnished needs to reduce Scadutree Avatar’s health gauge to zero on three separate occasions to secure victory.

Every time I dive back into battle against this formidable foe, it seems my avatar’s health gauge takes a hit right from the get-go. But let me tell you, the pain isn’t just from the initial disadvantage – this beast is relentless! It’s got a 360-degree attack arsenal that keeps me on my toes, and its third phase moveset is downright brutal. Every move feels like it was designed to push me to the limit.

Whenever a fresh phase begins, it’s advisable to consistently target its head and evade its potentially deadly attacks instead.

5 Metyr, Mother of Fingers

Visually Stunning And Incredibly Frustrating

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Finger Ruins of Miyr
Difficulty Rating 8/10

In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Metyr is a distinctive, eldritch-themed boss who fires lasers and frequently unleashes area-of-effect attacks.

She combines arms and hands, often summoning them to assist in combat. Her erratic attack patterns and helpful nature make her one of the most challenging bosses encountered within the DLC’s offerings.

Despite having a ton of twisted fingers, Metyr can navigate her way around quite fast to eradicate the Tarnished. She comes up with extremely fast attacks that deal solid damage out of nowhere, too.

Despite being difficult to defeat due to her annoying nature, it’s essential to focus on her soft belly when trying to vanquish this Lovecraftian monster. Given that she is composed of hands and fingers, Metyr also dislikes paper cuts intensely. Therefore, to deplete her health, make sure you have a strategy that emphasizes Bleed damage.

If she continues to leap towards the player for attacks and retreat to fire laser beams, it will extend the time required to defeat her significantly.

Despite being challenging for builds that don’t emphasize Bleed, this boss fight in ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ is undeniably one of the most impressive, demonstrating FromSoftware’s exceptional skill in creating immersive environments.

4 Rellana, Twin Moon Knight

Dark Souls 3’s Dancer Meets Bloodborne’s Orphan

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Castle Ensis
Difficulty Rating 9/10

In the game “Shadow of the Erdtree,” Rellana is widely recognized as an exceptional boss due to the exceptional quality of the one-on-one boss fights, a skill that clearly demonstrates FromSoftware’s expertise in creating fast-paced combat scenarios.

Battling Rellana is akin to facing off against Pontiff Sulyvahn, the Dancer of the Boreal Valley, and Artorias the Abysswalker all at once in the Dark Souls trilogy.

Rellana excels in hand-to-hand combat with twin swords, delivering ferocious assaults. Notably, she’s not just a threat up close but also from a distance. Remarkably, some of her strongest moves are her long-range attacks.

Luckily, individuals with lightning resistance will find the battle more favorable as Rellana tends to be struck by lightning.

In the original game, the moon-exploding knight is clearly one of the most challenging bosses to defeat, given that he’s the twin sister of a rather weak boss, Rennala, in the main storyline.

3 Messmer the Impaler

He Is The DLC’s Frontman, After AllElden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked

Boss Location Shadow Keep
Difficulty Rating 9/10

In the highly anticipated expansion for “Shadow of the Erdtree,” the main character stands out as arguably one of the toughest bosses to defeat. This formidable foe is extraordinarily aggressive and boasts a vast array of potent, erratic attacks that keep players on their toes.

In close quarters, Messmer primarily relies on her fiery-tipped spear for intense attacks, executing potent combo strikes without pause. Similarly adept at long range engagements, her spear extends across almost the entire battlefield against the boss.

Overcoming his assaults isn’t a walk in the park, nor is it simple luck that keeps you alive during the initial stage. However, things become significantly tougher once Messmer morphs into a colossal serpent, inflicting substantial Elemental Damage.

In this game, FromSoftware crafted Messmer with the intent of challenging players to their utmost abilities. Thus, gathering as much power or resources as you can prior to confronting Messmer and his cunning tactics is crucial.

2 Bayle the Dread

The Dragonlord of Extreme Damage And Camera Issues

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Jagged Peak
Difficulty Rating 9.5/10

As a seasoned gamer, I can confidently say that the climactic dragon battle in this game truly showcases FromSoftware’s decades-long mastery of crafting grueling encounters with dragons. This particular fight against Bayle could very well earn its place among the most challenging dragon battles ever featured in any of their games, even counting those from the base version.

The Bayle boss fight in Shadow of the Erdtree combines stellar presentation with annoying design choices. Although the anticipation is high and the arena seems amazing, Bayle’s immense size invokes the classic camera issue that has troubled many FromSoftware games before.

Furthermore, Bayle’s attacks often reduce players’ health by half. However, it is his devastating sweep attack during the second phase that deserves special mention, as it can almost instantly defeat even the most robust character builds.

Bayle the Grim is undoubtedly one of the toughest bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree, demanding players to perform almost flawlessly to claim victory.

1 Radahn, Consort of Miquella

Arguably The Hardest Fight in FromSoftware’s History

Elden Ring: 12 Hardest Shadow of the Erdtree Bosses Ranked
Boss Location Enir-Ilim
Difficulty Rating 10/10

General Radahn, referred to as Miquella’s Promised Consort, is widely regarded as the toughest boss among the Shadow of the Erdtree foes in Elden Ring. However, his connection to Miquella the Kind has sparked much debate among players, who feel that this bond wasn’t clearly established within the game itself.

Without a doubt, many players who have encountered Radahn in Elden Ring can attest that, while interpretations of lore may vary, there’s widespread agreement that his battle is likely the toughest boss fight ever created by FromSoftware.

In the heat of battle, Radahn launches rapid assaults, making every corner of the battlefield a potential danger zone. Wielding his twin gigantic swords, he follows up with swift strikes, and when it comes to fending off powerful long-range attacks, he employs his Gravity Magic.

However, as he progresses into the second stage, Miquella’s kindness becomes a formidable asset, supporting him from behind. This escalates the challenge and adds an extraordinary dimension to the battle.

In the second stage, an extensive area-of-effect attack sweeps across the whole battlefield. To add to the challenge, Radahn frequently employs a sequence of abilities based on holiness, leaving only brief opportunities for you to strike back.

Based on my countless hours spent battling various bosses in the world of Elden Ring, I firmly believe that Radahn, Consort of Miquella, stands out as the most challenging Shadow of the Erdtree foe I’ve encountered. His mastery over both sword and bow is nothing short of awe-inspiring, making him a formidable opponent for even the most skilled players. With his grandiose battle style and seemingly endless arsenal of attacks, Radahn truly tests the limits of every player’s skill and patience. In my experience, few bosses have required as much strategy, precision, and determination to conquer as this one does.

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2024-08-22 16:11