Highlights
Elden Ring features 238 boss fights, with some offering less challenge than others, providing a boost to players before the end-game difficulty spike.
Certain bosses, such as Godfrey and Mohg, are comparatively simpler versions of more formidable bosses, often failing to meet expectations regarding their name or level of challenge.
While encounters with bosses like Rykard and Rennala may not present significant difficulty, they compensate for it by providing enjoyable experiences, impressive spectacles, and captivating designs.
Elden Ring received widespread acclaim upon its release, captivating audiences with its blend of grandeur and challenging gameplay. Considered Fromsoftware's most accessible game, Elden Ring delivers intense boss fights, including some of the most formidable encounters in the entire game series, particularly within The Lands Between.
However, not all bosses pose the same level of difficulty, as some offer less of a challenge than others. In total, there are 238 boss fights in Elden Ring, including boss versions of regular enemies found throughout the game world. Even among the unique or main quest bosses, not every encounter presents a significant hurdle for players to overcome, offering a much-needed respite before the difficulty escalates in the end-game.
10 Godfrey, The First Elden Lord (Golden Shade)
Leyndell, the Royal Capital, stands out as a unique and captivating region in Elden Ring, brimming with formidable obstacles at every turn. After facing numerous trials, players will reach a boss barrier where they will encounter Godfrey, The First Elden Lord in his Golden Shade form.
Although Godfrey is far from easy to defeat, he is not as formidable as the genuine version encountered later in the game. By this point, players will have tackled even tougher challenges and emerged victorious.
9 Mohg, The Omen
The easier version of a difficult later boss, Mohg, is disappointing, similar to Godfrey. Mohg is located beneath the royal capital, guarding a concealed wall that leads to the frenzied flame. Although Mohg can deal significant damage, it lacks in providing a challenging experience.
With a restricted range of moves and predictable attacks, most players will defeat Mohg quite swiftly. Additionally, players who have already encountered the formidable Golden Shade Godfrey will have enough experience in the game to tackle this battle with minimal concerns.
8 Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Content must be written in English:
Rykard in Elden Ring is not just a memorable fight for its voice acting; it is a terrifying gimmick fight that truly delivers. While it may not be the most difficult battle, it more than makes up for it with its overwhelming chaotic joy and extravagant spectacle.
This encounter with Rykard takes place in the Volcano Manor legacy dungeon, and is more about theme and atmosphere than pure challenge. The weapon needed to emerge victorious is conveniently waiting at the entrance of the boss room. Despite the lack of difficulty, this fight is crucial to the game's lore and should not be overlooked.
7 Godrick The Grafted
The Godrick boss encounter is a standout moment in the initial section of Elden Ring. Players will confront this boss at the conclusion of the formidable Stormveil Castle, the game's primary legacy dungeon. While it may pose a challenge to less seasoned players, those who have already defeated the formidable Margit, The Fell Omen, should not find Godrick to be excessively difficult.
In spite of being considered one of the game's more manageable story bosses, the fight with Godrick delivers an immensely satisfying experience. Marked by its high-speed gameplay and engaging variety of attacks, this battle possesses a wealth of character.
6 Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
Rennala presents a boss battle that prioritizes spectacle over difficulty. As a prominent character in the Elden Ring universe, defeating her is essential for achieving the Age of Stars ending. This encounter takes place towards the end of The Academy of Raya Lucaria and is composed of two distinct phases.
Upon entering the second phase, the battle intensifies. Rennala possesses powerful spells capable of inflicting substantial damage. However, by executing precise attacks at strategic moments, her health can rapidly deplete, swiftly concluding the battle before it even has a chance to fully commence.
5 Leonine Misbegotten
This boss is not a significant character in the main story of Elden Ring, nor is it a minor one. It also appears as a common enemy in later stages of the game.
Located at the conclusion of Castle Morne in the Weeping Peninsula, this boss possesses a set of moves that resemble those of Slave Knight Gael in Dark Souls 3. Although the battle is intense and fast-paced, it lacks the same level of significance as the Gael fight. Nevertheless, the visually stunning arena serves as a good challenge for future battles.
4 Red Wolf of Radagon
In the middle of the Academy of Raya Lucaria, players will encounter the Red Wolf of Radagon. This boss fight offers a unique challenge at this stage of the game, although variations of this enemy can also be encountered later on.
Taking place in a lecture hall within the legacy dungeon, this battle provides a fast and enjoyable experience. However, its duration is relatively short. Fans of soulslike games will appreciate the nostalgic homage to the Great Grey Wolf Sif boss from the first Dark Souls, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the encounter.
3 Commander O’Neil
Deep within Caelid's infected swamps, players will encounter Commander O'Neil. Defeating this boss is crucial to advance the Millicent storyline. Unfortunately, the unique and unsettling atmosphere of the location doesn't extend to the fight itself, making it one of the more forgettable battles in the game.
Players can easily overpower Commander O'Neil by using Torrent, providing little challenge. For a more significant test, they can face a tougher version of this boss named Commander Niall in Castle Sol, located in the Mountain Tops Of The Giants area. Defeating Commander Niall will surely remind players of the lack of difficulty in defeating Commander O'Neil.
2 Ancestor Spirit
Elden Ring is a game that never fails to surprise, and one of its most astonishing moments occurs when players take the lift down to the Siofra River area. Once all the pillars in this underground level have been illuminated, a remarkable boss battle awaits.
The Ancestor Spirit boss is not particularly difficult to defeat, making it accessible even for new players. However, its breathtaking design and haunting atmosphere make it an essential part of every playthrough. Similarly, the encounter with the Regal Ancestor Spirit in Nokron, Eternal City, is a memorable boss fight that offers slightly more challenge.
1 Mimic Tear
Discovered upon entering Nokron, the Eternal City, the Mimic Tear offers a rather straightforward unique battle. While going up against one's own character should pose a greater challenge, the mimic seldom lives up to the real deal.
Found halfway through the level, the Mimic Tear's encounter is somewhat unmemorable, though it serves as a lead-in to obtaining one of the game's top-tier items: the Mimic Tear Spirit Ashes. Ironically, the Mimic Tear Spirit Summon is among the mightiest in all of Elden Ring, often transforming even formidable endgame bosses into effortless victories.
Elden Ring
$49 $60 Save $11Platform(s) PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PCReleased February 25, 2022Developer(s) From SoftwareGenre(s) RPG, Action $49 at Amazon