In the sprawling, unforgiving world of Elden Ring, few moments are as memorable—or as frustrating—as facing down its formidable bosses. These epic encounters are the true tests of a Tarnished’s mettle, some demanding precise timing, others an iron will to survive their devastating blows. While the Lands Between teem with over 200 unique adversaries, only a select 12 are essential to conquering the main story. But why stop there when so many glorious challenges await?
Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to defeat every Shardbearer to see Elden Ring’s credits roll. Your journey to become Elden Lord technically requires only two Great Runes to gain entry to the Altus Plateau. From there, vanquish the Great Runebearer in Leyndell, the Royal Capital, and the path to the Erdtree will open. This initiates the game’s climactic final act, leading you through Crumbling Farum Azula before a fateful return to Leyndell, now the Ashen Capital, for the ultimate confrontations. However, unless you’re a speedrunning enthusiast, we strongly advise against rushing these encounters. Take the time to gather strength, upgrade your Flask of Wondrous Physick, hunt for the most potent Elden Ring weapons, and equip the best Elden Ring armor to ensure your survival against the trials ahead.
Main Elden Ring bosses in order
Here are the main Elden Ring bosses you’ll encounter on your path to becoming Elden Lord:
- Margit the Fell Omen (required boss to reach Godrick)
- Godrick the Grafted (beat for one of the two required Great Runes)
- Red Wolf of Radagon (required boss to reach Rennala)
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon (beat for one of the two required Great Runes)
- God-devouring Serpent / Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy (beat for one of the two required Great Runes)
- Starscourge Radahn (beat for one of the two required Great Runes)
- Magma Wyrm Makar (optional)
- Godfrey, First Elden Lord
- Morgott, the Omen King
- Fire Giant
- Godskin Duo
- Maliketh, the Black Blade
- Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing
- Godfrey, First Elden Lord / Hoarah Loux
- Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast
All Elden Ring bosses
To streamline your quest and keep track of your fallen foes, here’s an exhaustive compendium of every Elden Ring boss, meticulously organized by region. Each entry details their precise location, the valuable items and Ashes of War they drop, and any specific conditions you might need to fulfill to challenge them.
Limgrave
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Soldier of Godrick | Stranded Graveyard | 400 runes |
| Tree Sentinel | Limgrave Road | 3,200 runes Golden Halberd (weapon) |
| Flying Dragon Agheel | Dragon-Burnt Ruins | 5,000 runes Dragon Heart (key item) |
| Erdtree Burial Tree Watchdog | Stormfoot Catacombs | 1,300 runes Noble Sorcerer Ashes (ashes) |
| Stonedigger Troll | Limgrave Tunnels | 1,800 runes Roar medallion (talisman) |
| Beastman of Farum Azula | Groveside Cave | 1,000 runes Flamedrake Talisman (talisman) |
| Demi-Human Chief | Dissenter’s Cave | 1200 runes Tailoring Tools (key item) Sewing Needle (key item) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Warmaster’s Shack | 2,700 runes Bone Peddler’s Bell Bearing |
| Grave Warden Duelist | Murkwater Catacombs | 1,700 runes Banished Knight Engvall Ashes |
| Mad Pumpkin Head | Waypoint Ruins | 1,100 runes |
| Crucible Knight | Stormhill Evergaol | 2,100 runes Aspects of the Crucible: Tail (incantation) |
| Bloodhound Knight Darriwil | Forlorn Hound Evergaol | 1,900 runes Barricade Shield (Ash of War) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Bridge near Agheel Lake North at night | 2,400 runes Repeating Thrust (Ash of War) Nightrider Glaive (weapon) |
| Black Knife Assassin | Deathtouched Catacombs | 1,600 runes Assassin’s Crimson Dagger (weapon) |
| Tibia Mariner | Summonwater Village | 2,400 runes Deathroot (key item) Skeletal Militiaman Ashes (ashes) |
| Margit the Fell Omen | Stormhill | 12,000 runes Talisman Pouch (key item) |
| Ulcerated Tree Spirit | Fringefolk Hero’s Grave (requires Stonesword key in Stranded Graveyard) | 15,000 runes Banished Knight Oleg (ashes) Golden Seed |
| Deathbird | East of Warmaster’s Shack (only at night) | 2,800 runes Blue-feathered Branchsword (talisman) |
| Guardian Golem | Highroad Cave | 1,700 runes Blue-dancer Charm (talisman) |
| Patches | Murkwater Cave | Golden Rune (1) x2 Grovel for Mercy (emote) Additional item drops if you kill him: Spear +7 (weapon) Leather Armor (armor) Leather Gloves (armor) Leather Boots (armor) Patches’ Bell Bearing (key item) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Warmaster’s Shack (only at night) | 2,700 runes Bone Peddler’s Bell Bearing (key item) |
Stormveil Castle
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Crucible Knight | Stormveil Castle | 1,500 runes Aspects of the Crucible: Horns (incantation) |
| Lion Guardian | Stormveil Castle | 1,138 runes Somber Smithing Stone [1] Beast Blood Old Fang x2 |
| Grafted Scion | Stormveil Castle | 3,200 runes Ornamental Straight Sword Golden Beast Crest Shield |
| Godrick the Grafted | Stormveil Castle | 20,000 runes Godrick’s Great Rune Remembrance of the Grafted (use to get boss weapon) |
Weeping Peninsula
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Erdtree Burial Watchdog | Impaler’s Catacombs | 2,400 runes Demi-Human Ashes (ashes) |
| Runebear | Earthbore Cave (lower level) | 2,600 runes Spelldrake Talisman (talisman) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Road north of Castle Morne Ramparts | 3,400 runes Barricade Shield (Ash of War) Nightrider Flail (weapon) |
| Scaly Misbegotten | Mourne Tunnel | 2,000 runes Rusted Anchor (weapon) |
| Cemetery Shade | Tombsward Catacombs | 2,200 runes Lhutel the Headless (ashes) |
| Ancient Hero of Zamor | Weeping Evergaol | 5,400 runes Radagon’s Scarseal (talisman) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Minor Erdtree east of Tombsward Site of Grace | 4,500 runes Opaline Bubbletear (crystal tear) Crimsonburst crystal tear (crystal tear) |
| Leonine Misbegotten | Castle Morne | 3,800 runes Grafted Blade Greatsword (weapon) |
| Deathbird | North of Castle Morne in the mountains (only at night) | 3,900 runes Sacrificial Axe (weapon) |
| Miranda the Blighted Bloom | Tombsward Cave | 2,100 runes Viridian Amber Medallion (talisman) |
Liurnia of the Lakes
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Grafted Scion | Chapel of Anticipation | 3,200 runes Ornamental Straight Sword (weapon) Gold Beast Crest Shield (shield) |
| Cleanrot Knight | Stillwater Cave | 2,475 runes Winged Sword Insignia (talisman) |
| Adan, Thief of Fire | Malefactor’s Evergaol | 3,800 runes Flame of the Fell God (incantation) |
| Tibia Mariner | Liurnia of the Lakes near the Study Hall | 4,700 runes Deathroot (key item) Skeletal Bandit Ashes (ashes) |
| Erdtree Burial Watchdog | Cliffbottom Catacombs | 2,700 runes Kaiden Sellsword Ashes (ashes) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Patrolling south of Bellum Church (only at night) | 5,600 Runes Giant Hunt (Ashes of War) Nightrider Glaive (weapon) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Near Gate Town Bridge Site of Grace (only at night) | 5,600 runes Ash of War: Ice Spear (Ash of War) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Minor Erdtree northeast of Ruined Labyrinth in the northeast of the region | 5,800 runes Holy-shrouding cracked tear (crystal tear) Lightning-shrouding cracked tear (crystal tear) Magic-shrouding cracked tear (crystal tear) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Minor Erdtree south of Revenger’s Shack in the southwest of the region | 5,800 runes Cerulean crystal tear (crystal tear) Ruptured crystal tear (crystal tear) |
| Crystalian (Ring Blade) | Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel | 3,000 runes Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing (1) (key item) |
| Red Wolf of Radagon | Raya Lucaria Academy (Debate Hall) | 14,000 runes Memory Stone (key item) |
| Crystalians x2 | Academy Crystal Cave | 3,300 runes Crystal Release (sorcery) |
| Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon | Raya Lucaria Academy | 40,000 runes Great Rune of the Unborn Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen (use to get boss weapon) |
| Alabaster Lord | Royal Grave Evergaol | 3,600 runes Meteorite (sorcery) |
| Royal Revenant | Kingsrealm Ruins (underground) | 3,100 runes |
| Royal Knight Loretta | Caria Manor | 7,500 runes Loretta’s Greatbow (sorcery) Loretta’s Slash (Ash of War) |
| Bols, Carian Knight | Cuckoo’s Evergaol | 4,600 runes Greatblade Phalanx (sorcery) |
| Alecto, Blade Knife Ringleader | Ringleader’s Evergaol | 88,000 runes Black Knife Tiche (ashes) |
| Spirit-caller Snail | Road’s End Catacombs | 2,250 runes Glintstone Sorcerer Ashes (ashes) |
| Omenkiller | Village of Albinaurics | 4,900 runes Crucible Knot Talisman (talisman) |
| Glintstone Dragon Adula | Cathedral of Manus Celes | 120,000 runes Adula’s Moonblade (sorcery) Dragon Heart x3 |
| Glintstone Dragon Smarag | In the lake west of Raya Lucaria Academy | 14,000 runes Dragon Heart |
| Glintstone Dragon Adula | Three Sisters | N/A |
| Death Rite Bird | In the ruins south of Gate Town North Site of Grace (only at night) | 7,800 runes Ancient Death Rancor (sorcery) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Church of Vows (only at night) | 6,000 runes Meat Peddler’s Bell Bearing |
| Death Bird | North of Scenic Isle (only at night) | 6,600 runes Red-feathered Branchsword (talisman) |
| Black Knife Assassin | Black Knife Catacombs | 4,200 runes Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger (talisman) Black Knifeprint (key item) |
| Bloodhound Knight | Lakeside Crystal Cave | 2,700 runes Cerulean Amber Medallion (talisman) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Church of Vows (only at night) | 6,000 runes Meat Peddler’s Bell Bearing (key item) |
| Cemetery Shade | Black Knife Catacombs | 3,500 runes Twinsage Sorcerer ashes (ashes) |
| Godskin Noble | Divine Tower of Liurnia | 4,810 runes Godskin Noble hood (armor) Godskin Noble robe (armor) Godskin Noble bracelets (armor) Godskin Noble trousers (armor) |
| Magma Wyrm Makar | Ruin-strewn Precipice | 24,000 runes Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword (weapon) Dragon Heart |
Caelid
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Magma Wyrm | Gael Tunnel | 7,500 runes Dragon Heart Moonveil (weapon) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Minor Erdtree northeast of the Smouldering Church in the northwest of the region | 5,800 runes Greenburst crystal tear (crystal tear) Flame-shrouding cracked tear (crystal tear) |
| Mad Pumpkin Head (Hammer and Flail) | Caelem Ruins | 6,300 runes |
| Erdtree Burial Watchdog (Sword) and Erdtree Burial Watchdog (Scepter) | Minor Erdtree ruins | 7,400 runes Mad Pumpkin Head ashes (ashes) |
| Decaying Ekzykes | South of Caelid Highway South Site of Grace | 38,000 runes Dragon Heart |
| Night’s Cavalry | On the road east of Caelid Highway South Site of Grace at night | 8,500 runes Poison Moth Flight (Ash of War) |
| Commander O’Neil | In the middle of the swamp close to the Inner Aeonia Site of Grace | 12,000 runes Commander’s Standard (weapon) Unalloyed Gold Needle (key item) |
| Nox Swordstress and Nox Priest | Along the road to the northeast of Caelid, close to the Sellia Crystal Tunnel | 6,400 runes Nox Flowing Sword (weapon) |
| Black Blade Kindred | Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow | 88,000 runes Gargoyle’s Black Axe (weapon) Gargoyle’s Black Blades (weapon) |
| Fallingstar Beast | Sellia Crystal Tunnel | 7,600 runes Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (1) Smithing Stone (7) x5 Somber Smithing Stone (6) Gravity Stone Chunk x4 |
| Starscourge Radahn | Redmane Castle | 70,000 runes Radahn’s Great Rune Remembrance of the Starscourge (use to get boss weapon) |
| Death Rite Bird | On the hill east of Caelid Highway South Site of Grace (only at night) | 15,000 runes Death’s Poker (weapon) |
| Frenzied Duelist | Gaol Cave | 6,700 runes Putrid Corpse ashes (ashes) |
| Cleanrot Knight x2 | Abandoned Cave | 7,000 runes Gold Scarab (talisman) |
| Battlemage Hugues | Sellia Evergaol | 7,800 runes Battlemage Hugues (ashes) |
| Cemetery Shade | Caelid Catacombs | 6,800 runes Kindred of Rot ashes (ashes) |
| Crystalians x3 | Sellia Hideaway | 7,000 runes Crystal Torrent (sorcery) |
| Crucible Knight & Misbegotten Warrior | Redmane Castle | 16,000 runes Ruins Greatsword (weapon) |
Dragonbarrow
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Elder Dragon Greyoll | West of Dragonbarrow West Site of Grace | 50,000 runes (boss) 3,470 runes (for each other dragon) Dragon Heart x5 |
| Godskin Apostle | Divine Tower of Caelid (basement) | 94,000 runes Godskin Apostle Hood (armor) Godskin Apostle Robe (armor) Godskin Apostle Bracers (armor) Godskin Apostle Trousers (armor) |
| Beastman of Farum Azula | Dragonbarrow Cave | 65,000 runes Flamedrake Talisman +2 (talisman) |
| Flying Dragon Greyll | Close to Farum Greatbridge Site of Grace | 80,000 runes Dragon Heart |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Isolated Merchant | 50,000 runes Gravity Stone Peddler’s Bell Bearing |
| Black Blade Kindred | Close to the Bestial Sanctum in the northeast peninsula | 88,000 runes Gargoyle’s Blackblade (weapon) Gargoyle’s Black Halberd (weapon) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Isolated Merchant’s Shack (only at night) | 50,000 runes Gravity Stone Peddler’s Bell Bearing (key item) |
| Putrid Avatar | East of Dragonbarrow Fork Site of Grace | 91,000 runes Opaline Hardtear (crystal tear) Stonebarb cracked tear (crystal tear) |
| Night’s Cavalry | North of Lenne’s Rise Site of Grace (only at night) | 42,000 runes Bloodhound’s Step (ash of war) |
| Putrid Tree Spirit | War-Dead Catacombs | 64,000 runes Redmane Knight Ogha Spirit ashes (ashes) Golden Seed (key item) |
Altus Plateau
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Stonedigger Troll | Old Altus Tunnel | 9,600 runes Great Club (weapon) |
| Elemer of the Briar | The Shaded Castle | 24,000 runes Marais Executioner’s Sword (weapon) Briar Greatshield (shield) |
| Black Knife Assassin | Sainted Hero’s Grave | 11,339 runes Black Knife (weapon) |
| Godskin Apostle | Windmill Village | 14,000 runes Godskin Peeler (weapon) Scouring Black Flame (incantation) |
| Tibia Mariner | Wyndham Ruins | 14,000 runes Deathroot (key item) Tibia’s Summons (sorcery) |
| Necromancer Garris | Sage’s Cave | 9,000 runes Family Heads |
| Erdtree Burial Watchdog | Wyndham Catacombs | 12,000 runes Glovewort Picker’s Bell Bearing (1) (key item) |
| Tree Sentinel Duo | Outside Leyndell, Royal Capital’s western gate | 20,000 runes Hero’s Rune [1] Erdtree Greatshield (shield) |
| Draconic Tree Sentinel | Capital Outskirts | 50,000 runes Dragon Greatclaw (weapon) Dragonclaw Shield (shield) |
| Godefroy the Grafted | Golden Lineage Evergaol | 26,000 runes Godfrey Icon (talisman) |
| Demi-Human Queen Gilika | Lux Ruins | 8,500 runes Ritual Sword talisman (talisman inside a chest) |
| Black Knife Assassin | Sage’s Cave (requires Sentry Torch) | 9,000 runes Concealing Veil (talisman) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Southwest of Atlus Highway Junction Site of Grace (only at night) | 10,000 runes Shared Order (ash of war) |
| Sanguine Noble | Writheblood Ruins | 8,800 runes |
| Wormface | Minor Erdtree northeast of Bower of Bounty Site of Grace | 10,000 runes Crimsonspill crystal tear (crystal tear) Speckled Hardtear (crystal tear) |
| Crystalians x2 | Altus Tunnel | 9,000 runes Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (2) (key item) |
| Miranda the Blighted Bloom and Omenkiller | Perfumer’s Grotto | 8,400 runes Great Omenkiller Cleaver (weapon) |
| Fallingstar Beast | South of Perfumer’s Grotto Site of Grace | 11,000 runes Somber Smithing Stone x5 Smithing Stone (6) x5 Gravity Stone Fan x1 Gravity Stone Chunk x1 |
| Ancient Hero of Zamor | Sainted Hero’s Grave | 24,000 runes Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff (ashes) |
Mt. Gelmir
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Ancient Dragon Lansseax | East of Abandoned Coffin Site of Grace | 60,000 runes Lansseaux’s Glaive (incantation) |
| Perfumer Tricia (with Misbegotten Warrior) | Unsightly Catacombs | 9,400 runes Perfumer Tricia ashes (ashes) |
| Grafted Scion | At the destroyed camp at the bottom of Mt. Gelmir | 2,313 runes |
| Ulcerated Tree Spirit | Roams the north of Mt. Gelmir close to Ninth Mt. Gelmir Site of Grace | 18,000 runes Leaden Hardtear (crystal tear) Cerulean Hidden tear (crystal tear) |
| Full-grown Fallingstar Beast | Close to Ninth Mt. Gelmir Site of Grace | 21,000 runes Somber Smithing Stone Smithing Stone [6] x5 Fallingstar Beast Jaw (weapon) |
| Kindred of the Rot | Seethewater Cave | 10,000 runes Kindred of Rot’s Exultation (talisman) |
| Demi-Human Queen Maggie | Northeast of Hermit Village near Primeval Sorcerer Azur Site of Grace | 13,000 runes Memory Stone (key item) Golden Rune [1] |
| Abductor Virgins | Volcano Manor | 10,000 runes Inquisitor’s Girandole (weapon) |
| Omenkiller | Volcano Manor | 1,674 runes Great Omenkiller Cleaver (weapon) |
| Demi-Human Queen Margot | Lowest level of Volcano Cave | 11,000 runes Jar Cannon (weapon) |
| God-devouring Serpent and Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy | Mt. Gelmir | 130,000 runes Rykard’s Great Rune Remembrance of the Blasphemous (use to get boss weapon) |
| Magma Wyrm | Lava pool south of Fort Laiedd | 19,000 runes Dragon Heart Magma Breath (incantation unlock for Cathedral of Dragon Communion) |
| Red Wolf of the Champion | Fort Laiedd | 21,000 runes Bloodhound Knight Fioh (ashes) |
| Godskin Noble | Volcano Manor | 50,000 runes Godskin Sticher (weapon) Noble Presence (incantation) |
Leyndell, Royal Capital
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Divine Bridge Golem | Leyndell, Royal Capital | 2,992 runes |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Hermit Merchant’s Shack | 20,000 runes Medicine Peddler’s Bell Bearing |
| Draconic Tree Sentinel | Capital Outskirts | 50,000 runes Dragon Greatclaw (weapon) Dragonclaw Shield (shield) |
| Crucible Knight Ordovis (and Crucible Knight) | Auriza Hero’s Grave | 28,000 runes Ordovis’s Greatsword (weapon) Crucible Helm (armor) Crucible Armor (armor) Crucible Gauntlets (armor) Crucible Greaves (armor) |
| Fell Twins | Capital Outskirts | 29,000 runes Omenkiller Rollo (ashes) |
| Morgott, the Omen King | Near Elden Throne Site of Grace | 120,000 runes Remembrance of the Omen King (use to get boss weapon) Morgott’s Great Rune |
| Onyx Lord | Sealed Tunnel (required to reach Divine Tower of West Altus) | 16,000 runes Onyx Lord’s Greatsword (weapon) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Patrolling the road southwest of East Capital Rampart Site of Grace | 10,062 runes Lord’s Rune |
| Godfrey, First Elden Lord | Leyndell, Royal Capital | 300,000 runes Remembrance of Hoarah Loux (use to get boss weapon) |
| Deathbird | East of Hermit Merchant’s Shack (only at night) | 29,000 runes Twinbird Kite Shield (shield) |
| Bell Bearing Hunter | Hermit Merchant’s Shack (only at night) | 20,000 runes Medicine Peddler’s Bell Bearing (key item) |
| Margit, the Fell Omen | Close to Outer Wall Battleground Site of Grace | 16,800 runes Viridian Amber Medallion (talisman) |
| Grave Warden Duelist | Auriza Side Tomb | 15,000 runes Soldjars of Fortune ashes (ashes) |
Forbidden Lands
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Black Blade Kindred | Forbidden Lands | 60,000 runes Gargoyle’s Black Axe (weapon) Gargoyle’s Black Blades (weapon) |
| Night’s Cavalry | Near the lift in the Forbidden Lands (only at night) | 36,000 runes Phantom Slash (ash of war) |
Consecrated Grounds
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Putrid Grave Warden Duelist | Consecrated Snowfield Catacombs | 78,000 runes Great Grave Glovewort (upgrade) Rotten Gravekeeper Cloak (armor) |
| Mimic Tear | Hidden Path to the Haligtree | 50,000 runes Blackflame Monk Amon (ashes) |
| Night’s Cavalry x2 | Southwest of Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace (only at night) | 84,000 runes Night’s Cavalry helm (armor) Night’s Cavalry armor (armor) Night’s Cavalry gauntlets (armor) Night’s Cavalry greaves (armor) Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone (upgrade) |
| Astel, Stars of Darkness | Yelough Anix tunnel | 120,000 runes Meteorite of Astel (sorcery) |
| Death Rite Bird | Southeast of Apostate Derelict Site of Grace (only at night) | 220,000 runes Explosive Ghostflame (sorcery) |
| Putrid Avatar | Minor Erdtree east of Ordina, Lithurgical Town Site of Grace | 160,000 runes Ruptured Crystal Tear Thorny Cracked Tear |
| Great Wyrm Theodorix | Outside Cave of the Forlorn (only at night) | 180,000 runes Dragon Heart x3 |
| Misbegotten Crusader | Cave of the Forlorn | 93,000 runes Golden Order Greatsword (weapon) |
Mountaintops of the Giants
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Borealis The Freezing Fog | Mountaintops of the Giants | 100,000 runes Dragon Heart |
| Godskin Apostle and Godskin Noble | Spiritcaller’s Cave | 70,000 runes Godskin Swaddling Cloth (talisman) Black Flame Ritual (incantation) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Near the northeast of Ancient Snow Valley Ruins Site of Grace | 70,000 runes Cerulean crystal tear (crystal tear) Crimson Bubbletear (crystal tear) |
| Fire Giant | Mountaintops of the Giants near the Forge of the Giants | 180,000 runes Remembrance of the Fire Giant (use to get boss weapon) |
| Commander Niall | Castle Sol | 90,000 runes Veteran’s Prosthesis (weapon) |
| Roundtable Knight Vyke | Lord Contender’s Evergaol | 75,000 runes Fingerprint Helm (armor) Fingerprint Armor (armor) Fingerprint Gauntlets (armor) Fingerprint Greaves (armor) Vyke’s Dragonbolt (incantation) |
| Death Rite Bird | Southwest of Castle Sol Main Gate Site of Grace (only at night) | 77,000 runes Death Ritual Spear (weapon) |
| Ancient Hero of Zamor | Giant-conquering Hero’s Grave | 83,000 runes Zamor Curved Sword (weapon) Zamor Mask (armor) Zamor Armor (armor) Zamor Bracelets (armor) Zamor Legwraps (armor) |
| Ulcerated Tree Spirit | Giant’s Mountaintop Catacombs | 48,000 runes Golden Seed Glovewort Picker’s Bell Bearing [2] (key item) |
| Astel, Stars of Darkness | Yelough Anix Tunnel | 120,000 runes Meteorite of Astel (sorcery) |
Miquella’s Haligtree
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree | Courtyard in a temple in Miquella’s Haligtree | 200,000 runes Loretta’s Mastery (sorcery) Loretta’s War Sickle (weapon) |
| Malenia, Blade of Miquella | Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree | 480,000 runes Malenia’s Great Rune Remembrance of the Rot Goddess (use to get boss weapon) |
Siofra River
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Ancestor Spirit | Siofra River | 13,000 runes Ancestral Follower ashes (ashes) |
| Mimic Tear | Nokron, Eternal City | 10,000 runes Larval Tear x2 Silver Tear Mask (armor) |
| Regal Ancestor Spirit | Nokron, Eternal City | 24,000 runes Remembrance of the Regal Ancestor (use to get boss weapon) |
| Dragonkin Soldier | Siofra River | 16,000 runes Dragon Halberd (weapon) |
| Valiant Gargoyle and Valiant Gargoyle (Twinblade) | Siofra Aqueduct | 32,000 runes Gargoyle’s Greatsword (weapon) Gargoyle’s Twinblade (weapon) |
| Mohg, Lord of Blood | Mohgwyn Palace | 420,000 runes Mohg’s Great Rune Remembrance of the Blood Lord (use to get boss weapon) |
Deeproot Depths
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Fia’s Champions | Across the Roots | 40,000 runes Fia’s Mist |
| Crucible Knight Siluria | The Nameless Eternal City | 25,000 runes Siluria’s Tree (weapon) |
| Lichdragon Fortissax | Across the Roots (complete Fia’s quest) | 90,000 runes Remembrance of the Lichdragon (use to get boss weapon) |
| Erdtree Avatar | Near Great Waterfall Crest Site of Grace | 10,000 runes Staff of the Avatar (weapon) |
Lake of Rot
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Dragonkin Soldier | Lake of Rot | 58,000 runes Dragonscale Blade (weapon) |
| Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella | Uhl Palace Ruins in Ainsel River | 12,000 runes Frozen Lightning Spear (incantation) |
| Astel, Naturalborn of the Void | Grand Cloister | 80,000 runes Remembrance of the Naturalborn (use to get boss weapon) |
Crumbling Farum Azula
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Godskin Duo | Crumbling Farum Azula | 170,000 runes Smithing-stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] Black Flame Tornado (Ash of War) |
| Maliketh of the Black Blade | Crumbling Farum Azula | 220,000 runes Remembrance of the Black Blade (use to get boss weapon) (there are other drops) |
| Dragonlord Placidusax | Crumbling Farum Azula | 280,000 runes Remembrance of the Dragonlord (use to get boss weapon) |
| Draconic Tree Sentinel | Crumbling Farum Azula | 28080 runes Malformed Dragon helm (armor) Malformed Dragon armor (armor) Malformed Dragon gauntlets (armor) Malformed Dragon greaves (armor) |
Leyndell, Ashen Capital
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Mohg, the Omen | Subterranean Shunning-Grounds | 100,000 runes Bloodflame Talons (incantation) |
| Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-knowing | Leyndell, Ashen Capital | 35,500 runes Scepter of the All-knowing (weapon) All-knowing Helm (armor) All-knowing Armor (armor) All-knowing Gauntlets (armor) All-knowing Greaves (armor) |
| Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast | Leyndell, Ashen Capital | 500,000 runes Elden Remembrance |
Elden Ring bosses in order of difficulty
Think you’ve seen it all? Brace yourself. Below, we’ve ranked the five most challenging Elden Ring bosses and provided crucial strategies to help you emerge victorious. Be warned: significant spoilers for late-game content lie ahead!
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Who else could claim the top spot? Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is not just the most difficult boss in Elden Ring; she’s arguably one of the toughest challenges FromSoftware has ever created. The sheer volume of player attempts—over 329 million, accounting for more than 5% of all boss engagements in this expansive open-world game—speaks volumes. Malenia is relentlessly aggressive and incredibly agile, but her true terror lies in her ability to heal with every successful strike, and her terrifying health regeneration during her second phase transition. Many of her attacks, especially her infamous Waterfowl Dance, are one-shot executioners. Your best bet is to leverage your spirit ash summons to divert her attention, maintain your distance, and exploit her low poise to interrupt her less lethal assaults. And for the truly masochistic, consider if you’ve really defeated her without facing the fan-made challenge that turns every enemy into Malenia!
Margit the Fell Omen
While not the most mechanically complex, Margit the Fell Omen earns his place by being the first major skill check in Elden Ring. Encountering him early in Limgrave, when you’re still mastering the basics, can be a brutal awakening. His attack patterns are classic FromSoftware trickery, featuring deceptively slow wind-ups designed to bait early dodges, followed by relentless flurries that leave little room for recovery. Margit serves as a crucial lesson in stamina management; blocking many of his attacks will shatter your guard. Instead, focus on precise dodges, seizing fleeting opportunities to counter-attack and build stagger. Mastering this initial hurdle will prepare you for the countless challenges that follow. On subsequent journeys, you might even find yourself aiding fellow Tarnished in their struggle against Margit, or perhaps attempting the ultimate feat: defeating him using a harp as your controller.
Starscourge Radahn
Starscourge Radahn, a name whispered with dread and respect, is an undisputed contender for Elden Ring’s most difficult bosses. To describe him as merely ‘intimidating’ is a vast understatement. He is gargantuan, yet possesses an astonishing speed for his size. In the first phase, your trusty spirit ashes can divert his barrage of gravity-infused arrows, but they offer little solace once he rockets into the sky, descending as a catastrophic flaming meteorite. The Radahn Festival is an unforgettable spectacle of madness and sheer fury, and it rightfully earned accolades, even being cited by Hidetaka Miyazaki himself as his favorite Elden Ring boss encounter.
Maliketh, the Black Blade
Maliketh, the Black Blade, epitomizes a classic FromSoftware trope: an initially manageable boss that transforms into a living nightmare. Your encounter begins with the Beast Clergyman, a surprisingly straightforward combatant. But once his health dips halfway, he sheds his guise to reveal Maliketh, the Black Blade – and if you thought the Clergyman was aggressive, prepare for a true whirlwind of destruction. His signature blade inflicts devastating damage over time and can unleash a wide-reaching area-of-effect explosion when slammed into the ground. Strategically, the pillars scattered across the arena can offer brief respite, hindering his mobility and blocking some projectiles. Many of his standard attacks can be skillfully evaded by rolling into him. Seize any openings he provides for a counter-attack, but always be mindful of his extended reach. A word to the wise: defeating Maliketh too prematurely could inadvertently disrupt one of the game’s most rewarding quests, involving Nepheli Loux.
Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast
All your epic struggles with Elden Ring’s bosses converge here, in the explosive final confrontation with Radagon, the formidable head of the Golden Order and wielder of the very hammer that shattered the Elden Ring. Radagon is a formidable opponent in his own right, but the true test begins after his transformation into the ethereal Elden Beast. This spectral, cosmic deity boasts an immense health pool and unleashes sweeping, wide-area attacks that, while often telegraphed, are deceptively hard to fully avoid. Its frustrating habit of constantly repositioning itself just as you close in forces you into a relentless chase across the arena, often into the path of its next devastating assault. To triumph here, you’ll need boundless stamina, razor-sharp dodging reflexes, and unwavering determination. Be warned: if the Elden Beast claims your life, you’ll have to overcome Radagon once more before facing the cosmic entity again.
Main Elden Ring DLC bosses in order
While the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion presents well over 25 new bosses, only six are mandatory to complete the DLC’s main narrative. Here’s a quick rundown of the essential encounters:
- Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
- Golden Hippopotamus
- Messma, the Impaler / Base Serpent Messmer
- Romina, Saint of the Bud
- Needle Knight Leda, Dryleaf Dane, and their allies
- Promised Consort Radahn
All Elden Ring DLC bosses
Get ready for new challenges! Here’s a comprehensive list of all the bosses you’ll find in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC:
Gravesite Plain
| Boss name | Location | Item drops |
| Blackgaol Knight | Western Nameless Mausoleum | 70,000 runes, Greatsword of Solitude, Solitude armor set |
| Ghostflame Dragon | Gravesite Plains, Moorth Ruins, and Cerulean Coast | 100,000 runes, Dragon Heart, Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone |
| Death Knight | Fog Rift Catacombs | 110,000 runes, Death Knight’s Twin Axes, Crimson Amber Medallion +3 |
| Demi-Human Swordsmaster Onze | Belurat Gaol | 80,000 runes, Demi-Human Swordsman Yosh ashes |
| Ancient Dragon-Man | Dragon’s Pit | 130,000 runes, Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana |
| Divine Beast Dancing Lion | Belurat – Stagefront | 120,000 runes, Divine Beast Head, Remembrance of the Dancing Lion (use to get boss weapon) |
| Rellana, Twin Moon Knight | Castle Ensis – Castle-Lord’s Chamber | 180,000 runes, Remembrance of the Twin Moon Knight (use to get boss weapon) |
| Demi-Human Queen Marigga | Cerulean Coast West | 100,000 runes, Star-Lined Sword |
| Putrescent Knight | Cerulean Coast – Fissure | 220,000 runes, Remembrance of Putrescene (use to get boss weapon) |
| Dancer of Ranah | Southern Nameless Mausoleum | 80,000 runes, Dancing Blade of Ranah, Dancer armor set |
| Chief Bloodfiend | Rivermouth Cave | 80,000 runes, Bloodfiend Hexer’s Ashes |
| Red Bear | Northern Nameless Mausoleum | 80,000 runes, Red Bear’s Claw, Iron Rivet armor set |
| Rakshasa | Eastern Nameless Mausoleum | 90,000 runes, Rakshasa’s Great Katana, Rakshasa armor set |
Scadu Altus
| Boss name | Location | Item Drops |
| Ralva, the Great Red Bear | Highroad Cross | 180,000 runes, Pelt of Ralva |
| Black Knight Edreed | Fort of Reprimand | 80,000 runes, Aspects of the Crucible: Wings ash of war |
| Black Knight Garrew | Fog Rift Fort | 80,000 runes, Black Steel Greatshield |
| Curseblade Labirith | Bonny Gaol | 100,000 runes, Curseblade Meera |
| Jori, Elder Inquisitor | Darklight Catacombs (Forsaken Graveyard) | 260,000 runes, Barbed Staff-Spear |
| Midra, Lord of the Frenzied Flame | Midra’s Manse – Midra’s Library | 410,000 runes, Remembrance of the Lord of Frenzied Flame (use to get boss weapon) |
| Metyr, Mother of Fingers | Finger Ruins of Miyr | 420,000 runes, Remembrance of the Mother of Fingers (use to get boss weapon) |
| Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers | Cathedral of Manus Metyr | 210,000 runes, Ymir’s Bell Bearing, Maternal Staff, High Priest armor set |
Shadow Keep
| Boss name | Location | Item Drops |
| Golden Hippopotamus | Shadow Keep, Main Gate | 200,000 runes, Aspects of the Crucible: Thorns ash of war, Scadutree Fragments x2 |
| Scadutree Avatar | Tree-Worship Sanctum | 260,000 runes, Remembrance of the Shadow Sunflower (use to get boss weapon), Miquella’s Great Rune |
| Commander Gaius | Shadow Keep, Back Gate | 230,000 runes, Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider (use to get boss weapon) |
| Messmer, the Impaler / Base Serpent Messmer | Dark Chamber Entrance | 400,000 runes, Remembrance of the Impaler (use to get boss weapon), Messmer’s Kindling |
| Tree Sentinel (x2) | Hinterland Bridge | 120,000 runes, Blessing of Marika (each Sentinel) |
| Fallingstar Beast | Fingerstone Hill | 170,000 runes, Gravitational Missile |
Jagged Peak
| Boss name | Location | Item Drops |
| Jagged Peak Drake | Dragon’s Pit Terminus | 90,000 runes, Dragonscale Flesh |
| Jagged Peak Drake x2 | Foot of the Jagged Peak | 120,000 runes, Dragon Heart, Dragonscale Flesh |
| Death Rite Bird | Charo’s Hidden Grave | 230,000 runes, Ghostflame Call ashes |
| Lamenter | Lamenter’s Gaol | 160,000 runes, Lamenter’s Mask |
| Ancient Dragon Senessax | Jagged Peak | 200,000 runes, Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone |
| Bayle the Dread | Jagged Peak Summit | 490,000 runes, Heart of Bayle |
Land of the Tower
| Boss name | Location | Item Drops |
| Rugalea the Great Red Bear | Rauh Base – Ravine North | 210,000 runes, Roar of Rugalea incantation |
| Death Knight | Scorpion River Catacombs | 130,000 runes, Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe, Cerulean Amber Medallion +3 |
| Divine Beast Dancing Lion | Rauh Ancient Ruins – Grand Staircase | 180,000 runes, Divine Beast Tornado incantation |
| Romina, Saint of the Bud | Rauh Ancient Ruins – Church of the Bud, Main Entrance | 380,000 runes, Remembrance of the Saint of the Bud (use to get boss weapon) |
| Needle Knight Leda, Dryleaf Dane, and their allies (Hornsent, Redmane Freya, or Moore) | Enir-Ilim – Cleansing Chamber Anteroom | Leda’s Sword (all NPCs, friend or foe, who participate in this fight also drop their gear) |
| Promised Consort Radahn / Radahn, Consort of Miquella | Enir-Ilim – Divine Gate Front Staircase | 500,000 runes, Remembrace of a God and a Lord (use to get boss weapon) |
Those are all the Elden Ring bosses. If you’re having trouble against any of them, you might want to swing by the Smithing Stone upgrade locations to upgrade your gear, or look into the Elden Ring respec system to fine-tune your build. Alternatively, if you’re just starting with this incredible RPG game, here are the Elden Ring dungeon locations so you can find some of the optional bosses and the best Elden Ring builds for fun and victory. If you’re jumping into the multiplayer spin-off, here’s a list of all Elden Ring Nightreign bosses you’ll face and the best Elden Ring Nightreign classes you can use.