Summary
FromSoftwaregames are synonymous with challenging gameplay and difficult boss fights. These encounters test how players have perfected their character’s builds and how strong they can slash, stab, and smite these powerful enemies. But this is easier said than done since Soulsborne bosses are notorious for highly damaging attacks on top of their understandably high HP and defenses.
Stacking the odds against players even further are bosses that have multiple stages. These boss fights are usually essential to progress in the game and ultimately test players’ skills, critical thinking, and patience; to take them down after multiple tries, providing them with badges of honor.
Father Gascoigne fromBloodborneisthe first boss fightplayers will encounter that has a second phase in the game. His first form is a frenzied Hunter wielding a Trick Weapon of his own. He is deceptively fast and can be a handful for players who aren’t used to battling a humanoid boss.
Whittle him down to half health, and he suddenly turns into a feral beast. His strikes are significantly more powerful, and he does quick strikes on top of a jump that can quickly overwhelm players. He can be cheesed, however, by acquiring and using a music box once he transforms into his beast form.
The Guardian Ape inSekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis one of thegame’s iconic boss encounters. Players need to fight this gargantuan gorilla to progress the main story, and this fight is not an easy one. Its first stage has it smashing the player with its arms and jumping ground slams. It can also fling dung onto the player which causes Poison.
Its second form ramps up its deadlines: with its severed head, it now wields the blade lodged in its neck to strike at the player with reckless abandon. It also unleashes a blood-curdling scream that can instantly kill the player if they are too close.
One of the shardbearers that the Tarnished needs to take out, Starscourge Radahn is one of the more awe-inspiring boss fights inElden Ring. During his first phase, players are given the option to call in a number of allies to take him down. Radahn can snipe players from afar with his bow and arrow for massive damage: up close, he dual-wields large blades that can easily chop down targets with a couple of hits.
His second form has him go off-screen and re-enter the battlefield as a flaming meteor. This can one-shot players if they do not get out of the way in time. After landing, Radahn then mixesgravitational magicin between his attacks to suck in enemies and cut them down.
The Nameless King is an optional boss in Dark Souls 3 but is also one of the more popular ones to battle in the game. His first form has him riding the King of the Storm, his mighty Stormdrake. Players need to be patient as the Nameless King and the King of the Storm can make quick work of foolhardy playersthanks to the Nameless King’s sword stabs and the Stormdrake’s dragon attacks.
His second phase has the Nameless King battle the player one-on-one. He unleashes lightning-quick attacks and lunges that can tear chunks out of the players’ health if they mistime their dodges.
6Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Elden Ring
Malenia,Blade of Miquella, is widely considered by many players as the hardest boss inElden Ring. This is due in large part to her innate lifesteal and her infamous Waterfowl Dance attack that has sliced and diced many Tarnished back to their respawn points.
Her second phase imbues her with Scarlet Rot: her attacks become more erratic while she gets access to summon echoes of herself that home in on players for massive damage. Players will undergo the ultimate battle of attrition when they decide to challenge Malenia.
Dark Soulsis known for its difficult boss fights, but in the base game, the two-on-one encounter between the player and Ornstein and Smough is infamous for its high degree of difficulty. Ornstein is the lanky and speedier combatant while Smough is slower but packs a significant punch with his hammer.
The second phase happens when the player manages to take out either Ornstein or Smough. The surviving opponent absorbs their fallen comrade’s power, and it now becomes a one-on-one fight. That said, players need to pick which of the two they want to face during the second phase.
4Sister Friede
Dark Souls 3
Sister Friede is a boss that can be encountered inDark Soul 3’sAshes of AriandelDLC. This scythe-wielding nun’s first phase sees her cast frost attacks at the player. She also can turn invisible and can critically strike the player if she connects with her scythe for tons of damage.
After besting her, the second phase becomes a two-on-one encounter: Father Ariandel joins the fight and uses a golden brazier to bludgeon and cast fire attacks. Sister Friede transitions a third time when their health is below fifty percent in the second phase: she becomes Blackflame Friede and adds dark damage along with her frost and scythe attacks that deal tremendous amounts of damage.
3Ludwig, the Holy Blade
Bloodborne
The Old HuntersDLC inBloodborneadds a couple more memorable bosses for Hunters to take down. One of the new bosses isLudwig, the Holy Blade. Battling him in his initial phase sees Hunters clash against a hulking four-legged beast that can crawl on the ceiling and land on his target for massive damage.
For his second phase, Ludwig composes himself and wields his Holy Blade. His attacks are now more deliberate and much more deadly: the Holy Blade grants him new moves as well as a shockwave attack that can catch players off-guard.
2Godfrey, First Elden Lord
Godfrey stands in the way of the Tarnished who want to complete the main story inElden Ring. Asthe First Elden Lord, Godfreywill not go down easily: his first phase has him swinging his mighty ax against the Tarnished. He also has a fierce stomp that fissures the battlefield.
When Godfrey transitions to Hoarah Loux, his attacks become more feral: he has a grab move that can one-shot players if they get caught. On top of that, his swipes and punches are significantly stronger and complement his untethered berserker rage.
1Isshin, The Sword Saint
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The main combat mechanic inSekiro: Shadows Die Twicerevolves around parrying opponents. Players need to be on top form with their parrying skills when they battle Isshin, The Sword Saint. His first official phase has him use quick and strong Ashina-styleattacks with his sword.
After whittling down his health, Isshin eventually enters the second phase: he unsheathes a spear and pistol to strike players from a distance. As the battle reaches the final stages, Isshin acquires lightning powers that can stun players who are not ready. Keen-eyed players should take note that Isshin’s spear and sword thrusts can be Mikiri Countered, and his lightning attack can be riposted, but timing is essential to do so.
