Developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring is a highly counted-on action role-playing game with several unique aspects to keep you glued to your screen for longer. One of them is the in-game bosses.
As you progress in the game’s advanced map, you’ll encounter each, from optional bosses to mandatory ones. But how many bosses are in the Elden Ring in total?
There are over 238 bosses in the game to challenge your skills and become the Elden Lord.
Continue reading as I discuss this and other essential boss categories, along with some undisclosed strategies to conquer them. So, let’s start.
Table Of Contents
How Many Bosses Are in Elden Ring Total?
There are over 238 bosses in Elden Ring in total. These are categorized into multiple groups, like unique bosses, optional bosses, required bosses, etc.
Significance of the Total Number of Bosses
The total number of bosses is advantageous and disadvantageous from the player’s perspective. Read on to learn how.
- Game Length
The total number of bosses indicates the length of the game. A higher number of bosses means a longer game, and vice-versa.
- Difficulty
The number of bosses also indicates the level of difficulty in the game. A higher number of bosses suggest a more challenging game, while a lower number indicates otherwise.
- Replayability
The total number of bosses also affects the replayability of the game. If the number is high, you should play the game multiple times to experience all the different boss encounters.
- Storytelling
Finally, the number of bosses contributes to the overall storytelling of the game. Each boss adds depth and meaning to the game’s narrative, so a higher number of bosses makes the storytelling more intricate and complex.
Unique Characteristics of Elden Ring’s Boss System
Here are some special characteristics of Elden Ring’s boss system.
- Optional Bosses
Many bosses in the Elden Ring are optional. That is, you can choose to fight them or not. These bosses often have valuable rewards for players who defeat them, such as unique weapons or items.
- Multiple Phases
Certain bosses have multiple phases, each with its attacks and patterns. This keeps the fights exciting and challenging, as you must adapt to new situations and mechanics as the fight progresses.
- Environmental Hazards
Many bosses in Elden Ring have environmental hazards to make the fights more challenging. For example, some bosses have areas of effect attacks that damage the player if they stand in the wrong place or can knock them off ledges or into other hazards.
Related: How to Summon in Elden Ring – All You Need to Know
How Many Main Bosses Are in Elden Ring?
There are 18 main bosses in the Elden Ring. Some are Margit the Fell Omen, Godrick the Grafted, Red Wolf of Radagon, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and more.
Significance of Main Bosses in the Game
From story progression to challenging fights, rewards to character upgrades, main bosses serve multiple purposes in Elden Ring. Let’s discuss them.
- Story Progression
Defeating the main bosses is crucial to advance in the game’s plot and unlocking new areas for exploration.
- Challenging Fights
Main bosses are often some of the most formidable enemies in the game. Thus, defeating them requires careful planning, strategy, and skill.
- Rewards
Triumphing over main bosses rewards you with valuable items such as weapons, armor, spells, and souls.
- Unique Boss Design
Each main boss has a unique design, moveset, and backstory, making each encounter a memorable experience for you.
- Replay Value
After beating the main boss, you can restart your playthrough with all your character’s gear and experience the game again.
Related: Elden Ring Boss Locations – Full Guide
How Do Main Bosses Differ From Mini-Bosses?
Don’t confuse mini-bosses with the main bosses. Here’s how both are different from each other.
- Significance
Main bosses are essential to the game’s story progression, and defeating them is necessary to reach the game’s end. Conversely, mini-bosses are optional enemies that provide extra challenge and loot.
- Difficulty
Main bosses are typically more challenging than mini-bosses. Thus, more precise timing and strategy are required to defeat the former.
- Arena
Main bosses usually have a dedicated arena with unique designs and mechanics that complement the boss’s theme and abilities. Mini-bosses, on the contrary, are usually found in common enemy areas.
- Reward
Main bosses drop unique items and souls you can use to craft powerful equipment and progress through the game. Mini-bosses typically drop fewer rewards, but they may still provide valuable loot.
- Design
Main bosses often have unique and memorable designs, with complex animations and attack patterns that make them stand out from other enemies. Mini-bosses may have simpler designs and move sets, but they still provide an additional challenge for players looking for a greater level of difficulty.
Related: How to Summon Friends in Elden Ring
How Many Unique Bosses Are in Elden Ring?
There are 32 unique bosses in the Elden Ring. For example, Margit, The Fell Omen, Godskin Noble, Commander Niall, Starscourge Radahn, etc.
Unique Features of Each Boss
But why are these bosses called “unique.” Below are the features that make them so.
- Unique Design
These bosses have unique and visually striking designs, ranging from cosmic aliens to armored knights and dragons.
- Varied Moveset
Unique bosses have varied movesets, including both close-range and long-range attacks. This makes it important to learn their patterns and anticipate their attacks.
- Multiple Phases
Many bosses have multiple phases, with different move sets and abilities, which require you to adapt your strategy and approach to each phase.
- Unique Mechanics
Some bosses have unique mechanics that require you to use specific items or strategies to defeat them, such as using flame resistance against a fire-breathing dragon or baiting a shield slam from a heavily armored knight.
Related: Claw Talisman Elden Ring
Elden Ring Bosses in Order of Difficulty
Related: Elden Ring Bosses in Order: Complete List
Out of the numerous difficult in-game bosses, below is the ranking of the Elden Ring bosses in order of difficulty. Here, I’ve selected the top 10 bosses.
- Mimic Tear
Mimic Tear is a one-of-a-kind optional boss in Elden Ring with the unique ability to copy all your equipment and mimic your every move in battle. Unique, isn’t it? You can find Mimic Tear in two locations.
First, behind the mist door in Nokron, Eternal City, and second, the secret catacombs accessed through a hidden path to the haligtree.
Defeating Mimic Tear requires entering the battle unequipped and quickly equipping your gear or using uncopyable items such as ashes. Don’t miss out on the challenge and excitement of facing Mimic Tear in Elden Ring!
- Sir Gideon Ofnir
To complete the questline in Elden Ring, you must face the main boss Sir Gideon Ofnir, a powerful Tarnished Leader. While he may be known as the all-knowing, his fate is ultimately doomed.
As a skilled sorcerer, Sir Gideon wields a wand that lets him chant powerful projectiles.
However, you can interrupt his magical incantations by attacking him in close combat. He also has a variety of long-range magical attacks, so he takes an aggressive approach to the fight.
Tip: Beware of Sir Gideon’s ability to heal himself with a potion, which restores half of his health. Nonetheless, he’s considered one of the easier bosses for melee builds.
- Dragonlord Placidusax
A legendary boss in the Elden Ring, Dragonlord Placidusax also belongs to the category of optional bosses. Hence, you don’t need to defeat him to progress in the game. Nevertheless, defeating him will unlock valuable rewards for you, besides testing your combat skills for the game ahead.
Appearance-wise, Dragonlord Placidusax has a massive size with two heads. It’s generally encountered in the Crumbling Farum Azula area and believed to be once an Elden Lord who ruled alongside his god but was later abandoned.
- God-devouring Serpent
God-devouring Serpent or Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is an optional boss in the Elden Ring. He’s found at Volcano Manor in Mt. Gelmir. The battle against him has 2 phases, and defeating Rykard will reward you with his Great Rune and the Remembrance of the Blasphemous.
To effectively fight Rykard, use the Serpent Hunter Great Spear, which can be obtained at the start of the boss chamber.
Utilizing the weapon skill while dodging his attacks advances you to the second phase of the fight, where weapon art can be used to stagger Rykard repeatedly.
- Godrick the Grafted
Encounter the first Shardbearer, Godrick the Grafted, in Stormville Castle in Elden Ring. He wields a golden ax and attacks aggressively in the first phase.
In the second phase, he grafts a dragon head that breathes fire and can grab you. Use flame resistance to negotiate fire damage during the second phase.
- Fia’s Champions
For those seeking a challenge, Fia’s Champions offer an opportunity to earn 40,000 runes and Fia’s Mist. Located in Deeproot Depths, you must face three waves of increasingly difficult foes.
The first wave features a knight with a halberd and turtle shield, which is relatively easy to defeat. In the second wave, you face Sorcerer Rogier, who attacks from the range with magic. Close, aggressive combat is key to victory.
The third and most challenging round is a one-vs-three fight. Attacking all three simultaneously will lead to interruptions, so it’s best to focus on the samurai first, as their health is lower than the other two.
- Lichdragon Fortissax
Defeating the Lichdragon in Deeproot Depth is an optional mission in Elden Ring but required for the “Age of Duskborn” ending during Fia’s questline.
Use Lightningproof Dried Livers to reduce lightning damage by 15% for 120 seconds. Aim for the head to deal double damage or attack his ankles while standing underneath him.
- Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
This boss has a unique design, part Scorpio, part dragonfly, with limb-like hands and a cracked skull featuring a third eye. It possesses cosmic powers and is essential to defeating the Ranni the Witch questline.
Upon entering the arena, the boss will greet you with a purple beam attack. Use Torrent to close the distance and strike the boss’s face to retaliate.
Additionally, summon Spirit Ashes with long-range abilities like Latenna’s, or use your long-range spells to attack from afar.
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
To unlock Leyendell Royal Capital, you must defeat two of the three Shardbearers, including Rennala, in the Academy of Raya Lucarina at the center of Liurnia in Elden Ring.
In the first phase, hit the golden-aura scholar and run away to make Rennala fall, allowing multiple hits.
The second phase is tougher, as Rennala uses projectiles and beams. You should get aggressive, causing stagger, and consider using wolf ash summon.
- Malenia, Blade of Miquella
A two-phase demigod boss in Elden Ring, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, twin sister of Miquella. The latter is considered the most powerful of the Empyreans, and Malenia herself gained renown for her legendary battle against the Starscourge Radahn during the Shattering.
Being one of the toughest game bosses, defeating her isn’t easy. To do so, you must face her in two different phases, each with their unique challenges and mechanics. However, you can choose not to face her since she is optional.
Factors that Contribute to the Difficulty of Each Boss
Health points, move set, speed, and damage output are some critical factors that contribute to the difficulty of each boss. Let’s understand these in detail.
- Health Points
Bosses with higher HP are most difficult to deal with and take longer to defeat. Hence, be more patient and careful with their attacks.
- Damage Output
Bosses that deal more damage with each hit require you to be more skilled at dodging, blocking, or parrying attacks to avoid taking damage.
- Move Set
Bosses with more varied and complex move sets are more difficult to predict and require you to be more adaptable in your strategies.
- Speed
Certain bosses move quickly, making them more difficult to hit, and calls for more precision with your timing and positioning.
- Adds
Bosses that summon additional enemies or have minions can increase the fight’s difficulty as you must manage multiple targets simultaneously.
Related: Who Is the Final Boss in Elden Ring? Identity Revealed!
Tips/Strategies to Defeat Each Boss
Follow these tips/strategies to defeat each boss in Elden Ring.
- Learn the Boss’s Attack Patterns
Understand the boss’s moves and attacks to anticipate their actions and avoid potent attacks effectively.
- Manage Your Stamina
Your every attack and dodge will drain your stamina. So, master when to attack, dodge, and retreat to avoid getting exhausted and leaving yourself open to attacks.
- Take Advantage of Vulnerabilities
Most Elden Ring bosses have specific weak spots or openings. As a player, pay attention to the boss’s behavior and look for these opportunities to attack them.
- Upgrade Your Gear and Stats
Check if your equipment is upgraded to its highest level. The same applies to your character’s stats, which must be appropriately distributed. It’ll help you deal more damage and withstand more attacks.
- Stay Focused and Patient
Boss fights are usually long and challenging, so remain focused and patient. Don’t rush in and attack blindly. Take your time to observe the boss and plan your next move.
Related: What Does Dexterity do in Elden Ring? A Detailed Guide
‌How Many Are the Bosses in Elden Ring? FAQs
Q: What is the Hardest Boss in Elden Ring?
A: Though it depends on several factors, including the player’s capabilities, Malenia is infamous as the hardest boss in the Elden Ring.
Q: How Many Bosses Were in the Elden Ring Test?
A: There were 120 bosses in the Elden Ring test.
Q: Are There 200 Bosses in Elden Ring?
A: Yes, there are over 200 bosses in the Elden Ring.
Conclusion
Here you go. Elden Ring features an incredible collection of 238 bosses to face off against and progress in the game. As a result, you get a challenging and immersive experience with stunning graphics and an epic story to match.
With many such bosses, you’ll undoubtedly be engrossed in the game for countless hours, exploring every nook and cranny of its world. Thus, battling through a seemingly endless series of epic encounters is on the cards.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Soulsborne genre or a newcomer to the series, Elden Ring will surely provide an unforgettable gaming experience that’s not to be missed. So, what’s your favorite Elden Ring boss?
