Bosses have always been one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of the games created by FromSoftware, and Elden Ring is no exception. There are certainly different difficulty levels when it comes to the bosses in the latest Soulsborne release, but there are some scenarios that can be enjoyed in spite of how tough the fight actually is.
Whether it is an epic spectacle making up the stage for the boss battle, or even just impressive designs and animations of the bosses themselves, the best bosses don't necessarily have to be the hardest to defeat.
10 The Towering Fire Giant Is A Big Obstacle To Overcome
The Fire Giant is a compulsory boss fight of massive proportions, both in terms of literal size and difficulty. The towering stature of the Fire Giant can detract from the bizarre face on its chest as the huge hulking foe tries to crush the player where they stand.
The Fire Giant follows the tradition-of-sorts of a boss mutilating itself, comparable to Godrick, in order to create a different kind of obstacle for its second phase, and its cries of anguish signal the sudden raise of the stakes and tempo. It unleashes its furious fiery potential and arguably has more mobility as it rolls around than it did with functional legs.
9 The Ominous Morgott And The Ensuing Fight Deserve More Recognition
Morgott, the Omen King is revealed as the true identity of Margit, the Fell Omen, and re-introduces himself with another foreboding monologue before starting with a similar stance and battle style to the original Margit fight.
However, it quickly escalates both in terms of difficulty and intensity, making for a unique fight in itself. From the initial condemnation of the other fallen bosses, to the fight itself and his dying words upon his defeat, the Morgott fight is not talked about as much as it perhaps should be.
8 Radagon And The Elden Beast Are The Intense Final Hurdles
Radagon is the final boss fight of the entire game, and it also isn't. The cutscenes for the big bosses are stellar throughout the entire game, but the one introducing Radagon of the Golden Order is one of the best at setting the stage for an epic battle. His attacks are heavy and fast with him wielding his destructive hammer, and the player has to also contend with all manner of magical attacks.
Upon his defeat, as the light fades from his body, the Elden Beast emerges, the true final boss of the game. It is a bizarre reveal, but adds the gravitas and shock factor that a final encounter of a game such as Elden Ring requires.
7 Mohg, Lord of Blood, Has Arguably One Of The Best And Most Disturbing Entrances
Mohg, Lord of Blood, may be an optional boss but he is still given a cutscene with a chilling grand entrance, the accompaniment of epic music, and arguably one of the best fight sequences of the entire game. He emerges from a pool of blood seemingly made from a single hand, and with foreboding words, sets up this intense boss fight.
Mohg wields his trident and manipulates blood as if it was water and he, Poseidon. He even sprouts wings as the fight enters its mid-to-latter stages, in turn doing what Elden Ring does best, ramping up the tension so that the latter stages of a fight get the heart racing.
6 The Introduction Cutscene For Placidusax Helps Set The Scene In The Most Epic Way
Dragonlord Placidusax may be an optional boss fight, but it is presented in such an epic way that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as those unavoidable bosses that are a part of the main storyline. On this occasion, a cutscene is used to present the ominous setting rather than introducing the boss itself with dialogue or active engagement, as Placidusax is just shown floating motionless in the air.
It is only when the player approaches, that it wakes up and begins the fight for real, opening its wings and displaying its two heads, thus commencing the chaos. For all the dragon encounters that Elden Ring throws at players, Placidusax reigns supreme over all of them.
5 Rykard Is Often Referred To As Gimmicky But Remains One Of The Most Memorable Bosses
The initial part of this boss fight appears to be a normal creepy Elden Ring boss encounter, as the God-Devouring Serpent is merely a huge snake with the trademark human-like hands attached to the side, although attention immediately goes to its head, as that is where the trouble lies.
Defeating the God-Devouring Serpent is not the end however, as it merely triggers the disturbing cutscene of Rykard's face being revealed on the long body, with the Lord of Blasphemy even retrieving a weapon from the dead serpent's throat. The human face and the flaming skulls that are sent after the player immediately make this feel like more of a disturbingly epic boss fight than the initial serpent encounter.
4 Maliketh Is Another Boss That Won't Be Forgotten In A Hurry
Maliketh, the Black Blade, is another example of a boss that emerges from the remnants of an already-vanquished foe. What starts off as a fight against the Beast Clergyman, descends into fighting Maliketh via a disturbing cutscene and transition.
Maliketh and his blade immediately bring an added level of intensity, with him being perfectly capable of one-shotting any unprepared players. It finds itself being one of the toughest fights of the game, but is presented in such a cinematic way that makes it an enjoyable experience, beyond the obvious frustrations that come with dying several times in succession.
3 Godfrey, Serosh, And Hoarah Loux All Step Up For This Intense Exchange
Godfrey, First Elden Lord is found in Leyndell, Capital of Ash, and is one of the later bosses that players must face as a part of the main narrative. Wielding a mighty axe, and with him moving deceptively quickly, Godfrey is shadowed by a lion-like figure named Serosh. Upon reaching half of his total health, Godfrey sacrifices Serosh and reveals himself to be Hoarah Loux.
This bloodied hulk of a warrior forgoes his axe in favor of utilizing his fists, but is even more powerful than he was before nonetheless. Players may not necessarily understand everything to do with Serosh, or Hoarah Loux for that matter, but the entire fight is extremely captivating.
2 Malenia Is Well-Known For Her Frustratingly Destructive Offense
Often thought of as being the toughest boss of the entire game, and rightfully so, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and the ensuing boss fight have everything that a quintessential FromSoftware boss fight should have. The introductory cutscene has the still dismembered body slowly and silently reformed, with calm, softly spoken dialogue slowly adding to the tension as players know what is coming, or so they think.
Malenia is quick and destructive, and while defeating her feels like a triumph, it merely triggers a second fight against a truly awakened boss. It is hard to believe that this Malenia two-parter is optional, given the gravitas and perfect execution of the fight, but it is easily one of the most memorable.
1 The Setting & Lore Supporting Starscourge Radahn Make For A Truly Memorable Fight
Many players appear to have different experiences when it comes to the boss battle against General Radahn, but the one thing that cannot be disputed no matter how difficult the fight may be, is how much of an epic spectacle it is. While this could be deemed expected as the quest revolves around it being a festival, inviting fighters from all over to join in on the fun, the scale of the battlefield and the ferocity of Radahn's moves are still plenty to marvel at.
There is even a point during the fight that sees him leave momentarily, only for him to reappear after a brief lull, as a ferocious meteor plummetting to the ground, in a truly memorable moment.