FromSoftware branched away from the medieval fantasy Dark Souls franchise with 2015's Bloodborne, a beautifully dark Victorian nightmare. While the game retained the incredible difficulty level that fans of the franchise loved, Bloodborne also embraced more aggressive and fast-paced gameplay.
This made dealing with some of Bloodborne's bosses incredibly challenging for some players. The wide variety of game options available meant every hunter would experience each battle differently. Bloodborne is full of horrible monsters and Great Old Ones, but several are far better, or far worse, than the rest.
10 Rom, The Vacuous Spider Is Frustrating When Surrounded By Spiders
The monstrous arachnid known as Rom, the Vacuous Spider may not seem like the most difficult boss. It isn't the quickest or most aggressive in the game by any stretch. But players can be easily frustrated by the amount of smaller spiders they have to deal with as well. It is possible to quickly take down the heavily-armored main boss while avoiding the little spiders and their incredibly annoying jump attacks, but Rom can still prove difficult to players who don't know what to expect.
9 Vicar Amelia Will Challenge Players Who Haven't Upgraded Enough
Players can encounter Vicar Amelia pretty early on, which can make this boss battle incredibly difficult. Players at this stage likely have yet to upgrade their weapons enough to make it a fair fight. Vicar Amelia is a true test to see if players are ready for the next stages of the game.
Thankfully, Bloodborne's monster bosses all tend to be susceptible to a similar attack pattern. Staying behind them and focusing attacks on their rear could help even under-leveled players move past the quick and powerful Vicar Amelia.
8 Father Gascoigne Forces Players To Deal With Aggressive Boss Types Early
Another early test for players in the game,the former hunter Father Gascoigne will quickly force players to adjust to the aggressive combat loop that separates Bloodborne from other Souls games.
While players might have trouble dealing with his fast hunter phase, it's his transformation into a werewolf that will quickly tear through most players early in the game. This difficult second phase has caused more than a few players to quit Bloodborne early.
7 Martyr Logarius Is Incredibly Difficult For Players Who Don't Get Close
Players will find Martyr Logarius on the roof of the Forsaken Cainhurst Castle after discovering a secret path, making him an optional boss. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he is an easy fight. Logarius is fast, aggressive, and packs a powerful punch that will punish players who like to keep their distance.
Logarius has a number of deadly spells and attacks, though players who get in close can avoid a lot of damage. This also keeps them in prime position to parry his weapon attacks or sneak behind for a backstab while he's charging his buff. The fight against Logarius can be one of Bloodborne's more difficult battles for players who don't know the tricks, but it's also an incredibly rewarding victory.
6 Ebrietas, Daughter Of The Cosmos Can Be Difficult If Players Attack Head-On
Bloodborne's city of Yharnam is haunted by powerful entities known as Great Ones that the player can encounter over the course of the game. Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos can be found in a secret chamber under the Upper Cathedral Ward and can be incredibly challenging due to her wide attack reach and unpredictable moveset. The best strategy is to get in behind Ebrietas and attack her near the middle of her two tails. In the second phase, the A Call Beyond attack will need to be avoided by running around the Great One to a safe position.
5 Gehrman, The First Hunter Is Is Sure To Punish Players
Players will encounter the NPC Gehrman a few times during their adventure in Yharnam before they are forced to choose between allowing Gehrman to sacrifice them or refusing his offer and unlocking the First Hunter boss fight.
Gehrman fights with a deadly scythe, moving quickly and aggressively. He will challenge the skills learned throughout the game in every way. Players who excel at parrying might have an easier time with the First Hunter, though his tight parry window will take some skill to time properly.
4 Lady Maria Of The Astral Clocktower Is Incredibly Difficult And Rewarding
Much like Gehrman, the First Hunter, the battle with Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower makes players feel like they were training the whole game for this moment. Lady Maria is an aggressive, cautious, and talented fighter that makes players truly earn the victory.
One of the biggest challenges with Lady Maria is the increased blood and fire buffs she gains as players whittle down her health. While the battle with Lady Maria is difficult, it's beautiful to watch her fight.
3 Laurence, The First Vicar Has A Devastating Second Phase
The Bloodborne DLC The Old Hunters introduced a new area called The Hunter's Nightmare, featuring a few of the game's most difficult bosses, including the monstrous beast known as Laurence, the First Vicar.
The DLC boss is considered by many to be the hardest boss in Bloodborne, but his first phase is reminiscent of the much easier Cleric Beast that hunters face early in the game. However, Laurence has a devastating second phase that floods the stage with lava and negates the usual rear attack strategy to further complicate the battle.
2 Ludwig, The Accursed Is An Aggressive Beast
Another deadly and difficult villain that players will face in The Old Hunters DLC is Ludwig, the Accursed. A monstrous, horse-like beast, he is incredibly aggressive and can launch attacks that traverse nearly the whole area.
Many players have fallen to the nearly impossible boss battle that only gets more intense when he transforms into Ludwig, the Holy Blade in the second phase. Thankfully, the addition of a weapon makes his attacks easier to parry. This can turn the tide of battle for some players, but this boss is still one of the most difficult that Bloodborne has to offer.
1 Orphan Of Kos Is One Of Bloodborne's Most Aggressive Bosses
Players who made their way through The Old Hunters DLC encountered what may be the hardest boss in not just Bloodborne, but the whole "soulsborne" franchise. Orphan of Kos rises from the body of a deceased Great One to viciously attack players with a weaponized placenta that he can also use to throw projectiles across the battlefield.
Orphan of Kos is incredibly quick and aggressive, hits like a truck, and has an even more devastating second phase. Even hunters who have already moved through every other Bloodborne boss might come up frustratingly short against the DLC's grotesque final challenge.