The lore behind the 238 bosses in the base game of Elden Ring is impressive, with some bosses having particularly memorable backstories. Elden Ring is praised for its exceptional boss design and captivating lore, seamlessly combined with artistic brilliance.
While many players view bosses as challenging encounters, delving into the lore of Elden Ring’s Demigods and otherworldly beings is equally gratifying. These bosses’ intricate, intertwined stories add depth to the game’s world and characters.
The visually stunning bosses in Elden Ring provide an unforgettable experience, each presenting a unique and captivating visual spectacle. The game’s diverse and mesmerizing bosses are at the core of its appeal, making it a must-play for those seeking awe-inspiring character designs.
Godrick The Grafted
Godrick the Grafted is a compelling character in Elden Ring, showcasing the depths of his desperation for power. Although descended from powerful ancestors, he feels inferior and resorts to deplorable acts of Grafting to compensate.
As one of the formidable Demigod bosses in the game, Godrick sets the standard for challenging encounters early on. His unique moveset evolves as he incorporates a dragon’s head into his combat style, leading to a dynamic and challenging second phase.
While not the most difficult boss in the game, Godrick establishes the difficulty level players can expect from similar Demigod encounters. His transformation during combat, particularly the grafting of the dragon’s head, is visually spectacular and showcases the attention to detail in FromSoftware’s games.
Dragonlord Placidusax
The Dragonlord Placidusax is a hidden boss in Elden Ring found in Crumbling Farum Azula. Despite being past his prime, he remains a powerful adversary, leaving players curious about the events that led to his decline.
Many players might not know about Dragonlord Placidusax, as he is an optional boss found later in the game. Interestingly, despite having two heads in-game, the Dragonlord once had more, and he was the Elden Lord before the time of the Erdtree.
The fact that Placidusax is far past his prime yet still so powerful speaks a thousand words about the bygone era and leaves players wondering what could have caused his downfall. Finding him requires going backwards through time itself. Why are you playing Elden Ring if not to kill giant monsters? Players who have struggled against this optional boss would be shocked to learn that this foe is a mere shadow of his former self.
A secret boss encountered only by diligent players in Crumbling Farum Azula; Dragonlord Placidusax has to be the hardest of Elden Ring’s many boss dragon enemies. An ancient, towering beast that boasts massive, punishing AoE attacks, this is a tough fight that’s overshadowed only by the final boss of Crumbling Farum Azula. Able to fly, teleport, and perform intimidating diving attacks that can be difficult to avoid, Dragonlord Placidusax is a worthy end-game Elden Ring boss and can be truly dangerous for characters either slightly under-levelled for late-game areas or with unoptimized builds.
Rennala, Queen Of The Full Moon
The boss battle against Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, was enigmatic compared to straightforward battles like Godrick, the Grafted. Digging deeper into her lore reveals her powerful history in the Lands Between and her ties to Marika.
The battle with Rennala is a unique and intense encounter. Rennala, a master of magic, employs a range of mystical abilities to challenge the player. This encounter with Raya Lucaria marks a significant shift in Elden Ring, transitioning from traditional combat to more mystical elements, with Rennala embodying this transformation.
Furthermore, her story intertwines with her daughter, Ranni, portraying Rennala as a grieving single mother who suffered betrayal and loss. Despite her formidable presence in the Academy of Raya Lucaria, Rennala’s elegant costume and mesmerizing sorcery make for a visually enchanting boss fight in a unique library setting. Interestingly, defeating her transforms Rennala from a threatening boss into a friendly NPC, offering the opportunity to modify stats.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Rykard, known as the Lord of Blasphemy, is a fascinating demigod character in Elden Ring who shows disdain for the oppressive nature of the Erdtree. Seeking power, he turns to an Outer God called the Dog-Devouring Serpent, which ultimately leads to his loss of sanity and integrity.
Rykard becomes a creepy boss in the game, consuming his enemies to make them part of his “family.” His colossal size, numerous arms, and powerful attacks make him a striking boss in Elden Ring, known for its challenging battles.
Rykard, the son of Rennala and Radagon, defied the Erdtree and sought immortality and power. He was ultimately consumed by the God-Devouring Serpent and adopted its desires. This led to his followers rebelling against him, creating the Serpent Hunter to destroy him. Rykard can be found in Volcano Manor.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Malenia’s Set was not only one of the most visually stunning boss battles in any Souls game but her impact on the Lands Between was felt long before players encountered her. Her presence and influence can be seen throughout Caelid, building up to the challenging boss fight in Elden Ring and elevating its legendary status.
Malenia, also known as the Blade of Miquella, is located at the depths of the Haligtree, a gruelling and extensive area. Her formidable reputation places her among the most challenging bosses in FromSoftware games. Not only does Malenia pose a significant threat to players, but she also inflicts great devastation upon the region of Caelid, transforming it into the wasteland witnessed in Elden Ring with the release of the Scarlet Rot during her duel against Radahn in the game’s Shattering.
The initial phase of the fight against Malenia is tough yet manageable, but her transformation into Malenia, Goddess of Rot, in the second phase is truly daunting. Lightning-fast combos, powerful area-of-effect attacks, a barrage of phantom clones, and the near-impossible-to-escape Scarlet Rot create a relentless series of punishing assaults. To make matters worse, she can drain the player’s health with each successful hit, making some Spirit Ash summons more detrimental than helpful.
Although Malenia may be an optional boss (much like the entire Haligtree area), she undeniably stands as the most difficult boss encounter in the base game. Malenia has earned her reputation as a popular boss for good reasons. While initially simple in design, her striking features, such as her ability to detach her arm and flowing red hair, make for a memorable encounter.
Her visual appeal reaches its peak when her rot becomes uncontrollable. As the Goddess of Rot, the transformation reveals butterflies emerging from her and an unexpected pristine quality to the rot. Witnessing her in her full boss attack mode is truly a spectacle.
Margit, The Fell Omen
Margit, the Fell Omen, is often perceived as an irritable elder, seemingly intent on keeping trespassers away from his territory. However, beyond his gruff exterior, Margit emerges as a selfless guardian of the Erdtree, seeking no personal gain and only desiring the Erdtree’s favour in return for his protection.
Despite his noble intentions, Margit is shunned and cursed, making him a tragic figure in the game. As the first main boss encountered in Elden Ring, Margit serves as a challenging introduction to the game’s boss mechanics, preparing players for the demanding battles that lie ahead. His difficulty and unique battle environment teach players essential lessons about the game’s boss fights, setting the tone for the formidable challenges awaiting them in Elden Ring.
Starscourge Radahn
The story of General Starscourge Radahn and Malenia is full of interesting and conflicting tales about their battle in Caelid. Radahn’s tragic transformation into a mindless rot zombie didn’t stop his soldiers from continuing to honour him and fight the Scarlet Rot.
What’s particularly intriguing is the story of Radahn’s affection for his horse, Leonard. Despite outgrowing Leonard due to his giant’s curse, Radahn learned Gravity Magic to continue riding him. This unexpected detail adds a unique layer to the boss’s fight for those familiar with the lore. As for the showdown with Radahn, there’s a grand festival leading up to the battle, organized by his followers to give the fallen general a dignified final fight.
Maliketh, The Black Blade
In Elden Ring, the Maliketh, the Black Blade boss battle takes place in the Crumbling Farum Azula and consists of two parts. The first part involves facing Maliketh’s alter ego, the Beast Clergymen Gurranq, a massive creature with strong projectile attacks and area-of-effect abilities.
Once the beast’s health is reduced to around fifty percent, Gurranq transforms into Maliketh, the Black Blade. In this form, Maliketh is faster and more aggressive, delivering powerful combos and launching deadly projectiles while swiftly closing the distance between himself and the player. This battle occurs in one of the toughest regions in Elden Ring, making it a challenging and demanding encounter.