Top 10 Most Thrilling Bosses in Elden Ring (Pre-DLC)
In the vast, haunting world of Elden Ring, few experiences rival the thrill and challenge of confronting the game’s most formidable foes. These adversaries are not mere obstacles, but epic trials that demand every ounce of skill, strategy, and perseverance from the player.
Each battle is a test of endurance and wit, where mastery of combat mechanics, quick reflexes, and an understanding of the lore come together to create a truly unforgettable experience, these bosses push the boundaries of what it means to be challenged in a video game. With every encounter, victory is earned through sheer determination, and each defeat is a lesson in what it takes to overcome the impossible. Here, we dive into the ten most thrilling and formidable bosses that Elden Ring has to offer, exploring why they stand as the ultimate test for the Tarnished.
Table Of Contents
10-Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Fighting Malenia, Blade of Miquella is one of the most intense, skill-testing, and exhilarating battles in Elden Ring, often considered the hardest boss in the game (pre-DLC) and a true test of endurance and mastery. Her unreal ability to heal whenever she lands a hit makes the fight relentless, as even a single mistake allows her to recover, forcing players to fight flawlessly. Despite this, many find her battle Frustrating rather than thrilling, as it demands perfect dodging, patience, and calculated aggression. The controversy around her fight stems from her incredibly fast and unpredictable attacks, most notably Waterfowl Dance, which can obliterate unprepared players in seconds.
However, overcoming her is one of the most satisfying achievements in the game. Her lore is tragic yet fascinating—as the twin sister of Miquella, she was born afflicted with Scarlet Rot, a condition that has both cursed and empowered her. Despite her disease, she remained undefeated in battle, even holding back General Radahn in the Shattering, only to ultimately unleash Scarlet Aeonia, corrupting the battlefield with rot. Her second phase transforms her into the Goddess of Rot, turning the fight into an even deadlier spectacle with graceful yet devastating rot-infused attacks. Love her or hate her, Malenia is a beautifully designed boss, and her fight stands as one of the most iconic, brutal, and rewarding challenges in Elden Ring.
9-Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Fighting Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is one of the most otherworldly and visually stunning encounters in Elden Ring, making it feel like you are battling a cosmic nightmare within the heart of the universe itself. The arena is breathtaking, resembling a vast celestial void filled with swirling galaxies, shimmering stars, and eerie, glowing mist, reinforcing the idea that Astel is not of this world. Its design is both horrifying and mesmerizing, with a massive, insectoid skeletal body, distorted humanoid features, and countless glowing tendrils that give it an eerie, alien elegance.
The fight itself can be controversial, as some players find it annoying due to its erratic teleportation and the mist-like explosion chains, but overcoming these challenges makes victory feel all the more rewarding. Lore-wise, Astel is an eldritch entity that arrived from the cosmos, obliterating an entire civilization in the Lands Between with its cosmic power. It is deeply connected to Ranni’s questline, as the player must defeat it to progress toward the Cathedral of Manus Celes. Despite the mixed opinions on its fight mechanics, Astel remains a thrilling, visually breathtaking, and deeply unsettling boss, making it an unforgettable encounter in Elden Ring.
8-Morgott, The Omen King
Fighting Morgott, the Omen King is one of the most intense and rewarding encounters in Elden Ring, combining a beautifully crafted moveset, an epic soundtrack, and deep, tragic lore. His battle takes place at the foot of the Erdtree, he is the last true guardian of Leyndell, standing alone against all who seek to claim the throne. His moveset is both elegant and brutal, blending quick dagger slashes, devastating holy-infused hammer smashes, and deadly spear thrusts, all while he gracefully dodges and counters attacks with agility unexpected from such a towering figure. One of his most powerful moves sees him summon golden swords from the sky, raining them down in a massive, unavoidable AoE attack.
The OST is phenomenal, with a grand, almost sorrowful choir that makes the battle feel both heroic and tragic, reflecting Morgott’s pain and unwavering duty. His dialogue is incredible, with him mocking the Tarnished for their foolish ambition, yet in his dying breath, he still warns them of the thorns barring entry to the Erdtree, proving that he fought not for power, but for devotion.
Lore-wise, Morgott is the twin brother of Mohg, both born as cursed Omen children, yet while Mohg embraced his exile and sought power through the Formless Mother, Morgott remained loyal to the very Order that despised him, secretly protecting the Golden Order from the shadows. His sad past, incredible moveset, and emotional weight make him one of the most fun and well-crafted bosses in Elden Ring.
7-Godskin Duo
The Godskin Duo is one of the most controversial yet exhilarating fights in Elden Ring—while many players consider them frustrating, they are actually a true test of skill, patience, and adaptability. The battle takes place in a ruined temple within Crumbling Farum Azula, where these two sinister figures—the Godskin Apostle, tall and wiry with his deadly twin-blade, and the Godskin Noble, bloated yet deceptively agile with a massive curved sword—fight together in perfect synergy. Their attacks complement each other, with the Apostle launching long-range spinning slashes while the Noble pressures players with brutal thrusts and rolling attacks.
The most challenging part of the fight is that you must kill them both twice, as their shared health bar means they keep reviving each other until it’s fully depleted. The OST is phenomenal, featuring a grand yet eerie choir, reinforcing the idea that you are facing agents of an ancient, malevolent power.
Lore-wise, the Godskins were once powerful beings who served the mysterious Gloam-Eyed Queen, using their terrifying abilities to slay demigods, until they were nearly wiped out by Maliketh. Despite their reputation as one of the hardest and most annoying bosses in the game, the fight is actually a thrilling challenge, forcing players to master spacing, stamina management, and crowd control, making victory all the more satisfying and rewarding.
6-Lichdragon Fortissax
Fighting Lichdragon Fortissax is one of Elden Ring’s most atmospheric and visually stunning encounters, set deep underground in a dark, eerie realm near the colossal, decayed corpse of Godwyn the Golden. The arena itself feels haunted, with ashen skies, swirling golden mist, and creeping deathblight tendrils, reinforcing the sense that you are stepping into a forgotten, cursed battlefield. Fortissax’s design is breathtaking, with his dark, decayed scales, glowing red eyes, and skeletal wings, making him look like a creature corrupted by both death and lightning.
His moveset is brutal, with ferocious claw slashes, sweeping tail whips, and massive lightning-infused bites, but his most terrifying attack is his two colossal lightning swords, which he slams into the ground, sending explosive shockwaves that can instantly knock out or kill the players. Lore-wise, Fortissax was once a noble dragon, a friend to Godwyn, and tried to fight against the creeping curse of deathblight that consumed his fallen companion. However, his efforts were in vain, and he became corrupted himself, turning into the undead monstrosity that now lurks in the shadows of the Deeproot Depths. The combination of tragic lore, an eerie setting, and a visually spectacular battle makes Fortissax an unforgettable, thrilling boss to fight in Elden Ring.
5-Starscourge Radahn
Fighting Starscourge Radahn (pre-nerf) was one of the most insane and unforgettable experiences in Elden Ring, offering a massive battlefield, overwhelming attacks, and tragic lore. The fight begins with the Radahn Festival, where warriors from across the Lands Between gather in Redmane Castle to challenge the legendary general in a grand duel. After a rousing speech, you are teleported to a vast, war-torn desert, where Radahn—a towering, emaciated figure in rusted armor, still riding his tiny, loyal horse Leonard—stands motionless in the distance.
Then, out of nowhere, he fires gigantic gravity arrows that can knock out players, forcing them to dodge or take cover behind the scattered debris. Once up close, the real battle begins—Radahn wields colossal greatswords with incredible speed, slamming the ground with shockwaves, spinning wildly in midair, and unleashing gravity magic to pull players toward him. But the most iconic moment is when he vanishes mid-fight, only to return as a flaming meteor crashing down from the sky, instantly killing anyone caught in its impact.
His lore is deeply tragic—once a proud and noble general who mastered gravity magic to keep riding his beloved horse, Leonard, he was ultimately driven mad by the Scarlet Rot, reduced to a mindless beast endlessly wandering the battlefield. The sheer scale, spectacle, and emotional weight of the fight made him one of the most fun and emotional bosses in Elden Ring.
4-Maliketh, the Black Blade
Fighting Maliketh, the Black Blade is one of the most fast-paced and thrilling battles in Elden Ring, especially in his second phase, where he becomes a relentless force of destruction. The fight takes place in a crumbling temple high above Farum Azula, with shattered ruins and a stormy sky enhancing the intensity of the encounter. His first phase as the Beast Clergyman is already aggressive, as he hurls bestial incantations, slashes violently with his dagger, and even tears up the ground to launch rocks at the player.
However, once his health drops to 50%, the real battle begins—he slams his dagger into his hand, coating it in Destined Death, and transforms into Maliketh, the Black Blade, becoming one of the fastest and deadliest bosses in the game. His agility is breathtaking, as he flips, dashes, and launches black flame shockwaves that not only deal massive damage but also continuously drain your HP over time. one of his lethal moves is his aerial spinning slash, where he somersaults through the air and delivers a devastating, multi-hit combo that can obliterate players in seconds.
Lore-wise, Maliketh is the loyal shadow of Queen Marika, entrusted with safeguarding Destined Death, the power that can permanently kill gods. His tragic fate of being bound by duty and loyalty makes him one of the most memorable and exhilarating bosses in the game.
3-Dragonlord Placidusax
Facing Dragonlord Placidusax in Elden Ring is both exciting and unforgettable. This battle combines amazing visuals, challenging combat, and a deep storyline. Placidusax is located in a hidden part of Crumbling Farum Azula. To find him, players lie down in an old grave, which magically takes them back in time. This allows them to confront him. The setting is breathtaking—a stormy area with swirling clouds and lightning, making it feel as if you’re fighting somewhere beyond time.
Placidusax himself is a massive, two-headed dragon covered in golden scales. He was once a mighty Elden Lord who served an unknown god but was eventually forgotten by history. His attacks are fierce and include huge claw strikes, explosive fire breath, and shocking red lightning that can cover large areas of the arena. One particularly thrilling move is his teleportation attack. During this, he vanishes into the sky and then returns with a massive lightning dive, which could possibly one-shot players who aren’t prepared.
The look of Placidusax is both grand and sad. His missing three heads and scars hint at a past when he was even stronger, adding to his mystery. The combination of large-scale battle, the intrigue of time travel, and intense combat makes facing him one of the most enjoyable foes of Elden Ring. This fight is not just a test of skill but an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
2-Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Fighting Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy is one of Elden Ring’s most unique and fun boss battles, combining an epic arena, an insane moveset, and deeply disturbing lore. The battle takes place in a colossal lava-filled cavern, where Rykard’s grotesque form—a colossal, rotting serpent fused with a god-devouring sword—emerges from the molten ground. The fight is a spectacle of destruction, as players wield the Serpent-Hunter spear, a special weapon designed specifically to counter him, unleashing massive wind-based slashes.
In his first phase, Rykard attacks with devastating bite combos, lunging strikes, and sweeping tail whips, all while lava pools form around him, punishing reckless movement. His second phase is where the fight becomes truly wild—Rykard merges fully with his sword, unleashing massive flaming skulls, explosive magma waves, and unpredictable blade swings that fill the screen with destruction.
The OST shifts into an overwhelming, apocalyptic choir, making it feel as if you’re witnessing a god’s wrath firsthand. Rykard, once a proud Shardbearer and lord of Volcano Manor, willingly offered himself to the Great Serpent, abandoning his humanity to gain godlike power through devouring. The sheer scale, spectacle, and lore-heavy presentation make his fight one of the most fun and cinematic encounters in Elden Ring.
1-Mohg, Lord of Blood
Fighting Mohg, Lord of Blood is one of the most exhilarating battles in Elden Ring, blending intense mechanics, a stunning arena, and a killer soundtrack. His fight takes place in Mohgwyn Palace, a haunting, blood-drenched mausoleum beneath a scarlet sky, filled with eerie, corpse-like structures—a perfect setting for a boss obsessed with blood rituals. His first phase is a methodical yet aggressive display of bloodflame magic, as he gracefully swings his trident, leaving behind lingering flames that explode after a delay.
He also hurls cursed blood spears, forcing players to stay mobile, and teleports unpredictably, appearing with a devastating thrust. The OST in his first phase is phenomenal, making the encounter feel like a twisted, unholy, and sophisticated ceremony. Just when you think you have him figured out, he enters his second phase with the chilling “NIHIL” chant, draining your health significantly three times while ascending into his true winged, blood-soaked form.
Mohg’s design is equally outstanding, combining an elegant yet grotesque aesthetic that perfectly reflects his character. His demonic appearance, with ghastly horns, twisted claws, and bloodstained flesh, makes him look like a creature born from nightmares. Yet, despite his monstrous nature, he wears regal, flowing robes embroidered in gold, giving him an air of unsettling nobility—an Omen who sees himself as a ruler, not a cursed outcast.
This contrast between refined elegance and brutal horror makes him one of the most visually striking bosses in the game. Mohg is the twin of Morgott and an Omen, rejected by the Golden Order due to his Omen curse, leading him to embrace the power of an Outer God—the Formless Mother—in pursuit of elevating Miquella to godhood. The fight is a masterpiece, balancing spectacle, difficulty, and lore-rich storytelling, making it one of the most fun and cinematic encounters in the game.
The bosses of Elden Ring are more than just powerful enemies—they are the beating heart of the game, each one offering a unique and unforgettable challenge. These encounters push players to their limits, requiring not only precision and timing but also an understanding of the world and the lore that surrounds them.
Each battle is a memorable moment, one that stays with you long after the dust settles. But as we reflect on these monumental trials, it’s clear that every player experiences them in their own way. Which of these Bosses left the most lasting impression on you? What aspects of a boss fight do you find most exhilarating, and which ones made you feel the most accomplished? The world of Elden Ring is vast, and the conversation around its challenges is ever-evolving—let’s keep it going.
Do not forget to check other blogs for more rankings like this!
