Elden Ring Boss Guide: Which Order Should You Kill Bosses In?

Elden Ring is a beautiful adventure that invites players to explore the Lands Between while having fun. However, that has a cost. The cost is in the form of several powerful bosses that players must slay to move forward. However, with more than a dozen Elden Ring bosses, getting started can quickly get confusing. To help new and old Elden Ring players alike, we decided to create a list of the perfect Elden Ring boss order so you may wield your blade with confidence. So with that, let’s begin!

This article was updated on June 24, 2024, to include the Mogh boss fight for Shadow of the Erdtre.

When it comes to bosses, FromSoftware has ensured there’s plenty to go around. Elden Ring contains the highest number of bosses in any Souls game, a total of 238 bosses, and allows players to explore and defeat them in any order they want. Let’s explore in which order you should beat the main Elden Ring bosses.

1. Margit, the Fell Omen

• Location: Stormhill, after crossing the Stormhill shack and following the main path towards the castle.
• Recommended Level: 20-25.

Margit, the Fell Omen, is a tall monstrosity that carries a staff, which he uses to punish the players. Even though players can ignore Margit, he is an essential enemy as the boss guards the entrance to Stormveil Castle. Margit also drops a talisman pouch, which is necessary if players want to equip talismans later in the game.

It is recommended for players to reach levels 20-25 before they try to fight Margit, the Fell Omen – the first Elden Ring boss. Furthermore, since this fight allows Spirit Ashes and multiplayer, players can call in some aid against the boss. Players can also summon an NPC called Sorcerer Rogier right outside the gate of the boss to assist them.

2. Godrick the Grafted

• Location: Inside Stormveil Castle, past the Liftside Chamber Site of Grace.
• Recommended Level: 30-32

Godrick the Grafted is found in an open area at the end of the Stormveil Castle. While players can ignore fighting him and head to the second main area in Elden Ring, he is one of the four bosses that players are required to defeat. Godrick carries one of the four Great Runes needed before entering the Altus Plateau.

He has two forms in a single boss fight, the first where he uses his large axe to attack. He also brings various Area of Effect (AoE) attacks into the mix. The second form sees Godrick using a Dragon head as his left arm and using it like a flamethrower. Additionally, his past attacks use fire, dealing fire and physical damage.

Hence, it is recommended for players to reach levels 30-32 before they fight Godrick, the Grafted. This boss fight allows players to summon another player for multiplayer or use their favorite Spirit Ash. Killing Godrick provides players with the Great Rune required for story progression and his remembrance, which they can exchange at the Roundtable to receive Godrick’s Axe.

After defeating Godrick the Grafted, players can head to one of the three optional bosses in the game to receive the second Great Rune to progress the storyline. Elden Ring only requires players to obtain two Great Runes to continue the storyline. Alternatively, they can do the immediate three boss fights if they fancy some challenge.

3. Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon

• Location: Academy of Raya Lucaria, past the Schoolhouse Classroom Site of Grace.
• Recommended Level: 40

Rennala is one of the three optional bosses players can tackle to earn the second required Great Rune for progression in the game. Rennala, the head of the Carian Royal Family and the Academy of Raya Lucaria leader, is a powerful sorceress who uses her sorcery to take out players. Before reaching Rennala in Elden Ring, players must take out the Red Wolf of Radagon, a giant red wolf who uses a magic sword and glintstone magic to prevent players from progressing to this boss fight. Once taken out, players will then need to move into the Library, where Rennala and her disciples reside.

The first phase of this boss fight boils down to taking out one of Rennala’s disciples, who is responsible for conjuring the protective barrier around her. Once subdued, attack Rennala and continue this till the second phase of the fight. In the second phase, Rennala uses various magic sorceries to deal damage to the players. Once taken down, players will get rewarded with a Great Rune, and Rennala will allow players to rebirth using Larval Tears.

4. Starscourge Radahn

• Location: Redmane Castle at Caelid, past the Redmane Castle Plaza.
• Recommended Level: 70-72.

One of the demigods with a tragic story behind him, General Radahn, is another of the three optional bosses players can defeat to get a Great Rune for the game’s progression. Radahn resides across the Redmane castle on an open field in Caelid. To reach there, players must travel to the Caelid portion of the map near the Redmane bridge. From there, they can take a magic gate, which transports them to the insides of the castle. Take out the Crucible Knight boss at the Castle Plaza and head to the lift.

The beauty of the Radahn boss fight is that players can summon a handful of NPCs all over the map who will assist in taking down the legendary general. This ties into the “Festival of Radahn,” hosted to bring forth adept champions willing to take down the once-great general. Upon defeating Radahn, players receive a Great Rune and his remembrance. Defeating Radahn opens up another underground location in Elden Ring called Nokron, the Eternal City. However, Radahn holds even more importance as you must defeat him to access the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Thankfully, our Starscourge Radahn boss guide will help you out there!

5. Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy

• Location: Volcano Manor, at Mt. Gelmir. Past Temple of Eiglay.
• Recommended Level: 65-70.

The third boss that Elden Ring players can subdue is Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. To reach this boss fight, players travel to Volcano Manor, situated on Mount Gelmir. Players travel down towards the Prison Town through this area, an abandoned place filled with snake people and lava. Traverse the area and take out the Godskin Noble boss. Activate the Temple of Eiglay site of Grace and take a lift situated at the right. Travel towards the back side and enter a window. Venture this area to travel and meet the boss.

Like every boss, Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, has two forms. The first is the serpent called The Lord-Devouring Serpent. Before beginning the boss fight, players can obtain a weapon called “Serpent-Hunter.” The weapon’s skill creates a wind blade, dealing damage to the snake. Upon killing the serpent, it transforms into Rykard, who pulls out the Blasphemous Blade, one of the best weapons in the game. Defeat Rykard and receive the Great Rune and his remembrance.

Once the mandatory two Great Runes are obtained, players head to the Altus Plateau, progressing the storyline.

6. Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade)

• Location: Past the West Capital Rampart, on Leyndel, Royal Capital.
• Recommended Level: 72-75.

While heading towards the Elden Throne, through West Capital Ramparts, and up the tree’s roots, players will encounter Godfrey, First Elden Lord, in his golden shade form. This also gives players a small taste of the boss fight and what to expect later. Godfrey is a typical soulsborne boss who uses his axe to attack.

Take him out and proceed toward the Elden Throne, where the players will become the next Elden Lord. It is recommended that players reach levels 72-75 if they want to withstand Godfrey’s attack and deal damage to him. Players can summon other players and ashes of war in this fight.

7. Morgott, The Omen King

• Location: Past the Queen’s Bedchamber at Leyndel, Royal Capital.
• Recommended Level: 72-75.

The second encounter with Margit happens inside the Elden Throne, against his original form. Morgott, The Omen King, is the self-proclaimed “last of the kings” and has a similar move set to Margit, except his second phase now deals bleed damage on players. Furthermore, if players acquired Margit’s Shackles from Patches, they can use the item two times during the first half of the battle, stopping him on his path and allowing players to deal damage.

Elden Ring players must reach level 72 and above to fend off this boss. Furthermore, much like every boss, players can summon another player in Ashes of War or another player for multiplayer to assist them in this fight. However, the process for a player who finished the title differs slightly. The other player needs to use their Small Golden Effigies and interact with the Queen’s Bedside Chamber Site of Grace in their own game before the other player can summon them in their world.

8. Fire Giant

• Location: Past the Giant’s Gravepost, at Mountaintop of the Giants.
• Recommended Level: 105-110.

Past the Elden Throne is one of the final major open areas of the game – the Mountaintop of the Giants. The next boss in this area is called The Fire Giant. A large giant with a face as its stomach, if players have encountered the many giants in the game, they know how to deal with this boss. Fire Giant is also the only main boss of the game that allows players to use their mount to fight (unless they summon another player for co-op). To subdue Fire Giant, players specifically have to attack his legs to bring him down. However, he uses fire to cause AoE damage, so keep that in mind.

Hence, it is recommended that the boss be dealt with when players reach level 105 to level 110. A higher level also means that the leg damage will be higher, as Fire Giant takes quite some time to take down. Furthermore, players can call in an ash of war to assist them in the fight.

9. Mohg, Lord of Blood

• Location: Moghwyn Palace
• Recommended Level: 100

With the advent of the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Mohg, Lord of Blood, has become a considerably important boss in-game. To defeat him, you’ll need to be somewhere near level 100 and finish the quest line of Varre.

Once done visit the Moghwyn Palace and deal with Mohg. Now, this guy deals fire and bleed damage. Hence, it is suggested that you wear heavy armor in-game. If you’re still stuck, it’s very easy to learn how to beat Mohg in Elden Ring.

10. Godskin Duo

• Location: Crumbling Farum Azula, past the Dragon Temple Site of Grace.
• Recommended Level: 110-115

If players previously struggled to fight the Godskin Apostle and Godskin Noble in Elden Ring, this fight will prove an excellent challenge. Both of these bosses team up together to become Godskin Duo, where players need to deal with them simultaneously. Godskin Duo uses their previous move set with no changes to them. The difficulty stems from the fact that while players previously dealt with them individually, they dealt with them together.

Hence, not only do players need to ensure a level of 110 and up, but they also need to understand how to single out the bosses and take them down. To even the playing field, players can call in someone for multiplayer co-op and Ashes of War to help them.

11. Maliketh, The Black Blade

• Location: Crumbling Farum Azula, past the Beside the Giant Bridge Site of Grace.
• Recommended Level: 115-123.

A husky-voiced creature who wears a cloth on his head, Guuranq, up till this point, has only been an NPC that accepted quest items in exchange for rewards. Well, right past the Giant Bridge, players will encounter the NPC. However, this time, Guuranq will be hostile toward them. Taking his health bar out halfway reveals his real identity: Maliketh, The Black Blade.

Maliketh is a fast-paced enemy from the beginning of the boss fight, putting up a durable brawl against the players. Hence, it is recommended for players of levels 115 to 123 before they try putting up a fight. One great trick players can do to fight Maliketh is to spawn in an ash of war to the battle. The ash of war will distract the boss, letting players attack the boss. Of course, players can call in a friend to help them in multiplayer.

12. Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing

• Location: Past the Leyndel, Capital of Ash Site of Grace, after defeating Maliketh.
• Recommended Level: 125-130.

Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, is one of the first NPC players encounter in the Roundtable hold. Giving you the task of tracking down the demigods and assisting you to become the Elden lord, it is unfortunate when he is the boss standing in your way on your path to becoming the next lord in the Elden Ring.

Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, throws everything he has regarding magic and melee. However, he relies a lot on magic to keep the enemy away. Taking the boss is not a huge feat if players are patient and their level is around 125-130. Furthermore, like every fight, players can summon an ash of war or a player for multiplayer.

13. Godfrey, First Elden Lord

• Location: Southeast of Queen’s Bedchamber Site of Grace at Leyndel.
• Recommended Level: 132-135.

Players will immediately recognize Godfrey, First Elden Lord, from their last encounter at the West Capital Ramparts. This time, he will be waiting for them at the Elden Throne. The first phase of Godfrey follows the same move set from his golden shade form, so players should not struggle much.

The unfamiliarity comes when he switches to the second phase of the boss fight, Hoarah Loux. Godfrey frequents grappling players in this phase, power bombing them to the ground, and switches to a hands-on fighting style. Since this is one of the final bosses, it is recommended that you reach somewhere between levels 132 and 135.

14. Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast

• Location: Past the Elden Throne Site of Grace after defeating Godfrey.
• Recommended Level: 140-145.

One of the two final bosses of Elden Ring that players need to defeat to finish the title is the Radagon of the Golden Order. In the game’s lore, he is the one who caused the shattering, holding the hammer used to break the Elden Ring. Radagon wields the same hammer to attack the players, using AoE attacks and delayed-charged attacks with the hammer. Radagon mixes these attacks so players can quickly adapt to the playstyle. The real problem begins after the defeat of Radagon, which spawns a giant enemy called the Elden Beast.

Elden Beast wields a sword in its left hand and uses it to slash at the player. Additionally, the Beast uses magic rings on the ground and AOE, so players are forced to utilize every mobility option available in the game.

Hence, players should reach level 140 to defeat the final boss, Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast in Elden Ring. Both of these bosses also allow multiplayer summoning and ash of war. Defeating these bosses will offer the player the desired ending that they have been pursuing.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Boss Order

• Location: Realm of Shadow
• Recommended Level: 150+

Besides all the amazing Elden Ring bosses we have above, there’s something new in store. Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (review) is finally out and brings the over-the-top level of difficulty we have been waiting for.

Although the Elden Ring DLC is not part of the main storyline, it features its fair share of bosses packed into a unique campaign. So if you’re just beginning with it, here are all Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree bosses in order:

• Divine Beast Dancing Lion
• Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
• Golden Hippopotamus
• Messmer the Impaler/Base Serpent Messmer
• Romina Saint of the Bud
• Miquella’s Followers
• Promised Consort Radahn/Radahn, Consort of Miquella

And these are all the Elden Ring and Elden Ring DLC bosses in order. So which boss are you currently stuck on? Do they qualify as an entry in the Elden Ring DLC boss tier list? Let us know in the comments below!