FromSoftware is no stranger to crafting grueling boss fights that will fuel your nightmares for years, but the studio has outdone itself with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. The stellar expansion is probably some of the most difficult content the legendary Japanese studio has ever made, which is really saying something, and here, we’re going to rank what we feel are its fifteen toughest bosses.
#15. RAKSHASA
An optional boss that is far from Shadow of the Erdtree’s toughest, but still a formidable foe in his own right. Rakshasa may seem fairly nonthreatening with his spectral, humanoid form, but he has a deadly repertoire of attacks that he unleashes with his katana, making him a threat both up close and from range. Staying mobile is key.
#14. NEEDLE KNIGHT LEDA AND MIQUELLA’S FOLLOWERS
Definitely a bit of an unconventional pick, seeing as this isn’t a traditional 1v1 boss fight per se, but still one of the expansion’s more standout encounters. Going up against Needle Knight Leda and other followers of Miquella makes for an exhilarating fight, because it’s one where you’re taking on four formidable foes at the same time.
#13. RED BEAR
Another optional fight, but again, one that we recommend seeking out, given how much of a blast it is. Found in the Northern Nameless Mausoleum, the Red Bear not only hits incredibly hard with his attacks, he’s also incredibly agile, making him particularly difficult to track. Remaining as quick as the boss is key to success in this battle, and just as important is keeping an eye out for the boss’ tendency to successfully counter your attacks.
#12. DEATH RITE BIRD
Death Rite Birds were a notoriously difficult field boss in Elden Ring’s base game, and one of them can be found in Shadow of the Erdtree as well. This optional fight is tucked away in Charo’s Hidden Grave, and is, just as it was in the base game, quite a challenging fight. From deadly beam attacks that deal Frostbite to a massive spear to much more, the Death Rite Bird here is an absolute nightmare to go up against, and even comes accompanied with several smaller Death Rite Birds fighting by its side in the initial stages of the encounter.
#11. METYR, MOTHER OF FINGERS
Metyr, Mother of Fingers is a completely missable boss, but this absolutely is not a fight that you should be missing out on. For starters, she boasts spectacular visual design- just a twisted mess of fingers and arms and what have you. The fight itself is also incredibly difficult. Not only does she have a vast array of surprisingly agile, violent, and thrashing attacks that deal heavy damage, she can also shoot out literal laser beams- and that’s not even her deadliest attack.
#10. ROMINA, SAINT OF THE BUD
Romina is not an optional boss, unlike several others mentioned here, which means everyone who plays this expansion and wants to see it through to the end is going to have to fight her. That, of course, is a good thing, because this is an excellent fight. A horrifying blend of all manner of creatures, Romina is a terrifying monstrosity that matches her fearsome look, from vicious spears and razor-sharp bites to poisonous stinger jabs and more.
#9. MIDRA, LORD OF THE FRENZIED FLAME
Another optional boss who’s likely to inflict you with sudden and extreme outbursts of frustration and anger. Midra is without a shadow of doubt among the more challenging foes in the entirety of Elden Ring. In addition to being use his spear to great effect at close range, Midra is also capable of unleashing devastating, explosive fire attacks that are incredibly hard to avoid. Paying close attention to his tells and not getting too greedy with your attacks is the way to go in this fight.
#8. BLACKGAOL KIGHT
Found in the Western Nameless Mausoleum, the Blackgaol Knight may look like a fairly easy foe based on his humanoid appearance, but make no mistake- this is a boss that you could easily be beating your head against for hours on end. In addition to vicious melee attacks that each huge chunks of your health, the Blackgaol Knight also has a crossbow that basically doubles as a machine gun with its rapid fire rate, and boy does he use it to deadly effect if you ever get too far away. Without a doubt, one of the DLC’s toughest challenges.
#7. COMMANDER GAIUS
A boar-riding brute of a knight wielding a giant sword and capable of unleashing a variety of magic attacks- sound like a nightmare? Because it absolutely is. His arsenal of attacks is large and brimming with moves that can easily take you out within a second if you’re not paying attention, chief among them being gravity attacks that are unlike anything other bosses in the expansion are going to throw at you. Using the Black Knife Tiche Ash Summon an be a huge help in this fight.
#6. PUTRESCENT KNIGHT
A giant undead skeleton wielding a huge scythe and riding around on a deathly horse- the Putrescent Knight is a terrifying foe to behold, and you better believe he is just as formidable in an actual fight as his physical form would suggest. The horse gives him a great deal of agility, his giant weapon gives him a fair amount of range, and like all other bosses this high up this list, he’s equipped with a wide range of attacks that can deal eye-watering damage if you don’t know exactly how to deal with them.
#5. ANCIENT DRAGON SENESSAX
There’s no shortage of dragons to find and fight in Shadow of the Erdtree (not unlike the base game), and Senessax is surely one of the more challenging foes in that group. Found close to the summit of Jagged Peak, Senessax is an optional fight that certainly is not for the faint of heart. Lightning attacks, fire attacks, extreme agility and range of movement- the massive dragon has more than its fair share of tools of destruction up its maw.
#4. RELLANA, TWIN MOON KNIGHT
Rellana is a character with strong narrative ties to some of the expansion’s most crucial characters, but the fight against her is still an optional one. And if you wish to preserve your sanity, you may actually want to avoid it. It is, however, also an unbelievable spectacle that is as exhilarating to overcome as it is likely to make your blood run hot with rage. Making it through this fight is no cakewalk, especially when you get to the second phase.
#3. MESSMER THE IMPALER / BASE SERPENT MESSMER
Messmer the Impaler is one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s key players from a narrative perspective, and also makes an incredible foe in terms of being an actual boss fight. The fight happens in two phases, with the first phase being a fairly challenging one in its own right, thanks to Messmer’s hard-hitting flame and spear attacks. Things are really cranked up a notch, however, in the second phase, where you take on Base Serpent Messmer, which is Messmer’s much more frightening and aggressive form. Typically enough, it’s also an absolute nightmare to defeat.
#2. BAYLE THE DREAD
By far one of the most difficult bosses that FromSoftware has ever made, and easily the most terrifying dragon you’ll come across in all of Elden Ring. Bayle the Dread is found not that far away from the previously mentioned Senessax, and is an even more challenging fight- by several degrees, in fact. From smiting you with lightning to scorching you with flames, from using every inch of his terrifying dragon body to his advantage to hitting you with immense explosions of pure energy, Bayle the Dread is a truly formidable foe. If you mean to fight him, you best come prepared.
#1. PROMISED CONSORT RADAHN
The final boss of Shadow of the Erdtree, some of the most challenging content FromSoftware has ever made, is appropriately the expansion’s toughest fight. Promised Consort Radahn is capable of unleashing some of the most cataclysmically high damage dealing attacks for any enemy in the entirety of Elden Ring, even more so than the Starscourge counterpart of this fight in the base game. From his massive greatswords to his charges and lunges, fast and furious combos to a vast array of other attacks that can kill you in the blink of an eye, Promised Consort Radahn is a grueling hurdle that you’re going to be bashing your skull against for endless hours upon hours.