How many bosses are in Elden Ring? Main, world & sub-bosses explained

Elden Ring boss MeleniaFromSoftware

Elden Ring features a massive array of battles to take on – and that’s without even considering Shadow of the Erdtree bosses – from main foes to challenging optional fights you can discover in the open world but exactly how many bosses are in the FromSoftware title? We’ve got the answer right here.

As you explore The Lands Between in Elden Ring, boss fights are a big part of the experience as they can net you a lot of Runes, and most importantly it’s extremely satisfying to finally take down enemies that you’ve spent hours trying to defeat.

Article continues after ad

Each boss in the game has a well-thought-out story to tell, most involving some tragedy as to why they have become what they are. So, here’s a rundown of every boss you can find in Elden Ring, including the order of the main fights, and all of their locations.

Elden Ring Malenia blade of miquella entering her second phase goddess of rotFromSoftware/Bandai Namco
Malenia is the hardest boss in the base game.

How many bosses are in Elden Ring?

There are a total of 238 bosses in Elden Ring. However, most of these are mini-dungeon bosses, bosses patrolling the open world, or repeats of major bosses. So, you’ll likely find yourself fighting many of the same foes more than once, just under different circumstances.

Article continues after ad

While this may sound repetitive, the nature of these fights often changes, with some being fought in dungeons, out in the world, or involving your horse the second time around, which shifts the dynamic greatly.

For example, you’ll fight the Red Wolf of Radagon the first time around in a mandatory Legacy Dungeon – where you’re not allowed to use your horse. But you’ll fight variants of that boss again later where he’s surrounded by a wolf pack, where you’ll have access to your horse which will make this fight much faster paced than the first.

Article continues after ad

Elden Ring bosses in order

Here’s a list of every main story boss you need to fight to progress in the story in Elden Ring. If a boss is repeated later, we’ve also made that clear.

  • Margit the Fell Omen (Repeated)
  • Godrick the Grafted (Repeated)
  • Red Wolf of Radagon (Repeated)
  • Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
  • Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
  • Starscourge Radahn
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord
  • Morgott, the Omen King
  • Fire Giant
  • Godskin Duo (Repeated)
  • Maliketh, the Black Blade
  • Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing
  • Hoarah Loux / Godfrey, First Elden Lord
  • Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast

There are also other important story bosses, these aren’t mandatory but will become so if you take a certain path. These are:

  • Leonine Misbegotten
  • Ancestor Spirit
  • Magma Wyrm Makar
  • Mimic Tear
  • Royal Knight Loretta
  • Regal Ancestor Spirit
  • Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella
  • Valiant Gargoyles
  • Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
  • Godskin Noble
  • Blaidd
  • Dung Eater
  • Baleful Shadow
  • Elemer of the Briar
  • Ensha
  • Mohg, the Omen
  • Commander O’Neal
  • Commander Niall
  • Dragonlord Placidusax
  • Lichdragon Fortissax
  • Mohg, Lord of Blood
  • Millicent’s Sisters
  • Tree Sentinel
  • Draconic Tree Sentinel
  • Patches, The Untethered
  • Beast Clergyman
  • Fia’s Champions
asmongold-elden-ring-twitch-lash-outFromSoftware
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy is one of many legacy dungeon bosses in Elden Ring.

All bosses by location

Below you can find information about every boss in Elden Ring based on their locations, and we’ve also provided links to any individual boss guides we’ve got if you need a hand defeating them.

Article continues after ad

As well as the bosses we’ve already listed, sub-bosses are detailed below. While these aren’t considered ‘main bosses’ in the game, they’re still just as challenging (sometimes more so) than the others.

Each of these is a sub or mini-boss, located out in the world, at the end of a dungeon or side quest. Bear in mind that some of these bosses may also be repeated per region:

Roundtable Hold

BossLocation
EnshaIn front of Roundtable Site of Grace
Mad Tongue AlberichEnd of the red carpet after jumping down the balcony

Limgrave / Weeping Peninsula

BossLocation
Grafted ScionChapel of Anticpation
Soldier of GodrickStranded Graveyard
Margit the Fell OmenStormveil Castle
Godrick the GraftedStormveil Castle
Erdtree Burial WatchdogStormfoot Catacombs
Crucible KnightStormhill Evergaol
Beastman of Farum AzulaGroveside Cave
Bell Braring HunterWarmaster’s Shack
DeathbirdsEast of Warmaster’s Shack / South of Callu Baptismal Church
Black Knife AssassinDeathouched Catacombs
Guardian GolemHighroad Cave
Tibia MarinerSummonwater Village
Grave WardenMurkwater Catacombs
Stonedigger TrollLimgrave Tunnels
Flying Dragon AgheelNorth of Dragon-Burnt Ruins
Tree SentinalNear the Church of Elleh
Demi-Human ChiefCoastal Cave
Ulcerated Tree Spirit Fringefolk’s Hero’s Grave and Stormveil Castle
Mad Pumpkin HeadWaypoint Ruins
Night’s CavalryNear Agheel Lake North Grace & Castle Morne Rampart Grace
Bloodhound Knight DarriwilForlorn Hound Evergaol
RunebearEarthbore Cave
Cemetary ShadeTombsward Catacombs
Scaly MisbegottenMorne Tunnel
Erdtree AvatarMinor Erdtree
Ancient Hero of ZamorWeeping Evergaol
Miranda the Blighted BloomTombward’s Cave
Leonine MisbegottenCastle Morne
PatchesMurkwater Cave
Erdtree Burial WatchdogImpaler’s Catacombs
Bloody Finger NerijusNear Murkwater Catacombs
Recusant HenricusNear Limgrave Colosseum
Old Knight IstvanNear Limgrave Colosseum
elden ring margit the fell omen 3FromSoftware
Margit is the first true test of a player’s skill.

Liurnia of the Lakes

BossLocation
Rennala Queen of the Full MoonRaya Lucaria Academy (Grand Library)
Adan, Thief of FireMalefactor’s Evergaol
Alabaster Lord Ringleader’s Evergaol
Alecto, Black Knife RingleaderRingleader’s Evergaol
Bell Bearing HunterChurch of Vows
Black Knife AssassinBlack Knife Comtacombs
Bloodhound KnightLakeside Crystal Cave
Bols, Carian KnightCuckoo’s Evergaol
Cemetery ShadeBlack Knife Comtacombs
Cleanrot KnightStillwater Cave
Crystalian Spear & Crystalian Staff (Duo)Academy Crystal Cave
CrystalianRaya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel
Death Rite BirdNorth Gate Town
DeathbirdNear the Scenic Isle in North Liurnia
Erdtree Avatar (Liurnia Northeast) Located above the Mausoleum Compound in the Uld Palace Ruins
Erdtree Avatar (Liurnia Southwest)Located on a plateau in the southwest of Liurnia.
Erdtree Burial WatchdogCliffbottom Catacombs
Glintstone Dragon AdulaNear the Caria Manor
Glintstone Dragon SmaragWest of Raya Lucaria Academy
Night’s Cavalry (Liurnia North)North of Highway Lookout Tower
Night’s Cavalry (Liurnia South)South of Bellum Church
OmenkillerVillage of the Albinaurics
Royal Knight LorettaCaria Manor
Royal RevenantCeller of the Kingsrealm Ruins
Spirit-Caller SnailRoad’s End Catacombs
Tibia MarinerGaveyard near the Carian Study Hall and south-east of the Artist’s Shac
Magma Wyrm MakarRuin-Strewn Precipice
Red Wolf Of RadagonRaya Lucaria Academy (Debate Parlor)
Edgar the RevengerRevenger Shack
Festering Fingerprint VykeNear Church of Inhibition
Bloody Finger Ravenmount AssassinNear Raya Lucaria Main Gate
Perceptor MiriamCarian Study Hall
Great Horned TargothRuin-Strewn Precipice
Witch Hunter JerrenRaya Lucaria Academy
Sorceress SellenRaya Lucaria Academy
BlaiddCaria Manor, after completing Ranni’s Questline
Moongrum, Carian KnightRaya Lucaria Academy

Caelid / Dragonbarrow

BossLocation
Starscourge RadahnRedmane Castle
Cemetery ShadeCaelid Catacombs
Commander O’NealAeonia Swamp
Crucible Knight & Misbegotten WarriorRedmane Castle Plaza (When the  Radahn Festival isn’t active)
Death Rite BirdSoutheast of the Southern Aeonia Swamp Bank Site of Grace
Decaying EkzykesNorth of the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid
Erdtree Burial Watchdog (Duo)Minor Erdtree Catacombs
Fallingstar BeastSellia Crystal Tunnel
Frenzied DuelistGaol Cave
Mad Pumpkin HeadsCaelm Ruins
Magma WyrmGael Tunnel
Night’s CavalryAeonian Swamp
Nox Swordstress & Nox PriestSelia, Town of Sorcery
Battlemage HuguesSellia Evergaol
Beastman of Farum Azula (Duo)Dragonbarrow Cave
Bell Bearing HunterIsolated Merchant’s Shack
Black Blade KindredOutside the Bestial Sanctum
Cleanrot Knight (Duo)Abandoned Cave, southeast of the Caelem Ruins.
Elder Dragon GreyollOutside Fort Faroth
Flying Dragon GreyllFarum Greatbridge
Godskin ApostleDivine Tower of Caelid
Putrid Crystalian TrioSellia Hideaway
Putrid Tree SpiritWar-Dead Catacombs
Gurranq, Beast ClergymanBestial Sanctum
Anastasia, Tarnished EaterSmoldering Church
Great-Jar-WarriorCaelid Colosseum
MillicentSwamp of Aeonia
elden ring fire giantf
There’s no running away from the Fire Giant, you’ll need to take him down.

Altus Plateau / Leyndell / Captial Outskirts

BossLocation
Ancient Hero of ZamorSainted Hero’s Grave
Ancient Dragon LansseaxHead up the hill from Abandoned Coffin Site of Grace
Black Knife Assassin (Sage’s Cave)Sage’s Cave
Black Knife Assassin (Sainted Hero’s Grave)Sainted Hero’s Grave
Crystalian Spear & Crystalian RingbladeAtlus Tunnel
Demi-Human Queen GilikaBelow the  Lux Ruins
Elemer of the BriarShaded Castle
Erdtree Burial WatchdogWyndham Catacombs
Fallingstar BeastAtlus Plateau, South of the southern Capital Outskirts Gate
Erdtree AvatarLeyndell, Royal Capital
GodefroyGolden Lineage Evergaol
Godskin ApostleWindmill Villag
Necromancer GarrisSage’s Cave
Night’s CavalryNear the Altus Highway Junction
Omenkiller & Miranda the Blighted BloomPerfumer’s Grotto
Perfumer Tricia & Misbegotten WarriorUnsightly Catacombs
Sanguine NobleConsecrated Snowfields
Stonedigger TrollOld Altus Tunnel
Tibia MarinerWyndham Ruins
Tree Sentinel (Duo)Atlus Highway Junction
WormfaceMinor Erdtree
Esgar, Priest of BloodLeyndell Catacombs
Bell Bearing HunterHermit Merchant’s Shack
Crucible Knight & Crucible Knight OrdovisAuriza Hero’s Grave.
DeathbirdCapital Outskirts of the Altus Plateau
Grave Warden DuelistAuriza Side Tomb
Draconic Tree SentinelCapital Outskirts
Fell Twins Near Divine Tower of East Altus
Gideon OfnirQueen’s Bedchamber
Mohg, The OmenSubterranean Shunning Grounds
Godfrey, First Elden LordQueen’s Bedchamber
Morgott the Omen KingElden Throne
Hoarah Loux / GodfreyElden Throne
Radagon, The Elden BeastWithin the Erdtree
Onyx LordSealed Tunnel
Eleonora, Violet Bloody FingerSecond Church of Marika
Dung EaterLeyndell, Royal Capital
Maleigh Marais, Shaded Castle CastellanShaded Castle
Rileight, The IdleAltus Plateau
Vargram the Raging Wolf and Errant Sorcerer WilhelmLeyndell, Royal Capital
Magnus, the Beast ClawWritheblood Ruins

Mt. Gelmir / Underground

BossLocation
Abductor Virgins (Duo)Volcano Manor
Demi-Human Queen MaggieMt Gelmir, in the Southwest Plateau past Hermit’s Village
Demi-Human Queen MargotVolcano Cave
Full-Grown Fallingstar BeastLocated near the Ninth Ninth Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Lost Grace
Kindred of Rot (Duo)Seethewater Cave
Magma WyrmNear Fort Laiedd
Red Wolf of the ChampionGelmir Hero’s Grave
Ulcerated Tree SpiritMinor Erdtree
Godskin NobleVolcano Manor
Ancestor SpiritSiofra River
Dragonkin Soldier x3Siofra River
Mohg, Lord of BloodMohgwyn Palace
Rykard, Lord of BlasphemyVolcano Manor
Stray Mimic TearNokron, Eternal City
Regal Ancestor SpiritNokron, Eternal City
Valiant Gargoyle and Valiant Gargoyle (Twinblades)Siofra River
Crucible Knight SiluriaDeeproot Depths
Dragonkin Soldier of NokstellaAinsel River
Fia’s ChampionsDeeproot Depths
Lichdragon FortissaxDeeproot Depths, inside Fia’s dream
Astel, Naturalborn of the VoidLake of Rot
Dragonkin SoldierLake of Rot
Anastasia, Tarnished EaterCorpse Stench Shack
Inquisitor GhizaVolcano Manor
Tanith’s KnightVolcano Manor
Nameless White MaskMoghwyn Palace
White Mask VarreMoghwyn Palce
Baleful ShadowAinsel River Main
Erdtree AvatarDeeproot Depths
D’Beholder of DeathDeeproot Depths
elden ring rennala queen of the full moon 4FROMSOFTWARE
Rennala is the second main legacy dungeon boss.

Mountaintops of the Giants / Consecrated Snowfield / Forbidden Lands

BossLocation
Ancient Hero of ZamorGiant-Conquering Hero’s Grave
Borealis the Freezing FogNear the Spiritcaller Cave Site of Grace
Commander NiallCastle Sol
Death Rite BirdCastle Sol Main Gate
Erdtree AvatarMinor Erdtree
Godskin Apostle and Godskin Noble (Spiritcaller Snail)Spiritcaller Cave
Tibia MarinerNear the cliff above Castle Sol
Ulcerated Tree SpiritGiants’ Mountaintop Catacombs
Vyke, Knight of the RoundtableLord Contender’s Evergaol
Black Blade KindredNear the Grand Life of Rold Site of Grace
Night’s CavalryEast of Site of Grace
Astel, Stars of DarknessYelough Anix Tunnel
Death Rite BirdApostate Derelict
ShabririZamor Ruins
Great Wyrm TheodorixOn the Frozen Lake in the Consecrated Snowfield
Misbegotten CrusaderCave of the Forlorn
Night’s CavalryInner Consecrated Snowfield
Putrid AvatarMinor Erdtree located Southeast of Ordina, Liturgical Town
Putrid Grave Warden DuelistConsecrated Snowfield Catacombs
Fire GiantFlame Peak
Bloody Finger OkinaFlame Peak
Juno Hoslow, Knight of BloodShack of Lofty
Sanguine NobleYelough Anix Ruins
Anastasia, Tarnished EaterConsecrated Snowfield

Crumbling Farum Azula

BossLocation
Beast Clergyman / Maliketh the Black BladeBeside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, head up the stairs to the room past the Draconic Tree Sentinel
Dragonlord PlacidusaxNear the Great Bridge Site of Grace, take the elevator and go down, run past the Beast Clergyman, and run straight. From the cluster of trees, drop to the ledge and run to the final hanging platform. Look for the area on lie down.
Godskin DuoDragon Temple Altar
Recusant BernahlTake left after rising up the stairs from Great Bridge Site of Grace
Iron Fist AlexanderNear Dragon Temple Lift Site of Grace

Miquella’s Haligtree

BossLocation
Loretta, Knight of the HaligtreeNear Haligtree Town Plaza Site of Grace
Malenia, Blade of MiquellaElphael, Brace of Haligtree, near the Haligtree roots Site of Grace
Milicent’s sistersElphael, Brace of Haligtree
MilicentElphael, Brace of Haligtree
Putrid Avatar x2Elphael, Brace of Haligtree

Some of these bosses are reskins are others, but don’t take any lightly, some are endgame versions of bosses you may have defeated earlier. Also, some are separate characters who share the same animations, and character models as others.

Article continues after ad

For example, Godefroy shares Godrick the Grafted’s moves and models but is technically one of his ancestors – and just as despicable. The good news is he doesn’t have a second stage, unlike Godrick.

Hopefully, this list of bosses in Elden Ring helps you on your journey as you unlock various weapons and experiment with different builds. If you’re getting ready for Shadow of the Erdtree, check out all the new weapon types, and how much time you can expect to spend in the expansion.

Article continues after ad