M1987
Member
Four phases? ffs
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Hardest boss fights, Sister Friede, Nameless King, Orphan of Kos, Darkeater Midir Or Malenia
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Skifi28
Member
Haven't finished ER yet, but out of all the others I'd go with Friede. Isshin took me much longer to beat, but there was nothing unfair about it. Just a matter of learning his moves and practice, whenever I failed I knew it was me. Friede on the other hand while not as difficult mechanically was absolute bullshite. It felt like a boss built for bloodborne's speed but put in a different game and then phase 2 was just insufferable with everything going on.
gaming_again
Member
Well 1 starter and then a 3 phase fight. It’s brutal. But Sasha Gray can do it. So you can too.Four phases? ffs
Gaiff
SBI’s Resident Gaslighter
A "fair fight" means nothing when the game is designed around the mechanics. Bosses in Elden Ring have such long, highly damaging, and delayed combos exactly because there are so many ways to deal with them. Spirit Ashes are as fair as used busted Ashes of War. Hell, against Malenia, the easiest method isn't even Spirit Ashes.
Before their nerf, Swarm of Flies, Hoarfrost Stomp, and Rivers of Blood absolutely shredded her, and even an unskilled player could beat her with those tools.
Malenia is overtuned to counter-balance the countless options the player has to cheese her.
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Touch fuzZy. get BizZay
Member
hard to imagine anyone finding nameless king harder than malenia
MiguelItUp
Member
Honestly, of all of those, Malenia gave me the most trouble.
JohnnyFootball
GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
Malenia was far and away the easiest of those bosses for me. My Blasphemous Blade Faith/Strength build tore her apart. I also used my mimic tear. In that regard I feel it makes it an unfair comparison. Sister Friede was the hardest fight for me. Nameless King isn't far behind
Revolutionary
Member
I recently replayed every From Soulsborne game, and the hardest boss in the series (for me) was undoubtedly Sister Friede, due to the fact that it's three phases, and one of the phases is basically a Smough & Ornstein fight which are pretty tough solo.
Second place would be Isshin due to the near-perfection required to succeed (especially with the Bell). Probably my favorite boss in the series.
Orphan of Kos would probably be third.
Honorable mention goes to Fume Knight from Dark Souls 2 DLC, especially if you fucked up like me and made it so I could only utilize half of the boss arena due to misusing key items.
And Malenia isn't even on the map, honestly. The 'hardest' part about her is that she heals when she hits you, which isn't really a concern for my playstyle (extremely low equip load so getting hit even once is probably death).
Second place would be Isshin due to the near-perfection required to succeed (especially with the Bell). Probably my favorite boss in the series.
Orphan of Kos would probably be third.
Honorable mention goes to Fume Knight from Dark Souls 2 DLC, especially if you fucked up like me and made it so I could only utilize half of the boss arena due to misusing key items.
And Malenia isn't even on the map, honestly. The 'hardest' part about her is that she heals when she hits you, which isn't really a concern for my playstyle (extremely low equip load so getting hit even once is probably death).
I do think there was nothing more broken than spirits at launch really, besides one or two precise builds probably. I don't think that beating Malenia alone with river of blood was easier than beating her with mimic tear (but i didn't try river of blood i can't say).
Yes but they didn't really alter the substance of the gameplay. You can tell the devs want you to approach it like any other Souls game but if you find it too difficult you can use some notable elements that make the fight more easy but also pretty chaotic or dull to play. Besides that they probably fucked up the balance for some mechanics, hence why they made updates.
I said fair to be concise. I didn't mean to say that someone who beat Malenia with spirits is doing something unfair. As you said it's in the game, you have options. But that's where this game lost itself between action and RPG for me, because again you get a very strong feeling that there is a dominant style of play the game is based on. While the strategy you can make are as you say "cheese", mostly very weird to use and not that interesting. For some people that's one of the biggest quality of the game and i get it but for me personally not so much.
Jigsaah
Gold Member
So it's probably my own fault but I felt like barely any ninja techniques worked against Isshin, I fought him over 30 times the first playthrough and had to resort to bashing my head against the wall using simple clever dodging, distance based queues and perfect parrying to eventually beat him. It was one of those bosses that when I won I literally didn't think I could do it again if I had the chance.
I did go on to beat the game a couple of times more but man that dude was rough.
I did go on to beat the game a couple of times more but man that dude was rough.
M1987
Member
I'm on lone shadow vilehand,so I don't know how far I am from the end,but four phases against arguably the hardest souls boss sounds awful,but I'll beat him
laynelane
Member
I'd have to go with Midir too. I've beaten him exactly once and have no idea how to replicate that to this day. I know he has a moveset which is readable, but I find I have trouble just getting out of his way far too often. As well, any mistake is either death or near-death and his massive health pool and defense just makes the fight an endurance contest which is not the most fun for me.
Although not mentioned on your list, the fight that took the most tries for me (and I mean LOTS of tries) was Amygdala in the cursed dungeon (Bloodborne). I had to change my playstyle to a much more patient one, but it was a great feeling when I finally beat the boss.
Although not mentioned on your list, the fight that took the most tries for me (and I mean LOTS of tries) was Amygdala in the cursed dungeon (Bloodborne). I had to change my playstyle to a much more patient one, but it was a great feeling when I finally beat the boss.
MALpractice311
Member
I get the psychological aspect, but it didn't fuck with me nearly as much as other multi stage fights, like say Friede/Ariandel or Ludwig (granted I found Ludwig only mildly difficult). In those multi stage fights, each stage was extremely different from the others, so getting to a new stage in the fight meant learning entirely new enemy attack patterns.
SSI by comparison felt like a Lady Maria style multi stage fight in which the boss gradually adds to their arsenal rather than completely changing it, with the exception of the initial Genichiro phase, but I find that forgiveable because by then end of Sekiro, you've already beaten Genichiro a couple times, so you don't need to learn new strategies. With Ishin himself, he's a dude with a sword, who shoots you when you get too far. Okay, now he has a spear for extra reach and damage. Okay, now he adds lightning for extra damage and projectiles (although in reality, adding lightning makes phase 3 easier thanks to Lightning Reveral). Similarly, with Maria it's a basic hunter duel, then she adds blood and fire to increase her range and damage, then she adds more blood and fire for even more range and damage.
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Cert.in.Death
Member
Orphan of Kos
Primarily due to the PTSD I developed tackling the DLC on NG+ and having permanent rectal deformation due to him pushing my shit in for days.
Primarily due to the PTSD I developed tackling the DLC on NG+ and having permanent rectal deformation due to him pushing my shit in for days.
NeverYouMind
Member
If one does not use Pestilent Mist or Dorhys' Gnawing or stack all buffs, the Demon Prince fight in Dark Souls 3 is the hardest. Even the bullshit Freide pulls is offset by the summon on different builds.
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Trogdor1123
Member
Midir for me. It is brutal
Dirk Benedict
Member
Fuz
Banned
Dragonslayer Greatshield | Dark Souls 3 Wiki
Dragonslayer Greatshield is a Shield in Dark Souls 3. Dragonslayer Greatshield guide with all stats, location, upgrades, lore, and tips for Dark Souls 3.
darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com
Basically neuters him.
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Dirk Benedict
Member
Dragonslayer Greatshield | Dark Souls 3 Wiki
Dragonslayer Greatshield is a Shield in Dark Souls 3. Dragonslayer Greatshield guide with all stats, location, upgrades, lore, and tips for Dark Souls 3.
Basically neuters him.
This was before any real strats or even Fextra had much info about the game.
Dragonslayer was very easy, however. I got to him after accidentally discovering Dancer!
Which I found difficult. I found Dancer more difficult than most bosses in the game. That moveset took awhile to get used to. Especially those spontaneous grabs.
SmokedMeat
Gamerâ„¢
Double Crucible Knights gave me more trouble than 98% of the ER bosses.
22:22:22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Not to brag but that took me 2 or 3 tries.
Nameless King was difficult
Some dudes in Sekiro
BB has been to long
ER no real issues besides malenia. No cheese.
remember_spinal
Banned
Its a much longer fight and the camera angles of phase 1 to make it a chore. At least with Malenia its just a straight 1 on 1 duel, also you can’t really summon cheese him cause they’ll just get killed by his turkey
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remember_spinal
Banned
Fire giant is just a shitty designed gimmick boss
Soodanim
Member
I died quite a few times to Dancer, but looking back I wasn't paying attention and learning. She's not a difficult boss as such, just one that spins a lot.
Friede was difficult, as to be expected, but many are putting it on a pedestal as the hardest thing ever and I don't share that view. Friede was great fun.
I agree with Princes and Aldrich, especially Aldrich. That stupid, broken, annoying arrow rain doesn't deserve to exist. Bullshit attack. Princes is a fun fight when you learn it, but it will fuck you up a few times first. Felt like something that I was always on the edge for back then.
Bartski
Gold Member
Every one of them becomes "easy" if you persist and figure out their moveset.
I find it more interesting to consider how difficult they felt while learning them for the first time. I'd say Midir due to his last phase traking one shot beam...
The most difficult boss that I truly felt I'll never beat was the big Sekiro skill check on my first playthrough - Genichiro on top of the castle. I was seriously considering giving up. It took me 2 days worth of attempts, way longer than the final Isshin or any other Fromsoft boss ever and I beat them all multiple times.
I find it more interesting to consider how difficult they felt while learning them for the first time. I'd say Midir due to his last phase traking one shot beam...
The most difficult boss that I truly felt I'll never beat was the big Sekiro skill check on my first playthrough - Genichiro on top of the castle. I was seriously considering giving up. It took me 2 days worth of attempts, way longer than the final Isshin or any other Fromsoft boss ever and I beat them all multiple times.
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REDRZA MWS
Member
Other:
Gojiira
Member
Orphan for sure, Idk his first phase is easy enough but he has a massive health pool and his second phase and unpredictable moves make him pretty intense. Pretty sure he took more tries to beat than any other boss in the Soulsborne franchise for me. Even the Chalice dungeon Amygdala was easier lol.
Malenia is easy enough once you get your dodges down but it is easy to slip up and suffer for it. Idk, its all subjective and play style makes a huge difference to all of them.
Malenia is easy enough once you get your dodges down but it is easy to slip up and suffer for it. Idk, its all subjective and play style makes a huge difference to all of them.
In "Another World Circuit" of course.Other:
Aesius
Member
I've always struggled with giant bosses in FromSoft games moreso than humanoid bosses, so Midir was fucking awful for me. Took me around 30 tries, which is by far the most I've ever needed for a FromSoft boss.
Headless Bloodletting Beast was also insanely difficult for me for the same reason.
But on the other hand, I got OoK in about 5 tries and Malenia on my second try.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
Orphan of Kos at the right level is very doable with gun shot parries. That fight is one of my favorite bosses. Sister was tough, but my level was so high until it was just a matter of dodging. I remember hanging out in that boss room after the final blow. You don’t see that boss coming, which makes it so great.
ISS was mine. I had to memorize each phase. I was like Naruto running trying to bait him. Once I beat him I never did it again to see how better I was. Maybe someday. I do want to replay it. Demon of Hatred was/is just as difficult. I agree - that one should be on the list.
The princes are doable if you equip a weapon with bleed. Bait one while the other one catches up to you. Yeah, I died plenty of times figuring that one out.
Malenia was tough with a greatsword, but I fought her just fine with the moonveil and river of blood. I got f*cked up the first couple goes at her. The rest I did fine with. Nameless King is an awesome looking boss, but I somehow managed dodging very well during that fight.
ISS was mine. I had to memorize each phase. I was like Naruto running trying to bait him. Once I beat him I never did it again to see how better I was. Maybe someday. I do want to replay it. Demon of Hatred was/is just as difficult. I agree - that one should be on the list.
The princes are doable if you equip a weapon with bleed. Bait one while the other one catches up to you. Yeah, I died plenty of times figuring that one out.
Malenia was tough with a greatsword, but I fought her just fine with the moonveil and river of blood. I got f*cked up the first couple goes at her. The rest I did fine with. Nameless King is an awesome looking boss, but I somehow managed dodging very well during that fight.
Gael was hard in NG+ and NG++. I struggled with him on NG++ because my weapon did little to no damage.
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Touch fuzZy. get BizZay
Member
Moving the camera with the right analog to track the flight of a dragon is not something I found difficult. An attack that almost kills you completely unless you dodge multiple fast strikes perfectly and which also simultaneously heals the boss is something I found really difficult.
I don't know anything about how the summon cheese works though so gotta admit that
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Ghost of Caelid
Banned
Friede having 3 stages made her an insane challenge. Especially since each got a new life bar.
DelireMan7
Member
Hard in a good way or hard in an annoying way ? And I guess you mean in a 1v1 situation (for Souls boss) ?
Objectively, I would say Malenia but she's a very annoying boss with her Waterfowl attack and weird staggers (she basically staggers whenever she wants).
Except Malenia I love every fights on this list.
Long time I have done Orphan of Kos but I would say Isshin might be the hardest (and enjoyable) fight. But I'd say another (optional) fight is harder (and even more enjoyable) in Sekiro : Owl Father or even better the "Inner" version. So good and painful... but still soooo goood !
Objectively, I would say Malenia but she's a very annoying boss with her Waterfowl attack and weird staggers (she basically staggers whenever she wants).
Except Malenia I love every fights on this list.
Long time I have done Orphan of Kos but I would say Isshin might be the hardest (and enjoyable) fight. But I'd say another (optional) fight is harder (and even more enjoyable) in Sekiro : Owl Father or even better the "Inner" version. So good and painful... but still soooo goood !
Not the best skill you'll see, but it felt so good to beat him
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DelireMan7
Member
That's a good one.
Flameluker always gave me trouble. I think it's because Demon's Souls is a rather slow game with most of its bosses being a gimmick fight. Flamelurker is basically the typical boss type we saw in later games : very aggressive behavior where you have to rely a lot on rolling.
So he's quite an outlier fight in Demon's Souls which can me it quite difficult to adjust to.
And of course your build can vastly impact on it (remember a run where I was fat rolling with a shield... Nightmare).
.Pennywise
Banned
Capra Demon
k_trout
Member
oof ptsd just from reading this lol
DelireMan7
Member
You mean the dogs
.Pennywise
Banned
I mean the entirety of that awfully and 100% wrongfully designed encounter
AV
We ain't outta here in ten minutes, we won't need no rocket to fly through space
I'd have put Genichiro ahead of Isshin on here personally. As a mid-game boss he's a fucking brick wall, but by the time you get to Isshin you've seen everything else the game has to offer. Didn't take me half as long to beat.
Genichiro is also one of the best boss battles of all time IMO. Absolutely perfect halfway point challenge and I felt so confident for the rest of the game afterwards, like everything had just clicked together.
Genichiro is also one of the best boss battles of all time IMO. Absolutely perfect halfway point challenge and I felt so confident for the rest of the game afterwards, like everything had just clicked together.
AV
We ain't outta here in ten minutes, we won't need no rocket to fly through space
I never understood this one personally, IIRC it was a one-shot for me. Rolled past ANGERY dogs, up the stairs to funnel them until dead, drop attack demon until dead.
O&S on the other hand I eventually just had to summon the NPC, those guys are so much harder than everything else in that game it's not even funny. Then you NPC summon and it's a joke.
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