Soulsborne games' bosses are the most essential gameplay element, representing their mechanics' most vivid expression.
However, not all of FromSoftware’s bosses follow the same path, assome break away from the standard to offer fights unique to the franchise.
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These unusual encounters are often characterized bygimmicksthat differentiate themselves from the traditional formula of learning the enemy’s attack pattern and reacting, requiring special skills.
While the developer doesn’t opt for these approaches regularly, they always stand out, as you can see fromthis list of the ten best Soulsborne boss gimmicks.
10Old Hero
Attacks from Silence
Demon’s Souls
Adjudicator Archstone (4-2)
Demon’s Soulsis a title that, in retrospect, can be difficult due to its obtuse systems rather than having a genuinely challenging nature, which takes its toll on many bosses.
Despite this, the game is full of good ideas, though the one that delights me the most is theOld Heroand the blindness preventing him from easily navigating his way through a fight.
While his attack pattern is simple,it’s unpredictable because he doesn’t behave like other bosses, forcing you to be careful with your movements and even your equipment to prevent him from attacking wildly in all directions.
Unfortunately, it’s extremely straightforward, making it tough to fully appreciate the authenticity of its approach. Otherwise, it would easily be one ofDemon’s Souls' best bosses.
9Crossbreed Priscilla
A Fight Against Footprints
Dark Souls
Painted World of Ariamis
Speaking of optional content,Dark Soulstakes a lot of creative liberties to refresh its boss offering, allowing for encounters likeCrossbreed Priscilla.
This wonderful creature is initially just an NPC, but turns into a boss fight if you maliciously decide to attack her, which is recommended if you want to see one of the most striking fights in the entire game.
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With her ability to summon blizzards,Priscilla turns invisible and attacks from unpredictable angles, forcing you to constantlywatch the ground to find her footprints and know where to attack and roll.
Like the Old Hero, she suffers from low health and limited attacks, so the fight ends very quickly, but it’s still an incredible and fun idea.
8Folding Screen Monkeys
A Change of Pace
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Senpou Temple
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis a game with perfect gameplay, which is whyit doesn’t feature a single bad boss.
EvenFolding Screen Monkeys, the only main boss in the game that doesn’t require a thorough understanding of patterns or divine reflexes, are fascinating,as they represent a fantastic change of pace.
With four monkeys to chase, each personifying a different sense,this boss fight is a puzzle that requires your eyes and ears to sharpen, forcing you to solve the riddle it presents.
Since it involves mental skills rather than motor skills, Folding Screen Monkeys is a break from the ordinary inSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which adds even more value to its boss fight.
7Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Deception after Deception
Bloodborne
Nightmare of Mensis
WhileMicolash, Host of the Nightmarecan be a rather annoying figure with his dialogue and taunting, he’s one ofBloodborne’s most distinctive bosses.
His fight that takes place across two different arenas,forcing you to chase him while dodging countless minions and deciphering the maze you find yourself in.It’s a unique instance.
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Micolash isn’t particularly well-liked within the community, especially since the final encounter is a typical fight with an ability-spamming NPC, but the build-up to get there is truly unprecedented.
I may be one of the few who find this fight interesting, mainly given its lore implications andhow relevant the gameplay approach is to the boss’s abilities and nature, but I’ll always applaud FromSoftware’s intent to spice things up.
6Ancient Wyvern
The Boss is the Area
Dark Souls 3
Archdragon Peak
Dark Souls 3is one of FromSoftware’s games with thebest average regarding boss fights, but it’s also one that offers few alternatives to the typical system of pattern recognition, dodging, and counterattacking.
One exception to the well-known formula is theAncient Wyvern, a colossal dragon that dies in a single hit as long as you execute it from the correct height.
Although you can traditionally fight the boss,the dispute is designed to have you exploring the extensive area surrounding itand dealing with the multiple and demanding enemies that inhabit it.
Once you climb high enough and position yourself on top of the dragon,an epic and deadly plunging attack will be enough to tame the beast, turning this confrontation into a spectacle rather than a test of skill.
5Dark Sun Gwyndolin
An Eternal Chase
Anor Londo
The firstDark Soulsis full of bizarre encounters that play out in peculiar ways, though few can keep up withDark Sun Gwyndolin’s pace.
The boss himself has a defined pattern of ranged attacks you must dodge as usual,but the arena is an endless corridor,and the pillars are your only friends.
In subsequent playthroughs, it can be tedious because you already know the trick, but your first time encountering it feels like a fever dream that truly showcases the son of Gwyn’s abilities.
It’s clear FromSoftware likes chase sequences, but none compares to Dark Sun Gwyndolin and his infinite realm, whereyou’ll have to be patient and meticulous to avoid being destroyed by his magic and arrows.
4Executioner’s Chariot
A Battle of Concepts
Dark Souls 2
Huntsman’s Copse
People can say many things aboutDark Souls 2, but nobody can deny it’s a bold game that tries unusual and novel approaches to its boss fights.
One of the clearest examples of this is theExecutioner’s Chariot, a completely atypical boss whose stages offer different experiences to create a truly phenomenal encounter.
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What seems like a race to evade skeletons, mages, and the Executioner himself turns into a traditional fight after you destroy the vehicle and lower the gate, giving you the best of both traditional and experimental bosses.
Going from an almost platforming challenge of reflexes to one of fighting and positioning is one of the best stage transitions in the entire trilogy, further illustrating whyDark Souls 2is full of life and personality.
3Divine Dragon
Electric Show
Fountainhead Palace
Once per journey, FromSoftware goes all out for a unique boss fight where showiness will take precedence over mechanical challenge. WithSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, that’s theDivine Dragon.
With one of the most phenomenal arenas, designs, and audiovisual compositions the studio has ever created,this timeless being takes advantage of the lightning-returning mechanic like no other boss in the game.
The spectacle of dodging its air beams, using the hook to jump from tree to tree, and then harnessing the lightning to attack it directly is simply masterful.
Although it has some difficult moments, it’s evident the fight is about sensations, and those are achieved with truly outstanding mastery. You won’tdie countless times, butyou’ll never forget the Divine Dragon.
2Burnt Ivory King
War in Hell
Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Ivory King
TheBurnt Ivory KinginDark Souls 2: Crown of the Ivory Kingis one of the best DLC climaxes ever seen in a FromSoftware game.
Spending the entire expansion recruiting the King’s warriors to confront his corrupted self is a rewarding experience in itself, but watching them all fall into the nostalgicOld Chaosto carry out the fight is indescribable.
Then, waging war in hell, closing portals, dealing with demanding enemies, and finally encountering arguably the best andhardest bossinDark Souls 2is masterful in every way.
Partially, Crown of the Ivory King is the ultimate representation of what would have happened ifDark Souls 2hadn’t experienced development problems.
Regardless,the Burnt Ivory King is a marvel,and its gimmick is among the most beautifully crafted in FromSoftware history.
1Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Practice Makes Perfect
Elden Ring
Volcano Manor
After the Storm King inDemon’s Soulsand Yhorm, the Giant inDark Souls 3, FromSoftware finally perfected the “Storm Ruler formula” withRykard, Lord of BlasphemyinElden Ring.
With the demigod, the developer found the perfect balance betweena spectacular fight with eye-catching visualsanddemanding combat that stays true to the tradition of dodging and countering.
Both of Rykard’sphasesexcel at exploring the Serpent-Hunter’s vast array of possibilities, delivering a magnificent duel in terms of aesthetics,music, and, most importantly, gameplay.
Fighting a giant snake without it feeling like a big quick-time event is a feat not appreciated enough, especially since it took the studio nearly 15 years to fully master the approach.
When you’re in Rykard’s second phase, evading attacks from his iconic Blasphemous Blade and his hellish specters while impaling him with a colossal air lance,it’s simply the peak of Soulsborne boss gimmicks.
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