The Top 5 Hardest Dark Souls Bosses
Since its release in 2011, Dark Souls has become infamous as being one of the most difficult video games ever created. Whether that’s true or not, the formula of the game has been copied and repurposed by many other titles, and video game journalists have bandied about Dark Souls as a benchmark of comparison for just about anything.
What truly marks the Dark Souls games as frustrating yet rewarding gaming experiences are its iconic boss fights. These skirmishes all require trial-and-error tactics, patience, strategy, timing, and a modicum of luck. However, among the vast cast of Dark Souls bosses that can crush, slam, burn, and zap your character into oblivion, there are some that stand out as being exceedingly challenging even for Dark Souls veterans.
Here are the top five hardest bosses in the Dark Souls series.
5. Demon Prince (Dark Souls 3)
What’s worse than fighting a giant flaming demon that spews toxic gas? Fighting two giant flaming demons that spew toxic gas. What’s worse than fighting two giant flaming demons that spew toxic gas? Fighting two giant flaming demons that spew toxic gas and summon an even larger demon when they both perish.
Nestled away at the entrance of the Ringed City in Dark Souls 3, the Demon Prince boss fight is a true trial of endurance. Navigating multiple foes is always a challenge, but having to defeat two powerful enemies only to be rewarded with an even stronger enemy is sure to leave your estus flask dry and your character beaten to a pulp. This boss fight is especially difficult if you are playing a pyromancer build (like I did on my first playthrough).
4. Fume Knight (Dark Souls 2)
Though there are a large number of giant, armor wearing knights littering the world of Dark Souls 2, none are as powerful or unpredictable as the Fume Knight. Wielding two massive greatswords, the Fume Knight poses a considerable threat with his large moveset of hard-to-predict swings and slashes.
Additionally, Fume Knight hits like a truck with each of his attacks- just one misstep can cost you the entire fight. Even if you do manage to land a hit on him, his high defense makes it hard to chip away at his health.
3. Nameless King (Dark Souls 3)
After enduring the challenges of Archdragon Peak in Dark Souls 3, players are faced with the formidable Nameless King. The first phase of the fight sees the Nameless King ride in like a badass atop his pet dragon. This phase is frustrating mostly due to the Nameless King being airborne and therefore hard to pin down.
The second phase, in which the Nameless King faces you head on, is where the fight gets really challenging. After drawing power from his now dead dragon friend, the Nameless King flies across the battlefield with a lightning-charged spear that can fry you in just one hit.
2. Orphan of Kos (Bloodborne)
Unlike the other bosses on this list, Orphan of Kos can be found in the gothic, H.P. Lovecraft inspired Souls offshoot Bloodborne. Apart from being one of the hardest bosses in the Souls series, the Orphan of Kos is just downright disgusting. To wit: his weapon of choice is his actual afterbirth, which he swings around like a flail and slams any hapless hunter he comes across with.
He is fast, agile, and strong- but above all, he emits one of the most ear-aching shrieks that any being fictional or otherwise has produced. Playing with the sound turned off is advised.
1. Dragon Slayer Orenstein & Executioner Smough (Dark Souls)
Occupying the number one spot of this list is perhaps the most iconic boss fight in the entire Souls series. Nestled atop the shining city of Anor Londo, the lithe Orenstein and gargantuan Smough await each foolhardy undead who dares to tread the city of the gods.
This fight is similar to the Demon Prince boss fight, in that players must face off against three total foes: once either Orenstein or Smough dies, the remaining member of the duo will absorb the power of their fallen friend and become a super-powered version of their former selves.
Besides that, negotiating the space between a lightning-fast skirmisher and a hammer-wielding giant that can flatten you like a pancake makes for a challenging and unforgettable fight.
That concludes the list of the top five hardest boss fights in the Souls series. While each boss fight in Dark Souls offers its own unique challenge, these five stand out as the source of many broken controllers and proclaimed explatives. Think you have encountered a harder boss in the Souls series, or that one of these contenders is a pushover? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.