Top 5 Most Challenging Bosses in Elden Ring Ranked
Elden Ring is renowned for Elden Ring Items its brutal difficulty, and nowhere is that more evident than in its boss fights. With dozens of major bosses—each with unique move sets, lore, and arenas—some stand out as true tests of skill, patience, and perseverance. In this list, we’re counting down the top 5 most challenging bosses in Elden Ring, ranked not just by raw difficulty, but by how consistently they push players to their limits.

Godfrey, First Elden Lord / Hoarah Loux
Location: Leyndell, Ashen Capital
Why He's Tough:
Godfrey is a deceptive fight. At first, he seems like a traditional, honorable warrior—but the second phase reveals his true self: Hoarah Loux, Warrior, a primal brawler who rips the arena apart with seismic slams and grabs. His moves hit like a truck and have deceptive windups that punish rolling too early or too late. He tests your endurance, spacing, and your ability to react under pressure.

Pro Tip: Equip gear with strong poise and physical resistance. Rolling toward Hoarah Loux rather than away often avoids his slam AOE.

Maliketh, the Black Blade
Location: Crumbling Farum Azula
Why He's Tough:
Maliketh’s fight is visually stunning and mechanically demanding. In Phase 1, you face Beast Clergyman, who already poses a high-speed challenge. But once he becomes Maliketh, his attacks gain speed, reach, and death-inflicting Black Blade effects that chip away at your HP over time. His aerial dives, sword slashes, and erratic movement make him one of the most chaotic bosses in the game.

Pro Tip: Stay close during Phase 2—Maliketh becomes more predictable up close, and aggression can interrupt some of his combos.

Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast
Location: Elden Throne (Final Boss)
Why They're Tough:
The final encounter in Elden Ring is a two-part boss fight that requires two very different strategies. Radagon is a brutally fast and relentless melee fighter with precise holy attacks and massive AOE explosions. Defeat him, and you’re immediately thrown into a second battle with the Elden Beast, a cosmic creature that floats away constantly while casting screen-filling spells and deadly rings of light.

Pro Tip: Equip holy-resistant gear and bring plenty of best site to buy elden ring items stamina. Fast weapons with status effects like bleed or frost help melt Radagon quickly.