Since its release, Elden Ring has captivated players with its vast, open-world design, intricate lore, and, of course, its notoriously challenging bosses. In the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, FromSoftware ups the ante with even more formidable foes, pushing players to their limits. Whether it’s their overwhelming power, complex attack patterns, or the sheer difficulty of overcoming them, these bosses are not for the faint of heart. Here’s a ranked list of the hardest bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree based on their difficulty and the challenges they present to even the most seasoned Tarnished.
1. Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Location: Miquella’s Haligtree
Difficulty: Extreme
It should come as no surprise that Malenia, Blade of Miquella, remains one of the toughest bosses in all of Elden Ring, including Shadow of the Erdtree. This two-phase encounter demands near-perfect execution to overcome. In her first phase, Malenia is a relentless and agile fighter, capable of dodging most attacks while dishing out lethal blows. However, her most frustrating trait is her ability to heal with every strike she lands, making it feel like you’re constantly fighting against the clock.
In phase two, Malenia becomes even more formidable, summoning a devastating waterfowl dance attack that can wipe out your health in seconds. Her resilience and ability to regain health with every attack mean that patience and precision are critical for victory. This fight tests every aspect of a player’s combat skills, and it remains one of the most difficult and rewarding battles in Elden Ring.
2. Radahn, Starscourge
Location: Redmane Castle, Caelid
Difficulty: High
Starscourge Radahn is a massive, awe-inspiring boss that appears in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion with some added difficulty. While players may remember his iconic battle in the base game, Radahn’s rematch proves to be a much more punishing challenge. His ability to summon devastating gravitational attacks and fire multiple projectiles in a sweeping area makes it incredibly difficult to close the gap.
Radahn’s sheer damage output, combined with his mobility and the pressure to deal with both the environment and other enemies during the fight, makes this battle feel like an epic struggle. The battle takes place on an expansive battlefield, where players must utilize mounted combat, making dodging and countering even more difficult. Radahn’s overwhelming strength and tricky move set put him firmly in the ranks of Elden Ring’s hardest bosses.
3. Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Location: Volcano Manor
Difficulty: High
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is a terrifying boss encounter in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. While his appearance is grotesque—his lower half is merged with a massive serpent—what truly makes him so challenging is his unique weapon, the Blasphemous Blade. The fight takes place in a volcanic arena, where Rykard uses a combination of massive snake-like attacks and powerful fire and poison abilities to overwhelm the player.
His most dangerous mechanic is his ability to summon devastating firestorms and poison clouds that can quickly overwhelm the unprepared. However, players who can stay mobile and make use of the environment to avoid damage will be able to take him down after a tough battle. The sheer variety of attacks and the deadly environment make this fight one of the more taxing encounters in Elden Ring.
4. Godfrey, First Elden Lord
Location: Leyndell, Royal Capital
Difficulty: Very High
Godfrey is a memorable boss in Shadow of the Erdtree due to his size, strength, and impressive fight mechanics. In the first phase of the fight, he wields a massive axe and dishes out powerful, punishing blows that can wipe out half of your health in one hit. His attack patterns are fast and often leave little room for mistakes. The challenge here is learning the timing for dodging and finding moments to strike.
In phase two, Godfrey transforms into his golden incarnation, which is even more ferocious. The fight becomes a war of attrition, as players must deal with his staggering range of attacks while managing stamina and health. Godfrey’s aggression and ability to punish mistakes make him one of the toughest bosses in the game, requiring great precision and adaptability from players.
5. Mohg, Lord of Blood
Location: Mohgwyn Palace
Difficulty: Very High
Mohg, the Lord of Blood, is a terrifying foe, not only because of his eerie, blood-themed design but also because of his powerful blood magic. He is a high-difficulty boss who can drain your health and inflict devastating status effects with his blood-based attacks. His ability to summon blood pools that damage the player continuously adds another layer of challenge to the fight.
In phase two, Mohg becomes even more dangerous as he summons multiple blood-spawned entities and uses his potent blood attacks to control the battlefield. His healing mechanics and overwhelming pressure make this battle one of the most intense and unforgiving in Elden Ring. Players need to stay constantly on the move while managing their resources to survive the onslaught.
6. Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree
Location: Miquella’s Haligtree
Difficulty: High
Loretta is a fast and incredibly challenging boss who makes use of both magic and swordplay. In the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, her moveset remains as complex and dangerous as ever, requiring players to master dodging and countering her powerful magical projectiles and wide-reaching sword strikes.
Loretta’s quick mobility and relentless nature make her a difficult foe, especially when paired with her ability to inflict status effects. Her magic attacks have wide ranges, forcing players to carefully time their dodges while also dealing with her sword’s long reach. Despite being less mechanically complex than some other bosses, Loretta’s quick attack speed and ability to lock down the player make this battle one of the most frustrating.
7. Malenia’s Avatar (Phase 2)
Location: Various Locations in the Haligtree
Difficulty: High
While Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is undoubtedly the toughest boss overall, her Avatar in phase two offers an intense challenge of its own. This fight pits the player against a near-perfect replica of the Blade of Miquella, making it a grueling duel that tests every aspect of the player’s abilities.
Her relentless healing, fast attacks, and evasive maneuvers create a highly dynamic and difficult encounter that many players will find particularly difficult. To defeat her, players must take advantage of every weakness and learn her attack patterns, as simply brute-forcing the encounter won’t suffice.
Conclusion
Shadow of the Erdtree continues to push the boundaries of difficulty in Elden Ring, with each boss offering unique challenges that demand skill, patience, and perseverance. From the overwhelming power of Malenia to the complex attacks of Radahn and Rykard, these bosses represent the pinnacle of what Elden Ring has to offer in terms of difficulty. For players seeking a true test of their skills, these encounters stand as some of the most intense and rewarding challenges in the game.
