- Explore the tragic backstories of Elden Ring’s most memorable bosses.
- Learn the lore that makes these bosses legendary in the Lands Between.
- Uncover hidden details that enhance your Elden Ring experience.
Creating lore for the 238 bosses in Elden Ring is no small feat!
While the Elden RIng creators sometimes faltered, especially with repeat or twin bosses, several bosses stand out due to their compelling backstories. These narratives add depth and character, making certain bosses memorable beyond their challenging encounters. Knowing more about these bosses can make them legendary and even cosplay-worthy.
Updated July 5, 2024, by Joe Grantham: Game of the Year winner Elden Ring is widely considered an overall masterpiece, thanks in no small part to its incredible boss design and eerily beautiful lore. Exploring the lore of Elden Ring‘s demigods and otherworldly beings is just as rewarding as facing the bosses themselves. With the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, players can delve into a new world in the Land of Shadow, featuring around 40 new bosses with their riveting lore.
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15 – Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame
A Lord Who Suffered in Agony at the Behest of His Wife Rather Than Unleashing His Full Power
- Location: Midra’s Manse, Abyssal Woods
- Available in: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
Upon entering the Abyssal Woods and approaching Midra’s Manse, players will encounter eerie details like headless corpses sprouting golden branches and a painting of the Manse from better times. Midra, though small and fragile, is a formidable foe. His true power, suppressed out of love for his wife who feared the madness, is finally unleashed when players confront him.
14 – Bayle the Dread
A Dragon Battered & Bruised from a Legendary Fight with Dragonlord Placidusax
- Location: Jagged Peak Summit
- Available in: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
Bayle the Dread’s lore is built up through encounters and items found in his territory, culminating in a battle that showcases his scars from a fight with Dragonlord Placidusax. Missing a limb and with shredded wings, Bayle’s story intertwines with that of Placidusax, enhancing the narrative depth of both characters.
13 – Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
A Malformed Star Who Once Destroyed an Eternal City
- Location: Grand Cloister, Lake of Rot
Astel is a cosmic horror that spawned in deep space and fell upon an Eternal City, destroying it and taking away its sky. This unique backstory, combined with Astel’s terrifying and beautiful design, makes it one of the most intriguing bosses. Some speculate that Astel is the source of all gravity power in the game.
12 – Godrick the Grafted
Pain & Inferiority Led Godrick to Take Unspeakable Actions
- Location: The Secluded Cell, Stormveil Castle
Godrick the Grafted, a descendant of Queen Marika and Godfrey, felt inferior due to his lack of power. This drove him to graft the body parts of others onto himself. His desperate actions and pitiable quest for strength add a tragic dimension to his character.
11 – Dragonlord Placidusax
A Fallen Elden Lord from Before the Time of the Erdtree
- Location: Beside the Great Bridge, Crumbling Farum Azula
Placidusax was an Elden Lord before the Erdtree era. Despite his current diminished power, he remains a formidable foe. His lore, expanded in Shadow of the Erdtree through connections with Bayle the Dread, speaks to a grander, lost era.
10 – Sir Gideon Ofnir
A Traitor Without Hope
- Location: Leyndell, Ashen Capital
Gideon Ofnir, a spymaster who betrays the player, is an unexpectedly easy boss. His disdain for the Tarnished and creepy behavior toward Albinaurics reveal his true, untrustworthy nature, making the confrontation with him all the more satisfying.
9 – Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
A Grieving Mother Betrayed by Her Husband
- Location: Debate Parlor, Raya Lucaria Academy
Rennala’s tragic story involves her betrayal by her husband and the loss of most of her children. Her lore is deeply intertwined with that of her daughter, Ranni, making her one of the more complex and pitiable characters.
8 – Elder Dragon Greyoll
A Dragon Who Has Suffered for Eons
- Location: Fort Faroth, Dragonbarrow
Greyoll, a stationary dragon suffering from Scarlet Rot, is a tragic figure. Her current state is a result of Malenia and Radahn’s war in Caelid, which scarred the region and afflicted her with the rot. Her suffering is compounded by the past genocidal cleansing by Marika and her kin.
7 – Lichdragon Fortissax
A Fallen Hero Corrupted by Death
- Location: Prince of Death’s Throne, Deeproot Depths
Fortissax was once a proud ally of Godwyn the Golden. After Godwyn’s death and corruption by Death, Fortissax did everything to preserve his friend’s dignity but was ultimately corrupted as well. This transformation into a reluctant villain mirrors the tragic fall of other heroic figures in FromSoftware’s games.
6 – Godfrey/Hoarah Loux
An Old Deity with a Lion Spirit & Barbarian Past
- Location: Queen’s Bedchamber, Leyndell Ashen Capital
Godfrey’s rich backstory as the first Elden Lord and his transformation back into the barbarian Hoarah Loux reveal much about the game’s lore. His lion spirit, Serosh, and his deep connection to Marika add layers to his character.
5 – Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
A Demigod Who Lost Himself & Succumbed to a Powerful Serpent
- Location: Audience Pathway, Volcano Manor
Rykard’s quest for power led him to an Outer God, resulting in his transformation and loss of sanity. His rejection of the Erdtree and subsequent fall into madness make him a compelling and tragic figure.
4 – Radagon/Elden Beast
An Odd but Beautiful Union
- Location: The Elden Throne, Stone Platform
Radagon of the Golden Order is revealed to be Marika, and their union culminates in the final boss fight against the Elden Beast. This boss fight is both a lore dump and a visual spectacle, emphasizing the game’s themes and narrative depth.
3 – Malenia, Blade of Miquella
The Goddess of Rot Whose Trace Is All Over Caelid
- Location: Haligtree Roots, Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Malenia’s impact on the Lands Between is felt long before players encounter her. Her connection to the Scarlet Rot and her role in the game’s lore make her one of the most iconic and challenging bosses.
2 – Margit/Morgott
A Noble Soul Doomed for Eternity
- Location: Castleward Tunnel, Stormveil Castle
Morgott, the Omen King, is a noble soul cursed by his physical appearance. Despite being shunned, he faithfully protects the Erdtree without expecting anything in return. His tragic story and his unexpected strength make him a standout character.
1 – Starscourge Radahn
A Cursed Giant Dedicated to His Childhood Horse
- Location: Chamber Outside the Plaza, Redmane Castle
Radahn, a giant general, learned Gravity Magic to continue riding his beloved childhood horse, Leonard, despite his massive size. This touching and unexpected detail adds a layer of humanity to a character otherwise known for his brutality and power.
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Source: Bosses With The Best Lore In Elden Ring (gamerant.com)