Discover the optimal order and strategies to defeat Dark Souls bosses with this comprehensive guide.

Dark Souls is a tough game, and it is challenging to determine the order in which bosses fight. One of the essential components to conquering this challenging game is the Dark Souls Boss Order.
Before mastering the Souls franchise, a new player must first get the biggest obstacle. You can turn the tables on these challenging enemies with a well-planned boss order.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best order for facing Dark Souls bosses so you can survive the hazardous landscape and glory.
Common Dark Souls Boss Order
Within the brutal Dark Souls universe, every boss offers a different challenge. So, we provide strategies and tips to ensure your victory while defining the best order for applying to these opponents.
Here are some boss orders for Dark Souls that depend on your chosen play style and the particular character build.
- Asylum Demon
- Taurus Demon
- Bell Gargoyles
- Moonlight Butterfly (optional)
- Capra Demon
- Gaping Dragon
- Chaos Witch Quelaag
- Iron Golem
- Ornstein and Smough
- Sif
- Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
1: Asylum Demon
Rewards
- 2,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- Big Pilgrim’s Key
- Demon’s Great Hammer (Rare)
In Dark Souls, the Undead Asylum is where you’ll encounter your first boss. Your introduction to the harsh realm of Dark Souls begins with Asylum Demon.
2: Taurus Demon
Rewards
- 3,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- 1 Homeward Bone
- Demon’s Greataxe (Rare)
On top of the Undead Burg’s battlements sits the Taurus Demon. Keep an eye on your surroundings because this fight may present both opportunities and challenges due to the narrow bridge.
3: Bell Gargoyles
Rewards
- 10,000 Souls
- 1 Twin Humanity
- Gargoyle’s Halberd
- Gargoyle Shield (Rare)
- Gargoyle Helm (Rare)
- Gargoyle Tail Axe (Cut off tail)
The Bell Gargoyles guard the first bell of rising in the Undead Parish. This is the first boss battle in the game with multiple enemies, emphasizing the value of handling several threats.
4: Moonlight Butterfly
Rewards
- 10,000 Souls
- Soul Of The Moonlight Butterfly
- 1 Humanity
- Blue Titanite Chunk (Rare)
- Blue Titanite Slab (Rare)
In the Darkroot Garden, the Moonlight Butterfly is an optional boss. Mainly using ranged magical attacks, the fight tests your stamina and dodging abilities.
5: Capra Demon
Rewards
- 6,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- 1 Homeward Bone
- Key To The Depths
- Demon Great Machete (Rare)
The Capra Demon is a terrifying opponent housed in the Lower Undead Burg. The small battle area and the hostile dogs make this tough.
6: Gaping Dragon
Rewards
- 25,000 Souls
- 1 Twin Humanity
- 1 Homeward Bone
- Blighttown Key
- Dragon King Greataxe (Cut off the tail)
The Gaping Dragon of the Depths is a patience test. Its powerful attacks and large health pool can be quite punishing.
7: Chaos Witch Quelaag
Rewards
- 20,000 Souls
- Soul Of Quelaag
- 1 Twin Humanity
Blight town is home to Chaos Witch Quelaag, who guards the second Bell of Awakening. Although she has deadly fire attacks, she can be defeated with the correct strategy.
8: Iron Golem
Rewards
- 40,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- Core Of An Iron Golem
At the summit of Sen’s Fortress lies an evil opponent called the Iron Golem. To take down this giant, stay clear of his sweeping attacks and go straight for his legs.
9: Ornstein and Smough
Rewards
- 50,000 Souls (Both)
- Soul Of Ornstein / Smough
- Leo Ring (Ornstein)
- Purchasable Ornstein / Smough armor set (Both)
The game’s best-known boss pair is Ornstein and Smough, found in Anor Londo. This encounter will test your understanding of Dark Souls because of their alternative attack styles and capacity for mid-fight healing.
10: Sif
This boss fight is both tragic and unforgettable.
11: Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Rewards
- 70,000 Souls
- Soul Gwyn, Lord Of Cinder
This is the game’s last boss, a challenging but valuable battle.
Additional Bosses: Further Challenges
Bosses are optional in Dark Souls and offer extra rewards and challenges. The following Bosses are:
1: Stray Demon
Rewards
- 20,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- 1 Homeward Bone
When you return to the Undead Asylum, you will find the Stray Demon, a more potent variant of the Asylum Demon.
2: Four Kings
Rewards
- 60,000 Souls
- 4 Humanity
- Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard
The Four Kings is a dangerous challenge hidden in the New Londo Ruins. Due to their constant replication until they are defeated, this fight is a DPS (Damage Per Second) race.
3: Demon Firesage
Rewards
- 20,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- Demon’s Catalyst (Rare)
It is more fire damage; the Demon Firesage can be found in the Demon Ruins.
4: Crossbreed Priscilla
Rewards
- 30,000 Souls
- 1 Twin Humanity
- Priscilla’s Dagger
- Soul Of Priscilla
The boss, Crossbreed Priscilla, is restricted to the Painted World of Ariamis and only turns hostile when attacked first.
Dark Souls DLC Boss List
Below is the list of Dark Souls DLC Boss:
1: Sanctuary Guardian
Rewards
- 30,000 Souls
- 1 Humanity
- Guardian Tail (Rare)
- Guardian Soul
Sanctuary Guardian is the first boss in the Dark Souls: Remastered DLC Artorias Of The Abyss. The manticore creature, which guards Oolacile Sanctuary’s entrance, can have several strong attacks, most dealing with lightning damage. The Sanctuary Guardian is fast and unreliable, which sets her apart from most of the bosses in Dark Souls.
2: Knight Artorias
Rewards
- 25,000 Souls
- Soul Of Artorias
The boss of the Dark Souls DLC is Knight Artorias, the Abyss walker. Artorias, who can be found in an arena in the Royal Wood, is extremely quick and aggressive, and his ground and ranged aerial attacks can deal significant damage.
3: Manus, Father of the Abyss
Rewards
- 60,000 Souls
- 10 Humanity
- Soul Of Manus
As the last boss of the Dark Souls: Remastered DLC, Manus is the Father of the Abyss. Manus, one of the most demanding bosses in the game, is located in the Chasm of the Abyss and was the force that drew the player into the DLC and the past.
4: Black Dragon Kalameet
Rewards
- 60,000 Souls
- Obsidian Greatsword (Rare)
- Calamity Ring
After defeating Artorias, you must speak with Hawkeye Gough and request that he shoot Kalameet to death before you can face him. If you don’t, as soon as you get to his boss’s arena, Kalameet will breathe fire, instantly killing you.
8 Tips for Defeating Each Boss
Here are some essential tips to defeat each boss:
- Taurus Demon: Avoid being attacked by the Demon and stay near its legs. The arena’s pillars can also be used to your benefit.
- Gargoyle: Avoid the fire breath of the gargoyles and strike them from behind.
- Capra Demon: When facing the Capra Demon, move swiftly and forcefully. The dogs in the arena can also be used to your benefit.
- Quelaag: Remain near her to prevent being poisoned by her. The arena’s pillars can also be used to your benefit.
- Iron Golem: Strike the Iron Golem’s legs with a powerful weapon. Watch out for its sudden attack.
- Ornstein and Smough: Take them apart and take them out individually.
- Sif: Wait for Sif to attack, and be patient. The arena’s pillars can also be used to your benefit.
- Gwyn, the Cinder Lord: Gwyn is a highly swift boss, so you must be agile. Make sure to get close to the attack and avoid his blows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are the FAQs about the Mastering the Dark Souls Boss Order: A Comprehensive Guide:
Q1: What is the Optimal Dark Souls Boss Order?
Ans: The optimal boss order in Dark Souls is Asylum Demon, Taurus Demon, Bell Gargoyles, and Moonlight. Butterfly (optional), Capra Demon, Gaping Dragon, Chaos Witch Quelaag, Iron Golem, and Ornstein and Smough.
Q2: Can you complete Dark Souls without a guide?
Ans: It is possible to complete the game independently if you pay attention to your surroundings, are not stupid, and are persistent.
Q3: Is the Gaping Dragon optional?
Ans: In Dark Souls, The Gaping Dragon is an optional boss.
Conclusion
This guide proves helpful to you as you progress through Dark Souls. Remember to explore thoroughly, be patient, upgrade your gear, and ask for help when necessary. Stay tuned to Qnnit for more games.
