how many main bosses in elden ring
Elden Ring features 13 mandatory main bosses that you must defeat to complete the core storyline and reach the ending. These are the required fights blocking progress through the Lands Between, distinct from the game's 165+ total bosses (including optional ones).
Main Boss List
Here's the complete order of main bosses as they appear in a standard playthrough, based on established guides from launch through 2026 updates—no DLC required bosses included here:
| Boss Name | Location | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Margit, the Fell Omen | Stormveil Castle approach | First major gatekeeper; tests basic combat. |
| Godrick the Grafted | Stormveil Castle | First shardbearer; drops Great Rune. |
| Red Wolf of Radagon | Raya Lucaria Academy | Quick, agile mage wolf; preps for next fight. |
| Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon | Raya Lucaria Academy | Second shardbearer; enables respeccing. |
| Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade) | Leyndell outskirts | Summoned spirit fight; transitional boss. |
| Morgott, the Omen King | Leyndell, Royal Capital | Third shardbearer; protects the Erdtree. |
| Fire Giant | Mountaintops of the Giants | Massive foe; unlocks forge path. |
| Godskin Duo | Crumbling Farum Azula | Two slippery nobles; patience required. |
| Maliketh, the Black Blade | Crumbling Farum Azula | Fast second phase; Destined Death user. |
| Sir Gideon Ofnir, All-Knowing | Ashen Capital | Magic spammer; lore-heavy dialogue. |
| Godfrey / Hoarah Loux, Warrior | Ashen Capital | Brutal warrior phase switch. |
| Radagon of the Golden Order | Erdtree sanctuary | Final duo starter; holy hammer focus. |
| Elden Beast | Erdtree sanctuary | True finale; cosmic arena swimmer. |
Why These Count as "Main"
Community consensus on forums like Reddit defines "main bosses" as those essential for main progression —either shardbearers (6 total: Godrick, Rennala, Morgott, Rykard, Radahn, Mohg—though Rykard/Radahn/Mohg are skippable via alternate paths) or story gates. Some players debate including early optionals like the Grafted Scion, but strict lists stick to these 13 unskippable ones. Total bosses hit 207 with Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, per speedrun records, but mains remain unchanged.
Player Perspectives
- Casual runs : Focus these 13 for the platinum trophy path.
- Completionists : Tackle 165+; checklists track Remembrance bosses (15 core ones).
- Trending in 2026 : Post-DLC forums still reference this list for NG+ prep, with no patches altering mains.
"Main bosses: Remembrance bosses plus key prerequisites like Margit and Red Wolf." – Reddit r/Eldenring
TL;DR: 13 main bosses. Beat them for the canon ending; skip at your peril! Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
