How to Beat the Hardest Bosses in Souls-like Games: What I’ve Learned the Painful Way
So, let’s talk about Souls-like games—those brutal, “Are you even human?” kind of games that make you question your entire existence. We’ve all been there, right? You’re exploring a dark, foggy dungeon or walking along some peaceful, calm-looking field when suddenly, BOOM, a boss fight. And not just any boss—this thing is a nightmare. You’ve died once, twice, okay, a million times, and you just want to throw your controller out the window. But guess what? There’s always a way to beat these bosses. It’s tough, frustrating, but oh-so-satisfying when you finally get the upper hand.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the key strategies that helped me tackle some of the hardest bosses in Souls-like games, from Dark Souls to Sekiro and Bloodborne. Maybe I can save you from smashing your controller like I did. (I don’t recommend it, by the way.)
1. Know Your Boss’s Moves, and I Mean REALLY Know Them
Okay, first things first—before you even think about swinging your sword or magic spells, you need to study the boss like you’re trying to pass a final exam. Each boss in these games has a pattern. There’s no such thing as “luck” in these fights. It’s all about recognizing the signs and knowing what to expect. I learned this the hard way when I was up against Sif, the Great Grey Wolf, in Dark Souls.
I don’t know about you, but my first attempt was… embarrassing. I was dodging at the wrong times, attacking when I should have been backing off, and generally playing like a headless chicken. Then I took a step back. I watched some YouTube videos, studied the patterns of his attacks—like when he does the big sword swipe or when he’s about to pounce at you—and figured out that his opening moments were the most predictable. After a few attempts, I finally nailed the rhythm and got the victory. It felt amazing.
2. Patience Over Aggression
This is a huge one, and I mean huge. I know we all want to just rush in and deal as much damage as possible, but that rarely works out. In fact, it’s often a recipe for disaster. Trust me, I’ve died more times than I can count trying to be an aggressive “melee maniac.”
Here’s where I learned the hard truth: patience wins these fights. One boss that really taught me this lesson was Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls. The first time I encountered them, I thought, “I’ll just attack relentlessly and kill them both quickly!” Yeah, no. That got me killed so fast.
What actually worked was baiting one boss into attacking, dodging their moves, and waiting for an opening. I’d get in a few hits, then back off, healing when needed, and repeating the process. It took ages, but eventually, they were down. The key here? Don’t get greedy.
Pro Tip: If you’re playing Bloodborne, use that aggressive combat style to your advantage, but only when you know the boss’s pattern well enough. It’s all about knowing when to strike and when to pull back.
3. Choosing the Right Gear and Weapons
Now, I’ll admit, there were times I didn’t give my gear enough thought before going into a fight. I’d grab the fanciest sword or the most powerful armor I had and think, “Yeah, I’m ready.” But in reality, what you wear and wield can make all the difference.
For example, when I was battling Midir in Dark Souls III, I initially equipped the wrong armor. He’s got these insane fire-based attacks, and my usual armor didn’t protect against that enough. I kept getting roasted alive like a marshmallow.
I eventually switched to lighter armor with higher fire resistance, which gave me more mobility and allowed me to dodge his attacks better. It wasn’t an instant win, but the difference was huge. So, remember, your gear isn’t just about how cool it looks—it needs to match the boss’s weaknesses.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some common gear considerations:
| Boss Name | Recommended Gear | Key Element to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Ornstein & Smough | Medium Armor, Shield | Lightning Resistance |
| Sif, the Great Grey Wolf | Fast Weapons, Light Armor | Agility for Dodging |
| Midir (Dark Souls III) | Fire-resistant Armor | Fire Resistance |
4. Master the Art of Dodging and Blocking
I’ll admit, for a long time, I was a dodging noob. I thought if I just kept swinging my sword and hitting things, I’d eventually get the upper hand. Nope. Dodging is everything. When I was stuck on the Nameless King fight in Dark Souls III, I would try to tank hits, thinking my health pool was enough to survive. But that doesn’t work, especially with his massive lightning strikes.
What worked was timing my dodges perfectly to get behind him and land some solid hits. I realized you can’t always go for that big damage. Sometimes, you just need to wait for that moment when the boss has overextended or left themselves open.
Key takeaway: Your ability to dodge or block is just as important as your offensive skills. Learn the rhythm of your boss’s attacks and when to sidestep or use a shield.
5. Healing Wisely
In some Souls-like games, you only get a limited amount of healing potions or resources (like Estus Flasks in Dark Souls or Blood Vials in Bloodborne), so you have to use them wisely. One of the biggest mistakes I made was using healing items too early, or worse, wasting them during moments of panic.
For example, when fighting Lady Maria in Bloodborne, I would often get greedy and heal when I didn’t need to. This meant I’d run out of healing items in the final phase of the fight, and I’d end up dying with just a sliver of health left. Once I figured out how to manage my healing, the battle became much more winnable.
Pro tip: Save your healing for when you’re genuinely in danger, and if you know a boss’s attack is about to hit hard, be ready to heal mid-fight to buy you some extra time.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Magic or Ranged Attacks
I get it. You want to feel like a badass warrior up close and personal with your sword or axe. But there’s no shame in using magic or ranged attacks in a Souls-like game. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice taught me this lesson, especially during the Genichiro Ashina fight.
At first, I was trying to take him head-on with my katana. But after several frustrating attempts, I decided to use my prosthetic tools more effectively—throwing shurikens to stagger him, or using firecrackers to interrupt his attacks. This mix of ranged combat and close-quarters was exactly what I needed. It gave me more room to breathe and didn’t make me feel like I was cheating.
Don’t be afraid to use what the game gives you. Magic, ranged weapons, and prosthetic tools aren’t just fun—they’re often essential for surviving the hardest fights.
7. Take Breaks to Avoid Tilt
Finally, the most important lesson I learned: take breaks. Seriously. Some of the toughest bosses will push you to the brink of insanity, and you’ll find yourself making mistakes because you’re too frustrated to think clearly. This happened to me multiple times when fighting Lud and Zallen in Bloodborne. I’d keep dying, getting angrier and angrier, and it’d just make the situation worse.
After taking a few short breaks, I came back with a clearer mind. I could better recognize attack patterns and react quicker. A clear head is the key to success in these games.
Wrapping Up: Embrace the Struggle
Beating the hardest bosses in Souls-like games is a grind. But it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have in gaming. Yes, you’ll die. A lot. But with patience, practice, and the right strategies, you can overcome any boss that stands in your way. And when you finally take down that beast? Trust me, it feels so good.
Good luck, and remember: the real victory is in learning, adapting, and eventually conquering the impossible.