Highlights

  • FromSoftware's boss fights in Elden Ring vary in quality, with some standing out as the finest in the developer's history.
  • The DLC cover star, Messmer the Impaler, is expected to elevate boss quality even further, sparking high expectations among fans.
  • Human-sized bosses like Knight Artorias and Slave Knight Gael are often hailed as the best, regularly showcasing FromSoftware's impressive boss design. Since Messmer fits that category, fans will be expecting a top-notch battle.

While there's no denying Elden Ring's impact on the video game industry, there is perhaps some debate among FromSoftware's fervent fan base around the quality and consistency of the game's many boss fights. With such a large number of bosses for players to fight, it was inevitable that the quality would vary more substantially than in previous Souls games. Still, even so, Elden Ring's best bosses can easily stand toe to toe with some of the developer's previous finest. With Shadow of the Erdtree less than two months away, many expect the DLC's cover star, Messmer the Impaler, to elevate the overall boss quality to new heights. If FromSoftware's previous human-sized bosses are anything to go by, this could well be true.

FromSoftware's Soulsborne games are renowned for many things, from challenging, rewarding gameplay, to some of the best-crafted worlds in the genre. Arguably most of all, though, these titles, which include Demon's Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring, are known for their incredible array of FromSoftware-developed boss fights. The games pit the player against all sorts of brutal, skilled, and at times downright monstrous bosses that will push players to their limits. Many of these encounters stand as some of the most memorable fights ever seen in a video game, but the absolute best of these, with a couple of exceptions, tend to be fights against human-sized opponents.

Elden Ring Godskin Apostle Armor
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Elden Ring's Messmer Fight Could Be Epic

Memorable Human-Sized Souls Bosses

Game

Boss Name

Dark Souls

Knight Artorias the Abysswalker

Dark Souls 3

Slave Knight Gael

Bloodborne

Maria of the Astral Clocktower

Sekiro

Genichiro Ashina

Elden Ring

Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Over the years, FromSoftware has experimented with bosses of all sizes. These range from tiny creatures such as Dark Souls 2's Royal Rat Vanguard, to huge, fiery dragons like Elden Ring's Lichdragon Fortissax. While there's no denying that the grand scale of most dragon fights can make the encounters feel epic, nothing really tests the player's skills and reflexes better than fights against similar-sized opponents.

Sekiro's Genichiro Ashina, fought several times throughout the game's campaign, serves as a regular skill check for players along their journey. Dark Souls' Knight Artorias the Abysswalker and Dark Souls 3's Slave Knight Gael, both encountered during their respective game's DLC, are regularly referred to as two of the best fights in the whole series. There are plenty of other human-sized bosses who could be mentioned in the same list as these, such is the depth of FromSoftware's boss pool.

Messmer the Impaler is the Face of the DLC

Shadow of the Erdtree's marketing has been limited, probably on purpose, but from what has been shown so far, Messmer the Impaler has certainly taken center stage. Footage of what looks like a fight between him and the player has revealed a little more about the fire-wielder, who appears to be both quick and powerful in his approach. Possible connections between Messmer and Malenia, Blade of Miquella, who is seen as Elden Ring's toughest challenge, will do nothing to quell expectations around the fight with this imposing new character.

Still, at this point, the facts surrounding Messmer the Impaler, in terms of who he is and what his intentions are, are not exactly clear. More light will likely be shed on the character as the launch date approaches, with another trailer expected at some point before then. Until then, players can only speculate, and FromSoftware's fans have proven themselves capable of speculation ranging from wild to surprisingly accurate. Expectations surrounding Shadow of the Erdtree are already sky-high, and it won't be long until fans can decide whether it justifies the hype.