FromSoftware has long been the undisputed champion of crafting unforgettable, teeth-grindingly difficult boss encounters, and their 2022 masterpiece, Elden Ring, is no exception. While the main story bosses like Godrick the Grafted and Malenia, Blade of Miquella rightfully claim their fame, the Lands Between are teeming with over 100 optional adversaries. These fights, often hidden away in remote corners of the map, range from minor skirmishes to epic battles that can rival the game's most punishing challenges. For the Tarnished who dare to explore every nook and cranny, these encounters offer some of Elden Ring's most rewarding—and frustrating—experiences. As the community eagerly awaits new content, revisiting these optional showdowns is a perfect way to sharpen your skills and relive the thrill of the hunt.

14. Abductor Virgins: A Spinning Nightmare

Talk about a fight that will make you scream 'What the hell?!'. The Abductor Virgins, found deep within Volcano Manor, are pure nightmare fuel straight out of a heavy metal album cover. These Iron Maiden-esque contraptions don't just wait for you; you have to get intentionally captured by one in the Raya Lucaria Academy to even reach their arena. Once there, you face a duo: one armed with a massive wheeled blade, the other with swinging sickles. They spin around the arena like demented ballerinas, and their attacks have a deceptive range that can catch even seasoned players off guard. This fight is a brutal lesson in patience and positioning, where getting greedy is a one-way ticket back to a Site of Grace.

13. Valiant Gargoyles: A Poisonous Tag Team

If you thought one Gargoyle was tough, FromSoftware said, 'Hold my Estus.' The Valiant Gargoyle fight near the Siofra Aqueduct throws two of these stone-skinned terrors at you simultaneously. The key issue here is aggression management. If both decide to focus on you, you'll be quickly overwhelmed by a flurry of axe swings and halberd thrusts. To add insult to injury, they possess a poisonous breath attack that can quickly drain your health if you're not careful. This fight is a classic test of crowd control, forcing players to separate the duo and eliminate one quickly before the battle becomes utterly unmanageable. It's a real 'git gud' moment.

12. Death Rite Bird: A Ghostly Menace

Forget the regular Deathbirds; the Death Rite Bird is their bigger, badder, and far more terrifying cousin. This skeletal horror doesn't just peck at you—it brings the apocalypse. Its moveset includes massive Area-of-Effect (AoE) Ghostflame explosions and the ability to call down spectral spears from the sky, making it a menace at any range. The versions found in late-game areas like Castle Sol are particularly brutal. However, every boss has a kryptonite. These creatures are Undead, making them supremely weak to Holy damage. Weapons and incantations that deal Holy damage can turn the tide, but for builds not specialized in faith, this fight is an absolute slog. It's a classic Elden Ring check that asks, 'Did you come prepared?'

11. Commander Niall: The Summoning Sentinel

Guarding the crucial left half of the Haligtree Medallion in the frigid Castle Sol, Commander Niall is a gatekeeper in every sense. He doesn't fight fair from the start, immediately summoning two powerful spectral knights to aid him. The strategy is clear: deal with the adds first, or you're toast. Once alone, Niall is a whirlwind of frost and lightning. His attacks can inflict Frostbite, slowing your stamina recovery, and his stomps summon shocking lightning strikes. This fight is a masterclass in phase management, testing your ability to handle multiple threats before facing the commander's full, electrifying fury.

10. Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast: Gravity's Champion

Found perched precariously atop a massive pillar in Mt. Gelmir, the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast presents a unique environmental challenge. This isn't just a battle of stats; it's a fight against gravity itself. One wrong dodge or a powerful charge from the beast can send you plummeting to your death. The beast itself is a powerhouse, boasting higher stats than its younger variants and new attacks, including a devastating gravity beam. The reward for victory is sweet, though, including the powerful Fallingstar Beast Jaw weapon. This fight is all about maintaining your cool and keeping your footing—literally.

9. Margit, the Fell Omen: The First Skill Check

While technically skippable, Margit is the first major 'wall' for most Tarnished. His placement at the entrance to Stormveil Castle means he's often the first serious boss players encounter. With blistering speed, long, delayed attack combos, and punishing damage, he serves as a harsh introduction to Elden Ring's combat philosophy. He's there to teach players that button-mashing and greed are fatal sins. Defeating him early is a badge of honor, proving you've got the fundamentals down. For many, overcoming Margit is the moment the game truly clicks.

8. Starscourge Radahn: The Festival of War

Radahn's fight is less of a boss battle and more of a legendary event—a war festival. The game encourages you to summon a small army of NPC warriors to take on the Scarlet Rot-ridden demigod, and you'll need them. From the moment you enter the sandy arena, Radahn pelts you with magical arrows. His moves are wide, sweeping, and incredibly powerful, especially when he electrifies his colossal blades. The battle's second phase is pure spectacle, as he launches himself into the sky like a meteor. This fight is chaotic, epic, and embodies the 'go big or go home' spirit of Elden Ring's most memorable moments.

7. Dragonlord Placidusax: An Ancient Epic

Hidden away in the timeless storm of Crumbling Farum Azula, Dragonlord Placidusax is a secret boss of mythical proportions. The journey to find him—lying down in a coffin—sets the stage for a fight against a remnant of a bygone age. This two-headed dragon is a spectacle of golden flame breaths that transform into deadly lasers and attacks that summon red lightning from the stormy sky. His most terrifying move sees him vanish into ash, only to reappear moments later from above with a devastating, electrified claw swipe. This battle is pure, unadulterated fantasy epicness.

6. Lichdragon Fortissax: A Storm of Lightning

Encountered deep within Fia's questline, Lichdragon Fortissax is a boss that punishes aggression. Its entire body is wreathed in crackling lightning, dealing damage simply to those who stand too close for too long. This forces a hit-and-run playstyle, as you dart in for an attack before retreating to avoid the constant electrical damage. Fortissax complements this with powerful lightning spear throws and sweeping physical attacks. Defeating this dragon is a test of patience and precision, a slow dance around a lethal storm.

5. Astel, Naturalborn of the Void: Cosmic Horror

Astel wins the award for the most 'what in the world is that?!' boss design. This cosmic horror, resembling a twisted, skeletal dragonfly, is the stuff of nightmares. Its move set is as bizarre as its appearance: it fires laser beams from its face, slams its beaded tail, snaps with giant pincers, and even opens portals to hurl boulders. Its most infamous attack is grabbing you with telekinesis, lifting you high into the air, and slamming you into the ground. The fight against Astel is disorienting, unpredictable, and utterly unforgettable, a perfect capstone to the creepy journey through the Lake of Rot.

Boss Name	Location	Key Challenge	Recommended Tactic
Abductor Virgins	Volcano Manor	Fighting two fast, spinning enemies	Separate and conquer, focus on one first
Valiant Gargoyles	Siofra Aqueduct	2v1 fight with poison	Kill the first gargoyle as fast as possible
Death Rite Bird	Multiple (e.g., Castle Sol)	Massive AoE attacks & Frostbite	Use Holy damage weapons/spells
Commander Niall	Castle Sol	Summons two knights first	Eliminate summons immediately
Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast	Mt. Gelmir	Fighting on a narrow pillar	Mind your positioning, avoid edges

In the end, these optional bosses are what give Elden Ring its legendary replayability and depth. They are the hidden tests, the secret triumphs, and the stories you tell other players about that one time you stumbled into a fight you were so not ready for. They prove that in the Lands Between, the greatest rewards—and the hardest lessons—are often found off the beaten path. So, as we look to the future of this incredible world, remember: there's always another boss waiting to put you in your place. Don't you dare go hollow!