Yo, Tarnished! Still getting bodied by every boss you see in the Lands Between or the Realm of Shadow? You might be doing more work than you need to. In 2026, the community wisdom is clear: Elden Ring and its massive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC are like a colossal, all-you-can-eat buffet, but you only need a few key dishes to feel satisfied and finish the meal. The game throws over a hundred bosses at you, but the path to the credits is surprisingly lean for both the base game and the DLC.

Let's break it down. To become Elden Lord, you only need to defeat ten specific bosses. Think of them as the main course in a sprawling feast of optional challenges.

🗡️ The Core Ten: Your Path to Elden Lordship

Here’s the step-by-step list of who you must face to beat the base game:

  1. Any Two Shardbearers (Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Rykard, or Mohg). This is your ticket into Leyndell. Most players grab Godrick and Rennala first.

  2. Draconic Tree Sentinel – The gatekeeper to the Royal Capital.

  3. Morgott, the Omen King – The ruler of Leyndell himself.

  4. Fire Giant – The colossal guardian of the Mountaintops.

  5. Godskin Duo – The notorious duo blocking progress in Crumbling Farum Azula.

  6. Maliketh, the Black Blade – The fierce end-boss of Farum Azula.

  7. Sir Gideon Ofnir – The know-it-all waiting in the Ashen Capital.

  8. Godfrey / Hoarah Loux – The first Elden Lord, back for round two.

  9. Radagon of the Golden Order & Elden Beast – The epic two-phase finale.

That's it! Every other boss—from the terrifying Malenia to the optional dragon fights—is just for bragging rights, loot, or the sheer joy of the challenge. Beating them all is like collecting every single trading card in a massive set; impressive, but not required to play the main game.

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🛡️ The Shardbearer Lowdown

While you only need two, knowing what each demigod offers is key. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Shardbearer Location Key Requirement Great Rune Effect
Godrick the Grafted Stormveil Castle Beat Margit the Fell Omen +5 to all stats (A fantastic early-game boost)
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon Raya Lucaria Academy Beat Red Wolf of Radagon Allows respeccing your character (Essential for trying new builds)
Starscourge Radahn Redmane Castle, Caelid Activate the Radahn Festival Boosts HP, FP, Stamina by 15% (A solid all-rounder)
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy Volcano Manor Beat Godskin Noble or complete questline Restores HP on enemy kills (Great for exploration/survival)
Mohg, Lord of Blood Mohgwyn Palace Varre's quest or Consecrated Snowfield portal Blesses phantoms during invasions (PvP focused)

Pro Tip: For a smooth first playthrough in 2026, the community-recommended path is Godrick -> Rennala. It gives you a stat boost and the ability to respec early on!

🌑 Shadow of the Erdtree: An Even Leaner Journey

Now, let's talk about the DLC that dropped in 2024. If the base game's required path is a curated tasting menu, Shadow of the Erdtree's is an espresso shot—short, intense, and to the point. You only need to defeat FIVE bosses to see the DLC's ending credits.

  1. Messmer the Impaler – The poster boy of the DLC and your first major roadblock in the Shadow Keep. Yes, you can literally run past the Divine Beast, Rellana, and the Golden Hippopotamus!

  2. Romina, Saint of the Bud – Guards the path to activate the final area, Enir-Ilim, atop the Ancient Ruins of Rauh.

  3. Leda & Her Allies – The group blocking your final ascent in Enir-Ilim.

  4. Promised Consort Radahn – The spectacular final boss of the DLC.

Wait, that's only four? Here's the kicker: To even access the Realm of Shadow, you must first defeat...

Mohg, Lord of Blood – The only base-game boss required for the DLC. Consider him the bouncer at the exclusive club that is the Land of Shadow.

So the total is: Mohg (base) + Messmer + Romina + Leda & Crew + Radahn = Five Bosses. The rest of the DLC's brutal roster, from the Dancing Lion to Bayle the Dread, is entirely optional. Facing them is like deciding to climb the extra, treacherous peak next to the main mountain summit—thrilling, but not part of the official route.

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🏆 Why Bother with the Rest?

So why fight the other 90+ bosses? Simple:

  • 💎 Achievements/Trophies: Some, like beating Malenia or all Rememberance bosses, are tied to achievements.

  • ⚔️ Pinnacle Challenges: Bosses like Malenia, Blade of Miquella, are the ultimate tests of skill. Beating her is the gaming equivalent of solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded.

  • 📖 Lore & Story: Many bosses are key to understanding the deep, tragic history of the Lands Between.

  • 🛡️ Epic Loot: Unique weapons, spells, and armor sets that can define your build.

  • 😎 Pure Flex. Seriously, beating them all is the ultimate flex for any Tarnished.

In 2026, the message is clear: Elden Ring and its DLC respect your time more than you might think. The critical path is a razor-thin line through a world of immense, optional content. You can sprint to the finish line with just a handful of key victories, or you can lose yourself for hundreds of hours conquering every challenge the game has to offer. The choice, as always, is yours. Now go forth, and don't you dare go hollow! 👑