8 Hardest Bosses For Melee Builds

Summary

• Some of the toughest bosses in Elden Ring for melee builds include Rykard, Godfrey, and Rellana.
• Unique challenges like finding special weapons and dealing with AoE attacks make these boss fights intense.
• Patience, pattern recognition, and strong weaponry are key to overcoming these formidable foes.

Since it was first released in 2022, Elden Ring has taken the world by storm and catapulted From Software even further as a developer to look out for. The base game was already great, but the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduced new fist weapons, formidable bosses, and various other challenges for players.

Many of the bosses players will encounter along their journey have fallen and are far from their prime. However, they are still quite difficult, especially when faced with certain builds, especially those designed for close-quarter combat. Here are some of the hardest bosses for melee builds in Elden Ring.

8

Royal Knight Loretta

A Decent Challenge, Especially Early In The Game

Royal Knight Loretta is not very challenging, especially not for players who have already progressed well into the mid-to-late stages of the game. However, she’s usually meant to be faced during the early stages of players’ journeys, as soon as they discover Caria Manor.

What makes her challenging to defeat while using a melee build is that she’s really fast, she can cast spells from a distance and, as said earlier, she feels like a challenge that should come a bit later down the road. That said, with enough patience and pattern recognition, as well as a good Light Greatsword, players will make quick work of her.

7

Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy

A Huge Enemy That Requires A Special Weapon

Sometimes FromSoftware likes to pit players against enormous bosses and have them figure out that just about any weapon will not do the trick. This was the case for Yhorm the Giant in Dark Souls 3, and it’s also the case for Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This huge serpent-like boss will not take much damage from regular weapons or attacks. Instead, players will have to find the legendary Serpent Hunter lying around somewhere in the boss arena.

However, that’s information that players will either have to figure out on their own after dying several times or look up online as it’s not extremely obvious. Rykard is one of the most evil characters in Elden Ring, and also one of the toughest to face with a melee build.

6

Dragonlord Placidusax

Devastating AoE Attacks That Punish Greed

By the time players encounter Dragon Lord Placidusax, they will have already faced and killed several other dragons along their journey. However, the challenge said dragons posed does not compare to the formidable strength that this ancient being possesses.

At the beginning of the fight, players using a melee build can punish the Dragon Lord with a few hits. Unfortunately, this is not the case for long, as even before Placidusax takes to the skies to deliver devastating blows, he starts spamming AoE attacks consisting of red lighting. These attacks are deadly and will punish any Tarnished who dares to stay in close quarters for too long. Players who’ve already completed other FromSoftware titles probably know how to deal with AoE attacks better than those who haven’t. For the latter, there are some great beginner tips that they should check out to make their experience simpler and more enjoyable overall.

5

Godfrey, First Elden Lord

A Relentless Enemy Whose Second Phase Leaves Almost No Window Of Opportunity For Attacking

When players defeat Morgott, the Omen King at the base of the Erdtree in Leyndell, many believe that that’s the last formidable foe they’ll face in that area. However, this is not the case, as once the capital burns down, Godfrey, First Elden Lord will be waiting for them. Godfrey’s first phase is very challenging, but with enough patience, players can find decent windows of opportunity for attacks. Unfortunately, his second phase is not as forgiving, pairing relentless attacks with grapple animations that players must avoid at all costs if they want to survive. This makes Godfrey’s second phase one of the toughest to fight with a melee build.

This boss fight can be made easier by preparing from the beginning and getting some of the best weapons for the early game. With enough patience, Runes, and effort, players can hone their weapon of choice to its strongest version, allowing them to deal more damage with every hit, thus shortening the fight considerably.

4

Divine Beast Dancing Lion

Lightning Fast, And Very Deadly

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduced many interesting things, such as new curved swords, formidable bosses, and an entirely new area to explore. One of the first bosses that players will encounter as they explore the Land of Shadows is the Divine Beast Dancing Lion.

At first, this enemy appears to simply be a stronger version of the Lion Guardians spread throughout the Lands Between. However, players will quickly learn that this is not the case and that they’re about to face one of the toughest bosses in the early stages of the DLC. The Divine Beast Dancing Lion moves around very quickly, can use deadly lightning attacks and sustain considerable damage before going down. It’s best to face it using a long-distance approach, which puts melee builds at a disadvantage in many ways.

3

Black Blade Kindred (Bestial Sanctum)

Melee Weapons Find Strong Resistance In This Foe

When players first reach the Bestial Sanctum in Caelid, they’ll notice that a huge humanoid being is towering above them. If they get too close and decide to attack it, they’ll quickly discover that it was a mistake. The Black Blade Kindred in the Bestial Sanctum is very challenging, not only because it has attacks that can deal considerable damage, but also because, like other gargoyles in the game, it appears to be mostly unaffected by the majority of melee weapons, such as swords. Enemies like this have been around the Dark Souls franchise for years.

Players will eventually find out that Strength weapons, such as Clubs, or the famed Giant Crusher in Elden Ring, are their best bet. Regardless, those who have never played other FromSoftware titles might not figure this out so easily, making their efforts with a melee build almost futile if they’re using lighter weapons. Players who are struggling with this enemy too much also have the option to enter the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, get some of the best weapons available, and go back to The Lands Between to face the Black Blade Kindred better prepared.

2

Malenia

Staying Close To Her Is Essential, But Also Quite Risky

Ever since Elden Ring was released, it became the consensus that Malenia was the hardest boss that players could face. And while this is no longer the case thanks to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, she still poses a significant threat and a challenge, especially for players using a melee build.

Not only does she have quick attacks and her deadly Waterfowl Dance move, but she also recovers HP every time she manages to hit the Tarnished. This is not as much of an issue with Intelligence and Faith builds, as players can keep a distance while still dealing damage. But for those focusing on a melee approach, her first and second phases are undoubtedly hard.

1

Rellana, Twin Moon Knight

It’s Almost Impossible To Fight A Window Of Opportunity

Lastly, there’s Rellana Twin Moon Knight. Although this entry might be controversial, especially due to its position on the list, there’s a good reason why she’s been placed here. It’s no secret that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduced many challenging bosses that humbled players who felt like they were overpowered in The Lands Between—and Rellana is one of them.

What makes her so challenging for players using melee builds is that she has a relentless attack pattern in both her phases that leaves little to no window of opportunity to hit back. This, along with the fact that she hits like a truck, makes her fearsome. Although many players would have chosen Promised Consort Radahn to take this entry, it’s important to remember that many of his attack patterns aren’t as quick, so there are more chances to get close and deal damage.