Elden Ring is well known for its challenge, with few bosses able to be killed on the first try. While all pose a challenge, some are far more challenging than others. Some bosses are optional, while others are required to beat the main story, and with the game being so open world, a player can seek out the easier tier bosses earlier than the most difficult ones.
Fortunately, the Lands Between do tend to put their easier bosses close to the starting area and the most difficult in areas that require more experience and exploration to get to. With the game having been out for months, experienced players now have a sense of which bosses are the least and most challenging.
S-Tier
S-tier bosses are the hardest in the game. They will often take many tries to defeat, even with help from other players. The most famous of these is Malenia, an optional boss but one that is unforgettable due to her difficulty. She takes a lot of effort to get to as well, as she sits at the bottom of a labyrinth in the far corner of the Lands Between. Players such as "Let Me Solo Her" have made themselves famous for helping many other players defeat her.
There are other S-tier bosses as well. The Fire Giant has become well-known as a challenge that players get stuck with, as unlike Malenia he is not optional. While they are easier separately, Radagon of the Golden Order and the Elden Beast together also create an S-tier boss fight. They count as a single fight, as the player gets no breaks between them.
A-Tier
A-tier bosses are close to the S-tier, but may take fewer tries and become easier with help from other players. One such non-optional boss is Maliketh, who has an easier first phase followed by a very difficult second phase. There are plenty of optional bosses that fit into the A-tier as well, such as Astel and Starscourage Radahn from Ranni's questline.
There is actually an A-rank boss available to challenge near the beginning of the game. This is Morgott, who is A-tier because he is a highly difficult non-optional boss that many consider to be more difficult than Godrick the Grafted. On the opposite end of the game, the Dragonlord Placidusax and Commander Niall are also hard enough to fit the A-tier.
B-Tier
B-tier bosses are still quite difficult, though can often take fewer tries than the A-tiers. Both forms of Godfrey are non-optional B-tier bosses, and another B-tier challenge is the Godskin Duo. Both are challenges in themselves, but together they can be quite difficult. An additional B-tier duo is the Valiant Gargoyles.
Margit the Fell Omen is fittingly B-tier, even with items to use as a defense against his strongest attack. Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast and the Draconic Tree Sentinel also pose B-tier challenges along with the Lichdragon Forttisax. Then there is the Royal Knight Loretta and her shade version, both being B-tier challenges.
C-Tier
C-tier bosses can be made much easier depending on a character's build. This boss is Rennala, who is immune to most magic but can be easier than the Red Wolf of Radagon for players who rely on physical damage builds. Along with her, Godrick the Grafted is a fight remembered for not being too hard. Also in the C-tier is the Red Wolf of Radagon, who can be easier or harder depending on character build.
Outside of Rennala's area, C-tier bosses include Gideon and Rykard. Gideon, compared to other bosses, is easy in the endgame, especially if the player character is all about physical damage. Rykard may be intimidating, but using the correct weapon can make him even easier than all other bosses with Great Runes.
D-Tier
D-tier bosses are mostly optional, but are worth challenging in order to level up for the more difficult required bosses. Most of these are considered mini-bosses sitting in various optional dungeons or gaols. These include the Black Knife Assassin, Tibia Mariner, Tree Sentinel, Beast of Farum Azula, and Leonine Misbegotton.
Just because these bosses are on the bottom overall tier list does not mean they are easy, though. Elden Ring is a difficult game, and dying to any boss is normal, especially toward the beginning when the player character has the least amount of power and experience.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.