FromSoftware: 10 Hardest Enemies That Aren't Bosses (2024)

FromSoftware games are known for their difficulty and the challenge that comes with each enemy, legacy dungeon, or famous boss fights. The difficulty varies from game to game, but they don’t pull any punches when it comes to making the players suffer.

Sometimes FromSoftware decides to add enemies to their games that can be even more difficult than the bosses the games are known for, and that challenge adds an extra layer to the game. These enemies are best left skipped over as you move from one bonfire to the next, but if you run into them, expect a decent challenge awaiting you.

10 Revenants – Elden Ring

Terrifyingly Spider-Like Semi Humanoid Creatures That Were Once Royals

Imagine you're cruising through the Lands Between on Torrent in Elden Ring, feeling like you’re unstoppable after taking down a demigod or two. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see it, these godforsaken monsters, Revenants found around a swamp or a sewer, as they catch up to you in a heartbeat.

These grotesque, multi-limbed monstrosities hit hard, they're unpredictable, and they love to spam their attacks, which can kill you very easily if you're not careful. A lot of players have an unreasonable amount of hatred for these guys, and it’s completely justified.

9 Basilisks – Dark Souls

You Have No Choice But To Die

These overgrown lizards from the Dark Souls series may look harmless and die easily, but don't be fooled, their signature move is a death-inducing fog they release that can curse you with instant death.

Oh, and they love to hang out in narrow corridors and dark corners, waiting to ambush you, especially since they move around in groups, making fighting them more than just a hassle. It’s better to avoid the Basilks wherever you can, but if you run into a pack of them, it’s easier to run than to risk instant death.

8 Bonewheel – Dark Souls Remastered

Being Stun Locked To Death Is Worse Than It Sounds

If you thought regular skeletons were annoying, wait till you meet this souped-up version of them that rolls around on giant bonewheels. The difficulty with these guys is that they’re not only fast, but their erratic movements make them really difficult to predict.

Their attacks can also push you off ledges, leading to instant death in some areas. Encountering a group of these guys in tight confines can be an absolute nightmare, making you question your life choices and sanity and introducing you to a level of difficulty that is beyond any boss in the series.

7 Warhawk – Elden Ring

The Most Annoying Enemies In The Sky

The Warhawks in Elden Ring can be really difficult with the variety of moves they’re given. Their attacks are difficult to dodge, especially when they appear in groups.

They're a constant threat in the open areas of the Lands Between and are particularly dense in the Stormveil region, forcing you to keep an eye on the sky or just the ledges near the castle’s edge. Just when you think you're safe, they will attack, and you know you're about to become a bird's lunch.

6 Black Knights – Dark Souls

The Legendary Warriors Of Gwyn

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These armored behemoths are the elite guard of Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, and followed him to the Kiln of the First Flame where the flame was re-linked for the first time. Their attacks are slow and predictable at times but incredibly powerful, and their heavy shields can deflect most of your blows.

They're also surprisingly agile for their size, able to close distance quickly and unleash combos that will make you question the life decisions that led you to fight them. Encountering a Black Knight is always a tense and challenging experience, and is the closest thing to a non-boss boss fight in the Souls series.

5 Jailers – Dark Souls 3

One Of The Few Horror-Inspired Enemies In Dark Souls

Deep below Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, your journey of collecting the ashes of the Lords of Cinder will eventually lead you to the Irithyll Dungeon, which the Jailers from this game call home.

What’s interesting about these enemies is that they release a gas similar to how the Basilisks do, but it has a much higher range and, instead of instant death, can lower your HP down to the most minute level possible, where even one hit by these guys will kill you. They’re crawling all over the dungeon, and it’s best to avoid them as much as you can while making your way down to the Profaned capitol.

4 Spear Adepts – Sekiro

A Non-Boss Enemy Able To Go Blow For Blow With Sekiro

Spear Adepts in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice are an endless source of frustration for every player who’s been ambushed by these guys. Their long reach and thrusting attacks make them difficult to parry, and their pokes can quickly drain your posture meter.

They appear in a group in front of the Senpou temple, but it’s best to face them one at a time. Deflecting their attacks is crucial, but it requires precise timing and good enough skill at that point where you can deflect much more easily than you did at the start of the game.

3 Abductor Virgins – Elden Ring

The Earlier You Run Into Them, The Harder It'll Be To Deal With Them

Abductor Virgins in Elden Ring are nightmare fuel that can destroy you or one-shot you in the early game and can be encountered as a boss as well as a regular enemy. The grab attack of the Abductor Virgins is especially terrifying, as they can trap you inside their body and inflict massive damage that can instantly kill you in the early game.

The sound of their wheels creaking and the sight of their lifeless eyes are enough to scare any player. Thankfully, these enemies are few and far in the Lands Between, so you won’t run into them too often.

2 Winter Lanterns – Bloodborne

Straight Out Of Lovecraftian Horror

Winter Lanterns are grotesque creatures found in Bloodborne that are already horrible to look at, and they're as creepy as they are dangerous. Their lantern-like heads emit a light that can inflict frenzy, a status effect that rapidly drains your health.

Their long arms can reach out and grab you from a distance, making it difficult to escape if you’re caught by them, and they're also surprisingly agile. Beating one of the Winter Lanterns is almost as difficult as a boss and encountering them in the dark and twisted world of Bloodborne is sure to leave a lasting impression.

1 Runebears – Elden Ring

Elden Ring's Apex Predator

The massive Runebears are the apex predators of the Lands Between, perhaps the only regular enemy that can give Gods and Lords a hard time. They're incredibly aggressive, with powerful swipes and charges that can easily knock you off your feet, and they're also surprisingly fast for their size, able to close the distance quickly and unleash a flurry of attacks.

Encountering a Runebear is always a heart-pounding experience, requiring some excellent skills to avoid successfully, since it’s better to avoid these things as much as you can. Memes aside, they’re no doubt one of the most difficult regular enemies in FromSoftware games to date.