Dark Souls 3: Every Optional Boss and Where to Find Them

Dark Souls III has a plethora of new bosses to fight. But not all of them are mandatory to complete the game's story; some are simply hidden deep within the world's various nooks and crannies. To help you find these optional bosses, we've compiled each one's respective location and a video showing you one possible way to beat them.

If you want to find these optional bosses yourself, we recommend that you scroll no further, as there are major spoilers ahead. If you're looking for a specific boss fight, we suggest using Ctrl/Command + F and typing in the boss name you need to pinpoint. Otherwise, for more on Dark Souls III, check out our other guides, features, and news in the list below.

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• Dark Souls 3 Boss Guide
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• Here's When Dark Souls 3's First DLC is Coming
• Dark Souls 3: Collector's Edition Unboxing

Curse Rotted-Greatwood

Location: To find the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, you need to get to the large courtyard near the end of the Undead Settlement. You'll know when you're in the right place when you start seeing a bunch of violet flowers that adorn the surrounding area.

Reward: You obtain the Transposing Kiln, a special item that lets you to transpose boss souls into special weapons and armor. In addition, the Soul of the Rotted Greatwood allows you to transpose Arstor's Spear or the Hollowslayer Greatsword. Alternatively, you can consume the Soul for 3,000 souls.

Old Demon King

Location: The Old Demon King can be found in the Smouldering Lake, a secret area below the wooden bridge in the Catacombs of Carthus. To get there, destroy the wooden bridge you cross before the High Lord Wolnir boss fight. The path below will lead you to the Old Demon King.

Reward: You obtain the Soul of the Demon King, which transposes either the Chaos Bed Vestiges or the Old King's Great Hammer. Alternatively, you can consume the Soul for 10,000 souls.

Oceiros, the Consumed King

Location: To get to Oceiros, the Consumed King, you need to first defeat the Dancer of the Boreal Valley. After you've taken care of her and collected the small basin she drops, place that item on the statue in her room. This triggers a ladder to descend; climb it and take the path to the left to find the Consumed King.

Reward: You obtain the Soul of Consumed Oceiros, which transposes either the White Dragon Breath or the Moonlight Greatsword. Alternatively, you can consume the Soul for 12,000 souls.

Champion Gundyr

Location: After you defeat Oceiros, the Consumed King, proceed down the hallway that opens up until you reach a dead end. Hit the wall to reveal a secret passage that leads to the Unintended Graves. Explore this area until you find Champion Gundyr.

Reward: You obtain the Soul of Champion Gundyr, which transposes Gundry's Halberd or the Prisoner's Chain. Alternatively, you can consume the Soul for 20,000 souls.

Ancient Wyvern

Location: The Ancient Wyvern is located in the Archdragon Peak, a secret area you can access with an emote gesture called the Path of the Dragon. The gesture can be found on a corpse in a hallway near the battleground where you fought Oceiros, the Consumed King.

Travel to Irithyll Boreal Valley and proceed to the Irithyll Dungeon. Traverse the dungeon until you reach an area with a small, meditating Dragon statue. Stand beside it and use the gesture to teleport to the Archdragon Peak. Proceed forward until you reach a gate leading to the Ancient Wyvern.

Reward: You obtain the Dragon Head, a special item you can use to transform into a dragon.

Nameless King

Location: The Nameless King can also be found in the Archdragon Peak. To get to him, traverse the dungeon until you find a giant bell and a lever. Pull this lever to trigger a cutscene that opens up the path to the Nameless King.

Reward: You obtain the Soul of the Nameless King, which transposes Lightning Storm, the Storm Curved Sword, or the Dragonslayer Swordspear. Alternatively, you can consume the Soul for 16,000 souls.