by MORGAN Jack - Published 6 months ago

13 Powerful Women in Soulsborne Games

FromSoftware games are known for their compelling characters, particularly the women, who are powerful figures. Many are featured as boss battles that are notoriously difficult to overcome.

From Dark Souls to Elden Ring, these powerful women consistently captivate audiences. They are often beautiful and brutal, and always incredibly powerful. Whether as a final boss or a supportive mentor, these characters are crucial to the FromSoftware gaming experience.

Updated on September 17, 2024, by Alfredo Robelo: Elden Ring's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has introduced new challenges and areas to explore. We've updated this article to include some notable female characters from FromSoftware's latest game.

Queen Annalise

NPC From Bloodborne

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The Vileblood Queen of Cainhurst is practically immortal, referring to her flesh as "undying." If you manage to hit Queen Annalise, she will be angry, but she can shrug off any damage. However, if you complete a specific NPC's questline, she is reduced to a writhing mass on the throne, though this doesn't end her life.

By obtaining the Queenly Flesh from the throne, you can restore her to her former glory by taking it to the Altar of Despair. While Annalise won't fight, as that would be beneath a queen, her near indestructibility makes her a formidable enemy in Bloodborne.

St. Trina

NPC From Elden Ring

St. Trina is the mysterious patron of sleep in Elden Ring and is the other half of Miquella. In Shadow of the Erdtree, we finally meet her, having been discarded by Miquella during his ascension to godhood.

She represents Miquella's love and opposes his Age of Compassion, urging players in their dreams to stop the demigod's plans. This is not out of spite but out of concern for Miquella's future, trapped in servitude to his realm, much like his mother was.

Lady Maria

Boss From Bloodborne

Lady Maria, trapped in the Astral Clocktower of Hunter's Nightmare, stands between you and the dark secret The Old Hunters sought to conceal. She uses her Rakuyo, her blood, and fiery attacks to stop you.

According to the Rakuyo's weapon description, found in the Fishing Hamlet's well, Maria is a distant relative of Queen Annalise, explaining her strength and blood-based powers. Her boss fight is exciting and difficult, making her a standout in the Soulsborne series.

Lady Tomoe

Backstory Character From Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Lady Tomoe, a powerful warrior from the Divine Realm, is only mentioned in descriptions and dialogue, but is vital to Sekiro's story. She trained Genichiro Ashina to wield lightning, hence his final phase, "Way of Tomoe." If you died during the Genichiro fight, thank Lady Tomoe.

Even Isshin Ashina, Sekiro's toughest swordsman, acknowledges Lady Tomoe's skill. He reminisces about her, comparing her swordsmanship to dance, her gaze to the ocean's depths, and admitting she almost killed him.

Queen Rennala Of The Full Moon

Boss From Elden Ring

Rennala, Queen of Caria, is a powerful woman in Elden Ring. The Stargazer Heirloom's description tells of a lone astrologer who met the moon and became queen, mirroring Rennala's rise to sorcery mastery.

Rennala's second phase showcases her at her peak, with destructive magic and spirit ash summons, including a dragon. Defeating her and acquiring the Great Rune of the Unborn is one of the game's most rewarding boss battles.

Nashandra

Boss From Dark Souls 2

After defeating the Throne Watcher and Throne Defender in Dark Souls 2, you face the Queen Regent of Drangleic, wielding a giant scythe, a skeletal form, and a corpse-made dress. Her attacks curse you, slowly draining your HP over time.

Nashandra's immense power is evident from the cursed painting of her in Drangleic Castle. Just looking at the painting inflicts curse buildup, suggesting her presence is incredibly dangerous.

Ranni The Witch

NPC From Elden Ring

Ranni, the demigod daughter of Rennala and Radagon, is one of the most potent spellcasters in the game. Orchestrating the Night of Black Knives that led to Godwyn the Golden's death, she transferred her soul into a doll after the assassination, but her magical abilities remained intact.

The powerful enchantment used in Rennala's second phase boss fight was cast by Ranni herself, showcasing her immense power and capacity to match her mother's strength. Known for her cold and calculated nature, Ranni's magical prowess surpasses all others in Elden Ring.

Quelana Of Izalith

NPC From Dark Souls

Quelana, a daughter of the Witch of Izalith, was spared by her mother, who later transformed herself and two other daughters into the Bed of Chaos, creating the first demons.

Quelana taught the art of pyromancy to Salaman, the great pyromancer, who in turn passed on his knowledge to the inhabitants of the Great Swamp. Players can learn powerful pyromancies from Quelana by upgrading their Chaos Flame to +10 and visiting Blighttown outside Quelaag's Domain.

Rellana

Boss From Elden Ring

Rellana, Rennala's sister, combines Twin Moon sorceries with swordsmanship. She is one of the most challenging bosses in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, particularly due to her early encounter. Players can choose to skip her fight entirely.

Despite being a powerful Carian knight, Rellana seems to hold affection for Messmer, as she followed him into the Realm of Shadow. Her two blades represent this: one with the blue flame of her royal family and the other engulfed in the cursed flame associated with Messmer.

Sister Friede

Boss From Dark Souls 3

The Ashes of Ariandel DLC presents a challenging experience, especially with the 3-phase Sister Friede boss fight. Each phase progressively gets harder, culminating in her Black Flame Friede form, adding to the difficulty of her invisible attacks and Frostbite effects.

Talking to Yuria at Firelink Shrine after defeating Friede reveals her as Yuria's kin and a sister of Londor's Sable Church. Like the player character, she became Unkindled, explaining her multiple revivals. She serves as a powerful reminder of the player's potential and the difficulty of overcoming adversity.

Melina

NPC From Elden Ring

Melina, a friendly figure encountered early in Elden Ring, remains shrouded in mystery. Her connection to fire, her spirit nature, and her link to Queen Marika are established, but her origins and motivations remain largely unknown.

A compelling theory suggests that Melina is the Gloam-Eyed Queen, the original owner of the Rune of Destined Death. Her immense power threatened Marika's rule, leading Marika to dispatch Maliketh, her loyal hound, to slay her, despite her being her own daughter. While we cannot engage Melina in combat, her potential prowess as a warrior is undeniable.

Malenia The Severed

Boss From Elden Ring

Known as the Blade of Miquella, Malenia is a formidable late-game boss notorious for her speed and relentless attacks. Her sword swings inflict heavy damage, while her signature Waterfowl Dance, a series of brutal combos, can quickly end a player's run.

Her second phase transforms her into the Goddess of Rot, introducing the threat of Scarlet Rot. Malenia's body houses the sealed Outer God of Rot, a powerful force that consumes her from within and only manifests in dire circumstances. Having never faced defeat and overcoming Radahn at his peak, Malenia embodies fear and reverence as a warrior.

Queen Marika

Backstory Character / Boss From Elden Ring

Marika, the unseen queen of the Lands Between, is considered the supreme goddess of Elden Ring. Her shattering of the Elden Ring, the source of order in the world, ignited the war of the demigods (The Shattering) and subsequent events.

Though Marika remains unseen, her reign saw the sealing of the Rune of Death and the overthrow or elimination of other rulers in the Lands Between, including the Storm King, the Fire Giants, and the Gloam-Eyed Queen. Her impact is felt across the Lands Between, and her name remains a whispered secret for some.