When you think of Soulsborne games, your mind probably goes straight to the brutal difficulty, the hauntingly beautiful worlds, or those epic, heart-pounding boss fights. But let's talk about the silent heroes at the center of it all—the player characters. From the foggy Boletaria to the sprawling Lands Between, these protagonists have shaped worlds and toppled deities. In 2026, looking back at the legacy of FromSoftware's iconic series, it's time to rank these legendary figures based on their achievements, narrative impact, and ultimate control over their fate. Buckle up, Tarnished, because we're diving deep into the lore. 🤯
7️⃣ Slayer Of Demons – Demon's Souls
The O.G., the one who started it all! The Slayer of Demons has a pretty straightforward gig, by Souls standards. Their mission? Hunt down powerful Demons to soothe the ancient Old One back to sleep. Talk about a classic hero's journey! 😎 You can also go full villain mode by siding with the Demons, but let's be real, that's just spicy. While their story is more clear-cut than later games—less moral ambiguity, more slaying—it also makes them the most traditional of the bunch. A solid foundation, but not the most complex protagonist on the block.
Verdict: The classic hero. Effective, but a bit too by-the-book for the wild worlds to come.
6️⃣ Chosen Undead – Dark Souls
Ah, the one who linked the Fire... or didn't. The Chosen Undead's resume is stacked: defeating gods, dragons, and legendary knights. Impressive, right? But here's the tea: their ending feels a bit... hollow. 😉 You either sacrifice yourself to prolong Gwyn's Age of Fire or usher in the Age of Dark. The kicker? Later games hint it's all a never-ending cycle. So, were they a hero or just a pawn in a cosmic game? Major oof energy.
Verdict: A legendary warrior, but ultimately a cog in a machine they couldn't break.
5️⃣ Ashen One – Dark Souls 3
The final Undead (maybe?). The Ashen One's feats are on par with their predecessors—taking down the Soul of Cinder and Slave Knight Gael is no small feat. Their endings mirror the Chosen Undead's, with a twist. You can try to link the Fire (it fails, sad), usurp it, or... just let it die and chill with the Firekeeper as the world ends. ☠️ Honestly, that last option? Kinda vibes. It might be the only time a Souls protagonist finds some actual peace. A quiet, melancholic win.
Verdict: Achieves similar god-slaying glory but gets the most chill and arguably peaceful ending option.
4️⃣ Bearer Of The Curse – Dark Souls 2
The often-underrated hero of Drangleic! The Bearer of the Curse walks a path eerily similar to the Chosen Undead, collecting powerful souls for the Throne of Want. But here's where they get extra credit: they have a secret third option. By following Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin, they can say "nah" to the Throne and walk away, seeking a path beyond the cycle of Light and Dark. 🚶♂️ We never see the result, but the sheer agency to reject the established order and seek a new way? That's big brain energy.
Verdict: A seeker of a different path. Their story is about breaking the mold, even if the outcome is unknown.
3️⃣ Sekiro – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Okay, he's the odd one out, but in the best way! Wolf, aka Sekiro, isn't a silent custom character—he has a name, a backstory, and complex relationships (shoutout to Kuro and the problematic father figure, Owl). Narratively, he's the most fleshed-out protagonist here. However, when it comes to sheer scale of enemies, he's mostly dealing with augmented humans and mythical beasts, not outright gods. His secret "Return" ending, though, is pure fire. It leaves his story wide open for a sequel (FromSoftware, we're waiting! 🙏). If he ever gets a part two, he could easily climb this list.
Verdict: The narrative champion. Less about killing gods, more about a personal, emotional journey with a killer prosthetic arm.
2️⃣ Hunter – Bloodborne
Ah, Kos... or some say Kosm. The Hunter doesn't fight gods; they fight cosmic horrors that would break a mere mortal's mind. Defeating the Orphan of Kos is a different kind of flex. 😈 Their endings are a trip: become free from the dream, replace Gehrman as its host, or... ascend to become an infant Great One. Yes, you read that right. You can turn into a squid-god. 🦑 This ending is uniquely Bloodborne—bizarre, terrifying, and utterly transcendent. It represents a transformation beyond human comprehension, putting the Hunter in a league of their own.
Verdict: Fights mind-bending cosmic horrors and has the potential to literally evolve into a new form of life. Insane levels of achievement.
1️⃣ Tarnished – Elden Ring
And here we are—the GOAT. The Tarnished from Elden Ring operates on a scale the others can only dream of. The Lands Between is massive, and so is their body count. We're talking Demigods, Outer Gods, dragons, and everything in between. The sheer volume of their conquest is unmatched. But it's not just about quantity. Upon becoming Elden Lord, the Tarnished is presented with a smorgasbord of endings. Rule with Order, embrace the Frenzied Flame, become Lord of Chaos, or usher in the Age of Stars? The variety and agency here are unprecedented. They have more direct control over the fate of their world than any protagonist before them. In 2026, they stand tall as the most accomplished and impactful Soulsborne hero.
Verdict: The ultimate victor. Kills the most legendary beings and has the most power to shape the world's future. The true Elden Lord. 👑
So, there you have it! From the straightforward Slayer to the destiny-shaping Tarnished, each protagonist brings something unique to the table. Who's your favorite? Let us know in the comments! 👇 #Soulsborne #EldenRing #Bloodborne #DarkSouls #FromSoftware #GamingLore #2026Gaming