Bloodborne: Why Micolash is the Best

The widespread distaste for Micolash comes as no surprise within the Bloodborne community. The fight is aggravating, A Call Beyond has a 360 no scope, and he just keeps running away! But as someone who quite literally loves Bloodborne because of Micolash, I would like to share my personal opinion on why he is my favourite boss of all time. Disclaimer: I am not a masochist.

Micolash’s boss fight is purposely unconventional. Perhaps the very first FromSoft boss that actively runs away from the player. As hunters, we have been trained to immediately face whatever it is that stands against us so being led on a goose chase over and over again is no joyful endeavor. But not everything is eager to fight in the world of Bloodborne—Rom or Ebrietas do not attack until the Hunter strikes first.

Why is it unconventional? I won’t get into the nitty gritty of the lore here, but Micolash is clearly no beast, Great One, or Hunter. He’s just a good ol’ chap like you or me—as a scholar, he is most definitely not equipped for battle. Why is he running away? The Hunter is, well, hunting. Other than the fact he’s simply in your way, there is little reason to take him down (lore debates on Mensis culpability aside). Yet here you are doing your job as a Hunter and that means ruining his daily prayers to Kos/Kosm. So he tries to survive just like any other living being would—he runs and runs and runs for his dear life.

For many, the fight is infuriating as it goes against the "reward for aggression" playstyle we've only ever known since stepping into Yharnam. I personally find it extremely fun and immersive. As Micolash bows and the cutscene fades, you find yourself trapped in an unfamiliar air. The sole comfort in the foggy halls is the sound of your own footsteps. You’re confused, you’re annoyed, and you’re probably a little disturbed by Micolash’s constant howling and incessant prayers. Perfect. It’s as if you were transported straight into the Nightmare of Mensis itself. If I had only one word to describe his boss battle, it’d be lunacy. Frustration and anger are all an intended part of the experience.

Fight mechanics. A Call Beyond. Perhaps the most notorious move in the game. I would like to briefly consider its lore implications. As a scholar of Mensis, Micolash played a role in the upper echelons of the Choir primarily focused on research and experimentation (take for example, the Research Hall and Upper Cathedral Ward). It is likely where he came into possession of both Augur of Ebrietas and A Call Beyond. He defends with his tools and his bare hands as they are all a scholar has. Perhaps his fight could be improved mechanically, but lore-wise, it seriously checks out. Micolash is no beast, Great One, or Hunter. What else would he have on him?

A Call Beyond may seem unfair at first, but it is in fact possible to avoid it 100% of the time, every time. (Feel free to check out this video where I fight Micolash's second phase at 5% health, locked-on.) The reason why it can be frustrating is largely attributed towards the possibility of lowering the Hunter's health from 100 to 0 in one cast. Players are caught off guard with how fast and strong it is as opposed to previous boss moves. And...perhaps you've gotten impatient from dying to it, having to do the groan entire boss fight over again. But, it is very possible to learn how to take advantage of Micolash’s A Call Beyond and turn it into a window that leaves him vulnerable to attack. Simply dodge forward about half a second after he casts. Nailing the timing is very rewarding, in a way a BL4 victory is for Shadows of Yharnam. But then again, you can always cheese him. I will simply be heartbroken.

Could the fight have been designed differently? Well, I’ve thought about it from time to time. Micolash couldn’t be a beast. Perhaps he could have been a Great One? Yet, that wouldn’t make sense as he is praying for ascension in the same manner Rom was supposedly granted one. It may also be worth considering that Micolash was meant to be a NPC in early development stages. I would have loved to see a version of the game where that made it to the final product.

Music. Let’s put everything else aside for a moment. I believe that my fellow Bloodborne fans can agree on one thing—that the music in Bloodborne is absolutely stellar. It is a masterpiece born from a collaboration between six composers lasting over two and a half years. Everything was recorded live by a 65-piece orchestra and a 32-member choir, a rarity even for the richest of AAA companies. Each and every track in the game is a work of art in its own right, and Micolash’s boss theme is no exception. For one, this track is the only piece in the game that shifts away from a primarily orchestral focus. Intense strings aren’t suitable for the fight compared to an experience such as Ludwig or Orphan of Kos. Instead, the composition revolves around erratic piano keys juxtaposed with a solemn choir to invoke themes of madness and confusion. The piano chords are the “insanity” running deep within the Nightmare of Mensis and the long notes (violin/choir) are the Hunter's journey through the halls of Mensis. The composition is perfect for the Micolash experience™ and at no point is it ever drowned out by boss cries or boss moves as many other fights are. It is also for this reason that I find it an especially “pleasant” piece to listen to outside of the game. In contrast, even just thinking about Blood-Starved Beast's theme is anxiety inducing. Try playing that one aloud while trying to sleep.

Oh, and we hardly have the time to stop and observe the boss arena whenever we enter a fight in Soulsbourne games. Of course, we can take a gander after defeating the boss, but it's just not quite the same. Ah, but this is not the case for Micolash's fight. His boss room is deceptively confusing even if the layout—as the Hunter soon comes to realise—is simple in nature. And so we chase Micolash in circles while being treated to an exquisite combination of music and dialogue, an experience you’ll find no equal in the game. Tired of his praying? Sorry, but a man’s gotta have his eyes.

Co-op. I have over a hundred hours of Bloodborne exclusively dedicated to co-oping Micolash. For reasons listed above, many want help with Micolash and doing my duty as part of the League is often instantaneous even years after the game's release. The experience is unique each and every time. I have witnessed all sorts of frustration, rage, and joy. If the host is new to the fight, you may see them wandering around in confusion. This is when you can shine as a guide... or not at all. You can lead the host towards the right path. You can cheese Micolash (very not recommended) with them. Or, you can watch them by that first Augur of Ebrietas. We've all experienced that one, way or another. The only awkward part is if there is a particularly awful delay which can cause funny things to happen. Long story short, a fight isn't merely a "hunt to kill." There can be much more to the experience and being summoned to fight Micolash as a member of the League is something that has yet to grow old for me. Very recommended.

Voice acting. You might not remember too much about Bloodborne twenty years from now, but you might just remember Kos...or some say Kosm.

Finally, I am always glad to discuss Micolash’s fight or help with it at any time. This has been long, but thank you for reading if you've made it here. I will also end this article by admitting that I may have an unhealthy obsession with the fight. It is the one thing I look forward to in every playthrough, besides Living Failures' absolutely bopping theme (that brass, my god).

tl;dr Micolash might be a mechanically frustrating experience, but there are definitely things to appreciate about it such as its music, atmosphere, and lore implications. He's majestic!