Yeah, those are optional though, you can go anywhere in the map without killing a single major boss.

What is a difficult boss for your build can be a super easy boss for someone else’s build.

First time I beat malenia I didn’t understand what people were talking about. She was so easy. Because my build poise broke her non stop and I could essentially stun lock her to death. (Lv 150)

Wasn’t until I played against her on my second character that I understood what a monumental challenge she can be.

Yeah, I’d say he’s the second hardest boss in the base game.

Don’t know why you’re getting downvoted, but yeah he’s probably the worst boss in the game if you’re running defensive builds or are used to backrolling attacks. Mohg is sooo much easier when using aggressive builds + rolling forwards or to his right though.