minibosses
Mid-level game foes
Minibosses are intermediate enemies in video games—tougher than standard foes but less formidable than the main boss of a level or area.
They typically guard key items or block progress, serving as skill checks before the final confrontation: The dungeon has three minibosses before you reach the dragon.
The term extends to any secondary challenge that must be overcome before facing the primary obstacle.
Junior commissioned officer
- henchmanLoyal criminal subordinate
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- captainOne who commands
commander · overseer · second-in-command · subordinate · lackey · right-hand · deputy · underboss
Something blocking the way
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- setbackReverse in progress
- difficultyState of being hard
roadblock · stumbling-block · bottleneck · hindrance · test · trial · gauntlet · threshold
One controlling entry
- checkpointInspection station on route
- dungeonSubterranean prison chamber
- raidSudden armed incursion
- hitpointsCharacter's remaining life
loot · spawn · power-up · grind · cooldown · NPC · speedrun · quest
Planned approach to goals
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- timingArt of choosing moments
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- exploitationSelfish use of others
lieutenant
Junior commissioned officer
captain · commander · overseer · second-in-command · subordinate · lackey · right-hand · deputy · underboss · flunky
obstacle
Something blocking the way
difficulty · roadblock · stumbling-block · bottleneck · hindrance · test · trial · gauntlet · threshold
gatekeeper
One controlling entry
- checkpointInspection station on route
- dungeonSubterranean prison chamber
- raidSudden armed incursion
hitpoints · loot · spawn · power-up · grind · cooldown · NPC · speedrun · quest · combo
strategy
Planned approach to goals
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- timingArt of choosing moments
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
exploitation · kiting · positioning · telegraph · preparation
- game contentDLC, expansions, quests, levels, missions
- roguelikespermadeath, procedural generation, runs, roguelite, restart loop
minibossesfinal boss
Last major enemy
world boss · superboss · raid boss · secret boss · optional boss
minibossesmooks
Expendable low-level criminals
grunts · cannon fodder · random encounters · minions · fodder