EASY Strategy: How to defeat Maliketh: The Black Blade Boss fight

Facing Maliketh, the Black Blade in Elden Ring is a daunting challenge that tests both skill and strategy. As the ultimate guardian of the Rune of Death, Maliketh’s dual-phase battle in the Crumbling Farum Azula demands players to master their dodging and attacking techniques. This guide will unravel the complexities of his attack patterns, reveal effective strategies to exploit his weaknesses, and provide essential tips to help you emerge victorious against one of the game’s fiercest foes. Prepare to delve into the shadows of this legendary encounter, where every misstep could lead to defeat, but every victory brings you one step closer to becoming Elden Lord.

Reward for defeating

Defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade, in Elden Ring rewards players with significant loot and a sense of accomplishment. Upon vanquishing this formidable foe, players receive the Remembrance of the Black Blade, which can be traded for powerful items, including Maliketh’s Black Blade weapon itself. This colossal sword is not only visually striking but also boasts impressive stats, scaling with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith, making it a valuable addition to any build. Additionally, players can gain the Blasphemous Claw, an item that enhances combat capabilities against Maliketh’s attacks and can be crucial for future encounters in the game. Overall, defeating Maliketh is a pivotal moment that enhances both gameplay and character progression.

For defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade, you will receive Runes (220,000) and the Remembrance of the Black Blade.

General tips

To successfully defeat Maliketh, the Black Blade, several key strategies should be employed. First, ensure you are adequately leveled; aiming for at least level 120 before engaging in combat is advisable due to Maliketh’s potent attacks. Utilize physical attacks, especially those from strong weapons, as they are highly effective against him. Inflicting bleeding with a weapon having the Bleed property or applying Blood Grease can also provide significant advantages. Acquiring the Blasphemous Claw is crucial, allowing you to parry specific attacks and momentarily stun Maliketh in the second phase. During the fight, maintain awareness of Maliketh’s various moves, including circular attacks and explosive ground impacts, which can be avoided by timely dodges or positioning yourself safely out of harm’s reach. In the second phase, focus on timing your parries using Blasphemous Claw during the glowing moments of his sword, and exploit opportunities to strike between his deadly magical slashes. Lastly, practice posture-breaking techniques to weaken Maliketh early, setting you up for a smoother transition into the second phase.

1. The fight has two phases. In the first phase, you will be fighting Beast Clergyman who fights in the same way as Gurranq, the NPC from the Bestial Sanctum. In the second phase, however, you will fight against his true form, Maliketh.
2. When entering the boss arena, walk towards him. Mainly because there are chasms on the sides at the entrance. Falling into them will kill you.
3. There are also columns in the arena that you can hide behind. They are very useful, especially in the first phase, when you are fighting the Beast Clergyman.
4. The boss attacks using bestial incantations. He will often throw stones at you, and, sometimes, he will also use the beast’s claws.
5. It is possible to avoid the claws by jumping.
6. When the Beast Clergyman dodges, he often shoots out a large amount of stones at the end. Be prepared to dodge once the beast has completed his dodge animations.
7. Maliketh’s attacks, on the other hand, take a small amount of health over time when hit. The effect is very similar to taking damage from black flames. Therefore, if your health is low and you have taken damage, you should heal yourself to avoid dying.
8. The boss has a high resistance to holy damage. He also has high resistance to statuses such as scarlet rot, poison or frostbite.
9. You can use the help of other players or Ashes to defeat the boss. Black Knife Tiche and Latenna will be great for fighting this boss.

Mage build – how to fight?

To effectively fight Maliketh, the Black Blade in Elden Ring, a well-optimized mage build can significantly enhance your chances of victory. Focus on utilizing spells that exploit his weaknesses, particularly those that inflict Frostbite or Scarlet Rot, as these can deal substantial damage over time and weaken him during the fight. Positioning is crucial; stay mobile and maintain close proximity to Maliketh to evade his powerful ranged attacks while also creating openings for your spells. Utilize the Blasphemous Claw to parry specific moves during his second phase, allowing for critical counterattacks. Additionally, consider summoning allies or using spirit ashes like the Mimic Tear to distract him, giving you more opportunities to cast spells without interruption. Mastering the timing of your dodges and understanding his attack patterns will be key to overcoming this formidable foe.

After entering the arena, it is worth going further in, mainly because there are chasms on the left and right sides that you can fall into while trying to dodge.

Before you do this, you use the spirit ashes, as the Beast Clergyman will slowly walk towards you. Avoid the Ashes that summon a large number of creatures, because both Clergyman and Maliketh have a large number of area attacks.

If you can use spells that require 70 Intelligence, cast, e.g. Comet Azur or Ranni’s Dark Moon. By using a Flask of Wondrous Physick, combined with Cerulean Hidden Tear, you will be able to deal a lot of damage to the boss.

When the boss gets close to you, he will very often use quick slashes with a dagger. He often dodges during attacks, and when the animation ends, uses a rock slingshot.

When the Beast Clergyman is busy fighting your summon, you can also use spells that deal high damage, but take a long time to cast, such as Loretta’s Mastery or Comet Azur.

It is important not to get too close to him, as he has many area of effect and quick attacks, such as a beast claw spell that creates cuts in the ground around him. This attack deals a lot of damage, but a well-timed dodge will prevent you from taking any hits.

The second phase is the appearance of Maliketh. His attacks now have a much greater range, deal damage over time, and what’s more, the boss gets more agile. He will jump a lot and stop in the air, creating red cuts.

If you have trouble avoiding his projectiles, it is a good idea to hide behind pillars to get protection. However, some of the AoE attacks he creates upon landing have a range so long that you won’t be safe behind the pillars.

Therefore, if he is far away, use fast, long-range spells while hiding behind the surroundings. When he is close, prepare for a series of dodges or run to safety.

Very often, when Maliketh sticks his sword into the ground, he will create red and black flames. The attack range is large, so it’s better to move away from him and punish the boss by casting Glintstone spells. If you take damage from the flame, keep an eye on your health bar as it will keep dropping for a while.

Melee build – how to fight?

To effectively engage Maliketh, the Black Blade, in Elden Ring with a melee build, players should focus on maintaining close proximity to the boss. This strategy minimizes the risk of being hit by his powerful ranged attacks and allows for more opportunities to strike. Aggressive dodging into Maliketh’s attacks can create openings for counterattacks, especially after he executes his more predictable moves. Utilizing heavy weapons can help break his posture, leading to critical hits. Additionally, acquiring the Blasphemous Claw can enhance your defense by enabling parries against specific attacks, providing crucial moments to retaliate. Always be prepared to roll away from his explosive attacks and use the environment to shield yourself when necessary, ensuring you stay agile and responsive throughout the fight.

After entering the arena, go to the center as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of falling into the abyss. Keep a short distance throughout the majority of the fight and be sure to frequently dodge towards the boss to get behind his back. Hide behind the columns if you need healing.

When you are at medium range from the enemy, he will often attack from a distance. It can be a magic attack that resembles a claw scratching the ground. When you notice that the boss is starting to use it, make one or two dodges to the side as the attack is quite wide.

When the opponent takes the dagger in his teeth and holds his hands up, he will make an area attack with large rocks. Move away from him, but if you do it at the right moment, you will be able to land a few hits.

Most of the enemy’s attacks in the first phase can be blocked with a shield. However, its not worth blocking the rocks – it is better to avoid them by rolling sideways. Many of the boss’s attacks are slightly above the ground, so it is easy to jump over them and thus use up less stamina and, at the same time, let you perform a strong jump attack. Thanks to this, you have a chance to throw him off balance and deal a critical hit.

When you deplete half of your opponent’s HP, a second, much more difficult phase of the fight will begin. Your opponent will now have a sword that deals extra fire damage – if you are hit, your HP will keep dropping for a while. So watch your health.

In the second phase, it is even more important to dodge towards the enemy and shorten the distance. When you move away from him, Maliketh will raise up and perform a series of magical ranged attacks, which can be deadly. These attacks are relatively easy to avoid by dodging when the magic cut is about to hurt you – remember that these attacks explode when they hit a surface, so it’s not worth being next to a wall. At the end of such a series, the enemy will perform a fast attack by dashing towards you.

Sometimes the enemy will stick his sword into the ground and then cause a high-impact explosion. Dodging on the explosion will save your health points. Mimic Tears Ashes will be useful in this fight, but it’s best to use them only in the middle of the fight. The enemy’s attacks can quickly deplete the summon’s health points in the first phase.

What are the key weaknesses of Maliketh, the Black Blade

Maliketh, the Black Blade, is a formidable opponent in Elden Ring, but he has several key weaknesses that players can exploit to gain an advantage during the fight:

1. Damage Types: Maliketh is particularly vulnerable to Slash, Strike, and Pierce damage types. Weapons like the Rivers of Blood and Blasphemous Blade are highly effective due to their ability to inflict bleed damage, which he has no resistance against.
2. Status Effects: He is susceptible to Bleed and Scarlet Rot, making weapons or spells that inflict these effects advantageous. Utilizing these can significantly reduce his health over time, allowing players to chip away at his HP while avoiding direct confrontation.
3. Parrying Opportunities: Certain attacks can be parried using the Blasphemous Claw, particularly when Maliketh’s sword glows gold. Successfully parrying these attacks not only stuns him but also lowers his damage resistance, providing a critical window for dealing significant damage.
4. Mobility and Positioning: Staying close to Maliketh can often lead to his attacks missing, especially during his aerial moves. Players should aim to dodge towards him rather than away, as this keeps them within melee range where they can retaliate effectively.
5. Phase-Specific Strategies: In his second phase, Maliketh becomes more aggressive and uses powerful area-of-effect attacks. Players should focus on dodging these while taking advantage of openings after he completes his combos. Staying behind him during certain attacks can also create opportunities for counterattacks.

By leveraging these weaknesses and maintaining a strategic approach to dodging and attacking, players can increase their chances of defeating Maliketh in this challenging encounter.

What are the best weapons to use against Maliketh

When preparing to face Maliketh, the Black Blade in Elden Ring, selecting the right weapons can significantly influence your chances of victory. Here are some of the best weapons to consider:

1. Bleed Weapons:
   • Uchigatana: A katana that excels at inflicting bleed damage, making it effective against Maliketh despite his general resistance to status effects.
   • Bloodhound’s Fang: Known for its high damage and bleed potential, this weapon can quickly stack bleed against Maliketh.
   • Scavenger’s Curved Sword: Another excellent choice for bleed builds, allowing for rapid attacks that can overwhelm Maliketh.
2. Heavy Weapons:
   • Colossal Swords or Greatswords: Weapons like the Greatsword or Giant-Crusher can deal massive physical damage and stagger Maliketh effectively, especially when aiming for critical hits after dodging his attacks.
3. Magic and Sorceries:
   • Comet Azur: This powerful sorcery can deal significant damage if you find the right moment to cast it safely.
   • Rock Sling: Effective for ranged builds, this spell can stagger Maliketh when timed correctly.
   • Carian Piercer: A charged attack that deals good poise damage, making it useful for staggering him.
4. Ashes of War:
   • Flame of the Redmanes: This skill can help stagger Maliketh in a few casts, allowing for critical hits.
   • Lion’s Claw: Offers a strong gap closer and impressive stagger potential.
5. Blasphemous Claw:
   • While not a weapon per se, this tool is essential for parrying Maliketh’s powerful attacks, particularly during his second phase. Successfully using it opens up opportunities for significant damage.

By focusing on these weapon types and strategies, players can effectively exploit Maliketh’s weaknesses and increase their chances of success in this challenging boss fight.