Elden Ring boss guide: How to beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Facing Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring is a daunting challenge that has left even the most seasoned players trembling. Renowned as one of the toughest bosses in the game, her unique lifesteal mechanic and relentless attack patterns can turn any encounter into a battle of attrition. However, with the right strategies, players can harness the tools at their disposal to not just survive, but conquer this formidable foe. In this guide, we’ll explore essential tips and tactics to help you emerge victorious against Malenia, ensuring that you can claim her powerful rewards and solidify your place among the legends of the Lands Between.

Reward for defeating

Defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is a monumental achievement in Elden Ring, rewarding players with several valuable items. Upon her defeat, you will receive the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess, which can be used to craft her powerful sword or exchanged for runes. Additionally, players obtain Malenia’s Great Rune, enhancing their abilities and further solidifying their status in the game. The satisfaction of overcoming one of the most challenging bosses in the Soulsborne series adds to the allure of this hard-fought victory, making it a memorable milestone in your journey through the Lands Between.

For defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella, you will receive Runes (480,000), the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess and Malenia’s Great Rune.

General tips

To successfully defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, consider these general tips. First, avoid blocking her attacks; instead, focus on dodging to prevent her from healing with every hit she lands. Utilize weapons that inflict Bleed or Fire damage, as they can counteract her lifesteal mechanic effectively. During the fight, be mindful of her Waterfowl Dance attack, which can deal significant damage if not avoided. Summoning aggressive NPC allies can also help distract her while you deal damage. Finally, practice patience and learn to read her attack patterns to capitalize on openings for counterattacks, especially as she transitions into her second phase where her moves become even more aggressive.

1. Malenia is one of the few bosses who can heal herself whenever she lands a hit on someone, including players and ashes.
2. To fight, you can enlist the support of other players or ashes. Without a question, the best choice in this case is Black Knife Tiche, because she can deal significant damage over time and avoid many of Malenia’s strikes, preventing her from being healed.
3. As the rot goddess, Malenia is very resistant to scarlet rot. It’s not worth wasting your mana and time trying to apply this effect.
4. Bleeding and frostbite, on the other hand, are not only easy to apply but can cause tons of damage. Consider equipping weapons or spells/incantations capable of inflicting both of these status effects.
5. Stay on the lookout for her attack when she jumps into the air and slashes at you repeatedly. You should run in the opposite direction of Malenia to avoid it. Only dodge towards Malenia between the second and third cuts, and after evading for the first time, dodge once again, this time backwards. In most cases, this will prevent you from taking a hit that can instantly kill many players.
6. If you’re still having difficulties evading these slashes, it’s a good idea to equip a shield that protects you from physical harm. The disadvantage of this strategy is that every time she strikes the shield, she will heal.
7. Physical damage protection and scarlet rot resistance are both highly recommended. Malenia deals a considerable amount of damage, and her attacks in the second stage apply lots of scarlet rot.
8. Drink a Flask of Wondrous Physick after the cut-scene if you’re having trouble dodging the first mid-air attack in the second stage, which she always performs. You should be able to perform a perfect dodge at the end of the potion drinking animation. You’ll end up emptying its contents, which isn’t always a good idea, but it’s a great tool for learning when to dodge.
9. Once she lands, move away from her since scarlet rot will start affecting your character if you stand too close to the bloom.
10. Most of Malenia’s attacks can be parried. Feel free to try to deflect her attacks if you’re used to parrying. You can only counterattack after two successful parries in a row.
11. Malenia will charge forward if she is at medium range and her sword gleams. The attack is quick, but linear. Dodge to the side after the gleam to avoid the attack.
12. Because Malenia recovers health even when you block her attacks, it’s recommended to avoid using your shield and instead switching to the two-handed weapon grip. This way, you’ll increase your chances of breaking her poise. You’ll also deal more damage.

Mage build – how to fight?

To effectively fight Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, a mage build should focus on maximizing damage output while maintaining mobility. Utilize powerful sorceries such as Rivers of Blood or Moonveil, which can inflict significant damage and apply status effects like Bleed or Frostbite, countering her healing ability. Positioning is key; stay agile and avoid her attacks, particularly her lethal Waterfowl Dance. Use ranged spells to punish her during openings and consider summoning aggressive NPC allies to distract her. Adapting your strategy between phases is crucial, as she becomes more aggressive and gains new abilities in the second phase. By maintaining pressure and avoiding direct hits, you can outmaneuver Malenia and secure victory.

Before fighting Malenia, while playing as a mage, you’ll find the Night Shard and Ambush Shardspells to be especially helpful. Malenia is a humanoid boss that is notorious for evading attacks. Since you’ll miss her with most spells, equipping the aforementioned sorceries is your best option. Malenia won’t be able to see them, thus she will be unable to avoid them (she will only do it once, after taking damage).

A good strategy is to hold down the spell charging button when using the Night Shard sorcery. As a result, once the first projectile lands, the second one will hit as well, dealing extra damage. For this reason, it’s a good idea to equip the Radagon Icon talisman before the fight. This will increase the damage dealt when charging up your sorceries/incantations.

It’s critical to control your position on the arena. Despite the arena being huge, you need to run in the opposite direction when Malenia slashes at you. Only your shield can save you if she uses this strike when you’re close to the wall, which is why it’s recommended to equip it even as a mage.

Fighting in the middle of the arena is a smart choice, because it lowers your chances of being pinned against the wall.

After defeating Malenia for the first time, the fight will proceed to the second stage. She will always start off this stage with an aerial attack. As a mage, it’s best to drink a Flask of Wondrous Physick with a Cerulean hidden tear after the cut-scene is over.

Drinking the flask immediately after the cut-scene will ensure a perfect dodge after the end of the drinking animation, which will guarantee that you’ll avoid Malenia’s attack.

Retreat to a safe distance after dodging the mid-air attack, then cast Comet Azur. Malenia will remain stationary for 6-7 seconds, rendering her vulnerable to the Comet. She will take a lot of damage. However, don’t stand too close since you’ll end up taking damage from scarlet rot. The Comet will also start flying in different directions.

The fight will be much the same as in the first stage, except her attacks will apply scarlet rot. You should also keep an eye out for one additional move. Malenia will hover up slightly before creating clones of herself. When this happens, keep dodging to the left and right to put more distance between your character and her.

While keeping an eye out for Malenia’s strikes, weave in some quick spells. During this stage, she is much more aggressive than before. Keep your distance while trying to stay in the center of the arena.

Melee build – how to fight?

To effectively engage in melee combat against Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, players should focus on a build that maximizes agility and damage output while maintaining defensive capabilities. Key strategies include:

• Timing and Dodging: Mastering Malenia’s attack patterns is crucial. Players should dodge her strikes to create openings for counterattacks, particularly after she performs her more predictable moves.
• Weapon Choice: Opt for fast, high-damage weapons that can stagger her, such as the Rivers of Blood or Bloodhound’s Fang, which also benefit from bleed effects to deal significant damage over time.
• Buffs and Talismans: Equip talismans like the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia to enhance damage on successive hits and the Claw Talisman to boost jump attack damage. Using buffs like Golden Vow can further increase overall damage output.
• Stamina Management: Maintain a balance between attacking and defending. Utilizing stamina-efficient attacks allows for sustained pressure while ensuring the ability to evade her powerful strikes.

By combining these elements, players can effectively navigate the challenges posed by Malenia and emerge victorious.

You will be attacked almost immediately after entering the arena. Malenia will most likely quickly dash towards you and deliver a series of horizontal blows. Be ready to dodge – ideally when your opponent starts swinging her weapon. Dodging is critical during this fight, because even if you deflect her attacks with a shield, the opponent will heal herself with each hit. This can both prolong the fight and make it more challenging.

Watch out for Malenia’s attack with her left hand. This indicates that she will attempt to grab you. If she succeeds, she will throw your character into the air and then stab you with her sword. This move is extremely damaging and, like all other attacks, restores the opponent’s HP. The only way to avoid this move is to dodge it at the right moment – when she throws her elbow back.

When you start attacking your opponent, you will find that your hits will interrupt most of her attack chains. As a result, it’s best to keep attacking her for as long as possible to prevent her from retaliating. The one exception is when she uses a move that resembles a tornado of blows. You’ll have to resort to dodging a few times. Malenia indicates this move by briefly hovering in the air and preparing to attack. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that Malenia makes pauses between subsequent attacks – in that moment, you should dodge once again.

Once you have reduced Malenia’s HP to zero, the fight will proceed to the second stage. Your opponent will start by launching herself into the air and making a devastating ground strike, which also inflicts the scarlet rot status effect. To avoid dying, sprint towards her; she will end up striking the location where you were just standing. She will pause for a while after landing, but attacking at this time may be to your detriment, because the enemy will then apply the scarlet rot status effect in the area around her. However, she will pause after a while, giving you the chance to land a few hits before she resumes attacking.

In the second stage, Malenia behaves much like in the first, although she is much faster and additionally she can inflict the devastating scarlet rot status effect. She will also attack with a flurry of blows during this stage, which is launched in the same way, i.e. by hovering in mid-air and preparing to attack. You can dodge it in the same way as before – first when she is about to land, then when her attacks cease for a moment.

Malenia can also lift itself up and create duplicates, which will disappear after attacking. When they’re all gone, Malenia will launch an aerial attack, but thankfully this won’t be an area of effect move, so you may easily dodge it when the sword is about to connect with your character.

Fast and relatively long range weapons will prove invaluable throughout the fight. The Moonveil katana and its special ability Transient Moonlight will allow you to attack from a distance and break the opponent’s poise. In turn, Rivers of Blood and the Corpse Piler skill will significantly speed up the fight, because Malenia is weak to bleeding.

If you prefer a heavier weapon, the Blasphemous Blade is an excellent choice. Heavier weapons can bring Malenia to her knees much faster, leaving her vulnerable to critical hits – although you must be careful because she becomes immune to staggering whenever she dodges sideways. The Blasphemous Blade’s special ability, Taker’s Flames, will let you take a short break on impact, dealing high damage, healing you, and knocking Malenia flat on her back. Learn good timing – using Taker’s Flames again at the right moment when Malenia starts to get up from the ground will allow you to hit her again before she can react.

What are the best weapons to use against Malenia

When preparing to face Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, selecting the right weapon can significantly influence the outcome of the battle. Here are some of the most effective weapons to consider:

1. Rivers of Blood: This katana excels with its innate bleed damage and the powerful Corpse Piler skill, allowing for rapid successive attacks that can quickly build up blood loss against Malenia, making it a top choice for bleed builds1.
2. Moonveil: Another katana, Moonveil is favored for its ability to deal both physical and magic damage. Its Transient Moonlight skill allows for ranged attacks, which can help maintain distance during Malenia’s aggressive phases1.
3. Eleonora’s Poleblade: This twinblade features a unique Bloodblade Dance skill that enables a flurry of fast attacks, making it effective for inflicting bleed damage while also providing good mobility1.
4. Blasphemous Blade: A greatsword that not only deals significant physical damage but also has a fire-based skill called Taker’s Flames, which can heal you while damaging Malenia. This dual benefit makes it a strong contender in this fight1.
5. Nagakiba: Known for its long reach and bleed potential, this katana is versatile and can be infused with various Ashes of War to enhance its effectiveness against Malenia1.
6. Zweihander: If you prefer a heavier weapon, the Zweihander offers substantial reach and poise damage, making it suitable for staggering Malenia during her attacks1.
7. Grave Scythe: This reaper weapon not only scales well with strength and dexterity but also has blood loss capabilities, providing a solid option for players focusing on bleed builds1.
8. Sword of Night and Flame: This weapon combines both magic and physical damage, allowing for versatile attack options that can exploit Malenia’s vulnerabilities effectively.

These weapons capitalize on Malenia’s weaknesses to fire and bleed damage while enabling aggressive playstyles that can outpace her lifesteal abilities. Choose one that fits your build and strategy to increase your chances of victory in this challenging encounter.

What are the best Ash of War to use against Malenia

When battling Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, utilizing the right Ashes of War can significantly enhance your chances of victory. Here are some of the best Ashes of War to consider:

1. Bloodhound’s Step: This Ash of War is highly effective due to its ability to provide a quick, evasive dash that allows players to avoid Malenia’s rapid attacks, including her lethal Waterfowl Dance. It enables you to reposition quickly while maintaining offensive pressure.
2. Flame of the Redmanes: This Ash unleashes a powerful flame attack that can deal significant damage over time, making it a good choice for inflicting fire damage on Malenia, who is particularly vulnerable to this type.
3. Blasphemous Blade’s Taker’s Flames: This skill not only deals substantial fire damage but also heals you for a percentage of your health with each hit. This dual benefit makes it especially useful against Malenia, as it helps mitigate the damage you take from her attacks2.
4. Prelate’s Charge: This Ash of War allows for a powerful charge attack that can stagger Malenia, giving you opportunities for critical hits. Staggering her is crucial during the fight, especially in her first phase.
5. Spinning Slash: Effective for dealing poise damage, this skill can help interrupt Malenia’s attacks and create openings for further strikes2.
6. Hoarfrost Stomp: This Ash can apply Frostbite status, which reduces Malenia’s damage absorption and allows for additional damage when her Frostbite meter fills up. It’s a strategic choice to weaken her defenses over time.
7. Raptor of the Mists: This skill provides an effective dodge and counterattack mechanism, allowing players to evade Malenia’s aggressive moves while preparing for a quick retaliatory strike2.

Incorporating these Ashes of War into your strategy against Malenia can help you manage her aggressive playstyle while maximizing your own damage output and survivability during the fight.