FromSoftware does not often endorse layered difficulty, and Elden Ring is no exception. The Japanese developer prefers to maintain a clear distinction between in-game challenges and the effort needed to overcome them. While most Elden Ring adversaries are strong enough to dispose of players within a few hits, the game’s extreme difficulty shines the brightest during boss battles. Those tied to the main campaign are designed to be a thorn in players’ side by default, but an encounter with Malenia, Blade of Miquella, will commence the most difficult boss battle in The Lands Between, and arguably even beyond.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, resides deep within the obscure city of Elphael, located near the roots of the mystical Haligtree. She is an optional boss, and players have to uncover several other mysteries in the surrounding area before they can reach her humble abode. Whether because of her design or phenomenal lore, Malenia enjoys popularity among players. Besting her in combat, however, is a whole different story.
Breaking Down The Fight Against Malenia
Much like other formidable boss battles in the game, Malenia’s consists of two phases. In the first phase, she appears in a deceptively underpowered form, and she relies on a set of melee combos with fast slashes and sweeps. They usually start with an inconspicuous kick sequence and are followed up with an overhead slam, a grab, a single dash slash, or several consecutive slashes. Kick combos aside, Malenia’s most powerful attack during this phase is her Waterfowl Dance, when she leaps into the air and gracefully twirls around the area while delivering multiple slashes with her blade over several rounds.
The second phase begins with a cutscene in which Malenia emerges in her true, winged form. Most of her melee attack patterns from the first phase carry over into the second, and some new additions expand on her ability to inflict Scarlet Rot. She has two new devastating attacks that can quickly lead to players’ untimely demise, the first being Scarlet Aeonia and the second being a summoning of phantom versions of herself. With both, Melania springs into the air and inflicts devastating AoE damage either after landing or mid-air. Her attacks will induce Scarlet Rot without fail.
Strategies for Defeating Malenia
When preparing to face off against Malenia, players should keep in mind that she is weak to Bleed and Frostbite effects and that her Poise is on the lower end. Melee builds based on Strength and Dexterity can easily stagger her and successfully dish out DPS attacks. Ranged builds and spellcasters should keep a safe distance during their offense.
Imbuing weapons with Ashes of War such as Bloody Slash, Blood Blade or Hoarfrost Stomp will help tremendously. While opting for a direct bleed-stacking approach with an upgraded Uchigatana, Ghiza’s Wheel, or The Sword of Night and Flame is viable for melee builds, spellcasters should focus on spells that take away large chunks of Malenia’s health at once, such as Comet Azur.
Although multiplayer is allowed during this boss battle, players should consider bringing upgraded Mimic Tear Ashes to the fight instead. Depending on the build, coming equipped with enough Health and Focus Point Flasks is of utmost importance, and having some Preserving Boluses at disposal will also come in handy. Since Malenia’s greatest advantage over players is her ability to heal herself regardless of whether her attacks land or end up being blocked, prudent consumption of stamina, strategic dodging and patience are the keys to success.
Players should activate Mimic Tear Ashes immediately upon passing through the Fog Door. This will allow them to double-team Malenia and be as aggressive in their offense as possible. Her initial attacks can be easily avoided by dodging to the left or right. However, after Malenia loses about one-third of her health, players should pay close attention to her prosthetic arm. A flash will alert them when she is about to perform one of her combos. Players should be particularly wary of the grab attack, as it can kill its target on the spot.
Rather than trying to counter Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance, players should aim to create separation between her and them if they wish to survive her oncoming flurry of slashes. Rolling backward or sideways is not recommended, but players can prevail with a forward or diagonal dodge if push comes to shove. Both melee and ranged builds will do well to focus their attacks between her special moves with occasional tanking support from the spawned Mimic Tear Ashes.
The main strategy for the second phase is to give Malenia’s Scarlet Aeonia attack a wide berth and stay on the move, especially during the phantom summoning. When players see Malenia taking to the sky, they should go underneath her and continue moving around. After she lands, they should avoid approaching the blooming flower. At the end of the sequence, Malenia will likely repeat several attack patterns from the first phase, which will give the players some room to gradually deliver their offense. On the other hand, if Malenia leaps into the air and dispatches phantom copies of herself, players should never stay in one place, as this attack tracks their position.
While both phases are equally excruciating to experience, many will find the second phase more challenging due to the upgrade that allows Malenia’s original attacks to inflict Scarlet Rot. Once the players emerge victorious, they will be rewarded with Malenia’s Great Rune, Remembrance of the Rot Goddess and 480,000 Runes. Aside from the bountiful rewards that clearly cater to the endgame, this optional boss fight is predominantly suitable for levels 100 and above.
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