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Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is amongst the most popular characters in Elden Ring, and it's easy to see why. Her lore and backstory are phenomenal, her arena is stunning, and even the region she resides in is filled with constant awe-striking moments. Furthermore, the boss encounter is incredibly challenging but fair, epic, and gorgeous.

Related: Elden Ring: How To Defeat Maliketh, The Black Blade

While it's an optional boss fight on all counts, that won't stop most people from going through the trouble to reach her. Everything about this encounter is exhilarating, but it's understandable to see many people struggle to best her. After all, this is one of the most demanding fights in the entire game, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella Overview

Malenia, Blade of Miquella Overview
Location Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Optional Yes
Summons Players and Spirit Ashes
Drops
  • 480,000 Runes
  • Remembrance of the Rot Goddess
  • Malenia's Great Rune
Weak To
  • Bleed
  • Frostbite

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, resides deep within Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. However, to get here, you must first reach Miquella's Haligtree, which can take quite some time in its own right. While this encounter is optional, it may be worth your time to seek it out as its one of the more unique battles in the entire game. Additionally, the whole area is brimming with excellent items and gear but has callous enemies, so come prepared. We recommend trying to tackle Malenia towards to end of the game when you are around Levels 90-100. She's pretty challenging to take down.

If you are successful in besting Malenia in combat, you will earn 480,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess, which you can exchange for cool rewards with Enia at the Roundtable Hold. In addition to that, you will also receive Malenia's Great Rune, which you can activate by taking it to the Isolated Divine Tower. You can reach the Isolated Divine Tower via a teleporter on the Divine Bridge or the Tower of Ruin's teleportation chest.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella Attacks

The thing with Malenia is she actually doesn't possess all that many attacks, but the attacks she does have are crazy good, well mastered, and are daunting to deal with. Think of her as the final boss in a fighting game. She's not meant to have a ton of abilities, just a handful of excellent ones that will light you up if you make the slightest miscalculation or get a bit too careless.

There are two phases in this battle, and both of them are excruciatingly difficult. Although, the second phase may be a tad more challenging as she can one-shot practically anyone, even those who centered their build around having a large health pool and heavy armor. She hits hard and is incredibly agile. One wrong move will end you, but it isn't impossible or unfair. Just take everything one step at a time, and you will prevail.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Battle Strategy

Both ranged and melee-based builds have their work cut out for them in this encounter as Malenia is relentless and can apply suffocating pressure on her opponents because of it. If you hesitate for even a second, Malenia can take advantage of the situation and end you before the fight has really begun. She will close any gap in a flash and cut you down in the blink of an eye, but you can overcome this with a solid strategy and lots of patience.

Melee Strategy

In the first phase of the encounter, the vast majority of Malenia's attacks are avoidable by rolling to the left or right as she performs them. In addition to that, Malenia has incredibly low poise, which means you can interrupt her attacks and stunlock her from time to time. If available, use weapons that can cause Bleed buildup, as that will periodically take large chunks of her health away. The only attacks you need to be ready for at all times are her Waterfowl Dance and Grab, which we covered how to counter in the segment above!

In phase two, you must utilize patience and should only attack when you have an opening. We recommend baiting out her Scarlet Aeonia attack, running from it, and launching the Blood Blade Ashes of War at her. If you don't have this as an option, we urge you to wait until she lands before attempting to damage her. You can circle her and get one or two hits in, but you must immediately go on the defensive. Don't get reckless here. Just let her carry out her attacks, jump in for a couple of hits, runaway, and repeat until you have her defeated!

Ranged Strategy

In some ways, phase one of Malenia may be more challenging to deal with for ranged users than the second phase, and that's due to ranged players having almost no time to breath or create distance. Even with the recent nerf, we strongly recommend using the Mimic Tear Ashes as a distraction, allowing you to cast uncontested spells on her from time to time. The only attack you must watch out for is her Waterfowl Dance. For this, we suggest distancing yourself from her the moment you see her leave the ground. As long as you can avoid this attack, the first phase will break no sweat.

We recommend saving up some FP Flasks or Starlight Shards for phase two to restore your FP. You will need a lot of it. Essentially, the strategy here is only to attack Malenia during her recovery period after she does her Scarlet Aeonia attack. If you can use Comet Azur, use it here to take large chunks of her health away when she performs this attack. Be patient in this phase and let your Mimic Tear be a distraction until its last breath. You can dish out tons of damage as a ranged character if you use potent spells on here when she's immobile.

General Tips

  • Be Level 90-100 or Above
  • Runaway from her Waterfowl Dance attack. You do not want to get caught rolling.
  • If you have a ranged Ashes of War on your melee build -Preferably Blood Blade- use it during Malenia's recovery period after Scarlet Aeonia.
  • Ranged users should use a potent spell on Malenia during her recovery period after Scarlet Aeonia. We recommend using Comet Azur if you're capable.
  • Patience is key to this encounter. Be patient and bait her attacks you know you can capitalize on. Avoid being greedy and jumping in for damage.

Next: Elden Ring: Complete Guide And Walkthrough