How to Beat Malenia in Elden Ring

She is the Blade of Miquella, and today she will meet defeat. Here’s how to beat Malenia in Elden Ring.

How to Beat Malenina in Elden Ring (2024)

Malenia is one of the best bosses in the game, as she stands at the perfect crossroads of challenging, interesting, and fair. And for many players, she’s the hardest demi-god to kill. But with the right strategy, you can earn her hard-won praise.

I prefer games solo, so this guide focuses on defeating her without co-op. However, there’s no harm in bringing a little extra firepower into this two-phase boss fight.

Malenia’s fight is defined by the following traits:

• Her attacks are purely physical.
• During phase one, and after the update in 2023, she has five attacks. During phase two, she has five attacks.
• She has low poise.
• She will heal herself for a percentage of all damage she inflicts, even if her attacks are blocked.
  • Shields aren’t ideal.
• Her attacks are fast but well-telegraphed.
• Be prepared for Scarlet Rot and AEO attacks in her second phase.

The Best Equipment For Malenia in Elden Ring

The following items are used primarily for protection and keeping your defenses high. Most classes can benefit from them. We’ll delve into class-specific builds deeper in the article.

Knowing that Malenia leans heavily on physical attacks, the following items are recommended:

• Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman – Enormously reduces Physical Damage taken, by 20%.
  • Found in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.
• Flask of Wondrous Physick with Opaline Hardtear – Increases all damage negation types by 15% for 3 minutes. Stacks.
  • Found after defeating the Putrid Avatar north of Fort Faroth in Caelid.
• Boiled Crab (Consumable) – For 60 seconds, negates Physical Damage by 20%.
  • Can be purchased from Blackguard Big Boggart 600 Runes in the Capital Outskirts.

If you’re a Faith user then the Black Flame’s Protection, received from Gideon Ofnir, will increase Physical Damage Negation by 35% for 70 seconds. This can be stacked with Golden Vow, found in the Corpse-Stench Shack, in Mt Gelmir. Golden Vow increases your attack by 15% and your damage negation by 10% for 80%. Golden Vow stacks with Boiled Crab and can boost your allies if you have them.

Best Spirit Summons for Malenia Fight in Elden Ring

When it comes to Malenia, you might be tempted to choose Spirits that can tank for your while you flank in and get some easy shots off on her. But this isn’t recommended, as Malenia’s self-healing means that she’ll likely feed on your Spirits before turning them into mincemeat.

Instead, the best summons are:

• Redmane Knight Ogha – Ogha uses his great bow and patrols in a limited area. This is ideal, as it means Malenia is unlikely to focus on him. His arrows can periodically stagger her and have the potential to interrupt her Phantom Spirits attack.
  • Found after defeating the Putrid Tree Spirit in the War-Dead Catacombs in eastern Caelid.
• Latenna The Albinauric – Like Redmane, Latenna is a stationary archer and offers the same benefits.
  • Found in Liurnia of the Lakes in the Slumbering Wolf’s Shack.
• Dragon Knight Kristoff – If you prefer someone in the melee with you, Kristoff is the Spirit most likely to survive. He can stagger Malenia especially if he’s given the opportunity to chain his Thunderbolt.
  • Found by defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor inside the Sainted Hero’s Grave in Leyndell.

All Spirit Summons should be used as supplemental damage and will perform best if you keep Malenia from focusing on them.

Best Builds and Strategies for Malenia in Elden Ring

When it comes to Malenia, melee builds are the easiest way to bring her down. But it can be done with Incantation and Sorcery as well.

Best Melee Builds to Defeat Malenia in Elden Ring

Honestly, if you’re struggling with Malenia, the answer is Bleed. Bleed’s power has been nerfed somewhat, but we can compensate for that with a weapon that received a nice boost: Morgott’s Cursed Sword.

Morgott’s Cursed Sword

Patch 1.09 increased projectile generation speed and reduced the recovery time of Morgott’s Cursed Sword. But more importantly, this weapon is capable of creating a gradual bleed build up. You’ll start to see real dividends on this once you’ve landed the second Cursed-Blood Slice on Malenia. Though I recommend trying the blade out on random mobs before you tackle our Goddess of Rot. Its hitbox can feel unnatural, but the circular nature of the Cursed-Blood Slice can hide any mistakes.

Alternatively, Rivers of Blood and Blasphemous Blade are good options for the same reason. That big bleed.

Once you’ve selected your weapon, your focus should be on Malenia’s low poise. If your poise is high enough you can super armor your way through the first fight. She takes significant hit stun, and is susceptible to knockdowns. That said, she will fight back, and her attacks will last longer and reach further than you think they will. If you have a tank build, you’re gonna have to do more damage than she can heal, while keeping your own stamina up. Shields are not recommended, as she’ll feed off your blocks.

Dodge if you can, ideally to the side, as often as possible.

You have to take Malenia down all the way to activate the second phase, but her health doesn’t quite fill back up all the way. I hate to say it, but getting hit at all here is bad news, not only because of her strength, but her liberal application of Scarlet Rot. The biggest new move sees her summon a massive flower, which emits a huge wave of plague dust. It’s scary, but Malenia is also vulnerable for a few seconds once she uses it. If you’re melee you’ll have to brave the Rot to get hits in, but magic characters can take some free damage while she recovers.

If you are struck by Rot, Preserving Boluses will cleanse it.

But when it comes to beating Malenia with a physical build, the best advice I’ve ever received was be aggressive. Always take the opportunity to do damage when you can.

Best Magic Builds to Defeat Malenia in Elden Ring

Ah, here we are. I’ll admit, the first time I fought Malenia, I dropped my magic build to lean in hard with the Rivers of Blood. But magic builds are very viable… if not a little cheesy.

If you’re an Incantation user, the answer is Swarm of Flies paired with a summon like Black Knife Tiche or even Dragon Knight Kristoff. Swarm of Flies will inflict Hemorrhage (Blood Loss) and gradually wear Malenia down. Tiche will keep her occupied, and hopefully not feed Malenia’s health.

Malenia will attempt to dodge Swarm of Flies, so it’s a good idea to use it when she’s occupied with your summon. Otherwise, keep your distance and be prepared to dodge.

For Sorcery users, there’s no Blood Loss spell to abuse. But there is a spell that Malenia can’t dodge. And that’s Stars of Ruin. This is easily my favorite spell in the game because it trivializes fast enemies. Alternatively, you can use a Night Sorcery like Night Comet. NPCs can’t see Night Sorceries, so Malenia can’t dodge it.

If you do go the Night Sorcery route, be sure to use Staff of Loss, which will increase the damage of all Night Sorceries by 30%. Not bad! And just like the Incantation user, you should opt for Black Knife Tiche or Dragon Knight Kristoff to keep Malenia off you so you can cast as often as possible.