Elden Ring: How to Beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella

How do you beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring? Situated in Miquella's Haligtree and closest to the Site of Grace labelled Haligtree Roots, this is an optional boss fight widely considered to be the hardest encounter in the game. For more information on how to reach this area, click the following links: Elden Ring: How to Reach Miquella's Haligtree Using the Grand Lift of Rold, Elden Ring: How to Solve the Ordina, Liturgical Town Puzzle. In this Elden Ring guide, we're going to reveal how to beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Killing the boss unlocks the Shardbearer Malenia Trophy.

Elden Ring: How to Beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella

On this page, we're going to explain how to beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring. We'll include an overview of the foe, boss fight strategies, tips and tricks, and item drops.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella: Overview

Malenia, Blade of Miquella: Boss Fight Strategy

The Malenia, Blade of Miquella is split up into two phases, each with its own attacks and strategies. We will detail how to overcome each of these phases below, but there are a few aspects that remain the same. The first being this is an incredibly difficult boss fight — widely considered to be the toughest in the whole game. One of the biggest reasons for that is the fact Malenia heals herself every single time she hits you. She doesn't even need to deal damage; blocking her strikes will still heal her health bar a little bit. Therefore, rolling and dodging her hits is absolutely pivotal to overcoming the challenge.

Secondly, she has a combo attack that can wipe out your entire HP. The move is telegraphed by her jumping up in the air and hovering there for roughly two seconds with her long sword primed. When she begins the combo, a flurry of sword swipes is aimed at you. You can block some of them, but she will eventually break through your stamina bar and begin to deal damage. If you're caught out by this, you are going to die. No ifs or buts. You must learn the cues for when she's about to do the combo, and sprint in the opposite direction immediately.

We will now detail strategies for beating her first and second phases. Once both are beaten, you will have overcome what is probably Elden Ring's toughest boss: Malenia, Blade of Miquella.

Phase 1

As soon as you pass through the Fog Door and enter the boss arena, spawn your +10 Mimic Tear Ashes. With it on your side, you're going to essentially double team the boss. Be as aggressive with your attacks as much as possible; if you have enough Strength or Dexterity, every single one of your landing blows should stagger her. This means she can't respond with any of her own attacks for much of the fight as she has to recover from your own first. Never, ever let up on her (unless you need to retreat and heal), quickly melting her health bar along with your Mimic Tear Ashes.

Once you've taken away roughly one-third of her health, she will likely begin to prepare for the deadly combo we mentioned. If you can learn when she's about to do it, allow your Mimic to take the aggro so she targets it instead of you. That way, you won't have to worry about it so much. And since the Mimic has so much health, it'll be able to take the hits. Malenia generally prepares the attack once more for when she's lost another third of her HP bar, so always check how far into the fight you are so you know what's coming.

The boss is weak to Bleed and Frostbite damage, so if you have a weapon specializing in them or an Ashes of War that procs it, be sure to equip them. Great examples include Bloody Slash and Hoarfrost Stomp. In combination with your general attacks, you'll want to incorporate these weaknesses into your approach to deal as much damage as possible. Once you've taken away all her health, it's time for the second phase.

Phase 2

After beating the first phase, a cutscene will play. Afterwards, the boss will have wings enabling her to fly about the arena. She also has a new attack that builds up Scarlet Rot damage, and it's always the first one she uses in the second phase. Hanging in the air in the centre of the arena, she will eventually send herself crashing into the ground in a Scarlet Rot explosion. When this happens, run diagonally away from her (don't lock on) and roll in front of you when you hear her start to move. You'll avoid taking any damage as a result.

However, you still don't want to approach her. The orange talons surrounding her will unfold slowly, and coming into contact with them will again build up Scarlet Rot damage. Simply wait for them to disappear and then begin attacking her in the centre. Your strategy should remain largely the same as the first phase: be very aggressive along with your Mimic Tear Ashes. The second phase will start the boss out at roughly 75 per cent of its overall health, but don't forget she can still heal herself by hitting you — blocks included.

Your Mimic Tear Ashes will likely die as you progress through this second phase, so be prepared for the few minutes at the end where you're fighting on your own. Try to have as many Sacred Flask uses under your belt as possible — at least six would be best. When you are on your own, play defensively and strike with your Ashes of War. The boss is still weak to Bleed and Frostbite damage in this second phase, so continue to exploit that.

There is, unfortunately, some luck involved in this fight. You need to rely on your Mimic Tear Ashes staying alive for long enough, as well as making sure Malenia targets her deadly combo at it rather than you. Eventually, though, you will learn what to look out for and kill the boss.

What tips do you have for how to beat Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring? Share them in the comments below and check out our Elden Ring guide for further help and information.