Elden Ring Malenia Boss Battle Guide: How To Beat Malenia

TL;DR

  • Malenia heals on every hit, making perfect dodging essential for survival
  • Stack frostbite and bleed effects simultaneously for maximum damage output
  • Mimic Tear remains the optimal spirit summon despite recent nerfs
  • Phase one focuses on learning patterns; phase two requires aggressive burst damage
  • Proper positioning can neutralize her most dangerous Waterfowl Dance attack

Overcoming Malenia, Blade of Miquella represents the pinnacle of Elden Ring’s combat challenges, demanding strategic precision and flawless execution. However, with methodical preparation and tactical awareness, you can tilt the battlefield in your favor before the confrontation even begins.

When consulting veteran Elden Ring players about their most formidable adversaries, an overwhelming consensus emerges: Malenia stands as the ultimate test of skill. This optional encounter awaits at the deepest reaches of the Haligtree, and while defeating her isn’t mandatory for completing your journey, triumph provides both the satisfaction of proving your worth as Elden Lord and acquisition of her Great Rune, which transforms into an exceptionally powerful armament. Once you’ve mentally fortified yourself for an epic struggle, this comprehensive guide will illuminate the path to victory.

Begin your assault from the Haligtree Roots Site of Grace, conveniently positioned just steps from her battleground to facilitate rune recovery after unsuccessful attempts. During the initial combat phase, Malenia employs extensive sweeping sword techniques, aerial dash maneuvers with area-denial impact, and the frustrating capacity to regenerate health with every successful strike—even through blocked attacks. Consequently, maintaining distance as a spellcaster or mastering evasion timing becomes imperative unless you possess exceptional shield capabilities. If you do maintain sufficient stamina to withstand her assaults, remember that you’ll need to compensate with increased damage output, though this exchange typically remains advantageous.

For this demanding encounter, ensure you’ve acquired the majority—if not all—of these critical resources:

  • The Sword of Night and Flame for versatile damage options
  • Boluses specifically formulated to counteract Scarlet Rot buildup
  • Masterful evasion skills through practiced timing and spacing

Immediately upon engagement, deploy the Mimic Tear, which remains among the game’s most effective Spirit Ashes despite post-release adjustments. This spectral ally replicates your complete loadout and effectively creates a two-versus-one scenario. Should you lack access to or prefer alternatives to Mimic Tear, consider summoning human companions via Elden Ring’s multiplayer functionality.

The Mimic Tear maintains preference due to predictable performance and consistent aggression drawing, providing substantially more offensive windows than solitary combat. Maintain vigilant evasion against her assault patterns while systematically applying hemorrhage or frostbite conditions—her primary vulnerabilities. Armaments like Ghiza’s Wheel (bleeding) or Hoarfrost Stomp (frost) excel in this context, even considering the latter’s inclusion in From Software’s balancing updates. Initiate combat by inducing frostbite through stomp techniques, then capitalize with Ghiza’s Wheel for sustained bleeding damage.

We should've known she'd be this tough when they put her in the key art.

We should’ve known she’d be this tough when they put her in the key art.

Critical Phase One Insights: Malenia’s healing mechanic makes trading hits disastrous—prioritize avoiding damage over dealing it. Her most dangerous move, Waterfowl Dance, requires specific evasion: sprint away from initial flurries, then dodge through subsequent attacks. Position yourself mid-range to bait predictable attacks while maintaining reaction time.

Status Effect Stacking Strategy: Frostbite and bleed operate independently, allowing simultaneous application for devastating combined damage. Inflict frostbite first to reduce damage absorption, then stack bleed for percentage-based health reduction. This combination effectively counters her healing capabilities by overwhelming her regeneration with burst damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Never attack after she finishes a combo—she can instantly counter with hyper armor. Avoid healing at close range unless she’s staggered. Don’t use slow weapon arts that leave you vulnerable to her rapid responses.

Advanced Positioning: Maintain medium distance to trigger her dash attacks, which are more predictable than her close-range flurries. Use pillars in her arena to block certain attacks and create safe healing opportunities.

Co-op Considerations: While human allies provide distraction, they also increase her health pool. Coordinate status effects—one player applies frost while another focuses on bleed for optimal efficiency. For more comprehensive Elden Ring strategies, consult our Complete Guide covering fundamental mechanics.

Action Checklist

  • Acquire Sword of Night and Flame plus bleed/frost weapons
  • Practice dodging Waterfowl Dance: run away, then dodge through
  • Upgrade Mimic Tear to +10 and equip your preferred loadout
  • Master medium-range positioning to bait predictable attacks
  • Execute phase one: frostbite first, then bleed stacking

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