Malenia, Blade of Miquella is the hardest boss in the Elden Ring base game and one of the most famous fights FromSoftware has ever made. This guide covers where to find her, how Waterfowl Dance works, how to survive Scarlet Aeonia in phase 2, and which builds make the fight fair.
Quick facts
| Location | Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree |
| Nearest Site of Grace | Haligtree Roots |
| Required? | Optional |
| HP (NG) | 33,251 (18,473 + 14,778 across two phases) |
| Runes (NG) | 480,000 |
| Drops | Malenia’s Great Rune, Remembrance of the Rot Goddess |
| Weak to | Fire, Hemorrhage (bleed), Frostbite |
| Resists | Holy (40% negation), Magic and Lightning (20%) |
| Immune to | Madness |
| Spirit Ashes / Co-op | Allowed (Spirit Ashes and co-op) |
| Recommended level | 130–150+ (community estimate) |
| Difficulty | ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ 10/10 |
Overview
Malenia waits at the very bottom of Elphael, below the Haligtree Roots Site of Grace. She is optional, but beating her is the ultimate badge of honour for most players.
Two mechanics define the fight. First, she heals every time she hits you, even when you block the attack with a shield. Second, her signature Waterfowl Dance is a flurry of aerial slashes that can kill a full-health character in seconds if you panic.
At zero HP she rises again as the Goddess of Rot and opens phase 2 with Scarlet Aeonia, a huge rot-flower explosion.
How to reach Malenia
Reach Miquella’s Haligtree from the Consecrated Snowfield using the Haligtree Secret Medallion (both halves), then work down through Haligtree Town and Elphael. Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree guards the way into Elphael. The Haligtree Roots grace sits right above Malenia’s arena.
Preparation
- Stack physical damage negation: heavy armour, the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman and Opaline Hardtear help.
- Bring a Preserving Boluses stack or the Flame, Cleanse Me incantation for Scarlet Rot in phase 2.
- If you can, learn Bloodhound’s Step. It makes Waterfowl Dance far easier to escape.
- Spirit Ashes such as Black Knife Tiche or the Mimic Tear keep her attention off you and stop her healing on you.
Phase 1 strategy
Stay close enough to punish her slower attacks, but always keep an eye on your stamina so you can react to Waterfowl Dance.
Waterfowl Dance
She leaps into the air and unleashes three flurries. Sprint and roll away from the first two, then dodge through the third volley toward her. With Bloodhound’s Step you can dash out of the first flurry and back in for the last one.
Grab / lunge
A forward lunge that turns into a grab. Dodge to the side as she commits to it.
Prosthesis slash combos
Fast multi-hit combos with delays. Roll toward her right side and punish only after the full string ends. Do not trade hits: every hit she lands heals her.
Parries
Malenia can be parried, and three parries break her stance for a critical hit. Golden Parry makes this more forgiving.
Phase 2 – Goddess of Rot
After phase 1 she sprouts wings, and the fight opens with Scarlet Aeonia. From here on she is more aggressive and has longer aerial combos.
Scarlet Aeonia
She flies up and dives into a giant rot flower. Roll away, sprint, then roll again as the bloom explodes. She is vulnerable for roughly 5–7 seconds afterward, so punish immediately.
Waterfowl Dance (phase 2)
Same counter as phase 1, but the follow-ups are faster. Keep distance and stamina ready.
Best builds and tools
- Bleed: Rivers of Blood or dual curved swords stack Hemorrhage quickly.
- Frostbite: Cold-infused weapons add burst damage and reduce her defences.
- Fire: Fire damage is her biggest elemental weakness.
- Night Sorceries: invisible spells she cannot react to.
- Talismans: Dragoncrest Greatshield, Shard of Alexander, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia.
Rewards
- 480,000 Runes
- Malenia’s Great Rune (restores HP when you attack after taking damage)
- Remembrance of the Rot Goddess (trade for Hand of Malenia or Scarlet Aeonia)
Difficulty rating
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ 10/10 – Brutal. Her healing and Waterfowl Dance punish every mistake, and there is no cheese that makes her trivial without preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Malenia heal when I block?
Yes. She heals on every hit that connects, including hits you block with a shield. Dodging is safer than blocking.
Is Malenia required to finish Elden Ring?
No. She is optional, but she is widely considered the hardest boss in the base game.
What is Malenia weak to?
Fire, bleed and frostbite. She resists holy damage.
Beaten Malenia?
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Stuck on another boss? Browse all Elden Ring boss guides.