Elden Ring: How to defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella

How to tackle Malenia’s Phase 2

If dealing with the first phase was bad on its own, there is a second phase to tackle too. Malenia’s second phase is arguably harder than her first. You will not be expecting this, but once you bring Malenia down to zero health a cutscene will begin and she is going to sprout wings and have the ability to fly.

The second phase starts out with Malenia diving towards you from the sky and then using her Scarlet Aeonia attack. The Scarlet Aeonia attack summons a giant flower that explodes around Malenia. The explosion will cause Scarlet Rot to be spread throughout the air. If you acquire this effect it will progressively deal damage to yourself overtime. It is not a fun effect to have. Just don’t go near the flower and stay far away from the explosion and you will have nothing to worry about.

Once the flower explodes you may notice that some of her attacks will be the same from the first phase, but some of her attacks will be new. If she tries to attack you with a big swipe of her sword, there will be an explosion that follows suit emitting the Scarlet Rot effect. She can also infect you with Scarlet Rot if she hovers in the air and surrounds herself with flower petals. During this special attack Malenia will launch swordbearing familiars towards you. If they hit you, not only will they deal huge amounts of damage, but once again you will be infected with Scarlet Rot. Now you see why this boss fight is so hard to win?

Tackling the second phase is somewhat similar to the first phase. Dodge, dodge, dodge. Don’t get hit or infect with Scarlet Rot. The fight by itself is hard alone. You don’t want to do battle with the Scarlet Rot effect. It is not a recipe for success.

Malenia has a major weakness to Bleed. If you can build a high-level Bleed build, you will notice that her health will go down at a way quicker rate. Bleed also helps counter her healing powers when she hits you. The Bleed build in a way helps negate a lot of her healing. Fully upgraded Bleed Armaments are going to be your best friend in a fight like this. Before starting a battle against Malenia, working towards a Bleed build is probably going to be one of your best strategies.

Another key element to help you in this boss battle would also be the Mimic Tear Spirit Ashes. Using the Mimic Tear Spirit Ashes will spawn a spirit copy of yourself. Anytime you can have an additional ally in an Elden Ring fight, I highly suggest taking that offer. Plus, it is just creating a spirit of yourself, so if you have an extremely powerful build, you are basically just doubling your power.

If you create a Bleed build, use the Mimic Tear Spirit Ashes, time your dodges perfectly with her attacks, resist attacking when she uses her special attacks, and attack during the little breaks when she finishes those special attacks, you should eventually wear Malenia, Blade of Miquella down and defeat her.

It will take many attempts to defeat her. Don’t get discouraged and keep at it. You now know all of her attack patterns so nothing should really come as a surprise. It will all take time to master the timing of dodges. However, once you master your timing and learn her move sets like the back of your hand, no boss will be too difficult for you in Elden Ring. Not even Malenia, Blade of Miquella herself.