Preparing for the Blade of Miquella
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is widely considered the hardest boss in Elden Ring. This guide provides a proven strategy to defeat her without summons, using accessible gear available to most players.
Recommended Level and Gear
Enter the fight at level 120+ with a weapon upgraded to +22/+8 or higher. The Bloodhound’s Fang (drop from Bloodhound Knights) is excellent for this fight due to its bleed buildup and natural reach.
Armor: Any medium set with good poise (20+). The Radahn Soldier set or Banished Knight set works well. Talismans: Radagon Soreseal, Green Turtle Talisman (stamina regen), Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman (damage negation), and your choice of offensive talisman (Ritual Sword, Shard of Alexander, etc.).
The Strategy: Poke and Roll
Malenia’s biggest weakness is her limited reach on certain attacks. Use a weapon with range (halberd, colossal sword, or Bloodhound’s Fang) to poke her when she overextends.
Phase 1 Key Attacks:
Waterfowl Dance: Her most dangerous move. When she leaps back and glows, immediately sprint AWAY and dodge the first flurry. For the second flurry, run under her and dodge at the last second. Many players use the Rivers of Blood katana’s Corpse Piler to interrupt this attack entirely.
Scarlet Aeonia (Butterflies): She leaps into the air and explodes into butterflies. Sprint away immediately—this attack has massive range. After the explosion, she’ll be on the ground briefly for punish.
Kick and Sword Combo: Dodge the kick (it breaks guard), then dodge the follow-up slash. Don’t get greedy—poke once or twice max.
Phase 2: Scarlet Aeonia Form
At 50% HP, she grows wings and gains scarlet rot aura. The arena shrinks as rot builds up. Use Flame, Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow before phase 2 begins.
Key Phase 2 Attacks:
Phantom Spirits: She summons butterfly spirits. Ignore them and focus on her—they die when she dies. Use area-of-effect attacks if they pile up.
Divebomb: She flies up and crashes down. Roll INTO the attack (toward her) as she lands to avoid the shockwave.
Enhanced Waterfowl: Now covers more range. Same dodge strategy but be ready for 3 flurries instead of 2.
Recommended Spells/Ashes
Melee Builds: Mimic Tear ashes (preferably with similar weapon), Black Knife Tiche (for Bleed buildup), or Ogha (heavy poise damage).
Mage Builds: Comet Azur spam from distance, Rock Sling for poise damage, or Loretta’s Mastery for long-range harassment.
Faith Builds: Elden Stars (her AI struggles with tracking), Black Flame’s Protection buff, and Gurranq’s Beast Claw.
Pharmacy and Buffs
Flask of Wondrous Physick: Opaline Hardtear + Spiked Cracked Tear (or Greenburst Crystal Tear for stamina). Eat a Boiled Crab (defense) or Exalted Flesh (attack) before entering.
Buffs to apply: Golden Vow (damage+defense), Flame Grant Me Strength (physical damage), and Bloodboon (if Bleed build). Apply buffs BEFORE entering the arena to avoid wasting time.
With patience, proper positioning, and learning her attack patterns, Malenia will fall. Remember: don’t get greedy, manage your stamina, and dodge INTO her dive attacks.