Advice for Malenia

[Immortuos]

I'm getting gud, learning the attacks i even get to second phase with 12 heals. But what can I do when I try to heal and she jumps in the air and does a trust that deals half of my hp?
I'm using a strenght build level 168, 81 vigor, 50 endurance, 60 strength no scarseals or soreseals and even have the erdtree's favor +1 and crimson amber medallion +1 equipped with radhans great rune.

Thank's all for the advice, I just beat her with my own build.

[Meow]

If you heal or R1 when she is in a neutral state, you will probably trigger her "punish the player" in her AI, so don't do that. Use windows after she attacks to heal.

[Indig0]

How about AoW: Flames of the Redmanes (as it scales only of STR and it's one of the best for stance break). Also with Mimic turned into a flame thrower = easy win / almost like exploit ;)

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Darkbirt tarafından gönderildi:

On the Elden Ring Wiki you can find this:

The Best Tips for Malenia, Blade of Miquella

She can avoid most spells/throwable items, with a few exceptions like uncharged Lightning Spear (after being hit with spear, she always dashes two times) or the Night Sorceries of Sellia, such as Night Shard. Therefore, either bring homing spells, night spells, or attack during her attack animations.

Most of her attacks have to be dodged by rolling to the side.

Her attacks deal Physical-type damage only, so Incantations/Items (f.e. Black Flame's Protection, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman) that boost this type of defense are recommended.

Her low Poise makes it easy to interrupt most of her actions by just relentlessly attacking her. Stacking poise on your character (around 60) will allow you to keep attacking through most of her own attacks. She is also vulnerable to knockdown attacks in her first phase, so using a weapon or Spirit Ash that abuses this can be helpful.

Weapons with Bleed are recommended, as it's easy to proc the status on her and it allows you to more easily outpace her self healing. Frost is also a valid option. Curved Swords are a good choice as their dual-wielded jumping attack hits four times allowing quick Bleed build-up. This can be paired with the Raptor's Black Feathers, Claw Talisman, Beastman's Curved Sword, and Rotten Winged Sword Insignia for high DPS. The Scavenger's Curved Sword dual wielded with another Curved sword with a bleed affinity is a good choice for such a build.

Malenia heals every time she hits you with an attack, even when blocked. In addition, she often dodges backwards at the end of a combo, making parries and guard counters hard to land. This makes most shields less useful than normal. It is recommended that you two-hand your weapon and dodge roll her attacks. A great shield with high block may be useful when she performs her Waterfowl Dance.
Co-op is not recommended with low latency; her attacks will heal her even if you perfectly dodge. (FIXED WITH PATCH 1.05)

Powerful summons (if you're able / willing to use them): Redmane Knight Ogha Ashes
Ogha's greatarrows will often stagger Malenia and can even interrupt her during the Flower Fountain attack. Additionally he will stay in the back and she will focus on you as long as you keep her attention.

Using any ranged attacks, perfumes, or throwables will cause Malenia to not only dodge left or right to avoid them, but also cause her to rush the player. Spells or incantations that can track her are recommended. Once she reaches 75% health and starts using Waterfowl Dance, she will proceed to dodge any range attack as usual but will then activate Waterfowl dance directly afterwards. The only time the player should use ranged attacks is if Malenia is being distacted by a summon. The Night Shard spell will not trigger her evasion, as it's invisible to non-player characters.

Her opening move in phase two, Scarlet Aeonia, as described above, can be easily avoided by immediately running towards her and turning right upon being almost directly underneath her. She will turn to follow your movement, but as soon as she is looking leftwards you can start moving right and you should be far enough away to avoid both parts of the attack.

If the method above does not work or is hard to follow, knowing when to roll the attacks may be a bit easier. When Malenia is in the air and she has the Scarlet Aeonia's petals on her (which will look like orange flowing wings), pay attention to her stance and movement. She will first make the petals appear while raising her sword before she makes any movement. The best time to roll would be a little than a second after she starts moving down toward you. After that, roll again about 1 1.2 seconds later to avoid the second attack from Scarlet Aeonia.

When you have avoided the Scarlet Aeonia attack, there is a window of about 5-7 seconds where Malenia is unable to move or attack while at the centre of the scarlet rot mist. Use this opportunity to unleash powerful ranged attacks or spells/incantations with a DoT area effect. If you have the FP, Comet Azur can take off a sizable chunk of her HP before she becomes active again. This can be repeated every time she does this attack and is your best opportunity for heavy damage. You can also attack her freely in melee during this window but be aware you will take heavy DoT (Damage over Time) and Scarlet Rot buildup.

If Malenia is running at you at the start of the fight, she will proceed to rush you with a horizontal spinning attack once you are in range. This attack is telegraphed and easily parried. If you're not good at parrying, then dodge toward Malenia's left side (the player's right). If she slows down or starts moving left or right, she will not do the spin attack.
In order to avoid her Waterfowl Dance combo you must start running away from her while maintaining lock-on as soon as she leaps, which will let you avoid the first two spin attacks entirely if done soon enough (if not you will have to roll the second one). The third spin attack has to be rolled through, and make sure to stay away from her until the final AoE triggers. If you are caught by the attack it is better to roll towards her than away; the extreme edges of the attack seem to have more hitboxes.

Ash of War: Bloodhound's Step makes dodging Waterfowl Dance significantly easier. Using that ability, you can completely avoid the combo, even if you're close to Malenia when she starts its windup. Dash away from her, out of range of the first and second flurries (possibly multiple times depending on how far away she is), and toward her (once) to avoid the third flurry. (During the third flurry she jumps to you regardless of the distance, but the first and second flurries have a fixed jump range.)

In Phase 2, make sure you are constantly topped up to full HP. Many of her basic combo attacks are strong enough to deal well over 1000 damage to heavy armour users very quickly, so sitting at 80% HP or below to save on flasks is liable to get you killed.
A weapon with the Ash of War: Wild Strikes and the blood affinity can trivialize the first phase of the fight.

Black Knife Tiche is an effective summon. She frequently knocks Malenia down and her special attack deals 2000+ damage. Plus her frequent dodges reduce Malenia's tendency to devour summons for heals.

While the Mimic Tear is a generally good summon for this fight, note that it doesn't get stat boosts from Godrick's Great Rune, equipment, or other sources; so if you're using any of those to meet the requirements for spells or weapon skills, the mimic won't be able to use them.

Using the Spread Out gesture can allow the player to avoid most of Malenia's attacks, though don't stay down for too long because her slam can still hit you.
Ash of War: Golden Parry is useful for easily parrying most of her attacks. The increased parry range and window can be of tremendous help to players with less experience in parrying her attacks.

Their is a strategy explanation on the site, but it becomes to much for a copy paste.

Thank you for this!!!

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Indig0 tarafından gönderildi:

How about AoW: Flames of the Redmanes (as it scales only of STR and it's one of the best for stance break). Also with Mimic turned into a flame thrower = easy win / almost like exploit ;)

I don't want my fight with her to feel like a cheese

[Lenox]

I had your issue in phase 2. I couldn't find openings and it just felt like a slow death, with me drinking flasks every so often until they ran out. My ability to avoid her attacks kept improving but not my ability to damage her.

The answer is staggering which will lead to increased aggression. Malenia is all about staggering (stance-breaking is optional). Her AI seems to change when she gets staggered and appears to differ between playing passively and aggressively in phase 2. Phase 1 is a lot more consistent. And you can only safely go on the offensive when you're periodically staggering her.

There are 4 ways to stagger that I'm familiar with:

1. Frostbite
   
2. Blood Loss / Hemorrhage
   
3. Sleep (I'm least familiar with this method)
   
4. Big Weapons

You're a strength guy, so I assume you will go with #4. This means jump attacks.

Math listed below:

JUMPING HEAVY ATTACKS: (AVG = 2.38X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 3.5X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

Charged attacks are probably too slow for consistent use, but feel free to mix them in:

CHARGED STRONG ATTACK: (AVG = 4.56X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 6X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

I assume you aren't using a shield. But here it is anyway:

SHIELD COUNTER: (AVG = 4.125X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 7X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

What's been your tactic so far? Do you have a recent attempt video?

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I'm getting gud, learning the attacks i even get to second phase with 12 heals. But what can I do when I try to heal and she jumps in the air and does a trust that deals half of my hp?
I'm using a strenght build level 168, 81 vigor, 50 endurance, 60 strength no scarseals or soreseals and even have the erdtree's favor +1 and crimson amber medallion +1 equipped with radhans great rune.

The thrust is dodgeable. You're higher level than needed, so that's not it. And I wouldn't waste my Rune Arcs on a boss like Malenia where you're going to die a lot.

Additionally, you will get 5% better responses if you spell her name correctly - Malenia, not Melania.

My kill video, in case it helps:
https://youtu.be/SzA4tXGVHok

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak geralt tarafından gönderildi:

respec to bleed build, dual curved swords seppuku and mimic, she wont live very long that way
or respect to mage comet azur, if you time it well you can kill her as soon as she starts second phrase

I pondered doing it like that but i wanna beat her with my build to feel accomplished i dont mind learning the timings it's just that whenever i heal she starts this attack and i dont have enough time to dodge it.

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Indig0 tarafından gönderildi:

How about AoW: Flames of the Redmanes (as it scales only of STR and it's one of the best for stance break). Also with Mimic turned into a flame thrower = easy win / almost like exploit ;)

I don't want my fight with her to feel like a cheese

I like this mentality. I've seen her beaten with a pure STR build. Don't give up.

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

I had your issue in phase 2. I couldn't find openings and it just felt like a slow death, with me drinking flasks every so often until they ran out. My ability to avoid her attacks kept improving but not my ability to damage her.

The answer is staggering which will lead to increased aggression. Malenia is all about staggering (stance-breaking is optional). Her AI seems to change when she gets staggered and appears to differ between playing passively and aggressively in phase 2. Phase 1 is a lot more consistent. And you can only safely go on the offensive when you're periodically staggering her.

There are 4 ways to stagger that I'm familiar with:

1. Frostbite
   
2. Blood Loss / Hemorrhage
   
3. Sleep (I'm least familiar with this method)
   
4. Big Weapons

You're a strength guy, so I assume you will go with #4. This means jump attacks.

Math listed below:

JUMPING HEAVY ATTACKS: (AVG = 2.38X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 3.5X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

Charged attacks are probably too slow for consistent use, but feel free to mix them in:

CHARGED STRONG ATTACK: (AVG = 4.56X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 6X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

I assume you aren't using a shield. But here it is anyway:

SHIELD COUNTER: (AVG = 4.125X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 7X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

What's been your tactic so far? Do you have a recent attempt video?

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I'm getting gud, learning the attacks i even get to second phase with 12 heals. But what can I do when I try to heal and she jumps in the air and does a trust that deals half of my hp?
I'm using a strenght build level 168, 81 vigor, 50 endurance, 60 strength no scarseals or soreseals and even have the erdtree's favor +1 and crimson amber medallion +1 equipped with radhans great rune.

The thrust is dodgeable. You're higher level than needed, so that's not it. And I wouldn't waste my Rune Arcs on a boss like Malenia.

Additionally, you will get 5% better responses if you spell her name correctly - Malenia, not Melania. :er_uwu:

My kill video, in case it helps:
https://youtu.be/SzA4tXGVHok

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I pondered doing it like that but i wanna beat her with my build to feel accomplished i dont mind learning the timings it's just that whenever i heal she starts this attack and i dont have enough time to dodge it.

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I don't want my fight with her to feel like a cheese

I like this mentality. I've seen her beaten with a pure STR build. Don't give up.

You are the first one to mention the spelling mistake, I didn't even notice it.

I don't have any videos but my strat is literally just jump attacks with the giant great hammer that Morgot uses that i don't remember the name and fire prelate's hammer. I am using the tear to break stance more easily and the stamina recovery speed, I am using the taalisman for jump attacks, the crimson amber medallion +1, the erdtree favor +1 and the dragoncrest greatshield talisman and also the raptor's black feathers. The thrust is no longer a problem someone made a coment about getting the feel for when it is safe to heal and I have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ that feel. Someone also said to use a dagger with bloodhound's step on it and that's what I use to dodge waterfowl

[Lenox]

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

I had your issue in phase 2. I couldn't find openings and it just felt like a slow death, with me drinking flasks every so often until they ran out. My ability to avoid her attacks kept improving but not my ability to damage her.

The answer is staggering which will lead to increased aggression. Malenia is all about staggering (stance-breaking is optional). Her AI seems to change when she gets staggered and appears to differ between playing passively and aggressively in phase 2. Phase 1 is a lot more consistent. And you can only safely go on the offensive when you're periodically staggering her.

There are 4 ways to stagger that I'm familiar with:

1. Frostbite
   
2. Blood Loss / Hemorrhage
   
3. Sleep (I'm least familiar with this method)
   
4. Big Weapons

You're a strength guy, so I assume you will go with #4. This means jump attacks.

Math listed below:

JUMPING HEAVY ATTACKS: (AVG = 2.38X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 3.5X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

Charged attacks are probably too slow for consistent use, but feel free to mix them in:

CHARGED STRONG ATTACK: (AVG = 4.56X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 6X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

I assume you aren't using a shield. But here it is anyway:

SHIELD COUNTER: (AVG = 4.125X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE, TRUE = 7X NORMAL POISE DAMAGE)

What's been your tactic so far? Do you have a recent attempt video?



The thrust is dodgeable. You're higher level than needed, so that's not it. And I wouldn't waste my Rune Arcs on a boss like Malenia.

Additionally, you will get 5% better responses if you spell her name correctly - Malenia, not Melania.

My kill video, in case it helps:
https://youtu.be/SzA4tXGVHok





I like this mentality. I've seen her beaten with a pure STR build. Don't give up.

You are the first one to mention the spelling mistake, I didn't even notice it.

I don't have any videos but my strat is literally just jump attacks with the giant great hammer that Morgot uses that i don't remember the name and fire prelate's hammer. I am using the tear to break stance more easily and the stamina recovery speed, I am using the taalisman for jump attacks, the cerulean amber medallion +1, the erdtree favor +1 and the dragoncrest greatshield talisman and also the raptor's black feathers. The thrust is no longer a problem someone made a coment about getting the feel for when it is safe to heal and I have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ that feel. Someone also said to use a dagger with bloodhound's step on it and that's what I use to dodge waterfowl

That's awesome. Seems like you're making progress!

How many attempts so far? Took me 267, which is why in hindsight I can see pretty clearly what I was doing wrong.

And it sounds like a joke, but you will get ignores or troll replies because of the misspelling. I've seen it happen for months.

Why Cerulean Amber Medallion +1? 9% of what I assume is already low FP doesn't seem like the best choice.

Is your equip load at as close to 70% as possible?

And is this basically your strategy?

https://youtu.be/heHuus5yxqk

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

You are the first one to mention the spelling mistake, I didn't even notice it.

I don't have any videos but my strat is literally just jump attacks with the giant great hammer that Morgot uses that i don't remember the name and fire prelate's hammer. I am using the tear to break stance more easily and the stamina recovery speed, I am using the taalisman for jump attacks, the cerulean amber medallion +1, the erdtree favor +1 and the dragoncrest greatshield talisman and also the raptor's black feathers. The thrust is no longer a problem someone made a coment about getting the feel for when it is safe to heal and I have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ that feel. Someone also said to use a dagger with bloodhound's step on it and that's what I use to dodge waterfowl

That's awesome. Seems like you're making progress! How many attempts so far? Took me 267, which is why in hindsight I can see pretty clearly what I was doing wrong.

And it sounds like a joke, but you will get ignores or troll replies because of the misspelling. I've seen it happen for months.

Is your equip load at as close to 70% as possible?

And is this basically your strategy?

https://youtu.be/heHuus5yxqk

Yeah that's the strat and yes i have like 69% equip load.
I haven't counted the attempts but I've been at it for at least 5 hours between today and yesterday.
Doing actual math it is 67%.

[Lenox]

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

That's awesome. Seems like you're making progress! How many attempts so far? Took me 267, which is why in hindsight I can see pretty clearly what I was doing wrong.

And it sounds like a joke, but you will get ignores or troll replies because of the misspelling. I've seen it happen for months.

Is your equip load at as close to 70% as possible?

And is this basically your strategy?

https://youtu.be/heHuus5yxqk

Yeah that's the strat and yes i have like 69% equip load.
I haven't counted the attempts but I've been at it for at least 5 hours between today and yesterday.

OK, cool. You basically just need to clean it up. 5 hours sounds pretty low. Just keep at it. And take breaks.

Why Cerulean Amber Medallion +1? +9% of what I assume is already low FP doesn't seem like the best choice.

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

Yeah that's the strat and yes i have like 69% equip load.
I haven't counted the attempts but I've been at it for at least 5 hours between today and yesterday.

OK, cool. You basically just need to clean it up. 5 hours sounds pretty low. Just keep at it. And take breaks.

Why Cerulean Amber Medallion +1? +9% of what I assume is already low FP doesn't seem like the best choice.

I messed it up, I mean't crimson. I don't use blue flasks.

[Lenox]

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

OK, cool. You basically just need to clean it up. 5 hours sounds pretty low. Just keep at it. And take breaks.

Why Cerulean Amber Medallion +1? +9% of what I assume is already low FP doesn't seem like the best choice.

I messed it up, I mean't crimson. I don't use blue flasks.

That makes a lot more sense. Good choice.

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I messed it up, I mean't crimson. I don't use blue flasks.

That makes a lot more sense. Good choice.

I just beat her.

[CourtesyFlush09]

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Indig0 tarafından gönderildi:

How about AoW: Flames of the Redmanes (as it scales only of STR and it's one of the best for stance break). Also with Mimic turned into a flame thrower = easy win / almost like exploit ;)

I don't want my fight with her to feel like a cheese

Cheese of the Redmanes is so OP and kinda broken. Tbh I'd use that for any difficult fight

[Lenox]

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

That makes a lot more sense. Good choice.

I just beat her.

♥♥♥♥ yeah! Congrats. What did you change? Or did you just keep doing the same stuff but cleaner?

[Immortuos]

İlk olarak Lenox tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Immortuos tarafından gönderildi:

I just beat her.

♥♥♥♥ yeah! Congrats. What did you change? Or did you just keep doing the same stuff but cleaner?

Same stuff but cleaner, had done the majority of changes with the other people's advice.