Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is widely considered the toughest boss in Elden Ring. She’s fast, elegant, and Elden Ring Runes lethal — capable of draining your health with every strike, even when you block. Whether you’re a melee bruiser or a sorcery specialist, defeating Malenia demands patience, precision, and understanding her attack patterns.

This guide covers everything you need to know to beat Malenia — including preparation, best weapons and builds, how to survive the Waterfowl Dance, and key strategies for both phases of the fight.

1. Where to Find Malenia

You’ll find Malenia deep inside the Haligtree, one of the toughest late-game legacy dungeons in Elden Ring.

How to get there:

Collect both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion (one in the Village of the Albinaurics, one in Castle Sol).

Use the medallion at the Grand Lift of Rold to access the Hidden Path to the Haligtree.

Progress through Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, until you reach the final area: Malenia’s Arena.

This is one of the hardest areas in the game, so make sure you’re around level 130–150 before attempting the fight.

2. Malenia’s Key Abilities and Behavior

Malenia is a dual-phase boss with extremely aggressive AI. Her biggest threat isn’t just her speed or damage — it’s her lifesteal. Every time she hits you (even if you block), she heals a small amount of HP. That means trading blows is almost always a losing battle.

Phase 1 — Blade of Miquella

Fast slashes and dashes: She closes gaps instantly, often chaining three to five hits.

Waterfowl Dance: Her infamous flurry attack — a multi-stage combo that can instantly kill unprepared players.

Parries and staggers: She can be staggered, but her poise regenerates quickly.

Phase 2 — Goddess of Rot

Scarlet Aeonia: She explodes into a flower, releasing rot spores.

Rot-infused attacks: Her sword gains scarlet rot, applying the effect on hit.

Dive attacks and clones: She uses aerial charges and can summon spirit copies.

3. Preparation: How to Get Ready for the Fight

Before facing Malenia, you’ll need the right equipment, mindset, and Spirit Ash.

Recommended Level & Stats

Level: 130–150 minimum

Vigor: At least 50

Endurance: 30+ for stamina and equip load

Weapon: +22 or higher for standard weapons, +10 for special weapons

Best Spirit Ashes

Mimic Tear Ash: Still the best choice due to its aggression and ability to distract Malenia.

Black Knife Tiche: Excellent for dodging her attacks and dealing %HP damage.

Latenna the Albinauric: Effective from range if you can keep Malenia focused elsewhere.

Useful Items

Preserving Boluses: Cure Scarlet Rot in Phase 2.

Bloodhound’s Step / Quickstep Ashes of War: Helps avoid Waterfowl Dance.

Rot resistance talismans: Especially helpful for Phase 2 survival.

Flask of Wondrous Physick: Combine Opaline Bubbletear (damage negation) and Crimsonwhorl Bubbletear (survivability).

4. Strategy for Phase 1: Blade of Miquella

Malenia’s first phase is all about learning her rhythm and punishing small openings. Don’t be greedy — you’ll rarely get more than one or two safe hits before needing to dodge again.

Key Tips:

Dodge into her, not away. Many of her attacks are designed to track you if you roll backward. Dodging toward her often avoids damage and sets up a counterattack.

Bait her lunge attack. After her long forward thrust, she pauses briefly — perfect for one heavy strike.

Use jumping attacks. They’re safer than combos and deal great poise damage.

Don’t trade blows. Even blocking heals her, so prioritize dodging over blocking.

How to Survive Waterfowl Dance

This is her signature move — the triple dash flurry that wipes out most players. Here’s how to survive:

When she leaps into the air and pauses, run directly away to create distance.

As she dashes in, dodge backward once, then to the side twice.

For the second flurry, roll again just as she resumes her dash.

During the final flourish, move diagonally toward her and roll at the last moment.

Alternative method: Use Bloodhound’s Step to phase through the entire combo easily.

Best Openings for Damage

After her triple slash combo (she pauses briefly).

After she performs her thrust or leap slash.

When she’s staggered — perform a critical hit to maximize damage.

Once she reaches 50% HP, a short cinematic triggers and Phase 2 begins.

5. Strategy for Phase 2: Goddess of Rot

In this phase, Malenia gains wings and a new moveset infused with Scarlet Rot. She’s faster, hits harder, and covers the arena in rot explosions.

Opening: Scarlet Aeonia

At the start of the phase, she jumps into the air and blooms into a massive flower.

Immediately sprint away to avoid the explosion.

Wait for the rot cloud to disperse before re-engaging.

New Attacks to Watch For

Aerial Dive Slash: She rises into the air and slams down — dodge sideways.

Spirit Clones: She sends multiple afterimages at you; roll toward the first clone to avoid getting surrounded.

Rot Grab: A slow forward grab that inflicts heavy rot damage — backstep or roll diagonally away.

Winning Tactics

Keep your distance during bloom attacks. Scarlet Aeonia can kill you instantly if you linger.

Punish her landings. After her aerial dives, she’s open for a second or two.

Use Holy or Frost damage. She’s slightly weak to both elements, and frostbite temporarily stops her healing.

Don’t stay near the flower explosion. Let the rot fade before resuming offense.

Best Spirit Support

If you’re using Mimic Tear, summon it right before Phase 2 starts. It can distract her during her Scarlet Aeonia bloom, giving you a free window to heal or buff.

6. Recommended Builds for Beating Malenia

Strength Build (Colossal Weapons)

Weapon: Great Club, Giant-Crusher, or Maliketh’s Black Blade

Talisman: Claw Talisman (jumping attack boost)

Strategy: Focus on single heavy hits and jump attacks to stagger her quickly.

Dexterity Build (Bleed Focused)

Weapon: Rivers of Blood, Uchigatana, or Bloodhound’s Fang

Ash of War: Seppuku for faster bleed buildup

Strategy: Use fast combos and backstep slashes, focusing on evasion over blocking.

Intelligence / Faith Build (Spellcaster)

Spells: Comet Azur (with Mimic distraction), Rotten Breath, or Adula’s Moonblade

Strategy: Keep your Spirit Ash between you and Malenia, cast when she’s mid-combo or post-bloom.

7. Final Tips and Mindset

Stay patient. Most deaths come from panic-rolling or overcommitting.

Heal safely. Only drink your Flask after her long combos or aerial dives.

Don’t give up. Even veteran players die dozens of times before winning.

When you finally land that last hit, you’ll earn one of the most satisfying victories in Elden Ring. Malenia isn’t just a test of your character build — she’s a test of everything you’ve learned throughout the Lands Between.

Defeat her, and buy Elden Ring Runes you’ll truly embody the Elden Lord’s spirit.