When you go deep enough into Elden Ring, you have probably come across the name Malenia, a character whose name is either marveled at or feared. On top of being a boss, a test she is, the fighter who broke her power, her shattered calm, and raised to an incredible new level the very idea of stamina in a FromSoftware game. However, how about asking the question first: Is Malenia really the hardest boss that you have ever met, or have we only been tricked by the buzz?
What the Community Thinks
However, her myth goes ahead of her, “not everybody agrees that she is the greatest. A poll by LordTrinen with more than 500 votes was conducted, and only 6.6% of the people considered Malenia as the most difficult boss ever. An overwhelming majority of 80% said no, and another 12% said that she was close but not quite. The decision? She is cruel, of course, but maybe not the ultimate challenge.”
Jbergman and other players argued that retro 2D platformers and old-school RPGs usually had bosses that were very punishing in a way that modern titles hardly ever try—some fights lasting for more than an hour, and no checkpoints available. On the other hand, Aka_Nek stated that some bullet hell and niche games have boss encounters that make Malenia look like a warm-up, only if you are willing to explore the most hidden parts of the gaming world.
Why Malenia Feels So Unfair
Why, then, is it that Malenia keeps such a strong memory? Her ruthless two-part fight that penalizes an aggressive play style, rewards patience, and requires a certain skill is what it comes down to. She recovers with every hit—yes, even blocked hits—so even if you make a slight mistake, the consequences will be severe. Her infamous Waterfowl Dance is, without a doubt, a very fast way to kill your character if you don’t have the correct timing of your dodges (and sometimes even when you do).
To be honest, the only thing that separates her from an annihilator is the fact that she does not use any kind of magic; she heals, goes fast, and is very graceful throughout the fights. Of course, she is weak against frost and bleed, but it is very difficult to find such a moment while she is ripping you apart to be able to inflict those effects.
Beating Malenia: Grit, Cheese, and Everything in Between
Let’s be honest—some players defeat Malenia with skill, some not quite. Redditor PinkPicklePete confessed to having finally defeated her by calling in Redmane Knight Ogha’s knockdown arrows, which can cheese the battle into submission. Not the most honorable victory, but a victory all the same.
Another Steam player, who modestly proclaimed themselves “not great at Elden Ring,” reported that a strength build, greatshield, and spear worked for them. They took a beating and whittled away slowly, skipping flashy maneuvers and using more discipline than dexterity.
The Elden Ring Wiki is riddled with tips: stack physical defense, have stagger summons, and take advantage of status effects whenever possible. Magic setups are urged to cast Night Comet that Malenia can’t evade. Regardless of what strategy you use, though, there is one thing that never changes—mistakes get corrected, and success is often based on learning her patterns and staying calm.
How She Compares to Other Gaming Titans
Whether Malenia is the toughest boss of all time or not remains contentious. Some players place her on par with other FromSoft terrors such as Darkeater Midir or Slave Knight Gael from Dark Souls III, or Orphan of Kos from Bloodborne. Others contend that she is less fair than cheap and cite her lifesteal and erratic tendencies as borderline broken, not just tough.
Plus, Elden Ring gives players a vast toolkit—summons, builds, consumables, and co-op. That freedom means the fight’s difficulty can vary wildly depending on how you approach it. As one user, Subxero7, put it: she’s only as hard as you make her.
And let’s not forget the retro fans. Pixel-perfect platformer and late-stage JRPG fans are quick to remind us all about bosses that required flawless execution and stamina over several hours—no summon, no cheese, no quarter.
Hard? Yes. Impossible? Not Quite.
So, is Malenia Gaming’s final boss in terms of difficulty? Not really—but she’s worked her way to be one of the most iconic. Her look, her background, her raw intensity—all lead to an unforgettable boss fight, whether you annihilated her in co-op or managed to squeak past after hundreds of tries.
One thing’s certain: defeating Malenia, however you manage it, is something to brag about. You’ll never forget where you were, what build you employed, and how your hands were likely trembling when she eventually fell. And perhaps that’s what makes her so great—not so much the challenges, but the tale you get to tell afterwards.