If you’re far enough into Elden Ring, you’ve likely heard the name Malenia mentioned with a kind of awe—or outright dread. She’s not just a boss; she’s a test, the warrior who has shattered wills, shattered nerves, and set new standards for enduring a FromSoftware game. But let’s pose the big question: Is Malenia really the toughest boss in gaming history—or are we all just being fooled by the hype?
What the Community Thinks
Though her legend goes before her, not everybody concurs that she’s the greatest. A poll conducted by LordTrinen garnered more than 500 votes, and just 6.6% named Malenia as the hardest boss of all time. An overwhelming 80% said no, and a further 12% said that she was close but fell short. The verdict? She’s savage, sure—but perhaps not the test of strength.”.
Gamers like jbergman pointed out that retro 2D platformers and old-school RPGs often had bosses that were punishing in ways modern titles rarely attempt—some fights stretching over an hour with no checkpoints in sight. Others, like Aka_Neko, highlighted that certain bullet hell and niche games include boss encounters that make Malenia look like a warm-up—if you’re willing to dig into the more obscure corners of the gaming world.
Why Malenia Feels So Unfair
So why does Malenia make so lasting an impression? It boils down to her ruthless two-part fight that penalizes aggression, pays off patience, and requires finesse. She heals with every hit—yes, even blocked hits—so even minor errors come at a steep price. Her notorious Waterfowl Dance is an instant death sentence if you don’t master the timing on your dodges (and sometimes even when you do).
Although all her assaults are physical, healing, speed, and poise make her out to be one of the most merciless foes in Elden Ring. She’s vulnerable to frost and bleed, for sure—but finding the chance to deal those in time as she cuts you to ribbons is less than easy.
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.