Can You Use Mimic Tear on Malenia? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can use the Mimic Tear Ash to aid you in your battle against Malenia, Blade of Miquella, one of the most notoriously difficult bosses in Elden Ring. In fact, the Mimic Tear is often considered one of the best, if not the best, spirit ashes to use in this challenging fight. However, while it’s a powerful tool, it’s not a guaranteed win and understanding its capabilities and limitations is crucial for success. This article delves into the intricacies of using the Mimic Tear against Malenia, alongside frequently asked questions to equip you with everything you need to know.
How Mimic Tear Works Against Malenia
The Mimic Tear summons a copy of your character, mirroring your current equipment, stats, and even playstyle. This means if you’re using a powerful build with effective weapons, the Mimic Tear can essentially double your damage output and provide invaluable support. The Mimic Tear prioritizes the weapon in your right hand when summoned. If you are dual-wielding, it can effectively power stance, using both weapons.
One of the reasons the Mimic Tear is so popular against Malenia is its ability to consistently apply pressure. Unlike other summons, the Mimic Tear can dodge attacks, utilize your spells, and even heal itself, making it a much more durable and proactive companion. There are reports of the Mimic Tear performing combos and pummeling Malenia with back-to-back strikes, even dodging her infamous Waterfowl Dance attack.
However, the Mimic Tear isn’t without its downsides. One significant caveat is that Malenia can also heal herself by hitting the Mimic Tear. While it can dodge, a poorly equipped or built mimic tear can become a healing piñata for Malenia. This emphasizes the importance of having a good player build. The more you hit her, the less the Mimic Tear will be the focus of the boss and her focus on the Mimic Tear might result in more healing. It is a double edged sword.
Strategies for Maximizing Mimic Tear’s Effectiveness
To make the most out of using the Mimic Tear against Malenia, keep the following tips in mind:
- Equip Your Best Gear: The Mimic Tear is only as good as the gear it copies. Equip your most powerful weapons, armor, and talismans. Ensure you have the right damage type for this fight.
- Utilize Ash of War Effectively: If you have strong skills or weapon arts, make sure that you are using weapons that have these attacks available. The Mimic Tear will also use those same abilities.
- Consider Status Effects: Weapons that inflict bleed, frostbite, or poison can greatly assist in wearing down Malenia’s health and she has higher resistance to poison, but is not immune.
- Stay Active: Don’t rely entirely on the Mimic Tear. You still need to be an active participant in the fight, dealing damage, drawing aggro, and healing when necessary.
- Adjust Your Build: If the Mimic Tear is constantly getting hit and healing her, then perhaps it is time to adjust your build to something that provides more damage and stagger. Malenia is very weak to being staggered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how to use the Mimic Tear against Malenia, and to address common concerns:
1. Is using Mimic Tear on Malenia considered cheating?
No, using the Mimic Tear is not cheating. It’s a legitimate game mechanic intended to assist players. Some may consider it “too easy,” but it’s within the rules of the game. If you feel you have to use summons to win is a different discussion entirely. It’s there for you to use.
2. What is the best tear for Malenia other than Mimic?
While the Mimic Tear is highly effective, Black Knife Tiche is another great choice. Tiche is known for her agility, ability to dodge attacks, and her “cursed blade” which can chip away at Malenia’s health.
3. Can Mimic Tear use any item I have equipped?
The Mimic Tear will utilize your currently equipped weapons, armor, talismans, and spells or incantations. However, it has a limited supply of FP but unlimited arrows and bolts.
4. Was the Mimic Tear nerfed in a patch?
Yes, the Mimic Tear was nerfed in a patch to reduce its damage output. Some players estimate the damage reduction to be around 50%. Despite this, it still remains a highly effective summon.
5. Why is the Mimic Tear still so good?
Despite the nerf, the Mimic Tear is good due to its versatility. It can utilize almost everything you can, can dodge, and is tanky if upgraded. And it is also not limited by FP when using arrows and bolts.
6. Can you use Mimic Tear for Radagon?
Yes, the Mimic Tear can be very effective against Radagon. It can tank hits and provide additional damage while you attack. This can also help you conserve resources before fighting the Elden Beast.
7. Is Tiche better than Mimic Tear?
It depends on your playstyle. Tiche is more agile, while the Mimic Tear can output significant damage if it’s equipped well, and can tank. Tiche is a more consistent summon. However, a prepared player can make their Mimic Tear better.
8. Does Mimic Tear get unlimited arrows?
Yes, the Mimic Tear appears to have unlimited bolts and arrows. It’ll use whatever bow or crossbow you have equipped when summoned.
9. Is Malenia the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
Many players consider Malenia to be one of the hardest bosses in any FromSoftware game due to her aggressive moveset, healing capabilities, and unpredictable attacks like Waterfowl Dance.
10. What is the easiest strategy to beat Malenia?
One of the easiest strategies to beat Malenia is to use her staggerability, use the Bloodhound’s Step Ash of War to dodge, and use a Greatshield Ash to assist you.
11. Does Malenia heal when she hits you?
Yes, Malenia heals when she hits you, but the healing isn’t significant unless you continuously take hits, and especially if you are using a shield to block. Blocking everything will net Malenia more health back than not blocking any attacks.
12. Does Mimic Tear copy my playstyle?
The Mimic Tear spawns as a Silver Tear and then transforms into your character. It will use your equipped gear and moves. While not a perfect copy of your playstyle, it will generally use the abilities you would use.
13. Does holy damage work well against Malenia?
No, it is not recommended to use offensive holy incantations against Malenia because she has a 40% damage reduction against holy damage.
14. Where can I find the Mimic Tear Ashes?
The Mimic Tear Ashes can be found in Nokron, Eternal City, in a chest behind an imp statue in the Night’s Sacred Ground area.
15. How can I make my Mimic Tear stronger?
To make your Mimic Tear stronger, upgrade it with Ghost Glovewort found throughout the game, especially in catacomb dungeons. You can also find Great Ghost Glovewort in Night’s Sacred Ground. Make sure to always use the appropriate stat level weapon with the Mimic Tear, as well. If you change weapons with new stats, be sure to upgrade those weapons to a similar level.
Conclusion
The Mimic Tear Ash is a powerful asset when facing Malenia in Elden Ring. It can provide the needed damage, and attention diversion to help you succeed. Despite the nerf, and being a double edged sword, it still remains one of the best summon choices to this day. However, it’s not a “win button”. You must equip it well, understand its limitations, and actively participate in the battle. By following the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, and utilizing your own skills, you can significantly improve your chances of defeating the formidable Blade of Miquella.