Is Malenia’s Sword Good? A Deep Dive into the Hand of Malenia in Elden Ring
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The Hand of Malenia, a katana acquired after defeating one of Elden Ring’s most formidable bosses, is a weapon surrounded by both hype and controversy. The short answer to the question “Is Malenia’s sword good?” is: it’s complicated. While it possesses undeniable style and a unique weapon art, its practical application in the late game and PvP scenarios often leaves players wanting more. It’s a weapon that shines in specific builds and against certain enemies, but it’s far from a universally “good” choice for every player.
Unpacking the Hand of Malenia: Stats, Scaling, and Weapon Art
The Hand of Malenia is a katana that requires a stat investment of 16 Strength and 48 Dexterity to wield effectively. Its scaling primarily favors Dexterity (D) and Strength (E) at base level. This scaling improves as you upgrade the weapon, eventually reaching Dexterity (B) and Strength (D) at +10. This makes it a natural fit for Dexterity-focused builds, particularly those that also dabble in bleed effects.
The Allure and Limitations of Waterfowl Dance
The weapon’s signature weapon art, Waterfowl Dance, is both its biggest draw and its greatest weakness. It unleashes a flurry of slashes that deal considerable damage and inflict bleed buildup. The visual spectacle is undeniable, and when executed correctly, it can devastate opponents.
However, Waterfowl Dance suffers from several drawbacks:
- Predictability: Skilled players can easily dodge or interrupt Waterfowl Dance, leaving you vulnerable.
- Range: The effective range is relatively short, making it difficult to hit fast-moving or distant targets.
- Stamina Consumption: It consumes a significant amount of stamina, limiting your ability to chain attacks or dodge after the animation finishes.
- Hyper Armor Issues: The hyper armor is inconsistent. This means you can often be knocked out of the animation by weaker attacks, nullifying the entire move.
The Hand of Malenia in PvE: Where it Shines (and Where it Doesn’t)
In Player versus Environment (PvE) scenarios, the Hand of Malenia can be effective, particularly against enemies weak to bleed. The Waterfowl Dance can quickly shred through bosses with large health pools, provided you can land the full combo.
However, it struggles against:
- Enemies Resistant to Bleed: Many late-game bosses and enemies are highly resistant to bleed, significantly reducing the Hand of Malenia’s damage output.
- Mobile Bosses: Bosses with erratic movements or long-range attacks can be difficult to hit with Waterfowl Dance.
- Groups of Enemies: The single-target focus of Waterfowl Dance makes it less effective against large groups.
The Hand of Malenia in PvP: A Risky Proposition
In Player versus Player (PvP) combat, the Hand of Malenia is a highly situational weapon. Its reliance on Waterfowl Dance makes it easily punishable by experienced players. While the move can catch opponents off guard, its predictability and long recovery time make it a risky option.
More reliable katanas, such as the Rivers of Blood or dual-wielded Nagakibas, often outperform the Hand of Malenia in PvP due to their faster attack speed, better range, and more versatile movesets.
Build Considerations for the Hand of Malenia
To maximize the Hand of Malenia’s potential, consider the following build elements:
- High Dexterity: Prioritize Dexterity to improve the weapon’s attack rating.
- Arcane: A moderate investment in Arcane can boost bleed buildup.
- Talismans: The Lord of Blood’s Exultation (increases attack power when bleed occurs) and the Millicent’s Prosthesis (boosts Dexterity and attack power with successive attacks) are excellent choices. The Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (further increases attack power with successive attacks) can also be beneficial.
- Armor: Opt for armor that provides a balance of protection and poise to withstand enemy attacks and avoid being staggered during Waterfowl Dance.
Conclusion: Style Over Substance?
Ultimately, the Hand of Malenia is a weapon that prioritizes style and unique gameplay over raw power and versatility. It’s a fun and challenging weapon to master, but it’s not necessarily the “best” katana in Elden Ring. If you’re looking for a weapon that can carry you through the game effortlessly, there are better options available. However, if you’re willing to invest the time and effort to learn its nuances and build around its strengths, the Hand of Malenia can be a rewarding and visually stunning weapon to wield.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Malenia’s Sword
1. Can you use Malenia’s sword?
Yes, you can use Malenia’s sword, the Hand of Malenia, after defeating Malenia and obtaining the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess. You can then trade the Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold for the weapon.
2. Does Malenia’s sword heal you?
No, Malenia’s sword does not inherently heal you. The weapon itself does not have any innate healing properties. You might be confusing this with the Blasphemous Blade, another weapon in Elden Ring, which does heal you on hit.
3. Is the Hand of Malenia a good sword?
The Hand of Malenia is a decent sword, especially for Dexterity and Bleed builds. It’s a stylish weapon with a unique weapon art, but it’s not necessarily the “best” sword in the game due to its limitations and predictability in PvP.
4. Is the Hand of Malenia the best weapon?
No, the Hand of Malenia is not generally considered the best weapon in Elden Ring. While it has its strengths, it’s outperformed by other weapons in various situations, particularly in PvP and against enemies resistant to bleed.
5. What stats do I need for the Hand of Malenia?
You need 16 Strength and 48 Dexterity to effectively wield the Hand of Malenia.
6. Is Malenia weak to bleed?
Yes, Malenia is vulnerable to bleed. This makes weapons that inflict bleed buildup, including the Hand of Malenia, effective against her.
7. What is the best build for the Hand of Malenia?
The best build for the Hand of Malenia typically focuses on high Dexterity and a moderate investment in Arcane to enhance bleed buildup. Talismans that boost attack power and Dexterity after successive attacks are also beneficial.
8. What is the weapon art of the Hand of Malenia?
The weapon art of the Hand of Malenia is called Waterfowl Dance. It unleashes a flurry of slashes that deal significant damage and inflict bleed.
9. What is the length of Malenia’s sword?
According to community calculations and comparisons, Malenia’s sword, the Hand of Malenia, is estimated to be around 270 cm long, making it exceptionally long for a katana.
10. What are some alternatives to the Hand of Malenia?
Some alternatives to the Hand of Malenia include the Rivers of Blood, Nagakiba (dual-wielded), Uchigatana, and Bloodhound’s Fang. These weapons offer different strengths and weaknesses and may be more suitable for certain playstyles.
11. Is Malenia immune to scarlet rot?
While Malenia is highly resistant to scarlet rot, she is not entirely immune. It requires a significant buildup of scarlet rot to inflict the status effect on her.
12. What talismans are good for a Hand of Malenia build?
Good talismans for a Hand of Malenia build include the Lord of Blood’s Exultation (boosts attack power when bleed occurs), Millicent’s Prosthesis (boosts Dexterity and attack power with successive attacks), Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (further increases attack power with successive attacks), and Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal (for early stat boosting, but be mindful of increased damage taken).
13. What weapon is Malenia weak to?
Malenia is weak to bleed and fire damage. Weapons that inflict these types of damage are particularly effective against her.
14. Can Malenia be staggered?
Yes, Malenia can be staggered. Using weapons or skills that inflict high poise damage can interrupt her attacks and create openings for critical hits.
15. What level should I be to use the Hand of Malenia effectively?
While you only need 16 Strength and 48 Dexterity to wield it, to use the Hand of Malenia effectively, you should be at least level 80-100 to have enough vigor, endurance, and other stats to support your build.