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The Ashen Aftermath: What Happens After Killing Maliketh in Elden Ring?

You’ve finally done it. You’ve overcome the whirling blades and terrifying power of Maliketh, the Black Blade, a sentinel guarding a pivotal point in Elden Ring’s narrative. But the fight is far from over, and the world changes drastically after his defeat. In short, after killing Maliketh, you are transported to a transformed Leyndell, Royal Capital, now the Leyndell, Ashen Capital. The once-golden city is now buried under a thick layer of ash, drastically altering the landscape and access to certain areas. This transformation is a necessary step towards facing the final challenges that await you on your quest to become the Elden Lord. This marks a crucial shift in the game’s progression.

Leyndell Transformed: A City of Ash

The most immediate and impactful consequence of defeating Maliketh is the transformation of Leyndell. Where once stood grand, imposing buildings bathed in golden light, there now lies a desolate wasteland of ash and ruin. This isn’t just a cosmetic change; it significantly impacts gameplay:

Inaccessible Areas: Several locations within the original Leyndell become inaccessible. This includes previously explorable buildings, item locations, and even some NPC questlines that may have been in progress. It’s crucial to complete everything you want to accomplish in Leyndell before facing Maliketh.
New Pathways and Enemies: While some areas are closed off, the ashen landscape opens up new paths. The thick ash allows you to traverse previously impassable areas, leading to new item discoveries and encounters with different enemies adapted to the desolate environment.
Altered Enemy Encounters: Even in areas that remain accessible, the enemy composition changes. The golden knights and other standard Leyndell enemies are replaced by more challenging foes, reflecting the city’s ruined state. This significantly increases the difficulty of navigating the capital.
The Burning Erdtree: The Erdtree, the symbol of the Golden Order, is now visibly ablaze, signifying the impending end of the current age. This visual change serves as a constant reminder of the significant events unfolding in the Lands Between.
Progression to the Finale: The destruction of the city is necessary for the storyline to progress and for you to access the final boss arena.

Navigating the Ashen Capital

Upon arriving at the Leyndell, Ashen Capital, your immediate goal is to find a way to the foot of the burning Erdtree. This typically involves heading southwest through the ruined buildings and ash dunes. Look out for an elevator that will lead you to the next stage of your journey. Be prepared for tougher enemies and hidden dangers as you explore this transformed landscape. Remember that some familiar areas of the capital are inaccessible because of the change in environment.

Rewards and Remembrance

Defeating Maliketh is a significant accomplishment and grants you several rewards:

Runes: You receive a substantial amount of Runes (220,000, according to the source article), which can be used to level up your character, purchase items, or upgrade weapons.
Remembrance of the Black Blade: This item allows you to obtain either Maliketh’s Black Blade (a powerful greatsword) or the Black Blade Incantation. You can trade this Remembrance with Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold.

The Narrative Shift

Beyond the gameplay changes, Maliketh’s defeat triggers a crucial narrative shift. The burning of the Erdtree signifies the end of an era and sets the stage for the final confrontation with the forces seeking to maintain or disrupt the Golden Order. This is a point of no return in the narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about what happens after killing Maliketh in Elden Ring, designed to provide further clarity and context:

1. Does killing Maliketh lock you out of anything important?

Yes, absolutely. As mentioned above, killing Maliketh covers Leyndell in ash, rendering certain areas inaccessible. This means any items, bosses, or NPC interactions you haven’t completed in the Royal Capital will likely be unavailable for the remainder of that playthrough. Therefore, thorough exploration before facing Maliketh is highly recommended.

2. What happens to Gurranq after Maliketh is defeated?

According to lore, Gurranq/Maliketh acknowledges he has done what he can and departs, still consumed by his hunger for Deathroot. The article notes: “Despite consuming all the Deathroot the Tarnished could bring him, Gurranq is not sated, yet he realises that he has done all he can for the land and departs, with his hunger as his only companion.”

3. Is Maliketh the last boss in Elden Ring?

No, Maliketh is not the last boss. He is the final boss of the Crumbling Farum Azula legacy dungeon, but defeating him is a step towards the final bosses found in the Leyndell, Ashen Capital.

4. What should I do before fighting Maliketh?

Before facing Maliketh, you should:

Explore Leyndell thoroughly: Collect all items, complete any NPC questlines, and defeat any optional bosses you might have missed.
Upgrade your weapons and armor: Ensure you are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead, as the enemies in the Ashen Capital are tougher than those in the Royal Capital.
Stock up on consumables: Gather plenty of healing items, buffs, and other consumables to aid you in the upcoming battles.
Consider using an online guide to ensure that you are not missing anything, but be aware of potential spoilers.

5. Where do I go immediately after beating Maliketh?

After defeating Maliketh, you will automatically respawn in Leyndell, Ashen Capital. From there, head southwest through the ruined buildings and ash dunes to find an elevator leading to the next area.

6. What rewards do I get for killing Maliketh?

The primary rewards for defeating Maliketh are 220,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Black Blade. The Remembrance can be traded for Maliketh’s Black Blade or the Black Blade Incantation.

7. Is Leyndell, Ashen Capital the final area of the game?

Technically, Leyndell, Ashen Capital is the final area in that it leads directly to the final boss encounters. However, there are several areas and optional content that many players can find and explore before getting to Leyndell.

8. What is the “point of no return” in Elden Ring?

While there are several events that restrict access to certain areas, the “point of no return” most commonly refers to the burning of the Erdtree, which occurs after defeating Maliketh. This event permanently transforms Leyndell and locks you out of previous content.

9. Who is the final boss of Elden Ring?

The final boss of Elden Ring is the Elden Beast, encountered after defeating Radagon of the Golden Order.

10. Is Maliketh harder than Malenia?

This is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and builds. However, based on the information, Maliketh can be harder due to his unpredictable movements and challenging dodge timings. Malenia is challenging because of her ability to heal, and she is commonly perceived as the hardest boss.

11. What is the best strategy for defeating Maliketh?

The article mentions using the Blasphemous Claw to parry Maliketh’s attacks during his Destined Death phase. Other strategies include using summons to distract him and exploiting his weaknesses with appropriate weapons and spells. Sorceries like Greatblade Phalanx, Glintblade Phalanx, and Carian Piercer are effective at staggering him.

12. What happens after I complete Elden Ring?

After defeating the final boss and choosing an ending, you can start a New Game Plus (NG+). This allows you to replay the game with your character’s levels, equipment, and items intact, but with increased difficulty. There is no option to return to your previous game state before the ending.

13. Where can I get Maliketh’s armor?

Maliketh’s Set can be purchased from Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold after defeating Maliketh.

14. How does Maliketh tie into the larger Elden Ring lore?

Maliketh plays a pivotal role as the former protector of Marika and keeper of the Rune of Death. His betrayal (or perceived betrayal) by Marika and his subsequent corruption are central to the events that unfold in the game. Learning more about the characters, lore, and game based learning can be done via the Games Learning Society, a group devoted to the studies. For more information, please visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

15. What’s the best ending in Elden Ring?

The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. The Age of Stars ending, associated with Ranni, is often considered a positive outcome as it brings about a new order and potentially a better future for the Lands Between. The ending that Melina wants you to achieve is the standard ending to the game. It is up to the player to decide which ending is best.

Conclusion

Defeating Maliketh is a significant milestone in Elden Ring, marking a dramatic shift in the game’s narrative and environment. The transformation of Leyndell into the Ashen Capital is a point of no return, locking you out of certain areas but paving the way for the final challenges. By understanding the consequences of this decision and preparing accordingly, you can navigate the ashen aftermath and claim your destiny as the Elden Lord.

What happens after killing Maliketh?