What Sorcery to Use on Malenia? The Ultimate Elden Ring Guide

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is arguably the most challenging boss in Elden Ring. Her relentless aggression, healing on hit, and the dreaded Waterfowl Dance make her a formidable opponent. While melee strategies are viable, sorcery offers powerful tools to exploit her weaknesses and bring her down. The most effective sorceries against Malenia focus on staggering, interrupting, and dealing consistent damage while maintaining safe distance.

The top contenders for sorceries against Malenia are:

• Rock Sling: This gravity sorcery is a powerhouse. Its high poise damage is excellent for staggering Malenia, interrupting her attacks (including Waterfowl Dance if timed correctly), and dealing significant physical damage. Its relatively low FP cost and readily available location (obtained from the Street of Sages Ruins in Caelid) make it accessible early in the game.

• Night Comet: This spell excels due to its evasive properties. Malenia consistently dodges most sorceries, but Night Comet, being invisible to NPCs, often lands its hits. It’s a strong choice for consistent damage output, especially when combined with the Staff of Loss in the offhand to boost its potency.

• Ranni’s Dark Moon: While costly in FP, this legendary sorcery is worth its weight in gold. It inflicts frostbite, reduces Malenia’s magic resistance by 10%, and staggers her if she’s already frostbitten. The debuff applied makes subsequent sorceries even more effective, turning the tide of the battle.

• Great Glintstone Shard/Glintstone Pebble: Don’t underestimate these basic sorceries. Their speed and low FP cost make them ideal for punishing openings and interrupting her actions. Glintstone Pebble, in particular, is excellent for staggering Malenia, especially if you can chain casts together.

• Stars of Ruin: A late-game option, Stars of Ruin is highly effective against Malenia due to its tracking capability. Each projectile will attempt to hit her, which can quickly deplete her health bar. This spell shines when Malenia is vulnerable after being staggered or during her openings.

It’s crucial to note that no single sorcery is a guaranteed win. Malenia’s agility and ability to heal make it necessary to adapt your strategy. This often involves a combination of different sorceries, talismans, and gear. The optimal strategy also depends on your playstyle and stat distribution. Focus on maximizing your Intelligence stat, using sorcery-enhancing talismans, and selecting a staff that complements your chosen spells.

Mastering the Art of Sorcery Against Malenia

Understanding Malenia’s Weaknesses

Malenia is vulnerable to stagger, frostbite, and physical damage. She’s also resistant to magic damage in general, but reducing her magic resistance with Ranni’s Dark Moon can significantly improve your damage output. Furthermore, understanding her attack patterns is key to timing your spells effectively. Pay close attention to her animations to anticipate her moves and find opportunities to punish her.

Choosing the Right Gear

Your gear plays a crucial role in your success.

• Staff: The Lusat’s Glintstone Staff offers the highest sorcery scaling but comes with increased FP consumption. The Carian Regal Scepter is a balanced choice, while the Staff of Loss is essential for boosting the damage of Night Comet.
• Talismans: The Radagon Icon shortens casting time, the Graven-School Talisman and Graven-Mass Talisman increase sorcery damage, the Cerulean Amber Medallion reduces FP consumption, and the Erdtree’s Favor boosts HP, stamina, and equip load.
• Armor: Prioritize armor that provides good poise and resistance to physical damage while maintaining a medium load to allow for efficient dodging.

Tactical Considerations

• Maintain Distance: Malenia excels at close-range combat. Keep your distance to avoid her relentless attacks.
• Time Your Spells: Don’t spam sorceries blindly. Observe her attack patterns and cast spells when she’s vulnerable.
• Stagger Her: Use Rock Sling or charged Glintstone Pebble casts to stagger her and create openings.
• Interrupt Waterfowl Dance: This is the most crucial aspect of the fight. If you see her rising into the air, immediately cast Rock Sling or use other methods to stagger her out of the attack. Freezing Pots are also a valid option.
• Manage FP: Sorceries consume FP. Use Cerulean Tears to replenish your FP when needed. The Cerulean Amber Medallion and Mind stat help to mitigate FP costs.
• Summons: Consider using summons like the Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear Ash. They can draw aggro and provide you with opportunities to cast spells safely.

Malenia Phase 2 Strategy

In the second phase, Malenia gains access to Scarlet Rot attacks. She also begins with a dive-bombing flower attack which can be dodged by running towards where she will land as she initiates the attack. Adapt your strategy by incorporating items like Flame, Cleanse Me to cure Scarlet Rot. Continue to maintain distance, stagger her whenever possible, and interrupt her attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is sorcery a viable strategy against Malenia?

Yes, sorcery is a highly viable strategy against Malenia. It allows you to maintain a safe distance, exploit her weaknesses to stagger and frostbite, and deal consistent damage.

2. What are the best sorceries to use against Malenia in early game?

Rock Sling is the best early game sorcery. It is attainable early in the game, requires few stats to use, and is highly effective at staggering Malenia.

3. How do I interrupt Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance with sorcery?

The most reliable sorcery for interrupting Waterfowl Dance is Rock Sling. Time your cast carefully to hit her as she begins the attack animation. Freezing pots are also effective.

4. Does Malenia dodge all sorceries?

Malenia dodges most sorceries, but some, like Night Comet, are less likely to be dodged due to their invisibility to NPCs.

5. What stats should I prioritize for a sorcery build against Malenia?

Prioritize Intelligence, Mind, and Vigor. Intelligence increases your sorcery scaling, Mind increases your FP, and Vigor increases your HP.

6. What are the best talismans for a sorcery build against Malenia?

Radagon Icon, Graven-School Talisman, Graven-Mass Talisman, Cerulean Amber Medallion, and Erdtree’s Favor.

7. What is the best staff to use against Malenia?

It depends on the sorcery. Lusat’s Glintstone Staff for maximum damage, Carian Regal Scepter for balanced performance, and Staff of Loss specifically for Night Comet.

8. How does frostbite affect Malenia?

Frostbite significantly reduces Malenia’s damage absorption and movement speed, making her more vulnerable to attacks. Ranni’s Dark Moon is the best option for applying frostbite at a distance.

9. Should I use summons against Malenia as a sorcerer?

Summons can be extremely helpful. They draw aggro and create openings for you to cast spells safely. Consider using Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear Ash.

10. How do I deal with Scarlet Rot in the second phase?

Use items like Flame, Cleanse Me to cure Scarlet Rot. Also, practice your dodging to avoid her Scarlet Rot attacks.

11. Is it worth using Ranni’s Dark Moon against Malenia?

Yes, Ranni’s Dark Moon is worth using. It inflicts frostbite and reduces her magic resistance, making subsequent sorceries more effective.

12. What is the best way to manage FP consumption in this fight?

Use the Cerulean Amber Medallion, the Cerulean Seed Talisman, and Cerulean Tears to replenish your FP. Also, consider increasing your Mind stat.

13. Can I use a shield as a sorcerer against Malenia?

While not essential, a shield with high physical damage negation can be useful for blocking some of her attacks. The Carian Knight Shield is a viable option.

14. What level should I be before attempting to fight Malenia as a sorcerer?

It is recommended to be around level 120-150 with at least 60 Intelligence and sufficient Vigor and Mind.

15. What are the best alternative sorceries if I don’t have the ones mentioned?

Swift Glintstone Shard and Carian Slicer are great alternatives. Swift Glintstone Shard is fast and can punish openings, while Carian Slicer is effective for melee range situations.

Defeating Malenia with sorcery requires patience, practice, and a strategic approach. By understanding her weaknesses, choosing the right sorceries and gear, and mastering the tactics outlined above, you can overcome this challenging boss and claim victory. Good luck, Tarnished!