The Grim Reaper of the Lands Between: Which Elden Ring Boss Claims the Most Souls?
The answer, undeniably and by a landslide, is Malenia, Blade of Miquella. This scarlet-haired demigod has become a legend among Tarnished, not for her benevolence, but for her brutal difficulty. The article explicitly stated she “ate up an astonishing 329 million of those attempts, making her Elden Ring’s objectively deadliest boss”. Her relentless aggression, self-healing abilities, and devastating Waterfowl Dance attack have earned her the title of the ultimate challenge in Elden Ring and the most player deaths. This isn’t merely anecdotal; the staggering number of attempts players have made against her solidifies her position as the boss with the highest death count.
Decoding Malenia’s Deadly Reign
Malenia isn’t just difficult; she’s a complex encounter designed to push players to their absolute limits. Several factors contribute to her high kill count. Firstly, she is an optional endgame boss. Players don’t have to fight her to complete the game, meaning only those seeking the ultimate test willingly enter her arena. Secondly, her Waterfowl Dance attack is notorious for its speed, range, and ability to one-shot even heavily armored players. It requires precise timing and positioning to avoid, and even then, it’s a challenge. Thirdly, Malenia heals herself with every hit, regardless of whether she connects with the player or a summon. This means extended fights are often suicidal, as she can regain vast amounts of health simply by swinging her blade. Fourthly, the Rot ailment stacks on, and if that doesn’t get you, she inflicts you with Scarlet Rot, further eroding player health. The challenge is a culmination of all of these factors.
The Allure of Challenge: Why Malenia?
Despite her difficulty, Malenia has become a strangely beloved figure in the Elden Ring community. The struggle against her is seen as a badge of honor. Many players find the challenge invigorating, pushing them to master the game’s mechanics and experiment with different builds and strategies. The sense of accomplishment after finally defeating her is immense, far exceeding that of many other bosses. Furthermore, the rise of players like “Let Me Solo Her,” who dedicated themselves to helping others overcome Malenia, demonstrates the collaborative and supportive nature of the Elden Ring community. This dedication to facing and overcoming extreme difficulty is a testament to the power of challenging game design. The Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, can shed light on how games and challenges like Malenia can be used to improve the learning experience.
Beyond Malenia: Other Contenders for the Throne
While Malenia reigns supreme in terms of sheer death count, other bosses have also proven to be significant challenges. The article cited a ranked list including:
- Starscourge Radahn: A gravity-defying general who requires strategic use of summons and mounted combat.
- Radagon of the Golden Order/Elden Beast: The final boss(es) of the game, demanding mastery of dodging and stamina management.
- Godskin Duo: A relentless pair that requires careful positioning and crowd control.
- Dragonlord Placidusax: An ancient dragon with devastating attacks and unpredictable movements.
- Beast Clergyman/Maliketh, The Black Blade: A frenzied warrior with high damage output and the ability to reduce your maximum health.
- Astel, Natural Born of the Void: A cosmic horror with teleportation abilities and powerful magic attacks.
- Fire Giant: A colossal behemoth with weak points that are difficult to reach.
Each of these bosses presents unique challenges and has undoubtedly contributed to the overall player death toll in Elden Ring. However, none have achieved the same level of notoriety as Malenia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Elden Ring Bosses and Difficulty
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Elden Ring bosses and the game’s difficulty, designed to provide further insight into the challenges and triumphs within the Lands Between:
1. What is the average death count per player in Elden Ring?
The average death count per player in Elden Ring’s first year was approximately 450.
2. Is it possible to skip bosses in Elden Ring? If so, how many?
Yes, it is possible to skip bosses. Only 12 bosses are mandatory to complete the main story.
3. How many bosses are there in Elden Ring overall?
There are approximately 238 boss encounters in Elden Ring.
4. Who is considered the easiest boss in Elden Ring?
Soldier of Godrick is widely considered the easiest boss, often serving as a tutorial boss.
5. What level should I be to fight Malenia?
The recommended level for fighting Malenia is at least 120, ideally 125+, with weapons of +23 or more.
6. What are some of Malenia’s weaknesses?
Malenia is weak to Bleed and Frostbite. Using weapons and skills that inflict these status effects can significantly aid in defeating her.
7. Is Malenia harder than Radagon?
Yes, Malenia is generally considered harder than Radagon due to her self-healing, relentless aggression, and the infamous Waterfowl Dance attack.
8. What is Radagon weak to?
Radagon is surprisingly weak to Fire damage. Flame-based attacks, skills, and spells can quickly dispatch him.
9. Is there any particular strategy for dodging Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance?
Dodging Waterfowl Dance requires precise timing and direction. The most effective method is to roll into the first flurry of attacks, then away from the subsequent flurries, creating distance. Experimentation is key to mastering the dodge timing.
10. Who is the most annoying enemy in Elden Ring, besides bosses?
Many players find the Lesser Runebears, Giant Lobsters, and Revenants to be among the most annoying enemies due to their aggressive behavior and high damage output.
11. Are Morgott and Margit the same character?
Yes, Morgott and Margit are the same character. Margit is an early-game encounter, while Morgott is a later, more powerful version.
12. What makes Elden Ring’s difficulty stand out compared to other FromSoftware games?
Elden Ring’s open-world structure allows for more freedom in tackling challenges. While some bosses are incredibly difficult, players can explore the world, level up, and find powerful equipment to return stronger. This flexibility in progression is a key differentiator.
13. How many people have 100% completed Elden Ring?
Approximately 7.9% of Elden Ring players on PlayStation have earned the Platinum trophy, indicating a high completion rate for a AAA game.
14. How long does it take to 100% Elden Ring?
It takes approximately 133 hours on average to achieve 100% completion in Elden Ring.
15. What is the hardest ending to achieve in Elden Ring?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is considered the most difficult to achieve due to its obscure and esoteric quest requirements.
In conclusion, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, stands as the undisputed champion in the realm of Elden Ring deaths. While many other bosses present formidable challenges, her unique blend of aggression, healing, and the notorious Waterfowl Dance have cemented her legacy as the game’s ultimate test of skill and perseverance. The Elden Ring community has embraced this challenge, finding both frustration and immense satisfaction in overcoming her, and the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ may find the challenge and the community building around it to be fascinating.