Who Is Stronger Than Malenia, Blade of Miquella?
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, has cemented herself as a legend within the Elden Ring community. Her relentless attacks, healing ability, and the infamous Waterfowl Dance have broken countless Tarnished souls. However, despite her fearsome reputation, the question remains: Who is definitively stronger than Malenia? The answer, like much of Elden Ring’s lore, is multifaceted. While General Radahn is often cited as her equal (or superior), several other entities, both living and conceptual, could arguably claim dominance over her in raw power or influence. Let’s break it down.
While the lore paints their battle as a stalemate, a deeper dive suggests Radahn might have possessed a slight edge, strategically at least. Though Malenia inflicted Scarlet Rot upon him, transforming him into a maddened beast, Radahn continued to hold back the stars, a feat of incredible strength and will that Malenia could not match. Beyond Radahn, beings of Outer God influence and those who wield the Elden Ring‘s full power represent contenders for a higher echelon of strength. This includes figures like the Greater Will (indirectly), potentially a fully realized Miquella, and, most certainly, a Tarnished wielding the Elden Ring and embodying its power. Even Prime Godfrey, in his warrior prime, could be a match, given his established strength against giants and dragons, and his status as the first Elden Lord.
Demigod Power Rankings: Beyond Blade of Miquella
Malenia’s strength lies in her incredible combat prowess and the inherent power of Scarlet Rot. However, raw power isn’t the only metric. Influence, magical ability, and strategic control also factor into the equation. Let’s consider some contenders:
- Radahn, Scourge of the Stars: As mentioned, Radahn’s sheer strength and will are legendary. His ability to halt the stars’ movements is a feat beyond Malenia’s capabilities, indicating a profound control over gravitational forces and a will to persevere through Rot.
- Godfrey/Hoarah Loux: Godfrey, in his prime as Hoarah Loux, possessed unmatched martial prowess. His strength was so immense that he eventually had to restrain himself with Serosh. While he may not have the magical advantages of other demigods, his raw physical power could pose a significant challenge to Malenia.
- Mohg, Lord of Blood: Mohg’s control over bloodflame and his ability to curse his enemies with bleeding are formidable. While Malenia is adept at one-on-one combat, Mohg’s AoE (Area of Effect) attacks and potent curse could overwhelm her.
- Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy: Rykard’s power lies in his ability to absorb others, constantly growing stronger. While initially weaker than Malenia, his potential for growth is limitless.
Outer Gods and Empyreans: A Different League
The Demigods are powerful, but entities connected to the Outer Gods operate on a different scale.
- The Greater Will: The Greater Will, the Outer God that influences the Lands Between through the Elden Ring, holds immense power. Although its influence is often exerted indirectly, its control over the cosmic order makes it arguably the most powerful entity in the game.
- Formless Mother: Mohg derives his power from the Formless Mother, an Outer God of blood. While not directly present in the game, her influence grants Mohg considerable power, and a direct manifestation of her might would likely surpass Malenia’s capabilities.
- Miquella (Potentially): Miquella, Malenia’s twin brother, possesses immense untapped potential. His ability to influence others and his mastery of Unalloyed Gold could potentially make him a formidable force, possibly even surpassing Malenia once he achieves his goals.
The Tarnished: The Variable Factor
Finally, the Tarnished, the player character, represents a wild card.
- Elden Lord Tarnished: A Tarnished who has repaired the Elden Ring and become Elden Lord wields the power of the entire Elden Ring. This power could theoretically surpass that of any single demigod, including Malenia. The Tarnished’s strength lies not just in raw power but in their ability to utilize all the tools and knowledge acquired throughout their journey.
In conclusion, while Malenia is undoubtedly one of the most powerful warriors in the Lands Between, she is not necessarily the strongest. Radahn’s sheer force and strategic value, the potential of Miquella, the influence of the Outer Gods, and the ultimate power of the Elden Lord Tarnished all represent entities that could arguably surpass her in power or influence. The beauty of Elden Ring’s lore is that it leaves room for interpretation and debate, ensuring that these questions continue to spark discussions among players. Don’t forget to dive deeper into the lore and community discussions at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Malenia the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
Yes, Malenia is generally considered the most challenging boss in Elden Ring by the majority of players. Her aggressive attack patterns, healing ability, and the infamous Waterfowl Dance make her a formidable opponent.
2. Who is stronger, Malenia or Radahn?
The lore suggests their battle was a stalemate, but considering Radahn’s feats of holding back the stars even after being afflicted with Scarlet Rot, it’s plausible he held a strategic advantage or a greater degree of raw power. The debate continues among players.
3. What are Malenia’s weaknesses?
Malenia is weak to Fire attacks and Bleed status effects. Weapons that can inflict these effects are particularly effective against her.
4. Did Malenia defeat Godrick the Grafted?
Yes, Malenia humiliated Godrick in battle when she marched south. He was left groveling for mercy, a testament to Malenia’s strength and combat skill.
5. What is the Waterfowl Dance?
The Waterfowl Dance is a series of rapid, consecutive attacks performed by Malenia. It can easily one-shot players and is considered one of her most difficult and iconic moves to dodge.
6. Who is Let Me Solo Her?
Let Me Solo Her is a famous Elden Ring player, known as KleinTsuboiOW and Jarnished, who has gained notoriety for helping other players defeat Malenia. They claim to have defeated her nearly 1,000 times.
7. Why does Malenia have a prosthetic arm?
Malenia suffers from Scarlet Rot from birth, which has caused parts of her body to decay, including her arm, which was replaced with a prosthetic.
8. What happens after you defeat Malenia?
After defeating Malenia, you receive the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess, which can be exchanged for her weapon or other items. She also leaves behind a giant flower, which is part of Millicent’s questline.
9. What is Malenia’s Great Rune?
Malenia’s Great Rune allows the player to recover health upon attacking after taking damage. This makes it a valuable rune for aggressive playstyles.
10. Is Malenia dead after her boss fight?
After her defeat, Malenia transforms and blossoms into a giant flower, symbolizing her transformation into a nascent goddess. Whether this constitutes death is a matter of interpretation, but she does not simply cease to exist.
11. Who is Millicent?
Millicent is a character in Elden Ring whose questline is tied to Malenia. She is essentially a budding flower off of Malenia, making her both a daughter and an extension of Malenia.
12. What is Scarlet Rot?
Scarlet Rot is a powerful status effect in Elden Ring that inflicts continuous damage over time. Malenia is intrinsically linked to it, wielding it as a weapon and suffering from it herself.
13. What is the best summon to use against Malenia?
One of the best summons to use against Malenia is Black Knife Tiche. Her dodging abilities help her avoid Malenia’s attacks and Tiche also has a cursed blade that can do significant DPS.
14. What level should I be to fight Malenia in New Game Plus (NG+)?
A recommended level to fight Malenia in NG+ is around 150-175. This level allows you to have a decent amount of health, stamina, and damage output to withstand her attacks.
15. Is there DLC for Elden Ring?
Yes, there is DLC for Elden Ring, it is titled Shadow of the Erdtree. The release date is unknown, and it has generated significant anticipation and excitement within the Elden Ring community.