Mastering Malenia: Effective Cheese Strategies To Secure Your Elden Ring Victory

how to beat malenia cheese

Beating Malenia, Blade of Miquella, in *Elden Ring* is widely considered one of the game’s most challenging encounters, leading many players to seek out cheese strategies to gain an unfair advantage. These methods often exploit mechanics or glitches to trivialize the fight, such as using the Rivers of Blood katana with its bleed buildup or abusing the AI’s behavior by staying at a specific distance or using terrain to avoid her attacks. While these tactics can make the battle more manageable, they require precise timing and knowledge of her attack patterns. However, it’s important to note that relying on cheese strategies may detract from the intended experience and satisfaction of defeating Malenia through skill and perseverance.

cycheese

Bloodhound Step Dodge Timing

Mastering the Bloodhound Step Dodge Timing is crucial for exploiting Malenia’s attack patterns in *Elden Ring*. This Ash of War, when paired with precise timing, allows you to phase through her most devastating combos, effectively "cheesing" her AI. The key lies in understanding her wind-up animations and the exact moment to activate Bloodhound Step. For instance, during her Waterfowl Dance, initiate the dodge just as her sword begins its downward arc, ensuring you phase through the attack entirely. Mistime it, and you’ll either take damage or fail to evade altogether.

Analyzing Malenia’s attack rhythm reveals a predictable cadence, particularly in her second phase. Her combos often follow a three-hit pattern, with the third strike being the most dangerous. Bloodhound Step’s i-frames (invincibility frames) last approximately 0.6 seconds, which is just enough to slip through her blade if timed correctly. Practice this by focusing on her shoulder movements—her sword arm pulls back slightly before each strike, providing a visual cue. Pair this with the audio cue of her blade whooshing, and you’ll develop a near-perfect sense of timing.

A common mistake players make is spamming Bloodhound Step without regard for stamina or positioning. This Ash of War consumes 60 FP per use, and Malenia’s phase two can drain your resources quickly if misused. Instead, reserve it for her high-damage, multi-hit combos like the spinning slash or Waterfowl Dance. Position yourself at mid-range, just outside her melee reach, to maximize the dodge’s effectiveness. If you’re too close, you risk clipping her hitbox; too far, and you’ll waste the dodge entirely.

Comparing Bloodhound Step to other dodge methods highlights its superiority in this fight. Rolling, while reliable, often fails against Malenia’s rapid strikes due to her aggressive tracking. Bloodhound Step’s unique ability to phase through attacks, combined with its brief invincibility window, makes it the ideal counter to her relentless aggression. However, it’s not a catch-all solution—use it sparingly and only when her most dangerous attacks are imminent. Over-reliance can lead to FP depletion, leaving you vulnerable to her simpler, yet still deadly, strikes.

In conclusion, Bloodhound Step Dodge Timing is a high-reward technique that, when mastered, trivializes Malenia’s most fearsome attacks. Practice in controlled environments, such as against weaker enemies, to internalize the timing. Combine visual and auditory cues to anticipate her strikes, and always prioritize stamina management. With patience and precision, this method transforms one of the game’s hardest bosses into a manageable—even cheesy—encounter.

cycheese

Rivers of Blood Combo Spam

The Rivers of Blood Combo Spam is a high-risk, high-reward strategy for defeating Malenia, Goddess of Rot, in *Elden Ring*. This approach leverages the Rivers of Blood katana's unique bleed buildup and the player's ability to chain together relentless, uninterrupted combos. The core idea is to maximize bleed procs while minimizing Malenia's opportunities to retaliate, effectively overwhelming her with a torrent of attacks.

To execute this strategy, equip the Rivers of Blood katana and ensure your character has sufficient dexterity to wield it effectively. The combo relies on the weapon's light attack strings, which, when chained together, apply bleed buildup rapidly. Start by baiting Malenia into a whiffed attack, then immediately close the distance and initiate the combo. The key is to maintain pressure without allowing her to recover—each light attack should flow seamlessly into the next, punctuated by well-timed jumps to avoid her counterattacks.

However, this strategy is not without its pitfalls. Malenia's Scarlet Aeonia attack, which heals her and inflicts Scarlet Rot, can disrupt the combo spam and turn the tide of the fight. To mitigate this, monitor her posture and stamina bars closely. If she begins charging Scarlet Aeonia, disengage momentarily to create distance or use a flask to heal through the damage. Additionally, ensure your character has enough vigor to survive her occasional hits, as the combo spam requires you to stay aggressive and close to her.

The Rivers of Blood Combo Spam is most effective in the early phases of the fight, before Malenia enters her more aggressive second phase. In this phase, her attacks become faster and more unpredictable, making it harder to maintain the uninterrupted combo. If you find yourself struggling in the later stages, consider switching to a more defensive approach or incorporating other bleed weapons like the Ash of War: Seppuku to boost your bleed buildup temporarily.

In conclusion, the Rivers of Blood Combo Spam is a powerful but demanding tactic for defeating Malenia. It requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of both your weapon and the boss's patterns. While it may not be foolproof, mastering this strategy can turn one of the game's most challenging encounters into a showcase of skill and aggression. Practice the combo in less demanding fights to refine your timing, and remember: patience and persistence are as crucial as speed and pressure.

cycheese

Mimic Tear Distraction Strategy

The Mimic Tear ash summon is a game-changer in the battle against Malenia, offering a unique opportunity to exploit her AI and create a window for a decisive strike. This strategy hinges on the Mimic Tear's ability to perfectly replicate your character, including your build, equipment, and abilities. By summoning the Mimic Tear, you effectively double your offensive and defensive capabilities, forcing Malenia to divide her attention. This distraction is key, as it allows you to capitalize on her momentary lapses in focus.

To execute this strategy, position yourself and the Mimic Tear in a way that maximizes Malenia's confusion. Ideally, you want to flank her, with one of you engaging her directly while the other waits for an opening. When Malenia targets the Mimic Tear, use this opportunity to unleash a powerful attack or apply a status effect, such as Scarlet Rot or Poison, to further disrupt her. The goal is to create a constant state of chaos, making it difficult for Malenia to prioritize her attacks effectively.

A critical aspect of this strategy is timing. Malenia's AI is programmed to switch targets after a certain amount of damage or time, so you must coordinate your attacks to exploit this behavior. For instance, if the Mimic Tear lands a heavy blow, immediately follow up with a combo of your own. This rapid succession of attacks can overwhelm Malenia, leading to a successful stagger or posture break. Conversely, if Malenia focuses on you, use your mobility to create distance and allow the Mimic Tear to re-engage.

However, this strategy is not without risks. Malenia's Waterfowl Dance is a devastating attack that can target both you and the Mimic Tear simultaneously. To mitigate this, ensure you have a plan to interrupt or dodge this attack. Using a weapon with a long reach, such as a spear or whip, can help you maintain a safe distance while still contributing to the fight. Additionally, equipping the Mimic Tear with a similar weapon build can enhance its effectiveness in both offense and defense.

In conclusion, the Mimic Tear Distraction Strategy is a high-reward approach that leverages Malenia's AI limitations to create opportunities for decisive strikes. By carefully positioning, timing your attacks, and managing risks, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor. This strategy requires practice and adaptability, but when executed correctly, it can significantly reduce the difficulty of this notoriously challenging fight. Remember, the key to success lies in coordination and exploiting Malenia's split attention.

cycheese

Scarlet Rot Flask Exploit

The Scarlet Rot Flask Exploit is a controversial yet effective strategy for defeating Malenia, Goddess of Rot, in *Elden Ring*. By leveraging the game’s mechanics, players can bypass much of the fight’s difficulty, turning one of the hardest encounters into a manageable, if not trivial, challenge. The core idea revolves around using the Flask of Crimson Tears to heal while simultaneously exploiting the Scarlet Rot status effect to drain Malenia’s health, creating a lopsided battle in your favor.

To execute this exploit, start by equipping the Flask of Crimson Tears and ensuring you have at least one charge available. Position yourself near Malenia at the beginning of the fight, allowing her to apply Scarlet Rot to you. This status effect deals continuous damage, but it also triggers the Flask’s healing effect, restoring a significant portion of your health. The key is to let Malenia’s attacks hit you while staying within the Scarlet Rot zone, effectively turning her aggression into a source of healing. This creates a self-sustaining loop where you remain healed while her health steadily declines.

A critical aspect of this strategy is timing and positioning. Avoid dodging or blocking her attacks unless absolutely necessary, as the goal is to maximize the Flask’s healing while minimizing your own effort. Keep an eye on your Flask charges, as running out mid-fight could leave you vulnerable. Ideally, you should have at least 3–4 charges to maintain the cycle throughout both phases of the battle. Additionally, ensure you’re close enough to Malenia to remain in the Scarlet Rot area but far enough to avoid her more devastating combos.

While this method is highly effective, it’s not without risks. Malenia’s second phase introduces more aggressive attacks, and missteps can lead to quick deaths. Players should practice the exploit in the first phase to get a feel for the rhythm before attempting it consistently. It’s also worth noting that this strategy may feel “cheesy” to some, as it bypasses the intended challenge of the fight. However, for those struggling with Malenia’s relentless combos or seeking a quicker victory, the Scarlet Rot Flask Exploit is a reliable and efficient solution.

In conclusion, the Scarlet Rot Flask Exploit is a clever manipulation of *Elden Ring*’s mechanics that can turn the Malenia fight from a grueling test of skill into a strategic endurance battle. By understanding the interplay between Scarlet Rot, Flask healing, and positioning, players can neutralize Malenia’s threats while steadily whittling her health. While it may not be the most honorable approach, it’s undeniably effective and accessible, making it a valuable tool for those looking to overcome one of the game’s toughest bosses.

cycheese

Prosthetic + Poison Knife Build

The Prosthetic + Poison Knife Build is a cunning strategy to exploit Malenia's aggressive playstyle, turning her relentless attacks into a self-inflicted poison debuff. This build leverages the unique synergy between the Prosthetic’s Ash of War, which attaches to your weapon and detonates on hit, and the Poison Knife’s ability to apply poison buildup. By combining these tools, you create a high-risk, high-reward strategy that forces Malenia to pay for her aggression with her own health bar.

To execute this build, equip the Prosthetic on your off-hand and infuse it with the Poison Knife’s Ash of War. The goal is to bait Malenia into attacking you while the Prosthetic is active. When she lands a hit, the Prosthetic explodes, releasing a cloud of poison that lingers in the area. Malenia’s AI often forces her to remain in the cloud, stacking poison buildup rapidly. A single successful detonation can apply 30–40 poison buildup, and with her large health pool, even a partial poison proc can deal significant damage over time.

However, this strategy requires precise timing and positioning. The Prosthetic’s explosion has a short range, so you must be within striking distance when Malenia attacks. Additionally, the poison cloud dissipates quickly, so prolonged exposure is key. Use Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance as an opportunity—its long animation locks her in place, allowing you to position the cloud directly under her. A well-timed detonation during this phase can deal upwards of 20% of her health in poison damage alone.

One caution: this build is not without risk. The Prosthetic’s explosion can damage you if you’re too close, and relying solely on poison leaves you vulnerable if Malenia adapts her AI. Pair this strategy with a secondary damage source, such as a bleed weapon or spells, to ensure consistent pressure. Additionally, maintain a safe distance when not baiting attacks to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

In conclusion, the Prosthetic + Poison Knife Build is a niche but effective cheese strategy for defeating Malenia. It capitalizes on her aggressive AI and the unique mechanics of the Prosthetic and Poison Knife. With careful execution and a backup plan, this build can turn one of Elden Ring’s toughest bosses into a predictable, poison-riddled foe.

Frequently asked questions

The "Malenia cheese" strategy refers to exploiting specific tactics or glitches to defeat Malenia, Goddess of Rot, more easily. Common methods include using ranged attacks from a distance, summoning NPCs to distract her, or abusing certain weapon arts or spells to minimize her aggressive combos.

Yes, ranged attacks like bows, spells, or even throwing knives can be effective for beating Malenia cheese. By staying at a distance and chipping away at her health, you can avoid her deadly melee combos and Scarlet Aeonia attack, though this method requires patience and precision.

Summoning NPCs like Lettuce or Black Knife Tiche can help distract Malenia, allowing you to attack her more safely. While not a guaranteed cheese, it significantly reduces the difficulty of the fight by splitting her attention and giving you openings to strike.

Yes, weapon arts like Rivers of Blood's bleed buildup or spells like Golden Vow and Terra Magica can be effective for Malenia cheese. Additionally, using bleed or poison buildup weapons can whittle down her health while you avoid direct confrontation.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment