Elden Ring: How to Beat Maliketh
Where to Find Maliketh, the Black Blade
Maliketh is located in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the end of the main story. To reach him:
Progress the main quest until you reach the Mountaintops of the Giants and burn the Erdtree.
You’ll be transported to Crumbling Farum Azula automatically.
Fight through the beastmen, dragons, and knights until you reach the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace.
Head up the bridge, defeating or running past enemies, and enter the fog gate at the end — Maliketh awaits inside.
Before entering, ensure your Flask of Crimson Tears is fully upgraded and your Vigor is around 40 or higher to survive his brutal attacks.
Phase 1: Beast Clergyman
The first phase introduces you to Maliketh’s initial form — the Beast Clergyman, a fast-moving, aggressive opponent who favors close-range melee combat mixed with magic.
Moves to Watch For:
Beast Claw / Ground Slam: He slashes the air or ground, sending golden shockwaves forward. Roll sideways or diagonally toward him to avoid being hit.
Rock Toss: He throws chunks of debris that track your position. Keep moving and roll when they near impact.
Quick Stabs and Swipes: His melee combos are unpredictable. Stay mobile and block or roll after the second swing.
Roar Slam: When he leaps and roars, he’ll crash down with a shockwave. Roll as he lands.
How to Handle It:
Stay mid-range: Too close and you risk combo hits; too far and he spams projectiles.
Punish recovery frames: After heavy attacks like Rock Toss or Ground Slam, he’s open for a brief counter.
Summons help: Spirit Ashes like Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear can split his aggro and buy breathing room.
Deplete half his health, and the true challenge begins — Maliketh, the Black Blade.
Phase 2: Maliketh, the Black Blade
Maliketh’s transformation unleashes a much deadlier moveset. He gains tremendous speed, agility, and magic-infused attacks that deal percent-based HP damage over time.
Moves to Watch For:
Destined Death: His signature attack. Maliketh slashes through the air, sending dark waves that reduce your maximum HP temporarily. Dodge sideways as the blade shines crimson.
Aerial Slash Combo: He leaps high, gliding through the air with two or three sweeping slashes. Roll toward the first strike to stay under him, then back away for the follow-ups.
Spinning Dive: Maliketh spins and dives toward you. Time a roll at the last second to avoid both the dive and explosion.
Shockwave Slam: He plants his blade into the ground, creating a golden pulse. Roll as the blade hits, not when it glows.
How to Handle It:
Aggression pays off: Maliketh’s recovery frames are long after big attacks. Rush in, land 1–2 hits, and retreat.
Don’t panic roll: His combos often delay between swings; wait for the animation cues before dodging.
Use Holy resistance: Equip Haligdrake Talismans or armor with high Holy Defense to mitigate damage from his energy attacks.
Bleed and Frostbite builds shine here — Maliketh is vulnerable to both. Weapons like Rivers of Blood, Uchigatana (Bleed-infused), or Dark Moon Greatsword can chunk his health fast.
Recommended Strategies and Builds
Melee Builds: Use fast weapons (katanas, curved swords, or straight swords) to capitalize on openings. Heavy weapons are viable but require precise timing.
Magic Users: Rock Sling, Stars of Ruin, and Comet Azur work well if you can create distance. Use Terra Magica zones when he’s distracted by a summon.
Faith Builds: Black Flame spells deal extra damage over time. Lightning Spear and Wrath of Gold are also strong ranged options.
For Spirit Ashes, Mimic Tear remains top-tier, but Black Knife Tiche can dodge many of Maliketh’s attacks naturally.
Rewards for Beating Maliketh
Defeating Maliketh rewards you with:
Remembrance of the Black Blade (trade for Black Blade Incantation or Maliketh’s Black Blade weapon).
120,000 Runes (in NG).
Unlocks the Elden Throne area for the game’s final chapters.
Final Tips
Patience is key. Maliketh punishes reckless aggression but rewards precise dodging and timing. Learn his rhythm, keep your camera locked, and cheap Elden Ring Runes don’t let panic rolls or HP drain tilt your focus. Once mastered, defeating Maliketh feels like earning one of the most satisfying victories in all of Elden Ring.