Elden Ring: How to Beat Maliketh
1. Prepare for the Fight
Recommended Level
A comfortable level is 110–125, with a +20/+25 weapon for regular upgrades or +8/+9 for somber weapons. Higher is always safer.
Defenses & Buffs
Maliketh deals holy damage and standard physical, so bring:
Holyproof Dried Liver
Haligdrake Talisman +2
Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman for physical defense
Black Flame Protection (Incantation) if you're faith-built
These dramatically reduce the impact of his Black Blade attacks.
Summons
You can summon Beast Clergyman's former friend D, Beholder of Death-but the simpler and more reliable option is a Spirit Ash:
Mimic Tear (still excellent)
Black Knife Tiche (strong vs fast bosses)
Latenna (if you're good at keeping distance)
The goal is distraction, not damage; Maliketh's aggression divides between two targets.
2. Phase One: Beast Clergyman
Don't underestimate the first phase. The Beast Clergyman is hyper-aggressive, but predictable once you learn his rhythm.
Key Moves to Learn
Fast Double Slash + Stab
Beast Claw ground shockwaves
Rock throws
Bestial Sling shotgun attack
How to Fight Him
The Clergyman prefers to close distance. Keep medium range-far enough to dodge projectiles, close enough to punish his melee whiffs.
His Bestial Sling has a very short wind-up; roll into him and counter with one or two hits.
For Beast Claw, roll sideways through the wave and punish the recovery.
When he leaps for a plunging attack, roll just before impact and score a few hits.
Do not overcommit. The Clergyman punishes greed every time.
If you're using magic, stick with quick-cast spells (Rock Sling, Stars of Ruin, Lightning Spear) instead of long wind-ups. His mobility will shut down anything slow.
Your objective is to enter Phase Two with at least 2–4 flasks remaining and your summon still alive if possible.
3. Phase Two: Maliketh, the Black Blade
Once he transforms, Maliketh becomes one of the game's fastest bosses. His attacks inflict percentage-based max-HP reduction, making each hit far more dangerous than it appears.
Movement and Positioning
The best place to fight him is mid-range, circling slightly to your right. Too close, and he overwhelms you; too far, and he uses long-range gap closers.
Core Attacks
Black Blade AoE slashes (red trails) – Dodge through the slashes toward him.
Grab attack – Extremely deadly. Roll backwards instantly on the jump-lunge tell.
Diving slam combos – Wait for the second hit before punishing.
Long spinning combo – Don't try to attack; only dodge until he finishes.
When to Attack
Maliketh actually has many recovery windows:
After his single diving slam
After his two-part flip slash
When he rebounds from missing his lunging grab
After the three-slash red arc combo, if you dodged correctly
Commit to 1–2 hits max. He is too fast for long strings.
Strength/DEX Users
Use weapons with vertical strikes (Colossal Sword, Greatsword, Curved Greatsword). Jump attacks work well in his brief openings.
Magic Users
Use:
Swift Glintstone Shard
Stars of Ruin
Ancient Death Rancor
Lightning Spear
Avoid anything slow-Maliketh will punish it instantly.
4. Final Tips
Keep moving; standing still gets you killed.
Heal only after dodging a combo's final strike.
Use your summon's distraction for big opportunities.
Holy resistance significantly reduces the punishment from Blade of Death effects.
With patience, discipline, and buy Elden Ring Runes proper positioning, Maliketh becomes a fast but fair boss. Once you internalize his flow, victory comes quickly-and few bosses are as satisfying to conquer.
Dec-04-2025 PST