Elden Ring: How To Beat Maliketh [Cheese Method]

Are you having a hard time with Malekith, the Black Blade? Follow our Elden Ring Maliketh cheese strategy guide and beat the boss easily.

Elden Ring is known and loved due to its unrealistic difficulty levels and challenging bosses. One such boss that has got players screeching in pain is Maliketh, the Black Blade, an extremely powerful foe with two successively difficult phases. Moreover, this boss isn’t optional, so you have to deal with him.

Key Takeaways
  • Maliketh, an Elden Ring end-game boss, is challenging but can be defeated using foolproof cheese methods.
  • The first method involves inflicting Rot status using the “Rotten Breath” incantation for effective overtime damage.
  • Another strategy is a bleed build, using Swarm of Flies incantation and Arcane Weapons for explosive damage over time.
  • Using Mimic Tear during the fight is highly recommended to divert Maliketh’s attention and amplify damage.
  • Maliketh is found at the end of the Crumbling Farum Azula level.

Scarlet Rot Build 

scarlet rot build vs maliketh
Scarlet Rot build with Rotten Breath (Screenshot Grab: eXputer)
  • Use Scarlet Rot against Maliketh, and for this, I strongly suggest using the ‘Rotten Breath’ incantation for potent Rot damage.
  • Opt for Dragon Communion or Finger Seal, both scaling with Faith; Finger Seal is effective against Maliketh.
  • Equip Finger Seal, summon your Mimic Tear, and let it continuously cast Rotten Breath.
  • During the first phase, apply Rotten Breath, mix in hits, and dodge attacks.
  • In the second phase, focus on dodging and healing while consistently using Rotten Breath.
  • Optional: Use Rot-inflicting swords like the Rotten Crystal sword.

Bleed Build

bleed weapons vs maliketh
Using Bleed weapons against Maliketh (Image Credits: eXputer)

I recommend using Bleed build, these are the tips I suggest:

  • Use a bleed-focused build against Maliketh in Elden Ring.
  • Cast ‘Swarm of Flies‘ to inflict bleed damage automatically.
  • Combine it with the Dragon Communion seal for better effectiveness.
  • Equip high-bleed weapons to enhance the build.
  • Employ hit-and-run tactics with a mimic tear and Swarm of Flies.
  • Stay agile, dodge attacks, and utilize pillars for defense.
  • Spam Swarm of Flies while the mimic tear absorbs damage.
  • Be persistent and strategic to defeat Maliketh.

Swarm Of Flies location

The Swarm of Flies incantation can be found on a corpse lying along the east side of the Mohgwyn Palace blood marsh, towards the Northern direction of the Palace Approach Ledge-Road grace site.

Mohgwyn Palace is a region that lies beneath Caelid, and it can be accessed by using the Pureblood Knight’s Medal given by White-faced Varre or, alternatively, through a portal in the North of the Consecrated grounds. This is the region where you face Mohg Lord of Blood, one of the game’s strongest optional bosses, in my opinion.

Dragon Communion Seal Location

stranded graveyard limgrave elden ring
The Stranded Graveyard Site of Grace (Image Credits: eXputer)

In order to find the Dragon Communication Seal, I suggest following these steps:

You can find the Dragon Communion Seal by going through the Fringe folk Hero’s Grave, which lies near the Stranded Graveyard site of grace at the game’s beginning. It is necessary for defeating Elden Ring boss, Maliketh.

At the site, you’ll need to use two Stonesword Keys on the double Imp statues and then head straight down the tunnel with the chariot up until the point where the path splits up. Move upwards and progress till you reach the end of the tunnel. You will get the seal upon killing the enemy present in the room at the end of the tunnel.

General Tips For Maliketh Boss Fight

Maliketh farum azula
The Maliketh boss fight (Image taken by eXputer)

In Elden Ring, if you want to defeat Maliketh, I recommend doing the following:

I’ve covered much of the technical aspects regarding the fight with Maliketh, but some general advice might also work wonders for you, especially if you’ve been stuck on this boss for some time now.

  • In phase 1, Maliketh appears as a Beast Clergyman; in this phase, you mainly have to find the gap between his thrust and slash attacks to hit him once or twice.
  • Whenever he starts to throw rocks or projectile claws at you, dodge them.
  • You can use the large pillars in the arena as cover when trying to heal or dodge projectiles.
  • Do not stay there for too long because he’ll generally go around them.
beast clergyman elden ring
Maliketh’s Phase 1: Beast Clergyman (Screenshot by eXputer)
  • In his second phase, Maliketh’s attacks will do more damage, so try to dodge as much as you can.
  • You’ll also have to dodge the energy projectiles he throws at you.

Avoid two crucial attacks from Maliketh: an area of effect attack when he stabs his sword into the ground and a motion-restricting roar that leads to follow-up strikes. In Maliketh’s second phase, his attacks inflict damage over time. So in order to counter that, I would advise Equipping an item for passive health regeneration.

Encounter Maliketh at Crumbling Farum Azula after burning the Erdtree in the game’s final act. Defeat him before Leyndell turns to ashes, rendering parts of the city inaccessible. Complete all Leyndell quests before facing Maliketh to progress in the main storyline.

And with this, my Elden Ring Maliketh cheese guide comes to an end. We hope that you’ll follow the strategies laid down by me and properly use your mimic tear, select a suitable build, and also bear in mind my tips. Follow these steps, and you will most likely be successful in your fight against this legendary boss. 

Other Elden Ring Boss Guides:

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Huzaifa is eXputer's Review Editor, who’s all about RPG games. He’s got several years of experience critically judging games and writing his unbiased thoughts on them. You can also find his content published on sites like Twinfinite & GearNuke. Huzaifa has been gaming for 23+ years, during which he managed to amass 400+ hours on Elden Ring! You can follow his gaming activity on his Xbox and Steam Profiles.

Experience: 5+ years || Previously Worked At GearNuke & Twinfinite || Mainly Covers RPG Guides & Latest Games Reviews || Education: Bachelors in Hospitality.

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