Elden Ring – Malenia the Severed Loots, Drops & Runes

Malenia the Severed is one of the most notorious bosses in Elden Ring. Found deep within Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, she's remembered not only for her difficulty but also for the valuable loot she drops. If you're preparing for this fight or wondering what makes her such a significant endgame boss, here's a breakdown of everything you need to know.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella – Boss Overview

• Boss type: Demigod
• Location: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
• HP: 18,473 (Phase 1) + 14,778 (Phase 2) = 33,251 total
• Defense: 123
• Stance: 80 (three parries required to break stance)
• Arena: Open cavern with shallow water, giving both space and danger (she gains Fire resistance and loses Lightning resistance while standing in water).

Both multiplayer and Spirit Ashes are enabled in this fight. However, her unique mechanic makes it even tougher: Malenia regains HP with every attack she lands—even when blocked. This forces players to stay aggressive and punish her openings rather than turtling behind shields.

Rune Rewards

Defeating her provides one of the largest Rune payouts in the game, making her worth the challenge for rune farming in later cycles.

For players chasing efficient progression, Malenia's rune payout is among the best in Elden Ring. Her fight is grueling, but the sheer amount of Runes earned makes the challenge worthwhile, especially in higher NG cycles. If you'd rather skip the grind, you can also buy Elden Ring runes for sale to boost your build quickly and focus on the content you enjoy most.

Loot Drops

Upon victory, Malenia drops:

• 480,000 Runes (NG)
• Malenia's Great Rune – restores HP when you land attacks after activation.
• Remembrance of the Rot Goddess – can be exchanged for unique boss weapons or spells, including her legendary Katana, the Hand of Malenia, and Scarlet Aeonia incantation.

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Phase 1 – Malenia, Blade of Miquella

• HP: 18,473
• Damage Types: Standard, Slash, Pierce
• Strengths: Holy, Poison, Scarlet Rot resistance
• Weaknesses: Fire, Blood Loss, Frostbite

Phase 1 is all about her swordplay. She's fast, aggressive, and punishes hesitation with her HP regeneration mechanic. The key advantage for players is that she can be staggered fairly easily—status effects like Blood Loss and Frostbite are particularly effective, breaking her momentum and opening her up for critical damage.

Phase 2 – Malenia, Goddess of Rot

• HP: 14,778 (begins at ~80% after transformation)
• Damage Types: Standard, Slash, Pierce, Holy
• Status: Scarlet Rot buildup on many attacks

The fight transitions after a cutscene where Malenia blooms into her Goddess of Rot form. Phase 2 opens with Scarlet Aeonia, a devastating AOE rot attack that can end an unprepared run instantly. From here, her moveset becomes more unpredictable with phantom projections and rot-based strikes.

The signature Waterfowl Dance is infamous—a series of relentless aerial slashes. Rolling into her and delaying dodges slightly is the best way to survive this attack. Spirit Ashes or summons can also help redirect her focus, giving you breathing room.

Strategy Notes

• Aggression over defense: Don't rely on blocking. Her lifesteal punishes passive play.
• Status effects are your friend: Frostbite and Blood Loss both stack quickly.
• Keep mobility high: Scarlet Rot zones and Waterfowl Dance require precise dodging.
• Spirit Ash picks: Summons like Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear are effective because they can both dish damage and draw her attention.

Summary

Malenia is more than just a late-game boss—she's a test of mastery. Between her lifesteal, fast combos, and Scarlet Rot-infused phase two, few encounters in Elden Ring match her intensity. The reward, however, is equally legendary: massive rune gains, her Great Rune, and the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess. Defeating her feels like a true milestone in the Lands Between.

• Malenia drops 480,000 runes, Malenia's Great Rune, and Remembrance of the Rot Goddess.
• Phase 1 emphasizes speed and lifesteal sword combos; Phase 2 adds Scarlet Rot and devastating AoE.
• Fire, Blood Loss, and Frostbite are her key weaknesses.
• Rewards include one of the highest rune payouts and access to unique boss gear.