Okay, so I was just scrolling and saw this absolutely soul-crushing clip from a fellow Tarnished fighting Malenia, Blade of Miquella. We all know her, we all fear her. This player’s experience was a masterclass in how not to heal, and honestly, it was so painful yet so relatable. The clip showed them trying to sip that precious Crimson Flask, and every single time, Malenia would just swoop in and smack them down mid-gulp. I felt that frustration in my soul! The caption was just pure defeat: "Guess I won’t heal from now on." Big mood. This game, man—Elden Ring, the 2022 GOTY and still a beast in 2026—never stops teaching us brutal lessons. It’s the ultimate FromSoftware experience: epic world-building, insane lore from Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, and bosses that will humble you real quick.

Even though Shadow of the Erdtree DLC dropped back in 2024 (and was so good it got a GOTY nom itself!), the base game bosses like Malenia remain iconic tests of skill. The community is still sharing these hilarious and tragic clips, and it's the best part of the journey. Learning from each other's fails is key!

So, What Went Wrong in That Clip?

Let's break it down, because timing is EVERYTHING in this fight.

• The Healing Mistake: The player was healing at totally the wrong moments. Malenia is hyper-aggressive, especially in her first phase. You can't just chug a flask whenever you're low; you have to wait for a real opening.

• The Debuff Factor: A sharp-eyed Redditor pointed out the player had a health debuff active (probably from hugging Fia), which reduces your max HP by 5%. That's a huge disadvantage against a boss who can one-shot combo you!

• The Mental Game: After a few failed heals, you get desperate, and that's when Malenia punishes you hardest. It's a vicious cycle.

Pro Tips to Actually Survive (and Maybe Heal!) vs. Malenia

Based on the community wisdom from that thread and my own... ahem... numerous attempts, here’s the strategy:

1. Clean Your Debuffs! Before you even step into the arena, make sure you don't have that health reduction. Use Baldachin's Blessing to remove it. Every point of HP counts!

2. Heal Only After Dodging a Combo: Malenia has specific attack strings. The best time to heal is immediately after you've successfully dodged her final move in a sequence. She has a brief recovery period—that's your window! Don't get greedy.

3. Keep Your Distance (Sometimes): Creating space can bait certain attacks that are easier to dodge and then heal after. But be careful, she closes gaps fast!

4. It's Okay to Skip Her! Seriously, no shame. The fight is optional. If it's ruining your vibe, come back later or just go explore the gorgeous, terrifying world of the Lands Between. Your sanity will thank you.

Why Malenia is Such a Nightmare

Let me tell you, this boss is no joke. She's a two-phase monster with a moveset that feels downright unfair sometimes.

• Phase 1: Blade of Miquella. She's fast, she hits hard, and her Waterfowl Dance move is infamous. She also heals herself on hit, even if you block!

• Phase 2: Goddess of Rot. She sprouts wings, the arena gets covered in Scarlet Rot, and she gains even more devastating aerial attacks. The spectacle is amazing, but oh boy, the pain.

The Reward for Your Suffering

If you do manage to conquer her in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, the spoils are sweet:

• Malenia's Great Rune: A powerful equipable item.

• Remembrance of the Rot Goddess: Can be traded for her iconic weapon or a spell.

• Bragging Rights: The ultimate flex. You've joined an elite club.

Honestly, seeing clips like that healing fail is what makes the Elden Ring community so great. We've all been there, staring at the "YOU DIED" screen, questioning our life choices. But we get up, we learn, and we try again. That's the spirit of a true Tarnished. And who knows? Maybe by 2026, that rumored live-action adaptation will finally be here, and we can watch someone else struggle for a change! Keep fighting, fam. Don't you dare go hollow! 💀✨