Quick Answer: Maliketh, the Black Blade is a mandatory boss in Crumbling Farum Azula, one of the hardest fights in Elden Ring. Recommended level: 110-140. Phase 1 is Beast Clergyman (fast jumping attacks); phase 2 transforms him into Maliketh with the Black Blade — Black Blade hits reduce your max HP permanently for the fight. Defeating Maliketh unlocks the Rune of Death and the final endgame.
Maliketh, the Black Blade is one of Elden Ring’s most dramatic and aggressive boss fights. He is fast, mobile, hits for absurd damage, and his second phase is widely considered a difficulty spike second only to Malenia. Maliketh guards the Rune of Death itself, and beating him is mandatory to reach the Erdtree and the final endgame. This guide covers his two phases, the strategies that work, and the gear that turns him from a nightmare into a manageable duel.
Where to Find Maliketh
Maliketh waits in Crumbling Farum Azula, the ancient ruined city reached by sleeping after burning the Erdtree. To reach his boss arena you must:
- Defeat the Godskin Duo to unlock the path forward;
- Cross the floating debris and tornadoes;
- Climb the central tower to the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace;
- Cross the bridge guarded by the dragon (avoid or kill) and enter the boss fog.
The Site of Grace just outside the arena is your last save point — and yes, you will use it many times.
Recommended Level and Loadout
Most players engage Maliketh at level 110 to 140 with weapons at +22/+9 or higher. He is a damage check as well as a skill check — without strong damage you simply cannot keep up with his healing-via-aggression style.
Strong loadouts:
- Bleed weapons — Rivers of Blood, Eleonora’s Poleblade, or Uchigatana with Seppuku;
- Mimic Tear — split his aggression and gain free damage windows;
- Stars of Ruin / Lightning Spear — ranged options for caster builds;
- Black Knife Tiche — alternative summon if you do not want Mimic.
Talismans That Matter
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman — Maliketh’s phase 2 is mostly physical;
- Pearldrake Talisman +2 — for his phase 1 holy/death attacks;
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation — if running bleed;
- Erdtree’s Favor +2 — staple for HP, stamina, equip load.
Phase 1 — Beast Clergyman
The first phase is the Beast Clergyman, Maliketh’s pre-transformation form. He fights with a staff and a small dagger. He is jumpy, aggressive, and constantly repositioning — but his moveset is readable once you internalize his tells.
Key moves:
- Jumping ground slam — he leaps into the air and slams down. Roll forward through his landing zone;
- Sand cloud — he creates a dust storm that traps you for a follow-up. Roll out laterally the moment it appears;
- Dagger flurry — fast multi-hit combo. Do not panic-roll the first hit;
- Beast claw spray — projectile rocks. Sprint perpendicular, do not roll backward.
Phase 1 is the warm-up. Whittle him down without using more than 3-4 flasks.
Phase 2 — Maliketh, the Black Blade
Below 50% health, the Beast Clergyman transforms. The screen darkens, music swells, and Maliketh now wields the Black Blade — the literal weapon of death. He has new combos, a healing-cap effect on you, and significantly higher speed.
Key phase 2 moves:
- Black Blade jump combo — he leaps and slashes 3-5 times in sequence. Roll into him, not away;
- Wall slam — he sprints up a wall and dive-bombs the arena. Sprint perpendicular when he disappears;
- Death’s Poison ring — he plants the Black Blade in the ground; an expanding ring deals heavy damage. Sprint outward immediately;
- Black Blade slash with delay — looks slow at first, then suddenly speeds up. Roll late, not early.
Healing Cap
Every Black Blade hit reduces your maximum HP for the rest of the fight. This is one of FromSoftware’s nastiest debuffs — you simply cannot take many hits in phase 2 without snowballing. This makes patience even more important. Trade one hit for one hit, never one hit for two.
Punish Windows
- After his sand cloud — 2 hits while he recovers;
- After his wall slam — full punish window if you survive it;
- After his Death Ring — 1 hit, then disengage;
- After his big overhead combo where he plants the blade — 3 hits for fast weapons.
Never punish after a dodge if he is still moving. Maliketh chains attacks faster than almost any other boss.
Mimic Tear vs Tiche
Mimic Tear copies your loadout, so equip your strongest setup before summoning. Tiche has innate dodge AI and inflicts holy damage — she scales better at high NG cycles. For first runs, Mimic with Rivers of Blood is the canonical cheese.
Common Mistakes
- Healing in phase 2 line of sight. Maliketh closes the gap in a single move. Heal only when he is mid-recovery or far away;
- Greeding hits during the Black Blade plant. The Death Ring is wider than it looks. One hit, then sprint;
- Fighting at the wall. Phase 2 wall slams are nearly guaranteed if you are caught against the arena edge.
Rewards
On defeat, Maliketh drops:
- Remembrance of the Black Blade — exchange at Enia for Maliketh’s Black Blade (a Strength/Faith curved greatsword with the Destined Death incantation, one of the strongest weapons in the game) or Black Blade incantation;
- Rune of Death — unlocks the path to the final endgame, the Ashen Capital;
- A huge rune drop suitable for several level-ups.
Lore Significance
Maliketh is the brother-in-arms of Queen Marika and the literal jailer of Destined Death. Defeating him releases Death back into the Lands Between, triggering the cinematic of the Erdtree burning and unlocking the endgame. His final words in his defeat animation are a meditation on his entire purpose — well worth reading the subtitles.
What’s Next
After Maliketh you receive the Rune of Death and Leyndell becomes Leyndell, Ashen Capital. The path forward leads to the final boss, but most players first complete Mohgwyn Palace, Consecrated Snowfield, and the Haligtree before pushing to the end.
Final Notes
Maliketh is a brick wall for many players, and that is entirely intentional. FromSoftware designs him to feel impossible until something clicks — usually his timing on the wall slam and Death Ring. Once you learn those two moves, he becomes a rhythm fight rather than a chaos fight. Treat phase 2 as a dance, not a duel, and you will get the kill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you beat Maliketh in Elden Ring?
A: Use Mimic Tear with bleed weapons to split his aggression. Roll into his attacks, not away. Heal only when he is far or recovering. The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman reduces his physical damage.
Q: Where is Maliketh located?
A: Maliketh waits in Crumbling Farum Azula, the ruined floating city accessed after burning the Erdtree. Cross the central tower and engage him past the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace.
Q: What does the Black Blade do?
A: Maliketh’s Black Blade attacks permanently reduce your maximum HP for the duration of the fight. This makes patience and dodging critical — you cannot tank trades.
Q: Is Maliketh mandatory?
A: Yes. Defeating Maliketh is required to access the final endgame area, the Ashen Capital.