Elden Ring: Mastering Hand of Malenia

In a world teeming with brutal weapons and colossal monstrosities, few blades are as elegant and lethal as the Hand of Malenia. This curved greatsword isn't just a weapon—it's a symbol of the relentless grace and power wielded by one of Elden Ring's most iconic bosses, Malenia, Blade of Miquella.

 

Known for her swift, flowing attacks and devastating combos, Malenia remains one of the most memorable foes in the Lands Between. Her signature weapon brings a taste of that same fury to your hands—but only if you can overcome her, claim her remembrance, and master the blade yourself.

 

Weapon Stats and Requirements

 

The Hand of Malenia is a curved greatsword that prioritizes Dexterity over raw Strength, rewarding precise, agile warriors who can weave in and out of combat with deadly grace.

 

    Physical Damage: 117

 

    Requirements: Strength (16), Dexterity (48)

 

    Scaling: Strength (E), Dexterity (C)

 

This sword isn't for the average adventurer. With a Dexterity requirement of 48, it demands a dedicated build and heavy investment of Elden Ring Runes to reach that level. However, those who make the commitment are rewarded with a blade that excels in fast, fluid strikes and delivers punishing damage with each slash.

 

How to Get the Hand of Malenia

 

To obtain the Hand of Malenia, players must defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella, one of the most formidable and visually stunning bosses in Elden Ring. She's tucked away in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, an optional but incredibly challenging late-game area.

 

Steps to Acquire:

 

    Defeat Malenia in Elphael.

    Acquire the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess.

    Visit Enia at the Roundtable Hold.

    Exchange the Remembrance for the Hand of Malenia.

 

Malenia's fight is infamous for her healing ability—regenerating health with every successful hit—making her one of the few bosses that punishes both passive and aggressive playstyles equally. Surviving this encounter may require hours of preparation, a strong summons, or a perfectly optimized build, including carefully chosen Elden Ring Items like healing flasks, resistance charms, and weapon buffs.

 

Why Choose the Hand of Malenia

 

What sets this weapon apart isn't just its beautiful design or its connection to one of the game's most legendary characters. It's the unique weapon skill: Waterfowl Dance.

 

Waterfowl Dance unleashes a flurry of high-speed slashes in a wide arc, mimicking Malenia's signature move that has caused many Tarnished to scream in frustration. In your hands, it becomes a devastating PvP and PvE tool capable of clearing groups of enemies or quickly shredding bosses that lack hyper armor.

 

When combined with Dexterity-focused talismans and Elden Ring Items that increase skill potency—like the Shard of Alexander—Waterfowl Dance becomes an unstoppable whirlwind.

Builds That Work Best with Hand of Malenia

 

This weapon demands a high-Dexterity build. Here's a general breakdown for optimal performance:

 

    Dexterity: 60 (soft cap for damage scaling)

    Strength: 16 (minimum to wield)

    Endurance: 20+ (to manage stamina and equip load)

    Vigor: 40+ (to survive intense melee encounters)

 

Use your Elden Ring Runes to prioritize Dexterity and Vigor first. Given that Waterfowl Dance consumes a large amount of FP and stamina, Mind and Endurance investments also help you sustain longer combos.

 

Best Elden Ring Items to Pair With Hand of Malenia

 

To truly master this blade, you'll need the right support gear and items. Consider adding the following Elden Ring Items to your inventory:

 

    Shard of Alexander – Boosts skill damage, making Waterfowl Dance even deadlier.

    Green Turtle Talisman – Increases stamina recovery to fuel fast attacks.

    Millicent's Prosthesis – Boosts Dexterity and increases attack power with successive hits.

    Ritual Sword Talisman – Increases attack power when HP is full, perfect for hit-and-run tactics.

    Flask of Wondrous Physick – Mix effects to boost Dexterity or reduce FP cost temporarily.

Having a mix of buffs and survivability tools allows you to stay agile and lethal in prolonged fights.

 

Malenia's Legacy in the Shadow of the Erdtree

 

Prior to the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Malenia held the crown as Elden Ring's most difficult boss. While newer DLC bosses may now rival or surpass her in terms of raw difficulty, her fight remains the benchmark for testing your reaction speed, stamina management, and discipline.

 

Owning the Hand of Malenia isn't just about the stats—it's a trophy earned through sweat, tears, and dozens of death screens. It's the ultimate prize for players who can dance with the goddess of rot and live to tell the tale.

 

And with the arrival of new enemies and zones in the DLC, the Hand of Malenia continues to shine. Its fast, multi-hit combo is perfect for dispatching agile foes, and its elegance contrasts beautifully against the grotesque horrors of the Lands Between.

 

Conclusion

 

The Hand of Malenia is one of the most iconic weapons in Elden Ring for good reason. It requires tremendous dedication, both in terms of gameplay and character build, but offers one of the most rewarding combat experiences in return.

 

So, if you're ready to invest your Elden Ring Runes, fine-tune your Dexterity, and embrace the elegance of deadly grace, this blade will not disappoint. Just be prepared: mastering it means becoming as merciless and graceful as the goddess who once wielded it.