Gaming IndustryAn ex-D&D designer has made a stat block for Elden Ring’s hardest fight, in case you wanted to punish your players with Malenia’s scarlet rotWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Gaming IndustryAn ex-D&D designer has made a stat block for Elden Ring’s hardest fight, in case you wanted to punish your players with Malenia’s scarlet rotWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Tyler C. / FromSoftware)

Malenia, the Blade of Miquella, from Elden Ring - a fearsome knight with valkyrie-like wings atop her golden helm.

“A little something I’ve been tinkering for fun,” he writes onTwitter, as if he’s forgotten of the horrors of the Waterfowl Dance, before introducing a “Stat block for a two-phase #dnd fight using the Mythic monster framework.”

The Mythic Monster framework was introduced in 2020’sMythic Odysseys of Theros. To simplify it, a mythic monster is a monster that has a second phase when it drops to zero hit points. Once that happens, it gains a whole new host of abilities—as anyone who remembers Malenia’s second form is likely realising, it’s a perfect fit.

The stat block itselfis absolutely brutal. Malenia is, appropriately, a CR 21 monster (meaning she’s a challenge for a party of four max-level players). She has five legendary resistances, whereas a lot of D&D monsters only come with three—and they reset once she enters her second phase.

She has an area-of-effect rot aura that permanently curses enemies with the Poisoned condition, dealing damage at the start of their turns. And—yes, she has the Waterfowl Dance, a recharging ability she can use alongside two other entire horrifying attacks on her turns.

This version even has that damned grab attack, triggered if you miss her—and while she doesn’t impale you in much the same way, she does knock you prone, which will give her advantage on her next three attacks against you if you don’t get back on your feet before her turn swings around. Savage.

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Just to do some quick back-of-the-napkin maths: assuming she’s got you all in range of her attacks during her first phase, and everything she can use is available to her, this version of Melania can deal a whopping total of 257 combined damage on average to a party of four on her turn. And that’s not even factoring in her rot aura or her legendary actions. So if you want to get good and beat her, it’s a great idea to not group up.

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

Elden Ring guide:Elden Ring bosses:Elden Ring map fragments:Elden Ring weapons:Elden Ring armor:

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

Elden Ring guide:Conquer the Lands BetweenElden Ring bosses:How to beat themElden Ring map fragments:Reveal the worldElden Ring weapons:Arm yourselfElden Ring armor:The best sets

TOPICSFromSoftware

TOPICS

PRODUCTSDungeons & DragonsElden Ring

PRODUCTS

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