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Is Rennala Harder Than Malenia? (Reddit)

No, Malenia is significantly harder than Rennala. While both bosses present unique challenges in Elden Ring, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is widely considered one of the most difficult encounters in the entire game, surpassing Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, by a considerable margin. The Reddit community overwhelmingly agrees with this sentiment, with numerous threads dedicated to players sharing their struggles against Malenia compared to their (relatively) easier victories against Rennala. Let’s dive into why this is the case.

Rennala vs. Malenia: A Deep Dive

The perceived difficulty of a boss is subjective and depends heavily on a player’s build, playstyle, and overall experience with FromSoftware games. However, certain objective factors contribute to Malenia’s notoriety:

Malenia’s Aggressiveness: Malenia’s relentless aggression is unparalleled. She constantly pressures the player, leaving little room for error. Rennala, while having powerful spells, provides more opportunities to heal and reposition.
Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance: This infamous attack is Malenia’s signature move and a major source of frustration. Its speed, unpredictability, and massive damage output can easily one-shot players. While Rennala’s spells are potent, none compare to the sheer devastation of Waterfowl Dance.
Malenia’s Healing: Malenia heals herself with every hit, even when blocking. This forces players to be aggressive and constantly deal damage, making mistakes incredibly punishing. Rennala does not possess any healing abilities.
Rennala’s Two Phases: While Rennala has two distinct phases, the first phase involves defeating her children and destroying her protective barrier, which isn’t particularly challenging. Malenia, on the other hand, has two extremely difficult phases, each with its own unique attacks and strategies.
Malenia’s Scarlet Rot: Malenia’s second phase inflicts Scarlet Rot, a status ailment that deals continuous damage over time, adding another layer of complexity to the fight. Rennala does not inflict any status ailments.
Stagger and Posture Break: Rennala is more susceptible to stagger and posture break, allowing players to deal significant damage during openings. Malenia’s poise is considerably higher, making her more resistant to stagger.

In essence, Malenia demands near-perfect execution, while Rennala allows for more mistakes. This difference is why Malenia is considered far harder. While Rennala can be challenging for new players, she becomes much more manageable with experience and proper preparation. Malenia, however, remains a formidable opponent even for seasoned veterans. The “Let Me Solo Her” phenomenon perfectly illustrates the community’s understanding of the massive challenge Malenia poses.

Factors Influencing Perceived Difficulty

It’s important to acknowledge factors that can influence an individual’s experience with each boss:

Build: Certain builds are more effective against specific bosses. For example, builds that inflict bleed are particularly effective against Malenia, while builds that focus on ranged attacks can exploit Rennala’s weaknesses.
Summons: Using spirit ashes can significantly reduce the difficulty of both fights. However, Malenia’s healing makes summons less effective in the long run, as she heals with every hit on them.
Level: Over-leveling can make any boss easier, but Malenia’s damage output and healing will still pose a significant threat.
Player Skill: A player’s familiarity with FromSoftware games and their ability to learn boss patterns will play a major role in their success.

Despite these factors, the general consensus remains that Malenia is a significantly more challenging encounter than Rennala. The Reddit community echoes this sentiment consistently.

FAQ: Rennala and Malenia

Here are some frequently asked questions about these two Elden Ring bosses, drawing from common queries on Reddit and other online communities:

Q1: What level should I be for Rennala?

A: Aim to be around level 40-60 before facing Rennala. This will provide you with sufficient stats and weapon upgrades to deal meaningful damage.

Q2: What are Rennala’s weaknesses?

A: Rennala is weak to physical damage, especially strike damage. She is also vulnerable to staggering.

Q3: What are Rennala’s resistances?

A: Rennala is resistant to magic damage. Avoid using sorceries against her, particularly in her second phase.

Q4: What level should I be for Malenia?

A: A good starting point for Malenia is level 120-150. However, even at this level, she can be a significant challenge.

Q5: What are Malenia’s weaknesses?

A: Malenia is vulnerable to bleed and frostbite. Weapons and spells that inflict these status ailments are highly effective.

Q6: What are Malenia’s resistances?

A: Malenia is resistant to scarlet rot (ironically), holy damage, and most status effects other than bleed and frostbite.

Q7: Is it possible to parry Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance?

A: Yes, it is possible to parry Waterfowl Dance, but it requires precise timing and a strong understanding of the attack. It is generally not recommended for most players.

Q8: What’s the best way to dodge Waterfowl Dance?

A: There’s no single “best” way, but common strategies include:

*   **Running away at the first sign of the attack.** *   **Using a weapon art like Bloodhound's Step to gain invincibility frames.** *   **Perfectly timed dodges to avoid the individual slashes.**

Q9: Can I summon other players to help with Malenia?

A: Yes, summoning other players can significantly increase your chances of success against Malenia. However, remember that she heals with every hit, so your allies need to be effective.

Q10: Is Let Me Solo Her still helping people beat Malenia?

A: While the original “Let Me Solo Her” player may not be actively helping at all times, their legend lives on! Many skilled players have adopted the same character build and continue to assist others in defeating Malenia.

Q11: What’s the best spirit ash summon for Rennala?

A: Summons that can inflict bleed or deal high physical damage are effective against Rennala. Consider using the Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless.

Q12: What’s the best spirit ash summon for Malenia?

A: The Mimic Tear remains a strong option for Malenia, as it can inflict bleed and draw her attention. The Black Knife Tiche is also a solid choice due to her agility and percentage-based health damage.

Conclusion: The Verdict

While player experience can vary, the consensus is clear: Malenia is the more challenging boss fight. Her aggressive AI, self-healing, and devastating Waterfowl Dance place her firmly among the toughest bosses in FromSoftware history. Rennala, while a visually stunning and lore-rich encounter, presents a more manageable challenge for most players. So, if you found Rennala tough, brace yourself – Malenia awaits. Good luck, Tarnished!