Major spoilers: This guide discusses Maliketh’s identity, the Night of Black Knives, Godwyn, Gurranq’s quest, boss mechanics, missable items, and the endgame.
Maliketh, the Black Blade is a mandatory late-game Legend boss in Elden Ring. He is fought in Crumbling Farum Azula, where the battle begins against Beast Clergyman and changes into Maliketh at approximately half health. Maliketh and Gurranq are the same character: Marika’s shadowbound beast and the keeper of the Rune of Death. Defeating him awards 220,000 runes and the Remembrance of the Black Blade, then transforms Leyndell into Leyndell, Ashen Capital and begins the final stretch of the game. See Maliketh’s boss and dialogue details.
The practical key is to treat the fight as two different battles. Beast Clergyman is a fast, close-range pressure fight with dangerous Bestial incantations. Maliketh has a smaller health pool but far more lethal attacks, including Destined Death, which temporarily reduces maximum HP and continues draining current HP. The optional Blasphemous Claw can deflect certain golden-glowing sword attacks in phase two, but it is not a universal parry tool.
Maliketh at a glance
- Location: Crumbling Farum Azula, beyond the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace.
- Status: Mandatory in a normal, unmodified playthrough.
- Encounter structure: One health bar with two forms: Beast Clergyman, then Maliketh, the Black Blade.
- Boss before him: Godskin Duo is the major progression boss encountered immediately before this section of Farum Azula.
- Bosses after him: The game moves to Leyndell, Ashen Capital, followed by the final endgame sequence beginning with Sir Gideon Ofnir.
- Great Rune: None. Maliketh awards a Remembrance rather than a Great Rune.
- Standard New Game reward: 220,000 runes and the Remembrance of the Black Blade.
- Canonical spelling: Maliketh. Malekith is a common search misspelling and can also be confused with a character from another fantasy franchise.
Although Maliketh is sometimes casually labelled a demigod, that description is imprecise. The important in-game role is that he is Marika’s shadowbound beast, a major Legend boss, and the living guardian of Destined Death. The boss page and Remembrance provide the primary descriptions.
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Before entering the arena: important preparation
Maliketh is not a conventional checkpoint boss. Killing him changes the world state, so take care of pre-endgame business first.
Pre-Maliketh checklist
- Collect the Bolt of Gransax and finish any exploration or item collection in the original version of Leyndell. The weapon becomes inaccessible after the capital changes to its Ashen form.
- Complete any Leyndell quests, NPC conversations, or collectibles that specifically require the pre-Ashen capital.
- Complete the relevant Volcano Manor and Bernahl progression, defeat Rykard, and trigger Recusant Bernahl’s invasion in Farum Azula if you want the Blasphemous Claw.
- Finish Gurranq’s Deathroot rewards if you want his dialogue, bestial incantations, Beastclaw Greathammer, Gurranq’s Beast Claw, or the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- Speak to Gideon and other NPCs whose pre-endgame dialogue you still want.
This does not mean that every side quest or optional boss is deleted after Maliketh. The permanent change is more specific: Leyndell becomes Ashen Capital, and several routes and items in the original capital disappear for that playthrough. PowerPyx’s Leyndell walkthrough and the Ashen Capital reference document the affected area.
Recommended level and equipment
Around level 120 or higher is a common community benchmark, but it is not a requirement. More important than the number on the character sheet are a well-upgraded weapon, enough Vigor to survive an ordinary mistake, and enough healing and FP to last through both forms. Older guides often suggest at least 40 Vigor; a modern, comfortable late-game target is roughly 50–60 Vigor, depending on armor, talismans, and skill.
- Use a highly upgraded weapon and prefer short attack animations. Maliketh’s recovery windows are brief.
- Physical, fire, or lightning damage is generally more dependable than a Holy-focused setup because Maliketh has notably high Holy resistance.
- Faith is not a bad stat for this fight. A Faith build using physical or fire damage is different from a weapon that deals mostly Holy damage.
- Bleed, Frostbite, Poison, and Scarlet Rot can work, but they should not be described as guaranteed weaknesses. The fight’s short openings and Maliketh’s total health can make a status setup look more effective than its actual resistance profile.
- Consider Holy resistance if it does not compromise Vigor, stamina, or general survivability.
- Fully upgraded Spirit Ashes are available. Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are popular options, but the best summon is one that survives the transition and can distract Maliketh in phase two.
The latest base-game patch listed by Bandai Namco’s official news pages is App/Regulation Version 1.16.1, released August 21, 2025. Its notes list general fixes and do not identify a Maliketh-specific balance change. Check the official 1.16.1 patch notes and official news index if playing after that version.
How to reach Maliketh
Maliketh is in Crumbling Farum Azula, the late-game region reached after the Fire Giant sequence and the burning of the Erdtree. The nearest Site of Grace is Beside the Great Bridge. See the region overview.
Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace → leave the grace → cross the bridge → pass the Draconic Tree Sentinel → enter the ruined sanctum at the top → cross the interior to Maliketh’s fog entrance.
- Rest at Beside the Great Bridge.
- Leave the grace and follow the bridge toward the large ruined structure.
- You can fight or run past the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the approach. Defeating it is not necessary every time you return to the arena.
- Continue through the ruined sanctum at the top. Maliketh’s arena is beyond it.
The arena is large, but its open edges are dangerous. Avoid fighting beside the entrance or carelessly rolling near the perimeter: a misplaced movement can send you over a drop. Pillars can interrupt some projectiles and provide a moment to heal, but they are not permanent safe zones and can make the camera worse.
How the two-phase fight works
There is one boss encounter and one health bar, but the first and second forms demand different habits.
Phase one: Beast Clergyman
Beast Clergyman uses a short blade, extremely fast physical swipes, and the bestial magic associated with Gurranq. This phase is less visually dramatic than the transformation that follows, but its speed and chained attacks are responsible for many failed attempts.
- Close-range swipes: Rapid slashes and dagger combinations can catch a player who keeps retreating. Roll toward or past the attack instead of repeatedly rolling backward.
- Bestial Sling: Beast Clergyman throws a spread of stones. Staying close and rolling through the attack is usually safer than giving him room to cast repeatedly.
- Stone of Gurranq: A large stone travels toward the player. It creates a clearer recovery opportunity than many of his melee strings, but the punish window is still short.
- Beast Claw: Shockwaves travel along the ground. Read the gaps between the waves, roll through them at the correct time, or jump when the spacing makes that safer.
- Ground crater and rock eruption: The initial burst is not the entire danger. Rocks return to the ground after the eruption, so do not rush back in merely because the first visual effect has ended.
Phase-one strategy
- Move away from the starting edge immediately. The opening charge can push an unprepared player toward a drop.
- Prefer medium or close range. Many ranged attacks become more manageable when you stay beside him rather than allowing repeated casts from across the arena.
- Roll inward. Backward rolls often leave you in range of the next swipe.
- Punish spell recovery. Bestial Sling and Stone of Gurranq offer brief opportunities, while the crater attack requires patience because of its delayed follow-up.
- Use short strings. One or two attacks are usually safer than a long combo or a slow skill.
- Preserve resources. If using a summon or status effect, try not to spend every flask and all FP before the transformation.
Pillars can block or interrupt some attacks, but do not build your entire plan around hiding behind them. Beast Clergyman can move around the obstruction, area attacks can ignore the line of sight, and the camera may become harder to manage.
Phase two: Maliketh, the Black Blade
At approximately half health, Beast Clergyman begins a transformation cutscene and draws the Black Blade from his body. Maliketh gains acrobatic sword attacks, pillar jumps, red projectile volleys, spinning attacks, and the effects of Destined Death. The red-and-black effects are functional warnings, not decoration.
Destined Death explained
Destined Death is not simply ordinary Black Flame damage. When Maliketh’s red blade attacks connect, they can deal a large immediate hit, temporarily lower the player’s maximum HP, and continue draining current HP for a short time. Surviving the first strike does not mean the danger has ended.
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- Heal after surviving a Destined Death hit, but first move out of the lingering effect.
- Do not stand in the active area while drinking a flask.
- A shield does not make the effect safe to ignore. Blocking can help against selected physical attacks, especially in phase one, but phase two is generally more reliable when handled through rolling, spacing, and positioning.
- If the red effect has reduced your maximum HP, remember that your normal healing cannot restore health beyond the temporarily reduced maximum until the effect ends.
The player version of Destined Death, used by Maliketh’s Black Blade, applies its own weapon-skill implementation: the skill temporarily reduces an enemy’s maximum HP and applies a short drain. The skill’s listed maximum-HP reduction lasts 45 seconds. That should not be confused with every detail of the boss’s attack effect. See the skill description.
Phase-two attack table
| Attack | Recognition | Response | Safe punish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pillar jump and projectile volley | Maliketh climbs or launches from a pillar before firing. | Track him, strafe or roll late through the projectiles, and prepare for the landing rather than chasing immediately. | Attack after the landing recovery, not during the projectile pattern. |
| Red blade projectiles | He creates and throws one or more red projectiles. | Roll late to avoid the tracking, or use a pillar briefly to break line of sight. | Look for the follow-up recovery; do not assume every volley leaves the same opening. |
| Spinning sword attacks | Maliketh commits to a long airborne or grounded rotation. | Roll toward the body when the strike arrives. If the blade shows the relevant golden tell, the Blasphemous Claw can be used instead. | Take only a short attack string unless he is stunned. |
| Sword plunge and area attack | He drives the Black Blade into the ground and a dangerous effect remains around the impact. | Leave the active area and wait for it to end before re-entering. | Usually one or two fast attacks are safer than a charged animation. |
| Standard slashes | Grounded sword swings without the large projectile pattern. | Roll toward or underneath Maliketh rather than fleeing in a straight line. | Use a fast attack during the brief recovery. |
| Golden-glow direct sword strike | The blade emits a distinctive golden glow before a qualifying direct attack. | Use the Blasphemous Claw as the blow is about to connect, or dodge normally if you do not have the item. | A successful deflection briefly stuns Maliketh and creates a large damage window. |
Maliketh’s follow-ups and positioning are not a single fixed script. React to the attack that actually occurs rather than memorizing a guaranteed sequence from a video.
Core phase-two rules
- Roll toward the body. Rolling away often keeps you inside the reach of the Black Blade or leaves you exposed to the next attack.
- Do not chase pillar jumps. Wait for the projectile pattern and landing attack.
- Roll late against red projectiles. Early rolls are frequently tracked.
- Leave the Destined Death area immediately. Healing in the effect is usually a wasted flask.
- Exploit burst windows. Maliketh’s health is comparatively modest for a late-game boss, but his punish windows are short.
- Do not overcommit after the transformation. The cutscene can tempt you into attacking before you have seen his first phase-two pattern.
How to get and use the Blasphemous Claw
The Blasphemous Claw is an optional specialized countermeasure, not a required item. It is most useful for players who are struggling with phase two and are willing to learn one particular timing. It can also make the fight harder if you spend every attempt forcing a deflection instead of learning Maliketh’s ordinary roll windows.
Acquisition route
- Progress the Volcano Manor and Bernahl storyline far enough for Bernahl to leave the manor.
- Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy.
- In Crumbling Farum Azula, exhaust Recusant Bernahl’s dialogue and travel north from the Beside the Great Bridge area, away from Maliketh’s arena, toward the tower containing the Old Lord’s Talisman.
- Recusant Bernahl invades on this route. Defeat him to receive the Blasphemous Claw and the Beast Champion armor rewards. The invasion can also interact with the Devourer’s Scepter and quest-state loot.
Guides disagree about exactly how many earlier Volcano Manor contracts are required in every quest state. The safest instruction is to complete the relevant Volcano Manor/Bernahl progression, defeat Rykard, exhaust Bernahl’s dialogue, and trigger the Farum Azula invasion before defeating Maliketh. The item description and Bernahl’s quest page cover the acquisition conditions.
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- Put the Blasphemous Claw in your quick-item bar.
- In phase two, watch Maliketh’s sword for the distinctive golden glow.
- Use the Claw as the qualifying direct sword attack is about to connect. The glow tells you that the attack type is eligible; it is not necessarily the exact frame at which you should press the button.
- A successful deflection briefly stuns Maliketh. Convert the opening into a charged attack, weapon skill, or critical hit where your build allows it.
The Claw does not deflect every phase-two sword swing. It does not stop red projectile volleys, the ordinary area-of-effect ground attack, phase-one attacks, or other attacks without the relevant golden tell. It is better understood as a boss-specific deflection item than as a normal parry. Additional timing and target details are listed here.
Build and strategy choices
Melee builds
Fast physical weapons, high-damage weapon skills, stance damage, and short punish strings are all viable. A Strength build can deal substantial damage if it accepts that charged attacks must be reserved for genuine openings. A slower colossal weapon becomes much more practical when a summon holds Maliketh’s attention or when the Blasphemous Claw creates a stun.
Faith builds
Faith itself is not the problem; Holy damage is. Maliketh’s high Holy resistance can make a Holy-focused weapon underperform despite a strong displayed attack rating. Faith characters can instead use physical or fire-oriented options, buffs, or the Black Blade incantation after obtaining it from the Remembrance.
Status builds
Bleed and Frostbite can accelerate the fight, and Poison or Scarlet Rot may be usable, but none should be treated as an automatic weakness. Status thresholds, weapon buildup, the number of successful hits available, and whether Maliketh keeps moving all matter. Status is a damage plan, not a substitute for surviving phase two.
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Ranged and caster builds
Distance can help with healing and certain casts, but it also gives Beast Clergyman and Maliketh more opportunities to use projectiles. Cast during a recovery, after a summon draws attention, or from a position where a pillar can interrupt the line of sight. Do not assume that staying at the far edge is safer than fighting near Maliketh’s body.
Spirit Ashes
Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are frequently recommended, but neither is mandatory. A summon that survives phase one and remains active after the transformation is usually more valuable than one that produces spectacular damage and dies before phase two begins. Summons create openings; they do not remove the need to recognize Destined Death.
Bernahl is not the normal NPC cooperator for Maliketh. His relevant summon sign is associated with the Godskin Duo, while his later invasion near the Great Bridge provides the Blasphemous Claw. See Bernahl’s separate summon and invasion roles.
Rewards: which Remembrance item should you choose?
Defeating Maliketh grants:
- 220,000 runes in the standard New Game cycle.
- Remembrance of the Black Blade.
- The Maliketh the Black Blade achievement or trophy.
- Access to the post-Maliketh endgame route.
You can consume the Remembrance for 30,000 runes, or trade it to Finger Reader Enia for one of two rewards. See the Remembrance’s listed rewards.
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| Reward | Best for | Important details |
|---|---|---|
| Maliketh’s Black Blade | Strength/Faith characters and players who want a Colossal Sword. | Weighs 22, requires 34 Strength when one-handed, 23 Strength when two-handed, 12 Dexterity, and 20 Faith. Its unique Destined Death skill costs 40 FP. |
| Black Blade | Faith casters who can meet the requirement. | Requires 46 Faith, uses two memory slots, and costs 26 FP. It is an incantation with its own Destined Death effect. |
| 30,000 runes | Players who do not want either build-specific reward. | Usually the least valuable choice if you may later respec or want to collect the unique weapon and incantation. |
Maliketh’s Black Blade has a distinctive percentage-based health effect through its skill, but its weight, requirements, slow attacks, and Holy component limit its universal usefulness. Black Blade is the more natural choice for a Faith caster who can reach 46 Faith.
Do not consume the Remembrance automatically if one of these rewards interests you. Eligible Wandering Mausoleums can duplicate Remembrances, but a duplicate cannot be used to claim a second copy of a reward you have already claimed during the same playthrough. Check the Remembrance rules before choosing.
Is Maliketh the same character as Gurranq?
Yes. Gurranq and Maliketh are intended to be the same character. Gurranq’s model, voice, phase-one moveset, Deathroot quest, and altered Maliketh dialogue all connect the two identities. Gurranq is the name Maliketh uses while hiding in the Bestial Sanctum in northeastern Caelid, where he consumes Deathroot in an attempt to contain the corruption spreading from Godwyn’s corpse.
The apparent contradiction is that Gurranq can remain in the Bestial Sanctum after Maliketh has been defeated. The game does not provide a satisfying lore explanation for that persistence. It is best treated as gameplay or quest-continuity convenience, not evidence that Gurranq and Maliketh are separate beings.
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Gurranq is found in the Bestial Sanctum in northeastern Caelid. D, Hunter of the Dead, can direct you there. Gurranq accepts up to nine Deathroots, and the Beast Eye helps signal when Deathroot is nearby. The rewards are:
| Deathroot turned in | Reward |
|---|---|
| First | Clawmark Seal and Beast Eye |
| Second | Bestial Sling |
| Third | Bestial Vitality |
| Fourth | Ash of War: Beast’s Roar |
| Fifth | Beast Claw |
| Sixth | Stone of Gurranq |
| Seventh | Beastclaw Greathammer |
| Eighth | Gurranq’s Beast Claw |
| Ninth | Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone |
After the fourth Deathroot, Gurranq can become hostile. Do not kill him casually if you still want his rewards. Reduce his health enough to subdue him, then reload or continue the interaction as the quest state requires. See Gurranq’s reward sequence and the full Deathroot walkthrough.
Completing the quest before entering Maliketh’s arena is not required and does not make the fight mechanically easier. It does, however, change Maliketh’s dialogue and provides the complete set of bestial rewards. If you finish the Deathroot quest first, the boss encounter makes the Gurranq connection explicit through its dialogue.
Maliketh’s lore: the keeper of death
Maliketh matters because the fight is not simply against a powerful beast. He is the living lock on the world’s definition of death. The following timeline separates the game’s established facts from the areas it leaves deliberately vague.
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Before or around the establishment of the Golden Order
- Marika was an Empyrean, and Maliketh was assigned to her as a shadowbound beast.
- Maliketh defeated the Gloam-Eyed Queen, the leader of the Godskin Apostles. The description of the Godslayer’s Greatsword supports this history.
- The power associated with Destined Death was sealed away. With that power removed from ordinary use, the Godskins’ black flame was weakened.
- The Rune of Death was removed from the Elden Ring, and Maliketh became its guardian and vessel. This helped establish the Golden Order’s version of demigod immortality.
The Marika and Maliketh relationship
The English description of Maliketh’s armor calls him Marika’s loyal half-brother. That is an in-game description, but it should not automatically be read as proof of a conventional biological family tree. The game gives no ordinary family explanation that fully defines what half-brother means in this context.
Maliketh’s Remembrance also says that Marika betrayed him. The betrayal is confirmed; the precise act, motive, and timing are not clearly explained. A careful reading should preserve that uncertainty rather than invent a definitive reason for Marika’s actions.
The Night of Black Knives
- Ranni obtained a fragment of the Rune of Death. She did not steal the entire Rune from Maliketh.
- The fragment was used to create the godslaying black knives.
- Ranni used the plot to discard her flesh, while Godwyn the Golden was killed in soul.
- After the theft, Maliketh bound the Black Blade and the remaining power of Death into his own flesh so it could not be stolen again.
These events are connected but not interchangeable. The stolen Rune fragment, Godwyn’s death, Maliketh’s sealed blade, and Deathroot each describe a different part of the tragedy.
Godwyn and Deathroot
Godwyn’s corpse became the source from which Deathroot spread. Gurranq’s hunger is an attempt to consume or eradicate that corruption, but the Deathroot supplied by the player never truly satisfies him. The quest therefore shows both his role as guardian and his guilt over failing to prevent the spread of death.
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The final encounter
The Tarnished reaches Farum Azula while Destined Death remains sealed within Maliketh. When Maliketh recognizes the threat, he draws the Black Blade from his body and enters his second form. His defeat unbinds Destined Death and allows the story to move into its final sequence.
His final dialogue changes if the Deathroot quest has been completed. Without that quest context, he asks why the Tarnished covets Destined Death. With it, he asks Marika’s forgiveness and says that the Golden Order cannot be restored. Maliketh’s dialogue and history, the Remembrance, and the Godslayer’s Greatsword description provide the main textual evidence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes after Maliketh?
After the fight, Leyndell becomes Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Ash covers the city, several routes change, and specific items from the pre-Ashen version can no longer be collected in that playthrough. The most important commonly missed item is the Bolt of Gransax.
The transformation does not lock the entire game. Many optional bosses, regions, and questlines remain available. The practical rule is narrower: finish anything that depends on the original Leyndell and complete the Farum Azula Bernahl invasion before the boss. Once Maliketh is dead, the game is in its final sequence, with Gideon, Godfrey/Hoarah Loux, and the final Elden Throne encounters ahead.
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Hiding behind the pillars forever
Pillars are useful for a momentary line-of-sight break, a heal, or interrupting some projectile patterns. They are not a bunker. Maliketh can move around them, some effects cover an area, and the camera can become obstructed. Use a pillar to reset the situation, then return to active movement.
Relying on a shield in phase two
A shield may reduce the danger of selected physical attacks in phase one, but mixed damage and Destined Death make passive blocking expensive and unreliable in phase two. Rolling toward Maliketh and staying close is generally more consistent.
Assuming bleed is a guaranteed weakness
Bleed can accelerate the encounter, but Maliketh is not automatically a bleed-disabled boss. Buildup thresholds, weapon speed, and the limited number of safe hits determine whether the setup works. Treat it as a viable option rather than a guaranteed counter.
Using Holy damage because Maliketh is death-themed
This is one of the most common damage mistakes. Maliketh has high Holy resistance. A Faith build can still perform well, but a Holy-focused attack may deal considerably less than expected.
Trying to parry every golden attack
The Blasphemous Claw only works on specific golden-glowing direct sword attacks. The glow identifies an eligible attack type; it does not mean the item should be activated the instant the glow appears. If the timing is not comfortable, ordinary dodging is a perfectly valid plan.
Expecting Bernahl to help with Maliketh
Bernahl’s invasion supplies the Blasphemous Claw. His summon sign is associated with the Godskin Duo, not the Maliketh battle.
FAQ
Is Maliketh optional?
No. In a normal, unmodified playthrough, defeating Maliketh is required to reach Leyndell, Ashen Capital and the final bosses.
Can I fight Maliketh before finishing Gurranq’s quest?
Yes. Gurranq’s Deathroot quest is separate from the boss encounter. Completing it first is recommended only if you want the rewards, additional context, and altered Maliketh dialogue.
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Can Maliketh be parried?
The relevant tool is the Blasphemous Claw, which deflects certain golden-glowing phase-two sword attacks. It does not function as a universal parry and does not affect phase-one attacks, red projectiles, or the ordinary ground area attack.
Does the Blasphemous Claw work on Maliketh’s projectiles?
No. It is for specific direct sword attacks. Dodge or use pillars to manage the red projectile volleys.
Is Maliketh weak to bleed, Frostbite, or Scarlet Rot?
Those status effects can be viable, but calling them guaranteed weaknesses is misleading. Use them if your build can apply them consistently during Maliketh’s short openings; otherwise, reliable physical, fire, lightning, or skill damage may be better.
Is Maliketh the final boss?
No. He is a mandatory late-game boss who opens the final sequence. Gideon Ofnir, Godfrey/Hoarah Loux, and the final Elden Throne bosses remain afterward.
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The intended story reading is that Gurranq and Maliketh are the same character. Gurranq’s persistence after the boss is best treated as gameplay or quest continuity rather than evidence of two separate characters.
What should I do before killing Maliketh?
Collect the Bolt of Gransax, finish pre-Ashen Leyndell exploration and dialogue, complete the Bernahl invasion if you want the Blasphemous Claw, and turn in any remaining Deathroot if you want Gurranq’s rewards and altered dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maliketh, the Black Blade the same character as Gurranq?
Yes. Gurranq is Maliketh using another name and identity in the Bestial Sanctum. Their shared model, voice, phase-one moveset, Deathroot quest, and altered boss dialogue support this intended story reading. Gurranq remaining in Caelid after the boss is a gameplay-continuity oddity.
What is the easiest way to beat Maliketh?
Use a well-upgraded non-Holy damage setup, stay near him when possible, roll toward his attacks, and use a durable Spirit Ash to create openings. The Blasphemous Claw can make phase two easier if you learn its timing, but it is optional.
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What does the Blasphemous Claw parry?
It deflects specific phase-two direct sword attacks marked by a distinctive golden glow. It does not deflect all sword swings, red projectile volleys, the ground area attack, or any phase-one attack.
What is the best Maliketh Remembrance reward?
Choose Maliketh’s Black Blade for a Strength/Faith or Colossal Sword build, Black Blade for a Faith caster who can meet its 46 Faith requirement, and runes only if neither unique reward suits your character.
What becomes missable after Maliketh?
Leyndell changes into Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Important pre-Ashen items and routes disappear, especially the Bolt of Gransax. Not every side quest or optional boss is locked, so the warning applies specifically to original Leyndell content and other state-sensitive activities.
The Bottom Line
Maliketh is both a mandatory endgame skill check and one of Elden Ring’s most important lore reveals. Reach him through Beside the Great Bridge in Crumbling Farum Azula, prepare for two radically different phases, and treat Destined Death as an effect that keeps hurting you after the initial hit. Complete pre-Ashen Leyndell exploration, Bernahl’s invasion, and any desired Deathroot turn-ins before the fight. The Blasphemous Claw can punish selected golden-glowing sword attacks, but disciplined rolls, close positioning, short attack strings, and careful healing are enough to win without it.
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