Elden Ring: How to acquire Maliketh's Black Blade

Elden Ring is home to many legendary weapons, each one a story forged in the crucible of combat. Few, however, carry the dark majesty and raw might of Maliketh's Black Blade—a colossal greatsword imbued with the power of Destined Death. Wielded by one of the most fearsome bosses in the game, this weapon doesn't just hit hard—it reduces your enemies' maximum HP with every strike, bringing both pain and despair to your foes.

 

Acquiring Maliketh's Black Blade isn't for the faint of heart. You'll need grit, plenty of Elden Ring Runes, and the right Elden Ring Items to stand a chance.

 

Weapon Stats and Requirements

 

At a glance, Maliketh's Black Blade already looks intimidating. It's a two-handed colossus meant for strong, faith-infused warriors looking to strike with devastating impact.

 

    Physical Damage: 127 (plus Holy Damage)

 

    Requirements: Strength (34), Dexterity (12), Faith (20)

 

    Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (E), Faith (D)

 

The high Strength requirement makes this weapon one of the more exclusive tools of destruction in Elden Ring. To wield it effectively, you'll want to invest heavily in Strength, with Faith as a valuable secondary stat to empower its skill and scaling.

 

Its unique weapon skill, Destined Death, launches a series of slashes that not only deal significant Holy damage but also apply a debuff that reduces the target's maximum health for a time. This makes it especially effective in PvP and boss fights where sustained damage matters more than raw burst.

 

How to Get Maliketh's Black Blade

 

To earn this weapon, players must defeat Maliketh, the Black Blade, a mid-to-late game boss who ranks among the hardest encounters in the Lands Between.

 

Here's how to obtain the weapon:

 

    Progress through the main storyline to reach Crumbling Farum Azula, a floating ruin shrouded in time.

    Face off against Maliketh in the arena beneath the great beast statues. His fight has two distinct phases, with the second phase revealing his full strength and fiery aggression.

    Upon defeating him, you'll receive the Remembrance of the Black Blade.

    Trade this Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold to claim Maliketh's Black Blade.

 

You'll want to prepare well before taking him on. Consider leveling up using Elden Ring Runes, boosting your Vigor, Strength, and Faith. Bring healing-focused Elden Ring Items like Flask of Crimson Tears +, Blessing of the Erdtree, or Divine Fortification to survive his relentless combos.

 

Mastering the Blade of Death

 

The true beauty of Maliketh's Black Blade is its blend of raw physical power and devastating Holy damage. Unlike many colossal weapons, this blade also introduces a unique mechanic: maximum HP reduction. This effect isn't just a gimmick—it's a game-changer. Against bosses with large health pools or PvP opponents relying on healing and tankiness, reducing their max HP shortens the fight in a very literal sense.

 

Its skill, Destined Death, is both cinematic and effective. When activated, your Tarnished performs a powerful leaping spin that hurls black flames of death in a wide arc. These flames linger slightly and deal damage over time, especially punishing against clustered enemies or aggressive invaders.

 

Pairing this weapon with Elden Ring Items that enhance Holy damage or weapon skill effectiveness can further amplify its lethality. Consider:

 

    Sacred Scorpion Charm – Boosts Holy attack power, synergizing perfectly with Destined Death.

    Shard of Alexander – Greatly increases weapon skill damage.

    Green Turtle Talisman – Boosts stamina recovery to compensate for the high stamina cost of heavy swings.

 

Build Recommendations

 

Maliketh's Black Blade thrives in builds that combine Strength and Faith, with just enough Dexterity to meet its minimum requirement. Aim for:

 

    Strength: 40+ for maximum scaling and two-handed power

    Faith: 25+ to benefit from the Holy scaling and weapon skill

    Vigor/Endurance: Boost to survive heavy boss fights and swing with confidence

 

For spells and incantations, choose buffs and utility over direct damage:

 

    Flame, Grant Me Strength – Increases both physical and fire damage, boosting your overall output.

    Blessing of the Erdtree – Provides long-term healing to supplement the blade's aggressive playstyle.

    Golden Vow – Increases attack and defense for you and allies.

 

Use your Elden Ring Runes wisely to invest in these stats and acquire Smithing Stones to upgrade the blade to its max potential. Every level of reinforcement unlocks more raw damage and improves your ability to cleave through high-HP targets.

 

A Weapon Forged in Lore and Flame

 

Maliketh's Black Blade isn't just a weapon—it's a story. Wielded by the loyal Shadow of Marika, the blade was the original vessel for Destined Death, a force sealed away to preserve the Erdtree's false immortality. Maliketh guarded it with his life, and once he fell, the true cycle of death returned to the Lands Between.

 

When you wield this sword, you're not just swinging metal—you're invoking the truth of mortality itself. That lore weight, combined with its unique gameplay mechanics, makes this one of the most memorable and rewarding Elden Ring Items you can add to your arsenal.

 

Conclusion

 

Maliketh's Black Blade is a weapon of retribution, loss, and ruin. It requires a serious commitment of stats, preparation, and skill—but it rewards you with one of the most powerful and visually stunning tools in all of Elden Ring. Whether you're cutting through bosses or dominating in PvP, the sword brings with it the haunting legacy of the Black Blade himself.

 

So gather your Elden Ring Runes, equip your best buffs, and take your place as the new harbinger of Destined Death.