should you do maliketh or fire giant first

3 min read 15-04-2025

should you do maliketh or fire giant first

Meta Description: Conquering the challenging bosses of Elden Ring, Maliketh and the Fire Giant, can feel daunting. This guide helps you decide whether to face Maliketh or the Fire Giant first, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal strategies based on your build and playstyle. Discover which boss is the better choice for your journey through the Lands Between!

Introduction: The Choice Between Two Giants

Elden Ring presents players with a difficult decision: which colossal foe should you face first – the fearsome Maliketh, Blade of the Black Knife, or the towering Fire Giant? Both bosses present unique challenges and rewards, making the optimal order dependent on your build, playstyle, and personal preference. This guide delves into the strengths and weaknesses of each boss to help you make an informed decision. Choosing the right order can significantly impact your experience and success in the late game.

Maliketh, Blade of the Black Knife: A Deep Dive

Maliketh's Strengths:

Unique Moveset: Maliketh possesses a dynamic and unpredictable attack pattern. His attacks are fast, deadly, and difficult to learn.
High Damage Output: He hits incredibly hard, demanding high poise and effective dodging.
Black Flame Attacks: His signature black flame attacks inflict unique status effects, adding another layer of difficulty.

Maliketh's Weaknesses:

Vulnerable to Bleed: Maliketh is susceptible to bleed buildup. A bleed-focused build can significantly shorten the fight.
Specific Attack Patterns: While his moveset is complex, it becomes predictable with practice.
Smaller Arena: The relatively smaller arena limits his movement options, giving you some strategic advantage.

Optimal Strategies for Maliketh:

Bleed Build: If you've invested in bleed, Maliketh is a satisfying target. Focus on inflicting bleed to stagger him and deal massive damage.
Agile Playstyle: Quick dodging and precise attacks are crucial. Learn his attack patterns to punish his openings.
Spirit Ashes: Utilize spirit ashes to distract him and create opportunities for attacks.

The Fire Giant: A Burning Challenge

The Fire Giant's Strengths:

Immense Health Pool: The Fire Giant boasts a massive health pool, requiring significant patience and persistence.
Aoe Attacks: He utilizes devastating area-of-effect attacks that can easily overwhelm unprepared players.
Ranged Attacks: The Fire Giant utilizes powerful ranged attacks, keeping you at a distance and forcing strategic movement.

The Fire Giant's Weaknesses:

Slow Movement: His size and weight result in relatively slow attacks and movements, providing predictable openings.
Leg Attacks: Targeting his legs can stagger him, creating excellent opportunities for damage.
Larger Arena: The spacious arena allows for more strategic maneuvering and evasion.

Optimal Strategies for the Fire Giant:

Summoning: Summoning allies can significantly aid in distracting the Fire Giant and creating openings.
Torrent: Using Torrent to maintain distance and reposition is crucial to avoid his powerful AOE attacks.
Patience: The fight is long, so patience and persistence are key to victory.

Maliketh vs. Fire Giant: Which One First?

Ultimately, the "better" boss to tackle first depends on your build and personal preference.

Here's a breakdown:

For Bleed Builds: Maliketh is a more straightforward fight, rewarding you with a relatively quicker victory.
For Strength Builds: The Fire Giant's slow attacks might be easier to punish with strong, well-timed strikes.
For Players Preferring Challenging but Shorter Fights: Maliketh presents a quicker, more intense challenge.
For Players Preferring Longer, More Strategic Fights: The Fire Giant offers a more drawn-out battle requiring persistence.

Conclusion: Your Elden Ring Journey Awaits

Both Maliketh and the Fire Giant are formidable bosses. Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each, considering your build and playstyle. Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust your strategy. The satisfaction of conquering these titans is well worth the effort. Good luck, Tarnished! Remember to check out our other guides on [link to another Elden Ring guide].