Top 3 Best Elden Ring Hand of Malenia Builds 2024 (DLC & Base Game)
The Hand of Malenia remains one of the most overpowered weapons in Elden Ring 2024, though with the new DLC content. Here are three of the best Hand of Malenia builds for DLC and base game.
Top 3 Best Elden Ring Hand of Malenia Builds 2024 for DLC & Base Game
All three builds excel in different scenarios, but they share the common thread of leveraging the Hand of Malenia's exceptional Waterfowl Dance skill. The first one - a pure Dexterity build offers the most straightforward approach, the Faith-Dex Hybrid provides the highest damage potential through buffs, and the Blood-Infused build excels at sustained damage through status effects.
1. Most OP Hand of Malenia Build for DLC
This Elden Ring Hand of Malenia build focuses on maximizing Katana's unique Waterfowl Dance move, replicating Malenia's signature attack. The build prioritizes Dexterity and Vigor with supporting stats in Mind, Faith, and Arcane. Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength are the primary buffs, supplemented by Swarm of Flies for rapid bleed buildup. The Dancer's armor set enhances Waterfowl Dance damage, while alternative armor sets like Rakshasa offer general damage boosts. Pickled Turtle Neck is advised to manage the weapon's high stamina consumption.
Level 200 Stats
- Vigor 50
- Mind 26
- Endurance 40
- Strength 16
- Dexterity 99
- Intelligence 7
- Faith 25
- Arcane 16
Weapons
- Right Hand: Hand of Malenia +10
- Left Hand: Blood Short Sword/Keen Dagger
Armor
- Dancer’s Trousers
- Dancer’s Dress
- Dancer’s Hood
Talismans
- Shard of Alexander
- Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
- Millicent’s Prosthesis
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation/Blade of Mercy
Flask of Wondrous Physick
- Bloodsucking Cracked Tear
- Thorny Cracked Tear
Consumables
- Bloodboil Aromatic
- Well-Pickled Turtle Neck
2. Level 150 Hand of Malenia Build for Base Game
This level-150 Hand of Malenia build also uses its incredibly damaging Waterfall Dance skill, which can be charged up and hit multiple times, allowing for traversal and airborne combat. You can equip the Nagakiba as an off-hand weapon, which pairs well with the Hand of Malenia. With 15 Faith and 16 Arcane, you can cast Flame Grant Me Strength and Swarm of Flies, respectively, to trigger blood loss buildup and deal massive damage. The combat strategy involves starting with a dagger buffed with Golden Vow, followed by Flame Grant Me Strength and Swarm of Flies, and then unleashing the Hand of Malenia's devastating attacks, which can one-shot most enemies with ease. You can also opt for jump attacks, which deal massive damage and take advantage of the weapon's long reach. Alternatively, focus on charge attacks with the Two-Handed Sword Talisman or Axe Talisman, or increase damage output when your health is full with the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia or Ritual Shield Talisman.
Stats
- Vigor 50
- Mind 22
- Endurance 30
- Strength 18
- Dexterity 68
- Intelligence 10
- Faith 15
- Arcane 16
Weapons
- Right Hand: Hand of Malenia +10
- Left Hand: Sacred Parrying Dagger
Armor
- White Mask
Talismans
- Lord of Blood's Exultation
- Claw Talisman
- Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
- Millicent’s Prosthesis
3. NG+ Hand of Malenia Build to Beat All Bosses
This powerful New Game Plus build centers around the Hand of Malenia katana, scaled primarily with Dexterity. The build requires the Hand of Malenia upgraded to +10, paired with a Godslayer’s Seal for incantations. While the iconic Malenia armor set is recommended for thematic purposes, any armor set can work. The build's optimal stats include 40 points in both Vigor and Endurance, 80 in Dexterity, and 60 in Faith. For maximum damage output, apply the Bloodboil Aromatic buff, and Howl of Shabriri is a viable alternative, and utilize Golden Vow and Halo Scythe as primary buffs. This setup allows players to break enemy stances and deal massive damage in quick succession, making it particularly effective for no-hit boss encounters throughout NG+.
Level 200 Stats
- Vigor 40
- Mind 25
- Endurance 40
- Strength 16
- Dexterity 85
- Intelligence 9
- Faith 60
- Arcane 9
Weapons
- Right Hand: Hand of Malenia +10
- Left Hand: Godslayer’s Seal +25
Armor
- Malenia’s Winged Helm
- Malenia’s Greaves
- Malenia’s Armor
Talismans
- Ritual Sword Talisman
- Shard of Alexander
- Millicent’s Prosthesis
- Rotten Winged Sword Insignia/Lord of Blood's Exultation
Flask of Wondrous Physick
- Thorny Cracked Tear
- Spiked Cracked Tear
Incantations
- Scarlet Aeonia
- Black Flame
While these builds are optimized for the current patch and DLC content, they maintain enough flexibility to be adjusted based on personal play styles and specific challenging encounters you might face.
