Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?

Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia? Many players find Messmer harder than Malenia due to his aggressive attack patterns, high damage, and limited arena space. However, some argue Malenia remains tougher because of her lifesteal mechanic and relentless aggression.

If you’ve played Elden Ring, you know it’s filled with brutal, unforgettable boss fights. From the punishing battles of the base game to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, each boss presents a unique challenge, demanding patience, skill, and deep knowledge of enemy attack patterns.

However, one question has sparked a fierce debate among the community:

Is Messmer the Impaler harder than Malenia, Blade of Miquella?

For a long time, Malenia was considered the hardest boss in the game. Her lifesteal ability, insane attack speed, and infamous Waterfowl Dance made her a nightmare for players.

Many people spent hours, even days, trying to defeat her, and even today, she remains a formidable foe that tests the limits of every Tarnished who dares to face her. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

But now, Shadow of the Erdtree has introduced Messmer the Impaler, a new boss who has quickly gained a reputation for being just as difficult—if not harder. His relentless aggression, devastating fire attacks, and small battle arena create a uniquely challenging fight that keeps even experienced players on edge.  [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

Unlike Malenia, who gives players brief moments to recover, Messmer’s non-stop onslaught forces you to constantly react and make split-second decisions, making his battle feel suffocating and intense.

So, who is truly the hardest boss? In this in-depth comparison, you’ll get a breakdown of both fights, their mechanics, and what makes each of them a terrifying encounter. Whether you struggled more against Malenia’s precision or Messmer’s overwhelming aggression, one thing is clear: both fights push players to their limits. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

Malenia: The Legendary Challenge

Malenia has been the bane of Elden Ring players since the game’s release. Unlike many other bosses, she doesn’t just test your ability to deal damage—she actively punishes you for making mistakes. Even experienced players can struggle against her, as her mechanics require near-perfect execution to overcome. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

What Makes Malenia So Difficult?

1. Waterfowl Dance – The Ultimate Test of Reflexes

Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance is one of the hardest attacks to dodge in the game. She leaps into the air, hovers for a moment, and then unleashes a series of rapid slashes that cover a massive area. This attack is infamous because:

• If you’re caught in the first hit, you’re likely dead. The follow-up slashes can quickly deplete your health bar.
• Dodging must be frame-perfect. Rolling too early or too late results in getting shredded.
• Even blocking isn’t a great option. If you try to block, you’ll take heavy chip damage, and since Malenia heals from every hit, blocking too much can backfire.

Many players consider Waterfowl Dance the single hardest attack to avoid in the game. Learning the right way to dodge it—often by running away or using specific skills like Bloodhound’s Step—is crucial to surviving her fight.

2. Lifesteal Mechanic – A Punishing System

Unlike most bosses, Malenia has a lifesteal mechanic that makes her fight incredibly punishing. Every time she lands a hit on you, she heals herself—even if you block the attack. This forces players to adopt an aggressive yet careful strategy. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

• Turtling behind a shield isn’t an option. Since blocking still lets her heal, defensive playstyles are at a major disadvantage.
• Even small mistakes cost you dearly. If she lands a hit, not only do you take damage, but she also regains health, undoing your progress.
• She rewards perfection. The best way to fight Malenia is to avoid getting hit at all, which is easier said than done.

This lifesteal mechanic means long fights favor Malenia, not you. The longer the battle drags on, the more likely she is to land attacks and heal, resetting the fight in her favor. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

3. Second Phase – Goddess of Rot

Just when you think you’re winning, Malenia transforms into the Goddess of Rot, and the fight takes a drastic turn. In this phase:

• She starts the phase with a massive AoE attack, forcing you to back away immediately.
• She gains new airborne attacks, including the terrifying Aerial Rot Bloom, which spreads Scarlet Rot across the battlefield.
• Scarlet Rot becomes a major threat. If you don’t have resistance, you’ll take heavy damage over time.

Her second phase doesn’t just make the fight harder—it punishes unprepared players severely. Even if you manage to master her first phase, the second phase introduces new dangers that require adaptability and patience.

Why She’s Considered One of the Hardest Bosses in Elden Ring

Malenia’s difficulty comes from her ability to regain health, punishing attack patterns, and unpredictable second phase. Many players struggle with her for hours, even with optimized builds. Her unique mechanics force you to fight her differently than any other boss in the game, making her a truly legendary challenge.

Messmer the Impaler: The New Nightmare

Messmer the Impaler is the newest Elden Ring boss to earn the title of “the hardest fight in the game.” While he may not have Malenia’s lifesteal, he compensates with brutal aggression, high-damage attacks, and a claustrophobic arena. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

What Makes Messmer So Deadly?

1. Relentless Attack Patterns

Messmer is one of the most aggressive bosses in Elden Ring. His combos are long, unpredictable, and leave very little room for counterattacks.

Unlike Malenia, who has moments of downtime, Messmer keeps the pressure on constantly, making the fight feel like a desperate struggle for survival. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

2. Tight Arena – Nowhere to Run

Unlike Malenia’s wide battlefield, Messmer’s fight takes place in a confined arena. This makes dodging and repositioning much harder, forcing you into close-quarters combat. You can’t easily back away to heal, and one misstep can mean instant death. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

3. Second Phase – Fire Serpent Form

If you thought his first phase was hard, Messmer’s second phase is even worse. He transforms into a fire-wielding monstrosity, gaining massive AoE attacks that leave burning trails across the battlefield.

His aggression increases, and his attacks become even harder to predict. If you were struggling before, phase two will break you. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

Why Some Players Find Messmer Harder Than Malenia

• Messmer’s aggression leaves little room for healing or counterattacking.
• His tight arena forces constant close-range combat.
• His fire-based second phase limits movement, making dodging more difficult.

For these reasons, many players now argue that Messmer is the hardest boss in the game, even surpassing Malenia. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

Key Differences Between Malenia and Messmer

1. Arena and Environment

• Malenia: Large battlefield, allowing room for movement and spacing.
• Messmer: Tight, claustrophobic arena, making dodging much harder.

2. Attack Patterns and Speed

• Malenia: Precise, calculated attacks with deadly combos.
• Messmer: Unpredictable, chaotic aggression that rarely lets up.

3. Survival Mechanics

• Malenia: Lifesteal makes every mistake punishing.
• Messmer: No healing, but his overwhelming pressure forces perfect dodging.

Community Debate: Who Is Harder?

The Elden Ring community is split on the issue.

What Players Are Saying

• Some argue that Malenia is harder due to her lifesteal and Waterfowl Dance.
• Others believe Messmer is tougher because of his constant pressure and limited space.
• Challenge runners and speedrunners have mixed opinions—some find Messmer’s patterns easier to learn, while others feel Malenia’s healing makes her the greater challenge.

Notable Victories and Unconventional Wins

• Players have beaten both bosses using dance pads, no-hit runs, and level 1 characters.
• Some claim that Messmer becomes easier once you learn his patterns, while Malenia remains brutal even after dozens of attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Messmer harder than Malenia for melee builds?

Yes, melee players often struggle with Messmer’s relentless attack chains and small arena, making the fight harder than Malenia’s.

Does Malenia’s lifesteal make her the hardest boss?

For many players, yes. Her ability to heal with every hit means that even one mistake can set you back significantly.

Can Messmer be staggered easily?

Messmer has moderate stagger resistance, but heavy weapons and jump attacks can create openings.

Which boss has the hardest second phase?

Malenia’s Scarlet Rot and aggressive aerial attacks are deadly, but Messmer’s fire-based AoE attacks create a constant threat. It depends on the player’s build and strategy.

Who is harder for magic users?

Malenia is slightly easier for magic builds since she doesn’t resist magic heavily, but her speed makes casting risky. Messmer’s aggression and fire attacks make him a nightmare for ranged players.

Conclusion: Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?

At the end of the day, the difficulty of Messmer versus Malenia depends entirely on your playstyle and personal experience. If you struggle with lifesteal mechanics and the need for precise dodging, Malenia will likely be the tougher fight. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]

Her ability to heal with every successful hit forces you to play almost perfectly, punishing even the smallest mistakes. On the other hand, if you have trouble dealing with relentless aggression and limited space to maneuver, Messmer may feel like the more challenging boss.

His rapid, non-stop attacks and fire-based abilities leave little room for recovery, making his fight feel suffocating and overwhelming. [Is Messmer Harder Than Malenia?]