As an avid Elden Ring player, I still vividly recall the sheer panic that swept through the community back in 2022 when that infamous update dropped. It was supposed to bring exciting new content like Patches' questline and fresh emotes, but instead, it turned Malenia into an absolute terror. I remember booting up the game on my PS5, eager to tackle her again after previous victories, only to find her healing like some unstoppable force of nature—even when I perfectly dodged her attacks. It felt like the developers had cranked her difficulty up to eleven, turning what was already a challenging boss fight into a soul-crushing ordeal. Fast forward to 2025, and the memories of that update still send shivers down my spine; it's like a scar from a battle I never fully recovered from. 😩
Honestly, the changes were brutal. Malenia used to regain health only when she landed hits on players, but after the update, she started healing during our iframes—those precious moments when we dodge or roll to avoid damage. This meant that even when I thought I'd executed a flawless evasion, she'd siphon off health, making her practically invincible. For instance, I'd summon help or solo her, and it happened every single time: I'd dodge her Waterfowl Dance, feeling triumphant, only to see her health bar creep back up. It was infuriating! On top of that, the update nerfed one of my favorite strategies, the Swarm of Flies spell, which used to be a reliable way to chip away at her health. Now, it's barely effective, forcing us to rethink our entire approach. 🎮
Here's a quick rundown of the key changes that made Malenia so much harder:
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Health Regain Mechanism: Instead of requiring hits, she heals during player iframes, turning dodges into opportunities for her recovery.
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Spell Nerfs: Swarm of Flies was significantly weakened, removing a go-to tactic for many players.
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Overall Buffs: Her base health and aggression seem heightened, amplifying the challenge.
Personally, I felt like I was wrestling with a sentient storm—each dodge was like trying to outrun a hurricane that feeds on your escape attempts. It reminded me of a twisted clockwork mechanism: every tick of my evasion wound her up tighter, making her more relentless and impossible to stop. And honestly, it was as frustrating as trying to catch smoke with your bare hands—no matter how skilled I thought I was, she'd always slip through my defenses. This isn't just a game mechanic; it's a psychological torture chamber that had me rage-quitting more times than I care to admit. After dozens of attempts, I finally beat her, but it was a hollow victory, like winning a marathon only to find the finish line had moved. 💔
Looking ahead, I'm hopeful that FromSoftware will revisit this in future patches or expansions. As a long-time fan, I dream of a world where Malenia is balanced—not nerfed into oblivion, but tweaked so that fights feel fair and rewarding. Maybe in the rumored 2025 DLC, we'll see a redemption where she's less of a health-draining monstrosity and more of a strategic challenge. I envision it as a phoenix rising from the ashes: a chance for players to conquer her without feeling cheated. Until then, I'll keep grinding, but with a wary eye on any new updates that might bring back this nightmare. 🔮
To illustrate her intimidating presence, here's an image that captures her first phase: 
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In the broader scope, this update wasn't all bad—it added depth with Patches' questline, giving us new emotes like the iconic crouch. But for many of us, Malenia's buff overshadows it all. If you're still struggling in 2025, I feel your pain. Let's hope for a patch that restores sanity to the Lands Between. 🤞