Hand of Malenia Build

S-Tier Dexterity Build • Elden Ring
Hand of Malenia Build
  • White Mask
    Helm
    White Mask Raises attack power by 10% for 20 seconds when blood loss occurs nearby
  • Ronin's Armor
    Chest Armor
    Ronin's Armor Lightweight armor with good balance of protection and mobility
  • Ronin's Gauntlets
    Gloves
    Ronin's Gauntlets Matching gauntlets for consistent defense
  • Ronin's Greaves
    Legs
    Ronin's Greaves Completes the Ronin set for balanced protection
  • Hand of Malenia
    Right Hand (Primary)
    Hand of Malenia Legendary katana of Malenia. Weapon skill: Waterfowl Dance
  • Nagakiba
    Left Hand (Secondary)
    Nagakiba Backup katana for powerstancing and extended reach
  • Shard of Alexander
    Talisman
    Shard of Alexander Greatly boosts attack power of skills by 15%
  • Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
    Talisman
    Rotten Winged Sword Insignia Greatly raises attack power with successive attacks
  • Lord of Blood's Exultation
    Talisman
    Lord of Blood's Exultation Raises attack power by 20% when blood loss occurs nearby
  • Millicent's Prosthesis
    Talisman
    Millicent's Prosthesis Raises dexterity by 5 and boosts attack power with successive attacks
  • Flask of Crimson Tears 12
    Flask of Crimson Tears
    Restores HP. Essential for aggressive playstyle.
  • Flask of Cerulean Tears 3
    Flask of Cerulean Tears
    Restores FP for Waterfowl Dance usage.
  • Flask of Wondrous Physick
    Flask of Wondrous Physick
    Thorny Cracked Tear + Dexterity-knot Crystal Tear
    Effects
    Successive attacks restore HP
    Temporarily boosts Dexterity by 10
  • Seppuku
    Seppuku
    Inflicts self-damage to gain blood loss buff. Massive damage increase.
  • Bloodboil Aromatic
    Bloodboil Aromatic
    Increases attack power but makes you more vulnerable.

Patch Viability

Still Viable (Patch 1.10)

Survived All Nerfs

Never nerfed. Waterfowl Dance remains one of the strongest weapon skills in the game.

Stat Distribution (Level 150)

  • Vigor: 50 (Essential HP for survivability)
  • Mind: 20 (Sufficient FP for weapon skills)
  • Endurance: 25 (Stamina for aggressive combat)
  • Strength: 16 (Minimum for Hand of Malenia)
  • Dexterity: 80 (Soft cap for maximum damage)
  • Intelligence: 9 (Base stat)
  • Faith: 8 (Base stat)
  • Arcane: 12 (Slight boost for bleed buildup)

How to Get Hand of Malenia

  • Defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Miquella's Haligtree
  • One of the most challenging bosses in Elden Ring
  • Trade Remembrance of the Rot Goddess at Roundtable Hold
  • Can duplicate remembrance at Mausoleums for both sword and incantation

Mastering Waterfowl Dance

  • Timing: Animation has startup vulnerability - position carefully
  • Range: Excellent reach and area coverage
  • Combo Potential: Works well with successive attack buffs
  • FP Cost: Moderate consumption - manage with Cerulean Tears

Gameplay Strategy

  • Aggressive Pressure: Maintain constant offensive pressure for successive attack bonuses
  • Waterfowl Timing: Use weapon skill during enemy openings or to close distance
  • Bleed Buildup: Combine with Seppuku for massive hemorrhage damage
  • Powerstancing: Dual-wield with Nagakiba for devastating combo potential
  • Positioning: Excellent range allows for safe spacing

PvP Notes

  • Intimidation Factor: Waterfowl Dance commands respect and space
  • Mixup Potential: Alternate between regular attacks and weapon skill
  • Range Advantage: Excellent reach for catching dodging opponents
  • Rollcatch: Skilled users can catch panic rolls with proper timing

Alternative Equipment

  • Helm: Okina Mask for +3 Dexterity boost
  • Secondary: Uchigatana with Seppuku for versatility
  • Armor: Land of Reeds Set for authentic samurai aesthetic
  • Talisman: Claw Talisman for enhanced jump attacks