Maluca, the fallen noble and leader of the Knivesveil, stands as a formidable test of skill in The First Berserker: Khazan. This guide will equip you with the knowledge necessary to overcome this challenging boss fight, detailing his diverse attack patterns, phase transitions, and crucial strategies for victory. Once a symbol of rebellion against corrupt nobility, Maluca’s descent into ruthless power has transformed him into a deadly adversary, wielding both dual greatswords and a katana with lethal proficiency. Prepare to face his relentless onslaught and claim the rewards that await those who can defeat him.
Maluca Boss Fight Guide
Maluca is the seventh boss in The First Berserker: Khazan and the leader of the Knivesveil. Once a loyal servant of the Emperor, he turned to banditry in an attempt to rid the world of corrupt nobles. However, his thirst for power corrupted him, transforming him from a noble thief into a ruthless killer. As the one responsible for placing the hit on Khazan, he must now face the consequences of his actions. Found in Nadin Quarry during Mission 7: Veiled Knives (Recommended Level 51), defeating him rewards players with 23,088 Lacrima, 8,265 Gold, two Chaos-Ridden Pieces, a Rare Accessory, a Chaos Fragment, Transmutation Mist, and the Phantom Form Ability.
Preparation to Beat Maluca
Before facing Khazan, make sure you have the right gear. A combination of balanced armor that provides good defense while allowing mobility is key. Here are some recommendations:
- Armor: A mix of heavy and light pieces to maintain agility while offering protection.
- Weapons: A strong melee weapon with high poise damage and a ranged option like javelins for occasional attacks.
- Skills: Invest in perfect guard skills to mitigate damage effectively.
Maluca Boss Attacks
Maluca is a skilled human fighter who wields both dual greatswords and a katana, each requiring a different approach in combat. Fortunately, recognizing which weapon he’s using is easy due to their significant size difference.
Phase 1
Double Thrust
Maluca thrusts his greatswords forward and follows up with two wide swings. You can either block or dodge to avoid taking damage.
Charged Gale
He charges his greatsword and unleashes three bursts of wind, with the third being the strongest. Watch for his weapon to flash—that’s your cue to block (Brink Guard) or dodge the gust.
Spinning Burst
Maluca spins rapidly and executes a powerful Burst Attack. Time your counter just before he makes contact to interrupt him.
Descending Slam
He jumps into the air, spins, and then crashes down with his sword. In the second phase, he can perform this attack twice in a row. Time your block carefully or dodge to stay safe.
Glowing Impact
Maluca charges his greatswords until they glow, then slams them into the ground. The moment you see the glow, prepare to dodge.
Phase 2
Greatsword Slam
As soon as Phase 2 begins, Maluca leaps up and slams the ground, creating a shockwave followed by a fiery eruption. Block the initial slam, then immediately move away or dodge to avoid the eruption.
Deadly Sheathe
After his slam attack, he pulls out a curved sword, sheathes it, and then performs a lightning-fast draw strike. There’s an audio cue before this attack—dodge at the right moment to avoid serious damage and Chaos buildup.
10-Hit Curved Combo
He slashes once, sheathes his sword, then jumps back and strikes the ground before unleashing nine rapid attacks. Blocking (Brink Guarding) all of them will drain his stamina significantly.
Leaping Grab
Maluca jumps into the air and attempts to grab you with his sword. This move cannot be blocked, so you must dodge when you hear the audio cue.
Quickdraw
He sheathes his sword and then quickly draws it in a fast strike that causes Chaos buildup. While you can dodge it, using Brink Guard will stagger him. Sometimes, he’ll roll twice before striking, so stay alert.
Arc Slashes
Maluca leaps into the air and slashes three wide arcs with his sword. Blocking these attacks will put a dent in his stamina bar.
Double Slam
He wields his greatsword and slams the ground twice in a row. When his health is extremely low, he may add a third slam to the sequence. You can either dodge or block at the right time.
Relentless Gale
Maluca charges his greatsword and releases seven gusts of air in a row, with each one coming faster than the last. If you choose to block (Brink Guard), you’ll need to adjust your timing with each gust as the charge time decreases.
How to Beat Maluca Boss
The key to defeating Maluca is the same as with any other humanoid enemy—wear him down by attacking after he finishes his moves and baiting him into overcommitting. This will create openings for easy Brutal Counters. The trick is to parry his katana attacks and dodge his greatsword swings. Mastering this balance will make the fight much more manageable, letting you take Maluca down with ease!
Phase 1
Maluca starts the fight wielding his greatswords. His attacks are slow, so dodging is the best strategy. Staying aggressive is key like other human bosses in The First Berserker: Khazan, his stamina bar refills over time, making it tough to wear him down completely. However, his stamina also depletes quickly, so if you keep dodging his attacks and staying on the offensive, you should be able to land two Brutal Attacks before he transitions to Phase 2.
Phase 2
The second phase is where the fight truly challenges your skills. Maluca kicks things off with a powerful slam followed by a quickdraw attack. This move briefly slows down the game, giving you just enough time to react and dodge. After that, he unleashes a flurry of fast attacks—Brink Guarding these is crucial to draining his stamina and setting up a free Brutal Attack.
One of the most important moments in this phase is his quickdraw attack. When Maluca sheathes his sword and you see a brief flash, get ready—he’s about to deliver a devastating strike. This attack not only deals massive damage but also builds up Chaos, which reduces your max health unless cured. Luckily, Chaos Cleanse Potions (which you may have picked up along the way) can remove this effect instantly. Wearing Chaos Resistant Necklaces and Rings before the fight can also help make this phase more manageable.
As you take down more of his health, Maluca will switch back to his greatswords. His attacks become even more relentless, with additional hits compared to Phase 1. One of his most dangerous moves in this phase is a series of air gust attacks. Each time his weapon flashes, you’ll need to Brink Guard at just the right moment. However, with each gust, the charge time gets shorter, meaning you’ll have to react faster and block with near-perfect timing.
To prepare for this battle, make sure to upgrade your armor and gear at the Blacksmith or craft a set with bonuses that will give you an edge against Maluca. Being well-equipped can make all the difference in this intense fight!
Tips to Beat Maluca
- Stay aggressive – Draining his stamina is the key to landing Brutal Attacks.
- Master Brink Guard – Perfectly timed blocks will stagger him, opening windows for counters.
- Watch his weapon changes – His greatsword attacks are slower and require dodging, while his katana strikes are fast and best parried.
- Manage Chaos buildup – Keep Chaos Cleanse Potions on hand or equip Chaos Resistant Accessories.
- Use ranged attacks wisely – Throw javelins when he taunts to avoid triggering his Burst Attack.
- Upgrade your gear – Ensure your armor and weapons are at peak performance before the fight.
By mastering his attack patterns and staying patient, you’ll eventually bring Maluca down and claim victory in one of the toughest fights in The First Berserker: Khazan. Good luck!
