Elden Ring (PS4 Pro) - My Successful Malenia Fight - (New Game) (Solo)

The nightmare is finally over. I believe I have spent a total of 9 to 10 hours total (honestly, just a guesstimate/feeling; not actually accurate) on this fight alone over the span of a month or two from constant feelings of giving up and long breaks of not booting up the game inbetween. I've had several close calls in her second phase only to fail and still struggle on the first phase again which gave me feelings of giving up I would have over time. On the day of the successful attempt, July 24th, 2022, I literally defeated Malenia on my second try and I had not booted up the game almost a week ago prior. This fight will FOREVER be burned into my brain... I'm sure I will still struggle with this fight on NG+ and beyond, but most of it will be ingrained into muscle memory.
Sadly, I never could understand how to dodge Waterfowl Dance upclose with dodge rolling, so I had to resort to blocking it which dragged the fight out, but it's better than dying outright with failed dodge attempts over and over. I really tried to learn how to dodge Waterfowl Dance at close range, but I just... couldn't figure it out; even with video references and observing how, the constant deaths really deterred me away from figuring it out. Proper spacing (and knowing when it is coming 100% honestly) was the only way I, pathetically, could avoid it. If I could not block it with my shield, then I could not win this fight with the equipment I was using in this video... I would probably have to pick a different weapon and abuse Bloodhound Step to have a hope in avoiding Waterfowl Dance.
Part of me feels quite relieved that I won the fight, but another part of me also feels... not really all that great considering how long it took me to obtain my win. Made some stupid mistakes, got kind of greedy at times and even approached for attacks when they were clearly unsafe openings. A lot of mixed feelings towards this fight, honestly. Definitely the hardest fight that I have ever had to struggle with in a From Software title (although I still haven't played Dark Souls III or Sekiro, so that might change). But it is over now. I can continue on with ACTUALLY trying to clear the game and make progress through the story. ... ... And I still have to fight Mohg later. :(
Here were my stats, weapons, armor and talismans that I used to win the fight. It's DEFINITELY NOT a "build" by any nature of the sort. AT ALL. Could be why I struggled so badly...
Level 152
Vigor: 40
Mind: 20
Endurance: 30
Strength: 61
Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 20
Faith: 20
Arcane: 20
HP 1377
FP: 121
Stamina: 130
Equip Load 47.7 / 77.6 (Med. Load)
Poise: 32
Right Hand Armament 1: Ordovis's Greatsword +9 (709 1H/767 2H)
Left Hand Armament 1: Brass Shield +9
Left Hand Armament 2: Clawmark Seal (Not Used)
Head: Fingerprint Helm
Body: Vagabond Knight Armor
Arms: Vagabond Knight Gauntlets
Legs: Vagabond Knight Greaves
Defense/DMG Negation:
Physical 163 / 41.010
VS Strike 163 / 37.826
VS Slash 163 / 39.368
VS Pierce 163 / 38.700
Magic 173 / 19.651
Fire 173 / 22.009
Lightning 133 / 16.694
Holy 173 / 17.632
Resistance:
Immunity 268 / 81
Robustness 293 / 136
Focus 206 / 49
Vitality 229 / 54
Talismans:
Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman
Blessed Dew Talisman
Claw Talisman
Green Turtle Talisman
Memory Slots:
Flame, Cleanse Me (Not Used)
Flame, Grant Me Strength (Not Used)
Bestial Sling (Not Used)
Bestial Vitality (Not Used)
Item Slots:
Flask of Crimson Tears +12 (14)
Flask of Cerulean Tears +12 (0)

[@DanteAlighieri100]

Admirable, really well played. Inspiring to watch..

[@mirabile1221]

Yo wassup my guy how r u

[@TrayG4Fx]

They got syphon filter back😁 great boss fight, geez

[@SamsarasArt]

Nice. She's an incredibly difficult boss to defeat.