11 Video Game Boss Attacks That Were Utter BS

While the previous entries on this list have all given players grief, none have quite landed with the controller-throwing thud of Elden Ring's Malenia.

By far the toughest boss in the game, it's telling that this two-phase swordstress is an optional challenge coming right at the end of the experience, as she tests every single trick the player has learned previously. On paper, Malenia pretty much has every element to make for a nightmare boss: a massive HP pool, two distinct phases, a flurry of fast, hard-hitting combos and also the ability to regain health.

However, it's one combo in particular that has become the bane of every player's life. At certain points during the fight, Malenia will leap into the air before unleashing a whirlwind of sword slashes that can track you all around the arena and are insanely tough to doge, and virtually impossible to block outright. Coming in distinct waves, even if you avoid the first flurry, the second and third are enough to kill you dead, forcing a restart. It's the kind of insta-kill move you need to fully learn, or you're dead as soon as it begins.

Even worse though, thanks to the boss regaining health every time she lands a blow (even on your shield), should you dodge and then block the attacks, she's still going to come out the victor as the sheer amount of attacks in the combo means she'll transfer all those blocked hits into more HP, extending the fight further.