A Dark Souls-style speedrunner known for gruelling self-imposed challenges has become the first player to defeat Elden Ring boss Maliketh, Black Blade using nothing but bare fists, as part of an extreme "no equipment, weapons, or items" run. The feat, achieved without armour, spells, ashes of war or consumables, showcases the extraordinary lengths dedicated players go to in wringing fresh challenges out of FromSoftware's notoriously punishing action RPG years after its release.

Maliketh is widely regarded as one of Elden Ring's toughest fights, combining relentless melee combos with a devastating black-flame phase, and is typically approached with strong weapons, talismans and summons. Tackling him unarmed and unequipped strips away virtually every defensive and offensive tool the game offers, forcing the player to rely purely on dodging, timing and memorised attack patterns. The achievement has been celebrated within the challenge-run community as a world-first, underlining Elden Ring's enduring appeal as a testing ground for ever more punishing self-imposed restrictions.