Malachai, The Nightmare

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Malachai, The Nightmare
Malachai, The Nightmare
Malachai, The Nightmare
Level(s) 40
Location(s) The Harvest
Quest(s) The Eternal Nightmare
Resistance(s) Resists Elemental Damage
Resists Chaos Damage
Skill(s) Slam
Summon Blood Worms
Teleport (with Slam)
Tentacle Portal
Monster Mortar
Fire Trap
TriBomb
Ring of Fire

Malachai, The Nightmare is the final boss of Act 4, located in the Harvest's Black Core's final area: The Black Heart. Defeating him allows the player access to Act 5.

Abilities

Malachai's boss fight has two stages with small changes in the spells he uses.

Phase 1

In this stage, Malachai is initially protected by a red shield that prevents all damage. Piety helps the player by disabling his shield with her Piety Beam. Standing in the lightning beam deals lightning damage over time and shocks the player.

When Malachai's health drops to 75% and 50%, he transforms Piety into her Piety, the Abomination form and regains his shield and invulnerability. Piety will become an enemy that uses persistent balls of lightning and autoattacks. Piety's health must be reduced to 0 to cause her to revert to her human form to disable Malachai's shield again. After "killing" Piety the second time, Malachai will impale Piety with his staff and move to a new arena, triggering Phase 2.

  • Autoattack: If you stand adjacent to Malachai, he attacks you with moderately strong melee strikes.
  • Summon Blood Worms: Small blood worms pour into the arena at regular intervals. They deal moderate damage, but have low life. Their corpses explode after a short delay, dealing moderate damage. They grant flask charges on death.
  • Spawn TriBomb: Malachai conjures three red energy orbs in a triangle in the arena. After a short delay, each orb explode into three smaller orbs.
  • Teleport: Malachai teleports to another location. Does not deal damage.
  • Teleport Slam: Malachai sinks into a bloody portal and re-appears in another location, rippling with red energy. After a short delay, the energy explodes in a large runic circle around him.
  • Slam: Malachai lifts his weapon and smashes in front of him dealing moderate damage.
  • Tentacle Portal: Malachai channels for a duration, dealing many small hits that can chill in a large cone in front of him. This skill can be easily dodged by moving behind Malachai or moving away from the cone.
  • Mortar: Malachai throws balls of blood that create Rune Traps on the ground.
    • Rune Trap: Malachai throws 1-3 bloody traps. Traps are triggered when players and allies step on it or are summoned onto it, exploding for moderate damage. Traps last 9 seconds before expiring.

Phase 2

In this stage, the arena contains three Hearts of the Beast. At approximately 70%, 40% and 20% life, Malachai teleports to one of these Hearts and opens it, recovering about 30% of his Life and becomes invulnerable due to his shield. The opened Heart can then be killed to get rid of the shield.

Malachai retains most of his attacks from the first stage, with a few exceptions noted below:

  • He no longer uses Slam or Summon Blood Worms.
  • Malachai will use more AoEs and teleports more often as his health gets lower.
  • Rune Traps are larger and deal more damage. Rune Traps are now summoned directly instead of being left by Mortar.
  • Degeneration Mortar: Malachai can throw 1 or 5 balls of blood that explode and deal persistent physical damage over time for 5 seconds in an area.
  • Summon Primordial Creations: Summons humanoid monsters that act similar to zombies.
  • Ring of Fire: Upon opening the third Heart, Malachai creates a persistent red ring that slowly tracks the player around the arena, dealing moderate fire damage over time to anyone inside it.

Strategy

Malachai's Tentacle Portal skill.

Most of Malachai's attacks are well-telegraphed. Watch him and learn what the animations for each attack look like, and you should be able to avoid most of his damage. Learning what the attacks look like and how to avoid them is the key to victory in this fight.

In general, fight cautiously - avoid his attacks and only damage him when you can do so relatively safely. Malachai has no energy shield or health regen, so all of your damage will add up.

Malachai's tentacle portal provides the best opportunity to damage him, assuming you can avoid the other AoEs he throws out. He is stationary for the entire time he channels, and maneuvering just to one side of the portal will let you attack him without taking any damage.

For the entire fight, but especially the end of the second phase, pay very close attention to the ground in the arena. Malachai's rune traps, blood pools, and the ring of fire are all very dangerous in the chaos of the fight.

The explosive teleport is easily recognized and gives you plenty of time to react, but don't mess around with it. The explosion can easily kill in one hit. Get far away from Malachai and go back in after the explosion has gone off.

His Smash in stage 1 is quite quick, so if you are in melee using slow melee attacks like Ice Crash or a skill with Multistrike, you might not have time to dodge. This attack deals a large amount of damage, so melee characters should play especially defensively during the first phase.

Transformed Piety can be dangerous, and will require lots of dodging. She does not have the beam attack from her boss version, but her Ball Lightning deals high damage.

Lore

Malachai is one of the most prolific and accomplished thaumaturges of all time (second perhaps only to Doryani) who was prepared to sacrifice his own humanity in the pursuit of thaumaturgy. At some point in time, Malachai even used a "sliver of his soul" to animate the first "Eternal Guardian". It is unclear what this is referring to.

It was a sliver of Malachai's soul

that animated the first Eternal Guardian.[a]

Malachai was a master at manipulating those in positions of power into yielding to his demands. After the Purity Rebellion, instead of being burned at the stake like fellow thaumaturgist Doedre, Malachai convinced Emperor Voll into letting him live, in exchange for Malachai bringing about the "end of thaumaturgy". However, Malachai had no such intentions and began work on the Rapture Device, designed to bring about the Cataclysm. It is speculated that this is what HonourhomeHonourhome
Soldier Helmet
Armour: (68-112)
Energy Shield: (16-27)
Requires Level 12, 16 Str, 16 Int+2 to Level of Socketed Gems
Adds 1 to 30 Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
(100-150)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
(10-20)% increased Rarity of Items found
(10-20)% reduced Mana Cost of Skills
"The craven mind is sharp with self interest.
The honourable mind is much easier to manipulate."
- Malachai the Soulless
refers to.

"The craven mind is sharp with self interest.

The honourable mind is much easier to manipulate."

- Malachai the Soulless[b]

Map variants

Stronger versions of Malachai, The Nightmare serve as map bosses:

Map Level Name Notes
Core MapCore MapMap Level: 69
Map Tier: 2
Guild Character: û
Black monstrous bridges cross oily rivers,
leading nowhere. Nothing as it should be.
Travel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once.
Eater of Souls
Primordial Pool MapPrimordial Pool MapMap Level: 71
Map Tier: 4
Guild Character: Â
A dough of bad blood.
A yeast of ill will.
Travel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once.
Nightmare's Omen Phase 1 only but without Piety
The Shaper's RealmThe Shaper's RealmMap Level: 84
Map Tier: 17
Guild Character: ¥
Travel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once.
84 Eater of Souls As one of the random mini-bosses

Voice actor

Malachai is voiced by New Zealand actor John Leigh.[1]

Achievements

Name Description
End of the Nightmare
Kill Malachai, The Nightmare.

Related items

ItemItem ClassFlavour Text
Collateral DamageCollateral Damage
Viridian Jewel
Limited to: 2
Radius: Medium
(10-15)% increased Global Physical Damage
With at least 40 Dexterity in Radius, Galvanic Arrow deals 50% increased Area Damage
With at least 40 Dexterity in Radius, Galvanic Arrow has 25% increased Area of Effect
Malachai ran roughshod over every ethical boundary in pursuit of creating the ideal gemling.
For him, there was no doubt that the end would justify the means.
Place into an allocated jewel socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
JewelMalachai ran roughshod over every ethical boundary in pursuit of creating the ideal gemling.
For him, there was no doubt that the end would justify the means.
Controlled EnergyControlled Energy
Cobalt Jewel
Limited to: 1(20-30)% increased Spell Damage while your Energy Shield is Full
5% chance to Dodge Spell Damage while your Energy Shield is Full
"Once one understands the flow of energy,
the world becomes yours to shape."
- Malachai the Soulless
Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
Jewel"Once one understands the flow of energy,
the world becomes yours to shape."
- Malachai the Soulless
Decanter SpiritusDecanter Spiritus"Man is blinded by the mud of his corporeal self. Only
through the transformation of the material into the
spiritual can we hope to taste the full body of life."
- Malachai the Soulless
Quest Item"Man is blinded by the mud of his corporeal self. Only
through the transformation of the material into the
spiritual can we hope to taste the full body of life."
- Malachai the Soulless
Dialla's SubjugationDialla's Subjugation7Support Gem
Quality: +23%
Corrupted
A symbol of beauty and innocence
The gems corrupted her mind
Malachai corrupted her gems
All but a glimmer of
greatness lost in madness
Divination CardA symbol of beauty and innocence
The gems corrupted her mind
Malachai corrupted her gems
All but a glimmer of
greatness lost in madness
Essence WormEssence Worm
Unset Ring
Requires Level 38Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems
Socketed Gems have no Reservation
Your Blessing Skills are Disabled
80% reduced Reservation Efficiency of Skills
"This thing is not a pet. It is a parasite that feeds on the very will of its host.
Like any part of nightmare, it has found a way to make its price... acceptable."
- Malachai the Soulless
Ring"This thing is not a pet. It is a parasite that feeds on the very will of its host.
Like any part of nightmare, it has found a way to make its price... acceptable."
- Malachai the Soulless
HonourhomeHonourhome
Soldier Helmet
Armour: (68-112)
Energy Shield: (16-27)
Requires Level 12, 16 Str, 16 Int+2 to Level of Socketed Gems
Adds 1 to 30 Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
(100-150)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
(10-20)% increased Rarity of Items found
(10-20)% reduced Mana Cost of Skills
"The craven mind is sharp with self interest.
The honourable mind is much easier to manipulate."
- Malachai the Soulless
Helmet"The craven mind is sharp with self interest.
The honourable mind is much easier to manipulate."
- Malachai the Soulless
Infernal TalcInfernal Talc"A Virtue Gem is a raging thunderstorm imprisoned within a single raindrop.
Infernal Talc simply lets the storm out." - Malachai the Soulless
Quest Item"A Virtue Gem is a raging thunderstorm imprisoned within a single raindrop.
Infernal Talc simply lets the storm out." - Malachai the Soulless
Lightning CoilLightning Coil
Desert Brigandine
Armour: (714-992)
Evasion: (714-992)
Movement Speed: -3%
Requires Level 60, 96 Str, 96 DexAdds 1 to (20-30) Lightning Damage to Attacks
(90-120)% increased Armour and Evasion
+(60-80) to maximum Life
-60% to Lightning Resistance
50% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage
"There's nothing like imminent death
to galvanize one's purpose in life."
- Malachai the Soulless.
Body Armour"There's nothing like imminent death
to galvanize one's purpose in life."
- Malachai the Soulless.
Malachai's ArtificeMalachai's Artifice
Unset Ring
Requires Level 5Has 1 SocketSocketed Gems have Elemental Equilibrium
-20% to all Elemental Resistances
+(75-100)% to Fire Resistance when Socketed with a Red Gem
+(75-100)% to Cold Resistance when Socketed with a Green Gem
+(75-100)% to Lightning Resistance when Socketed with a Blue Gem
All Sockets are White
When the wind blows,
Know which way to bend
and watch the others break.
RingWhen the wind blows,
Know which way to bend
and watch the others break.
Malachai's AwakeningMalachai's Awakening
Iron Mask
Evasion: (48-60)
Energy Shield: (11-14)
Requires Level 60, 21 Dex, 21 Int+20 to Strength
(15-30)% increased Spell Damage
+10% to all Elemental Resistances
Adds (42-54) to (78-88) Cold Damage to Spells while no Life is Reserved
Adds (54-64) to (96-107) Fire Damage to Spells while no Life is Reserved
Adds (5-14) to (160-173) Lightning Damage to Spells while no Life is Reserved
Blood Magic
There is no cost too great to pay for power.
Merely men who lack the conviction to pay it.
HelmetThere is no cost too great to pay for power.
Merely men who lack the conviction to pay it.
Malachai's DedicationMalachai's DedicationHideout ItemCreates an object in your hideoutHideout DecorationN/A
Malachai's EntrailsMalachai's EntrailsMy organs tether me to mortality
like a chain. This chain holds me
from my true potential.
Quest ItemMy organs tether me to mortality
like a chain. This chain holds me
from my true potential.
Malachai's HeartMalachai's HeartMy heart forces blood through my veins.
But one who may bleed may die, and
death is no fitting end to genius.
Quest ItemMy heart forces blood through my veins.
But one who may bleed may die, and
death is no fitting end to genius.
Malachai's LoopMalachai's Loop
Harmonic Spirit Shield
Chance to Block: 23%
Energy Shield: (179-231)
Movement Speed: -3%
Requires Level 65, 159 Int(10-15)% increased Spell Damage(210-250)% increased Energy Shield
+2 to Maximum Power Charges
20% chance to gain a Power Charge on Hit
(12-16)% increased Spell Damage per Power Charge
Lose all Power Charges on reaching Maximum Power Charges
Shocks you when you reach Maximum Power Charges
Thaumaturgy has no limit.
It is our fragile reality that imposes boundaries.
ShieldThaumaturgy has no limit.
It is our fragile reality that imposes boundaries.
Malachai's LungsMalachai's LungsMy lungs breathe the same air as
the foolish and the weak. May I be
yet another step removed from them.
Quest ItemMy lungs breathe the same air as
the foolish and the weak. May I be
yet another step removed from them.
Malachai's MarkMalachai's Mark
Murder Mitts
Evasion: (217-278)
Energy Shield: (45-56)
Requires Level 67, 51 Dex, 51 Int(80-100)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
+(60-80) to maximum Life
Gain (15-25) Life per Enemy Hit with Attacks
Gain (15-25) Energy Shield per Enemy Hit with Attacks
Grants Malachai's Endurance, Frenzy and Power for 6 seconds each, in sequence
What man does not wish for immortality?
GlovesWhat man does not wish for immortality?
Malachai's SimulaMalachai's Simula
Iron Mask
Evasion: (48-60)
Energy Shield: (11-14)
Requires Level 17, 21 Dex, 21 Int+20 to Strength
+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance
Spells have a 20% chance to deal Double Damage
Blood Magic
It was a sliver of Malachai's soul
that animated the first Eternal Guardian.
HelmetIt was a sliver of Malachai's soul
that animated the first Eternal Guardian.
Malachai's VisionMalachai's Vision
Praetor Crown
Armour: (161-185)
Energy Shield: (201-258)
Requires Level 68, 62 Str, 91 IntAdds (13-17) to (29-37) Chaos Damage
+(150-200) to maximum Energy Shield
+(32-40)% to Cold Resistance
+(15-20)% to Lightning Resistance
Regenerate 400 Energy Shield per second if all Equipped items are Corrupted
Regenerate 35 Mana per second if all Equipped Items are Corrupted
CorruptedWicked men chase power like stray dogs chase a rat.
HelmetWicked men chase power like stray dogs chase a rat.
Malachai Body ArmourMalachai Body ArmourArmour SkinChanges the appearance of any equipped body armour to the Malachai Body Armour.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Malachai BootsMalachai BootsBoots SkinChanges the appearance of any equipped boots to the Malachai Boots.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Malachai CloakMalachai CloakArmour AttachmentAdds the Malachai Cloak Back Attachment to any equipped body armour.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Malachai GlovesMalachai GlovesGloves SkinChanges the appearance of any equipped gloves to the Malachai Gloves.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Malachai HeartMalachai HeartHideout ItemCreates an object in your hideout3 VariationsHideout DecorationN/A
Malachai HelmetMalachai HelmetHelmet SkinChanges the appearance of any equipped helmet to the Malachai Helmet.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Malachai Portal EffectMalachai Portal EffectPortalThis character's portals use the Malachai effect.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Omen on the WindsOmen on the Winds
Viridian Jewel
Limited to: 2
Radius: Medium
(15-20)% increased Damage with Hits against Chilled Enemies
With at least 40 Dexterity in Radius, Ice Shot has 25% increased Area of Effect
With at least 40 Dexterity in Radius, Ice Shot Pierces 3 additional Targets
As Malachai stepped into the Highgate mines,
cold winds billowed from the mountain above.
One final, feeble attempt to save what was meant to be eternal.
Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
JewelAs Malachai stepped into the Highgate mines,
cold winds billowed from the mountain above.
One final, feeble attempt to save what was meant to be eternal.
Replica Malachai's ArtificeReplica Malachai's Artifice
Unset Ring
Requires Level 5Has 1 SocketSocketed Gems have Secrets of Suffering
-20% to all Elemental Resistances
+(75-100)% to Fire Resistance when Socketed with a Red Gem
+(75-100)% to Cold Resistance when Socketed with a Green Gem
+(75-100)% to Lightning Resistance when Socketed with a Blue Gem
All Sockets are White
"As much as Prototype #20 hints at some deep alternate physics, we cannot afford to expend any more test subjects. Experiments halted."
- Administrator Qotra
Ring"As much as Prototype #20 hints at some deep alternate physics, we cannot afford to expend any more test subjects. Experiments halted."
- Administrator Qotra
The ArtistThe Artist11Level 4 Enhance
Corrupted
"Paint, metal, flesh... A true artist does not limit himself." - Malachai the Soulless
Divination Card"Paint, metal, flesh... A true artist does not limit himself." - Malachai the Soulless
The Brittle EmperorThe Brittle Emperor8Voll's Devotion
Corrupted
"When Voll spared Malachai, accepting his aid in pursuit of Purity, the strongest faith was infected by Corruption and made brittle as glass."
- Victario, the People's Poet
Divination Card"When Voll spared Malachai, accepting his aid in pursuit of Purity, the strongest faith was infected by Corruption and made brittle as glass."
- Victario, the People's Poet
The Eye of DesireThe Eye of Desire"It is a cruel joke that
Man was born with more
Intent than Life."
- Malachai
Quest Item"It is a cruel joke that
Man was born with more
Intent than Life."
- Malachai
The Eye of FuryThe Eye of Fury"Fear becomes Hatred.
Hatred becomes Fury.
Thus is Man transformed
from Martyr to Maker."
- Malachai
Quest Item"Fear becomes Hatred.
Hatred becomes Fury.
Thus is Man transformed
from Martyr to Maker."
- Malachai
The SurgeonThe Surgeon4Surgeon's Flask"He might be lacking in vision, but his virtuosity is undeniable."
- Malachai, on Maligaro
Divination Card"He might be lacking in vision, but his virtuosity is undeniable."
- Malachai, on Maligaro
Malachai's Demise Rare Finisher EffectMalachai's Demise Rare Finisher EffectWeapon Added EffectAdds the Malachai's Demise Rare Finisher Effect to any weapon. It amplifies the deaths of Rare Monsters you kill.Cosmetic ItemN/A
Alternate Art Malachai's ArtificeAlternate Art Malachai's ArtificeRing SkinCosmetic ItemN/A

Concept Art[2]

Version history

Version Changes
3.18.0e
  • Sentinels can no longer empower Malachai, The Nightmare, or Catarina, Master of Undeath, in the first phase of their Boss fights as they don't drop items at the end of this phase.
3.9.2f
  • Fixed a rare bug where Malachai in The Harvest and Core MapCore MapMap Level: 69
    Map Tier: 2
    Guild Character: û
    Black monstrous bridges cross oily rivers,
    leading nowhere. Nothing as it should be.
    Travel to this Map by using it in a personal Map Device. Maps can only be used once.
    could sometimes fail to transition to his second arena.
3.8.2
  • Fixed a rare bug that prevented various bosses from using skills or transitioning correctly after being Frozen or Stunned.
2.0.0
  • Introduced to the game.

Notes

  1. Malachai's SimulaMalachai's Simula
    Iron Mask
    Evasion: (48-60)
    Energy Shield: (11-14)
    Requires Level 17, 21 Dex, 21 Int+20 to Strength
    +(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance
    Spells have a 20% chance to deal Double Damage
    Blood Magic
    It was a sliver of Malachai's soul
    that animated the first Eternal Guardian.
  2. HonourhomeHonourhome
    Soldier Helmet
    Armour: (68-112)
    Energy Shield: (16-27)
    Requires Level 12, 16 Str, 16 Int+2 to Level of Socketed Gems
    Adds 1 to 30 Lightning Damage to Spells and Attacks
    (100-150)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    (10-20)% increased Rarity of Items found
    (10-20)% reduced Mana Cost of Skills
    "The craven mind is sharp with self interest.
    The honourable mind is much easier to manipulate."
    - Malachai the Soulless

References