Expedition 33’s Hardest Boss Inspired by Elden Ring’s Malenia

What This Article Covers

• The connection between Simon and Malenia, Goddess of Rot.
• Why the "Phase 2" transition is designed to be psychological warfare.
• Where to find this hidden boss in The Abyss.
• The recent Verso’s Drafts update that introduced an even harder version.

Core Explanation

Game Director Guillaume Broche recently confirmed that Simon's DNA is shared with Malenia. The goal was to take the "simplicity" of a single human-sized foe and turn them into "absolute hell."

Like Malenia, Simon begins the fight looking deceptively simple—a seasoned expeditioner with predictable strikes. However, once his first health bar is depleted, he enters a second (and later, a third) phase where his speed triples, his attacks create echoes, and he gains the ability to "Vanquish" your party members, removing them from the battle permanently if they faint.

Practical Use Cases

• Testing Your Mastery: Simon serves as the ultimate "final exam" for the game's active parry system. Unlike other bosses where you can rely on healing, Simon's damage is so high that you must master the rhythm of his "Light Speed" attacks to survive.
• Ultimate Rewards: Defeating Simon grants the Simoso sword for Verso, widely considered the best weapon in the game, alongside massive XP and unique cosmetic rewards.

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

• "I can out-level him": Many players grind to Level 99 thinking it will make the fight easy. Simon scales aggressively; even at max level, a missed triple-parry combo will result in a one-shot death.
• Bringing Shields: A common error is using defensive Pictos that generate shields. In Phase 2, Simon can steal your shields to heal himself, making the fight statistically impossible.
• Ignoring the "Simon the Divergent Star" update: Some players aren't aware that the recent December 2025 update added a "Superboss" version in the Endless Tower that is even more brutal than the original.

Limitations and Trade-Offs

• RNG vs. Skill: While Simon is inspired by Malenia (an action boss), Expedition 33 is turn-based. This means that while you can parry his attacks, your ability to deal damage still depends on your AP management and skill procs.
• The "One-Shot" Strategy: Because Simon is so difficult to fight fairly, many players have resorted to "cheese" builds (like Maelle’s Gommage nuke) to skip his phases entirely, missing out on the mechanical challenge intended by the devs.

Best Practices

• Learn the Audio Cues: Every one of Simon's slashes has a distinct sound. Closing your eyes and focusing on the rhythm can often be more effective than watching the visual afterimages.
• The 1 HP Mechanic: Use the "Last Chance" skill with Maelle. It drops her to 1 HP but fills her AP and enters Virtuose Stance. Combined with Pictos like "At Death’s Door," you can deal millions of damage before Simon can act.
• Bring the "Cheater" Picto: This is non-negotiable. It costs 40 Lumina Points but gives your characters a second turn, which is vital for breaking Simon's guard bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where exactly is Simon located? A: He is hidden in The Abyss. To get there, you must use Esquie’s level 6 diving ability to enter Renoir’s Drafts, then find the portal at the bottom of the map that leads to the tunnel.

Q: Can I beat him on Easy mode? A: Yes. Lowering the difficulty increases the window for parrying and dodging, though his second-phase "afterimage" strikes still require precise timing.

Q: What is the recommended level? A: You should be at least Level 90+ with your main weapons upgraded to Level 33.

Summary and Final Thoughts

By channeling the spirit of Elden Ring, Sandfall Interactive has created a boss that transcends the traditional boundaries of turn-based RPGs. Simon is a tribute to high-stakes gaming—a boss that rewards patience and punishes greed. Whether you face the original in The Abyss or the new Divergent Star version, Simon remains the definitive "Malenia of RPGs."