Shattering Radagon and the Elden Beast: A Comprehensive Guide to Victory
Radagon of the Golden Order and the Elden Beast. These two bosses, encountered back-to-back at the culmination of your Elden Ring journey, represent a significant hurdle for even the most seasoned Tarnished. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of both encounters, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to emerge victorious and claim the title of Elden Lord.
## Understanding the Double Boss Fight
Before diving into specific strategies, it’s crucial to understand the format of this final boss encounter. You’ll face Radagon first, and immediately upon his defeat, the Elden Beast will appear. This means you need to conserve resources throughout the Radagon fight, leaving enough Flasks of Crimson Tears and Cerulean Tears (health and FP potions, respectively) for the subsequent Elden Beast battle. Consider optimizing your equipment and talismans for sustained damage output and resource management.
## Part 1: Radagon of the Golden Order
Radagon is a formidable foe, wielding powerful holy attacks and teleportation abilities. He’s aggressive and relentless, demanding precise timing and careful observation. Here’s a detailed look at his attacks and how to counter them:
**Radagon’s Attacks and Counters:**
* **Hammer Smash:** Radagon raises his hammer high and slams it down, creating a shockwave.
* **Counter:** This attack is relatively slow and telegraphed. Roll towards him just before the hammer lands to avoid the shockwave and potentially get behind him for a counterattack.
* **Hammer Swing:** A quick, horizontal swing of his hammer.
* **Counter:** Roll away from the swing. The timing is tight, so be prepared to react quickly.
* **Teleport Slam:** Radagon teleports into the air and slams down with his hammer, creating a large AoE explosion.
* **Counter:** When he teleports, immediately roll away. The explosion has a considerable radius, so distance is key.
* **Holy Spears:** Radagon summons several golden spears and throws them at the player.
* **Counter:** These spears can be dodged by rolling to the side just before they hit. Alternatively, use a shield with high Holy resistance to block them (though this will drain stamina).
* **Grab Attack:** Radagon reaches out to grab the player. If successful, he slams them into the ground for significant damage.
* **Counter:** This attack has a clear visual cue. When you see him reach, roll away immediately. This is a high-damage attack, so avoid getting grabbed at all costs.
* **Ground Stomp:** Radagon stomps the ground, creating a small AoE shockwave.
* **Counter:** Roll away from the stomp. The range is limited, making it easy to avoid.
* **Holy Explosion (Delayed):** Radagon charges up energy, creating a delayed explosion of Holy energy around him.
* **Counter:** When you see him charging, immediately create distance. The explosion covers a wide area, so rolling away multiple times may be necessary.
* **Consecutive Hammer Strikes:** Radagon performs a series of rapid hammer strikes.
* **Counter:** These strikes are fast and difficult to dodge consistently. Try to create some distance and wait for him to finish the combo before approaching.
**Strategies for Radagon:**
1. **Weapon Choice:** Weapons with high physical damage and good speed are ideal for this fight. Consider using weapons like Bloodhound’s Fang, Rivers of Blood (though less effective after patches), or dual katanas. Weapons that inflict Bleed or Frostbite can significantly speed up the fight. Colossal Weapons can work, but require careful timing and knowledge of Radagon’s openings.
2. **Holy Resistance:** While not mandatory, increasing your Holy resistance can significantly reduce the damage taken from his attacks. Talismans like the Holyproof Talisman and armor sets with high Holy resistance can be beneficial. The Divine Fortification incantation is also a valuable option for increasing Holy resistance.
3. **Aggression vs. Patience:** Finding the right balance between aggression and patience is crucial. Don’t be afraid to get in close and attack during his openings, but be prepared to back off and dodge when he attacks. Overcommitting can lead to getting punished by his fast attacks.
4. **Exploiting Openings:** Radagon has several openings you can exploit for attacks:
* **After his Hammer Smash:** After he slams his hammer, there’s a brief window where you can get in a few attacks.
* **After his Teleport Slam:** After the explosion from his teleport slam, he’s vulnerable for a short time.
* **During and after Holy Spear Throw:** While he’s summoning and throwing the Holy Spears, he is vulnerable to attacks.
5. **Summoning Spirits (Optional):** If you’re struggling with Radagon, consider using Spirit Ashes. Mimic Tear is an excellent choice, as it can duplicate your build and provide valuable support. Other strong options include Black Knife Tiche (who deals percentage-based damage), Lhutel the Headless (who has good survivability and aggression), and Cleanrot Knight Finlay (who deals Scarlet Rot damage). Make sure your Spirit Ashes are upgraded to +10 for maximum effectiveness. Keep in mind the Elden Beast fight will occur immediately afterwards, so managing the Spirit Ashes’ health is important to maximize their usefulness in the second fight.
6. **Practice and Observation:** Radagon’s attack patterns are relatively consistent, but it takes practice to learn them. Pay attention to his tells and learn the timing of his attacks. Don’t be discouraged if you die a few times; each death is a learning opportunity.
7. **Buffs and Consumables:** Utilize buffs to enhance your damage output and survivability. Golden Vow (incantation or Ash of War) and Flame, Grant Me Strength (incantation) are excellent choices for increasing damage. Use consumables like Exalted Flesh for temporary physical damage buffs. The Crimsonwhorl Bubbletear in your Physick Flask can provide a temporary shield that negates one instance of elemental damage.
8. **Jump Attacks:** Jump attacks are a viable strategy. They allow you to close the distance quickly and deal decent damage, especially when targeting Radagon’s head. However, be mindful of your stamina and avoid overusing them.
9. **Parrying (Advanced):** Radagon’s regular melee attacks (hammer swings) *can* be parried, but the timing is very strict and requires precise execution. If you are confident in your parrying skills, this can open him up for critical hits and significantly reduce his health. However, it is a high-risk, high-reward strategy and not recommended for most players, especially on a first playthrough. Golden Parry is an extremely useful Ash of War for increasing your parry window.
## Part 2: Elden Beast
The Elden Beast is a colossal, otherworldly creature that embodies the Elden Ring itself. This fight is a stark contrast to Radagon, focusing on ranged attacks, large AoE abilities, and a constant need to chase after the boss as it teleports around the arena. Holy damage negation is extremely important, as nearly all of its attacks are holy-based.
**Elden Beast’s Attacks and Counters:**
* **Elden Stars:** The Elden Beast summons a large, slow-moving star that explodes into a barrage of smaller projectiles.
* **Counter:** This attack is devastating if all the projectiles hit you. The key is to run *perpendicular* to the star’s trajectory, keeping it to your side. This will cause many of the projectiles to miss. Alternatively, you can try to roll through the projectiles, but this is much riskier.
* **Holy Spear:** The Elden Beast summons a golden spear and throws it at the player. This is similar to Radagon’s Holy Spears, but significantly larger and more damaging.
* **Counter:** Roll to the side just before the spear hits. The timing is crucial. A shield with high Holy resistance can block the spear, but it will drain a significant amount of stamina.
* **Ring of Light:** The Elden Beast creates a ring of light that expands outwards. Getting caught in the ring will deal significant Holy damage.
* **Counter:** Jump over the ring just as it reaches you. This requires precise timing.
* **Sword Swipes:** The Elden Beast swipes at the player with its glowing sword. These swipes have a wide range.
* **Counter:** Roll away from the swipes. The timing is fairly generous, but be aware of the range.
* **Elden Ring Breath:** The Elden Beast breathes a stream of Elden Ring energy, dealing continuous Holy damage.
* **Counter:** Run to the side to avoid the breath attack. This attack has a wide arc, so you need to move quickly.
* **Homing Projectiles:** The Elden Beast summons several small, homing projectiles that track the player.
* **Counter:** These projectiles are difficult to dodge individually. The best strategy is to keep moving and roll when they get close. Blocking them is also an option, but it will drain stamina quickly.
* **Teleport:** The Elden Beast frequently teleports to different locations around the arena, often creating distance between itself and the player.
* **Counter:** There is no direct counter. Be prepared to chase after the Elden Beast when it teleports. Using Torrent (if glitches are allowed) or having high stamina and light equip load can help you close the distance quickly.
* **Holy Ground Slam:** The Elden Beast slams its hand into the ground, creating an area of Holy energy that deals continuous damage.
* **Counter:** Move away from the area of effect. The ground will glow with Holy energy before the attack, giving you time to react.
* **Stars of Ruin (Variant):** A modified version of the Elden Stars attack, usually performed further away and with less initial warning. The stars tend to spread wider.
* **Counter:** The strategy remains the same: run perpendicularly to the star’s path. Because of the increased spread, more evasive movement might be needed.
* **Sword Rain:** Elden Beast summons multiple swords that fall from the sky, dealing Holy damage upon impact.
* **Counter:** Watch the ground for the glowing circles indicating the sword’s impact location. Roll away from these areas. Staying mobile is essential during this attack.
**Strategies for the Elden Beast:**
1. **Holy Resistance is Paramount:** Maximizing your Holy resistance is absolutely essential for this fight. The Holyproof Talisman, Haligdrake Talisman +2, and Divine Fortification incantation are highly recommended. Armor with high Holy resistance will also help significantly. Consider using the Pearldrake Talisman as an alternative if you lack the other options, as it provides more general elemental resistance, which includes Holy.
2. **Weapon Choice:** Weapons with high physical damage are still effective, but consider using weapons that deal Fire damage as the Elden Beast is somewhat weak to it. The Black Flame Tornado Ash of War is exceptionally good at dealing damage to its large health pool. Bleed and Frostbite can also work, but are generally less effective than against Radagon. Weapons with long reach can be helpful for hitting the Elden Beast from a distance.
3. **Closing the Distance:** The Elden Beast’s constant teleporting can make this fight frustrating. Having a fast roll speed (Light Load) or using equipment that increases your stamina recovery will help you chase after it more effectively. Equipping the Green Turtle Talisman for faster stamina recovery is a worthwhile consideration.
4. **Target the Weak Spots:** The Elden Beast’s glowing abdomen is its primary weak spot. Focus your attacks on this area for maximum damage. Some players find that targeting its head can also yield good results, but the abdomen is generally the more consistent option. Some players also report taking more damage from its right side.
5. **Patience and Observation:** Like Radagon, the Elden Beast has a consistent attack pattern, but it takes time to learn. Pay attention to its tells and learn how to dodge its attacks effectively. Don’t get greedy with your attacks; focus on dodging and creating opportunities to strike.
6. **Utilize Ranged Attacks:** If you’re struggling to close the distance or are playing a magic-focused build, ranged attacks can be a viable strategy. Spells like Comet Azur (though the Elden Beast moves frequently), Rock Sling, and Black Flame (incantation) can deal significant damage from afar. The Jar Cannon is also a surprisingly effective option for staggering the Elden Beast.
7. **Summoning Spirits (If They Survived Radagon):** If your Spirit Ashes survived the Radagon fight, they can provide valuable support by drawing the Elden Beast’s aggro. However, the Elden Beast’s AoE attacks can quickly kill them, so don’t rely on them too heavily. Try to resummon if possible.
8. **Buffs and Consumables:** Continue using buffs like Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength. Consumables like Exalted Flesh can also help increase your damage output. If you are a Faith build, Black Flame Protection can be invaluable for further reducing Holy damage. Use your Physick Flask to further enhance your Holy resistance or damage output.
9. **Learn to Identify the Tell for Elden Stars Immediately:** This attack is one of the most deadly, and recognizing the wind-up animation quickly is crucial for positioning correctly to avoid it. Practice identifying this tell above all other attacks.
10. **Run Around It:** Many players try to roll through the Elden Beast’s attacks, which can be difficult due to its size and erratic movements. Instead, try running around it in a wide circle. This can help you avoid its attacks and position yourself for counterattacks.
11. **Consider the Crimsonwhorl Bubbletear:** If you’re struggling to survive the initial burst of damage from certain attacks, especially the Holy Spear, consider using the Crimsonwhorl Bubbletear in your Physick Flask. This will negate one instance of elemental damage, giving you a crucial moment to recover.
12. **Torrent (If Glitches Allowed):** If you are comfortable exploiting glitches, Torrent can be summoned in this fight and makes the chase significantly easier. This is not an intended mechanic, but it can be helpful for players who are struggling with the Elden Beast’s mobility.
13. **Focus on Surviving, Then Attacking:** Don’t get discouraged if you’re not dealing much damage at first. The Elden Beast fight is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on surviving its attacks and learning its patterns. As you become more comfortable with the fight, you’ll find more opportunities to deal damage.
## General Tips for Both Fights
* **Manage Your Stamina:** Stamina management is crucial in both fights. Avoid over-attacking and conserve stamina for dodging and blocking. The Green Turtle Talisman can help with stamina recovery.
* **Level Up Your Vigor:** Having a high Vigor stat (at least 40, ideally 60) is essential for surviving the high damage output of both bosses.
* **Upgrade Your Weapons:** Make sure your weapons are fully upgraded to maximize your damage output. Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are required to upgrade unique weapons to +10, while regular Smithing Stones are used for other weapons up to +25.
* **Experiment with Different Builds:** If you’re struggling with your current build, don’t be afraid to experiment with different weapons, armor, and talismans. Sometimes, a simple change can make a big difference.
* **Don’t Give Up:** These are two of the most challenging bosses in Elden Ring. Don’t be discouraged if you die multiple times. Keep practicing, learning their attack patterns, and refining your strategy. Persistence is key to victory.
## Recommended Builds and Equipment
This section provides some specific build and equipment recommendations for tackling Radagon and the Elden Beast. These are just suggestions, and you can adapt them to fit your playstyle.
**Strength Build:**
* **Weapons:** Greatsword (especially with Lion’s Claw Ash of War), Ruins Greatsword, Grafted Blade Greatsword
* **Armor:** Armor with high physical and Holy resistance, such as the Lionel’s Set or the Crucible Tree Set
* **Talismans:** Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree’s Favor, Great-Jar’s Arsenal (if you need to increase equip load), Holyproof Talisman/Haligdrake Talisman +2
* **Incantations/Ashes of War:** Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Black Flame Tornado
**Dexterity Build:**
* **Weapons:** Bloodhound’s Fang, Rivers of Blood (less effective after patches), dual katanas (such as Uchigatana and Nagakiba), Eleonora’s Poleblade
* **Armor:** Light or medium armor for fast roll speed, such as the White Reed Set or the Ronin’s Set
* **Talismans:** Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree’s Favor, Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal (for increased stats, but also increased damage taken), Holyproof Talisman/Haligdrake Talisman +2
* **Incantations/Ashes of War:** Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Bloodflame Blade (for extra bleed buildup)
**Faith Build:**
* **Weapons:** Sacred Relic Sword, Blasphemous Blade, Winged Scythe
* **Armor:** Armor with high Holy resistance, such as the Haligtree Knight Set or the Tree Sentinel Set
* **Talismans:** Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree’s Favor, Godfrey Icon (for charged spells and incantations), Holyproof Talisman/Haligdrake Talisman +2
* **Incantations:** Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Black Flame, Black Flame Protection, Divine Fortification, Lightning Spear (for ranged attacks)
**Intelligence Build:**
* **Weapons:** Moonveil, Dark Moon Greatsword, Lusat’s Glintstone Staff, Azur’s Glintstone Staff
* **Armor:** Armor that boosts Intelligence, such as the Twinsage Glintstone Crown or the Snow Witch Set
* **Talismans:** Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree’s Favor, Radagon Icon (for faster spell casting), Holyproof Talisman/Haligdrake Talisman +2
* **Spells:** Comet Azur (situational), Rock Sling, Loretta’s Greatbow, Terra Magicus (to boost magic damage)
**Useful Consumables for all Builds:**
* **Exalted Flesh:** Increases physical damage.
* **Pickled Turtle Neck:** Increases stamina recovery.
* **Uplifting Aromatic:** Provides a damage buff to you and your allies (if using Spirit Ashes).
* **Physick Flask:** Customize with beneficial effects like Holy damage negation (Opaline Hardtear), elemental damage negation (Crimsonwhorl Bubbletear), or increased damage output.
By understanding the attack patterns of Radagon and the Elden Beast, optimizing your build, and utilizing the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome these challenging bosses and claim your rightful place as Elden Lord. Good luck, Tarnished!