TL;DR
- Reach level 150 with 40+ Vigor and prepare holy damage resistance items
- Use staggered Spirit Summon timing to preserve resources for the subsequent boss fight
- Master dodge-rolling through golden hammer attacks rather than blocking them
- Exploit Radagon’s vulnerability to Godskin magic and critical hit opportunities
- Learn telegraph patterns for his backswing explosion and two-handed smash attacks
Confronting Radagon represents the initial phase of Elden Ring’s ultimate encounter, demanding thorough strategic planning and character optimization. Mastering his combat style paves the path to victory in this demanding confrontation.
Your journey through the Lands Between culminates at the smoldering Erdtree entrance. Following your triumph over Godfrey, you now face what the game presents as the concluding adversary—actually a sequential dual-boss engagement. Within the burning tree interior awaits Radagon of the Golden Order, formerly wed to Queen Marika and serving as the second Elden Lord.
Similar to other formidable FromSoftware encounters, overcoming Radagon necessitates disciplined patience, intense focus, and likely multiple attempts. Understanding his assault sequences and developing combat familiarity proves more crucial here than any previous engagement, since defeating him immediately transitions you to the subsequent boss arena without restoration opportunities. This guide provides comprehensive strategic knowledge to emerge victorious as the new Elden Lord.
Merely reaching Radagon necessitates conquering numerous elite adversaries, so your character should naturally achieve elevated progression. For optimal combat experience, target approximately level 150, allocating no less than 40 attribute points to Vigor to prevent instant elimination from powerful strikes.
Entering this confrontation with an upgraded Spirit Summon creates substantial tactical advantages. Select a resilient companion capable of drawing aggression and enduring several Radagon assaults while you reposition and restore health. The Mimic Tear Ash remains dependable despite previous adjustments, though strategic timing proves essential. Crucially, if your spectral ally perishes during this engagement, it becomes unavailable for the following boss encounter. If confident in your capabilities, consider tackling Radagon individually and reserving your summon for later.
Numerous Radagon offensive maneuvers inflict holy damage, making Holyproof Dried Livers or Divine Fortification incantations valuable preparatory investments. Additionally, as a divine entity, he exhibits pronounced susceptibility to Godskin mystical arts. Black Flame incantations deliver significant combat advantages if your Faith stat meets utilization requirements.
Fortunately, most Radagon assault movements display clear telegraphing, despite their devastating impact upon connection. Certain attacks can be successfully parried with appropriate shields, though evasion through dodge-rolling generally provides superior defensive results. He demonstrates more vulnerability to staggering than anticipated, so maintain readiness for critical strike opportunities.
Upon initial arena entry, he requires brief awareness time. Capitalize on this exposure window to deliver complimentary strikes. Below are the primary offensive sequences to monitor during the initial combat phase:
- Golden Backswing into Area Explosion: When he retracts his hammer with golden illumination, prepare to evade behind his position. Following his swing, the terrain before him glows gold and detonates after brief delay. Remain positioned at his rear and execute several attacks during recovery animation.
- Two-Handed Overhead Smash: His hammer emits golden radiance as he elevates it overhead before crashing downward, generating circular area-of-effect detonation. Simply dodge-roll through the impact zone to evade damage.
- Triple Hammer Combo: Radagon executes a sequence of three consecutive hammer swings with varying timing. Roll through each swing rather than backward to maintain offensive positioning.
- Teleportation Strike: He momentarily vanishes then reappears with immediate hammer thrust. Listen for audio cues and dodge laterally upon reappearance.
- Ground Slam Projectiles: After hammer impact with terrain, golden energy projectiles radiate outward. Jump over or maneuver between the emerging waves.
Advanced Stagger Mechanics: Radagon possesses a hidden posture meter that, when filled through consistent aggression, creates critical hit openings. Greatswords, colossal weapons, and charged heavy attacks rapidly accumulate stagger damage. Following a successful stagger, approach his front for a visceral attack dealing massive damage.
Optimal Dodge Timing: The critical success factor involves mastering invincibility frames during rolls. Dodge precisely as attacks initiate rather than during wind-up animations. His golden hammer trails have delayed hitboxes, requiring later evasion timing than visual cues suggest.
Resource Conservation Strategy: Since this engagement immediately precedes another demanding boss confrontation, carefully manage healing flasks and spell resources. Avoid using your entire supply unless absolutely necessary.
Common Strategic Errors: Many players mistakenly maintain excessive distance, triggering his more dangerous gap-closing attacks. Remain at medium proximity to influence his attack selection toward more manageable patterns.
Elemental Vulnerability Exploitation: Beyond holy damage resistance, incorporate fire and strike damage weapons. Fire-infused armaments and flame grant incantations prove particularly effective against his nature.
Phase Transition Awareness: At approximately 60% health depletion, Radagon gains additional lightning-based attacks and enhanced aggression. Prepare for faster combo chains and aerial maneuvers during this stage.
Post-Victory Preparation: Immediately following Radagon’s defeat, you’ll transition directly to the subsequent encounter. Quickly re-equip any consumed items and mentally prepare for the immediate continuation.
For comprehensive character building strategies to enhance your combat effectiveness, consult our Class Guide covering optimal stat distributions.
Action Checklist
- Verify character level 150+ with minimum 40 Vigor investment
- Acquire Holyproof Dried Livers or Divine Fortification incantation
- Practice dodge-rolling through golden hammer AOE attacks
- Memorize Radagon’s 5 primary attack telegraph patterns
- Execute combat strategy with reserved resources for subsequent encounter
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Elden Ring – How To Beat Radagon Master Radagon's combat patterns and prepare strategically to conquer Elden Ring's penultimate challenge
