How To Beat Starscourge Radahn In Elden Ring

Radahn is one of Elden Ring's hardest boss battles, and it's likely to pose a challenge even for seasoned vets. While it's technically optional, skipping it will mean you can't go to a very important area in the Lands Between, so you're probably going to want to take down this Starscourge.

Radahn sports an annoying variety of instant-kill attacks, unpredictable slashing combos, and a frustrating second phase that might just give you a fit. Easing things just a bit is the fact that From Software added some help in the form of a variety of NPCs that can create an opening for you to attack, but that won't make this easy. Here's how to take down Radahn.

Elden Ring Radahn boss battle

You can fight Radahn at any point in the game without even having to deal with a dungeon. He’s sent summons across the land, calling for champions to fight him in the hopes of ending his Scarlet Rot-induced madness. Don’t let the ease of access fool you, though. You should be at least level 70 before fighting Radahn, ideally with a powerful weapon suited to your chosen build, such as the Moonveil Katana, or strong spells with good range, including Comet. Activate your Great Rune--Godrick’s is recommended, as ever with Elden Ring’s boss fights--and make sure your Flask of Wondrous Physik has a handy combination of buffs ready.

Once you’re ready, head to Redmane Castle in southeastern Caelid, south of Sellia, Town of Sorcery, and east of the Cathedral of Dragon Communion. Use the teleporter near the Site of Grace at the bridge to avoid dealing with the slog through the castle, and then head inside. Speak with Jerren, the old man on the platform, when you’re ready to battle, then take the elevator down to the beach.

Radahn Phase 1

Unlike most fights, you can summon several NPC companions once the battle against Radahn begins. Also unlike most fights, Radahn can one-shot you with his homing gravity arrows. Keep your target lock on Radahn so you can see the arrows, then dodge once they get near. The debris doesn’t always stop the arrows from hitting you, so don’t count on them as foolproof cover.

Make your way to the golden summoning signs as you go along, activating each when you get to it. You can summon Blaidd, Alexander the pot warrior, Okina, and at least three more. None of them last long, but they’re a good distraction to make approaching Radahn easier.

As you get closer, Radahn shoots a series of spears at you. These rain down in a straight line and follow you, so continue dodging them until the rain stops. If this attack is giving you trouble, you can continue dodging the gravity arrows until one of the NPC summons reaches Radahn.

Once you or an ally gets closer, Radahn starts charging around on his impossibly tiny, beleaguered horse and slashing at everything in his way, abandoning his ranged attacks. He’ll engage in one of several potential attacks, often with little warning. The most common seems to be a general slashing combo, where Radahn will use between one and four wild slashes and possibly end with a slam.

The main thing about Radahn and his other attacks is that they’ll take time to learn. Perhaps in keeping with his rot-addled frame of mind, Radahn’s timing is unpredictable at first. Aside from his dive attacks, which he telegraphs by bringing his swords in front of him, almost all of his attacks have odd, delayed timing. His swing combo features multiple delays, for example. He hold the first swing for roughly three seconds, then slams his fist down immediately afterward, followed by a few more slashes with a second-long delay between each.

Another attack to watch for in this phase is his gravity smash. Radahn plunges his swords into the ground and surrounds them with a purple gravity field. He then pulls them out with huge pieces of stone attached, slams them down, and creates a massive gravity shockwave. The shockwave is potentially an instant kill attack.

Radahn moves fast, but there are some key openings for melee builds to exploit. As with most large bosses, Radahn is vulnerable for a brief time at the end of a combo or major attack--enough for two, maybe three hits, before you need to retreat. Some players recommend using the Icerind Hatchet’s Frostbite skill or Hoarfrost Stomp to inflict damage and build Radahn’s Frostbite meter, though it does require good timing--and time you could spend rushing in to attack before retreating.

Radahn is vulnerable to Frostbite and other status conditions, but especially Scarlet Rot. Rot Pots and arrows tinged with Scarlet Rot are good options if you want to take advantage of status effects for this fight. These weaknesses remain even in phase two. Magic wielders should focus on spells with short casting times or with more defensive properties, such as Glintblade Phalanx.

Finally, note that you can re-summon vanquished NPCs a short time after they die. It’s a handy way to distract Radahn and give yourself a break, and it’s vital for the second phase.

Radahn Phase 2

After Radahn’s health drops below 50%, he’ll fly into the sky and eventually crash back down in a ball of flame--and with some deadly new attacks. Along with the usual, Radahn now has a gravity pull move that draws you in, a gravity wave attack that unleashes a massive energy wave, and a spinning attack where Radahn leaps into the air, spins towards you, then backs up and does it again.

On top of all that, Radahn also has a gravity version of Glintblade Phalanx, where he summons four massive rocks that hover around him and strike at random. There’s no predicting these, but if they hit you, it’s back to phase one again.

The best way to deal with this is just not dealing with it. Let the NPCs do it for you, or you’ll just end up dying repeatedly. When Radahn flies into the air, gallop away on Torrent and re-summon the dead NPCs. Some players have had good luck hiding behind sand dunes to avoid the giant rocks, though it’s possible they won’t target you anyway if you’re far enough away. Eventually, the NPCs will wear Radahn down, and you can move on with your adventure.