Radagon of the Golden Order is the penultimate boss in Elden Ring. He is fast, aggressive, and has multiple phases. This guide covers his attack patterns, weaknesses, and the best strategies for victory.
Boss Overview
Stats
- HP: 13,568 (Phase 1)
- Defense: 110
- Resistance: 40% to all elements, immune to rot
- Weakness: Holy, Bleed
- Stagger: Medium poise damage
Recommended Level
- Level: 100-130
- Vigor: 45+
- Weapon: +22 to +25
Drops
- 360,000 Runes
- Remembrance of the Elden Beast
Attack Patterns
Phase 1 Attacks
Golden Slam
Radagon raises his hammer and slams it down with holy energy.
Tells: Hammer raises above head.
Counter: Roll forward twice, then punish with 1-2 hits.
Holy Sweep
Radagon sweeps his hammer in a wide arc. The sweep covers a large area.
Tells: Hammer swings to the side.
Counter: Roll back, then forward after the sweep.
Combo
Radagon performs a 4-hit hammer combo. The combo ends with a powerful slam.
Tells: Hammer swings multiple times.
Counter: Roll back, then forward after the last swing.
Teleport Strike
Radagon teleports and strikes from above.
Tells: Radagon disappears.
Counter: Roll forward when he reappears.
Holy Beam
Radagon creates a holy beam from his chest.
Tells: Radagon raises his arms.
Counter: Roll sideways to dodge.
Ground Slam
Radagon slams the ground and creates a shockwave of holy energy.
Tells: Radagon raises both hands.
Counter: Jump over the shockwave.
Weaknesses
Holy
Radagon is highly weak to holy damage. Apply holy damage with:
- Inseparable Sword (scaling with Faith)
- Erdtree Greatbow with Holy Arrows
- Golden Order Seal
Bleed
Radagon is weak to bleed. Apply bleed with:
- Rivers of Blood
- Seppuku Ash of War
Strategy
Solo Strategy
For solo players:
- Use a holy damage build
- Level up to 110+
- Bring 5-7 healing flasks
- Use the standard strategy of dodging attacks and punishing
Holy Strategy
- Use Inseparable Sword or Erdtree Greatbow with Holy Arrows
- Land 2-3 hits per opening
- Repeat until Radagon is dead
Bleed Strategy
- Apply a bleed weapon (Rivers of Blood or Seppuku)
- Land 2-3 hits to trigger bleed
- Bleed deals 15% max HP
- Repeat until Radagon is dead
Co-op Strategy
For co-op players:
- Tank player keeps Radagon's attention
- Damage dealer uses holy weapons
- Tank can use high-poise armor
Recommended Builds
Holy Build
- Weapon: +25 Inseparable Sword or Golden Order Greatsword
- Armor: Bull-Goat Set or Preacher's Set
- Talismans: Erdtree's Favor, Sacred Scorpion Charm
- Spirit Ash: Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche
Strength Build
- Weapon: +25 Giant-Crusher with Lion's Claw
- Armor: Bull-Goat Set
- Talismans: Axe Talisman, Erdtree's Favor
- Spirit Ash: Mimic Tear
Mage Build
- Weapon: +25 Carian Regal Scepter
- Armor: Juvenile Scholar Set
- Talismans: Magic Scorpion Charm, Radagon Icon
- Spells: Stars of Ruin
- Spirit Ash: Mimic Tear
Common Mistakes
- Don't get greedy. Radagon punishes greedy attacks.
- Don't dodge backward. Forward dodges are more effective.
- Don't use holy-weak weapons. Use holy-damage weapons.
- Don't forget to heal. Radagon hits hard.
FAQ: Radagon
Q: Can I summon help for Radagon?
A: Yes. NPC summons and spirit ashes are available.
Q: What level should I be for Radagon?
A: Level 100-130 is recommended.
Q: Are there cheese strategies for Radagon?
A: Yes. Some builds can cheese him, but most players want a fair fight.
Q: Can I parry Radagon?
A: No. Radagon cannot be parried.
Q: Is Radagon required for the story?
A: Yes. Radagon must be defeated to access the Elden Beast.
With this guide, you will defeat Radagon. Use holy damage, dodge the attacks, and punish when he recovers.
Post-Fight Activities
After defeating Radagon, you face the Elden Beast, the true final boss. Defeating both bosses unlocks the "Elden Lord" ending.
The Remembrance of the Elden Beast gives you the choice between:
- Sacred Relic Sword (holy greatsword)
- Elden Stars (gravity sorcery)
Boss Rewards Detailed
The Remembrance of the Elden Beast effects:
- Sacred Relic Sword: Holy damage greatsword with a wave skill
- Elden Stars: Gravity sorcery that shoots stars
Both weapons are excellent for their respective builds.
Comparison with the Elden Beast
Radagon is one half of the final boss fight. The Elden Beast is the other half. Compared to the Elden Beast:
- Radagon is faster and more aggressive
- The Elden Beast has more area-of-effect attacks
- Both bosses require similar strategies
Defeating Radagon without taking damage from his combos is essential for the no-hit run.
Cheese Strategies
There are several cheese strategies for Radagon:
Holy Damage Strategy
Use Inseparable Sword or Erdtree Greatbow with Holy Arrows. Holy damage is Radagon's weakness.
Bleed Strategy
Use Rivers of Blood or Seppuku to apply bleed. Bleed deals 15% max HP per proc.
Mimic Tear Strategy
Use the Mimic Tear spirit ash. The Mimic will draw aggro while you attack from range.
These strategies can defeat Radagon in 3-5 minutes with minimal risk.
Hidden Mechanics
Radagon has a hidden mechanic where he can parry your attacks. This is unusual for a boss and requires careful timing to avoid.
Use the Bloodhound's Step Ash of War to avoid his parry attempts. Bloodhound's Step makes your dodges faster and gives you invincibility frames.
Tips for the Elden Beast
After defeating Radagon, you face the Elden Beast. Key tips:
- Use ranged attacks (the Elden Beast is hard to melee)
- Use Holy damage weapons
- Dodge the Elden Stars attacks by running sideways
- Use Bloodhound's Step for the Elden Beast's charge attacks
With patience and the right strategy, you will defeat both Radagon and the Elden Beast.