The final boss of theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC inElden Ringcan be a very difficult fight. Even with all the new gear, weapons, and upgrades the DLC offers, it is no easy task. However, knowing how torecognize the boss’ moves and counter themis a good start to beating them. After that, you just need the patience born out of the grind that has gotten you this far, and you can beat the final boss, too.
[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.]
After you have reached thepoint of no return in theShadow of the Erdtree, you will go through ashort series of missions before getting to the final boss. These missions will get you a few more new weapons, and it is worth testing them out a bit before committing to the final fight to see if they fit your build better. Once you reach the final boss, you will want toprepare for the fight and take a deep breath.
10 Most Important Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree Characters, According To Their Lore
Some characters influenced the Realm of Shadow more than others, and these characters had the biggest impact on its lore and the Lands Between.
How To Prepare For The Final Boss
Gear & Best Build
Thisboss fight inElden Ringcan be quite difficult,especially in the second phase. However, a few things can make it a little easier in the preparation phase, and choosing what weapon and gear you use will make it easier.Elbethiumstates in his video that Radahn, Consort of Miquella, isweak to blood and rot, so you will want to find a weapon that does that damage.
Some suggestions include theBloody Helice, a thrusting sword, or the Blood Godskin Stitcher. Essential to Elbethium’s build is theFingerprint Stone Shield, which allows you to attack and guard at the same time. This means you do not have to take as much damage while dishing it out yourself.
Some suggestedTalismans fromElden Ringinclude theTwo-Headed Turtle Talisman, the Golden Braid Talisman, the Lord of Blood’s Exultation, the Erdtree’s Favor +2, or the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman. Getting the extra bleed damage and extra defensive Talismans are important fordealing a lot of damage and protecting yourselfsimultaneously.
The last thing that is absolutely essential to bring isMiquella’s Great Rune,as it counters one of Radahn’s most deadly abilities. It is his grab attack, and if successful, he places a charm on the player that will cause an instant game over if he manages to grab you again. Using Miquella’s Great Rune willallow you to remove the charm, which can be used repeatedly. This makes it an essential part of the fight against Radahn.
You can find Miquella’s Great Rune as a drop from theScadutree Avatar boss located at the Scadutree Base. If you have not defeated this one before starting the Radahn boss fight, you should fight that boss to get the rune before returning.
Notably, you are not allowed to fight this boss in multiplayer, butSpirit Ashes are available. Additionally, if you want to apply any buffs or make summons before the fight starts,you must do so before crossing the barrier,as he will make an immediate attack against you.
All Final Boss’ Abilities
Radahn’s Moves and Countermoves
Radahn hastwo phasesand many moves that can be tough to counter.Fextralifeon YouTube has a lot of suggestions for how to get past some of these moves, but you can also read about each move and see its counter in the table below:
Counter
Gravity Cyclone
Radahn will leap at you from a distance, spinning his swords and landing with an explosion.
Roll just as Radahn is about to land.
Bloodflame Slash
This happens at close range, and Radahn will swing toward you with his sword, creating a line of Bloodflames in the air as he does. This line will explode and cause hemorrhaging. He will start a new attack immediately after the explosion.
you may roll back three times to avoid the attack. However, you can also make a riskier move to roll once and then roll behind him to be in a position to avoid the attack and make a counterattack.
Starcaller Cry
Radahn will pull you toward him, which can stagger you. He will then slam the ground, causing rock spikes to come up toward you.
He will cross his hands to signal the attack, and you will immediately want to roll. If caught, start spamming the roll to avoid taking more damage.
Meteor Summon
His sword will be glowing purple, and he will swing into the air before sending eight meteors charged with purple lightning at you.
This can be spammed standing against the wall, but if not, sprint left or right just before the rocks hit. Sprint jumping can also work.
Light of Miquella
Radahn levitates and causes an explosion of light.
you may get out of the way if you roll when he starts floating.
Triple Sword Swing With Light
In Phase 1, this happens without the light. In Phase 2, his sword will be engulfed in light. He swings at you three times at close range.
Rolling in either direction.
5 Overhead Slashes
This is a long-range attack in which he leaps into the air, and a clone of himself fast-slashes toward you.
The best way is to sprint right for the first four slashes and then finish with a dodge in the same direction.
4-Swing Combo
In Phase 1, he will do an overhead slash, then two swings to either side and another overhead slash with an AOE. In Phase 2, each swing creates holy light beams, and his finishing AOE is even larger.
This depends on how far away you are from him. If you are close, continue to roll into him. If you are far away, you’re able to dodge to the side for the slashes, but you may want to work your way closer to him before the AOE so you can roll into the center of it.
Grab Attack
He will glow with a golden light and jump at you to try to grab you. If grabbed, it will charm you. If grabbed again with the charm active, you will immediately die.
Roll away at the last minute to avoid the attack. If you do get grabbed, use Miquella’s Great Rune immediately.
Holy Meteor Crash
This move only happens toward the end of Phase 2. He will slam his sword into the ground and leap into the air. He will come back and crash to the ground with an explosion.
Sprint as fast as you can in the opposite direction he jumped in.
Tips, Tricks & Strategy To Defeat The Final Boss
Take Advantage Of The Environment
One of the main tips that Elbethium gives is touse the wall near the start of the arena to your advantage. Several of Radahn’s moves do not work very well or may not even hit you with the wall as a barrier.Staying defensive against the wall and poking back when possibleis a good way to get through Phase 1.
Throughout this phase, you will have to be very patient, staying on the defense, and only poking back when you have an opportunity. Keep an eye on your Stamina, and move back when you need to.
Phase 2 is the much harder and more frustrating phase. You can still occasionally use the wall to protect you against some of the moves,particularly the Meteor move, but you will have to constantly stay on the move and dodge back and forth to remain as undamaged as possible when he follows it up.Most of his moves can be rolled into to avoid damage, but you will have to move back and forth for others.
If you can boost your resistance to Holy damage, this might save you in Phase 2, as hegains access to many more divine moves, and his swords are also imbued with holy damage. You will want to strike in between his combos, meaning you need to stay close but not too close. Again, gradually wearing him down will take a lot of patience, but rushing him will likely result in a loss.
This is where theFingerprint Shield inElden Ringcomes in handy, as you canblock through most of the damage and strike backwhen given the chance. Make sure you clear Miquella’s Charm with the Great Rune as soon as possible; otherwise, your hard work will be for nothing if he grabs you again. Otherwise, your main task is to stay alert and ready to switch at any given moment to worm your way to victory against Radahn, Consort of Miquella, inElden Ring.
