Facing the Final Gauntlet: Radagon and the Elden Beast – A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, if you are defeated by the Elden Beast, you will indeed be required to fight Radagon again before you can attempt the Elden Beast encounter once more. There’s no skipping ahead; the game presents these two as a final, relentless duo. Prepare yourself mentally and strategically, because endurance is just as crucial as skill.
Understanding the Final Boss Encounter
The climax of Elden Ring is a test of everything you’ve learned throughout your journey. The confrontation with Radagon and the subsequent battle with the Elden Beast are designed to push you to your limits. Unlike many other boss fights in the game, this is a back-to-back encounter, meaning you get no respite between the two. As soon as Radagon falls, the Elden Beast emerges, giving you only a brief moment to catch your breath and adjust your strategy (or perhaps chug an Estus Flask). This is why resource management and build optimization become absolutely paramount.
The fact that these two fights are chained together highlights a crucial aspect of the game’s design: it’s not just about raw power, but about resilience and adaptability. Mastering dodging, understanding enemy attack patterns, and knowing when to strike are all vital. And perhaps most importantly, having a build that can endure two distinct and challenging bosses is key.
Mastering the Fights: Key Strategies
Radagon: The Golden Order’s Guardian
Radagon of the Golden Order is a formidable opponent, wielding powerful Holy attacks and demonstrating impressive mobility. Here’s a breakdown of key strategies:
- Elemental Weaknesses: Radagon is surprisingly vulnerable to Fire attacks. Spells and weapons imbued with fire can significantly reduce his health.
- Attack Patterns: Pay close attention to his telegraphs. Many of his attacks have long wind-ups, giving you ample time to dodge. Rolling into some of his hammer attacks is often more effective than rolling away.
- Staggering: Radagon is susceptible to being staggered. Heavy attacks and jump attacks can interrupt his combos and create openings for critical hits.
- Holy Resistance: While he deals Holy damage, he also is resistant to it. So avoid using holy damage yourself.
The Elden Beast: Outer God Manifest
The Elden Beast is a vastly different challenge than Radagon. It’s a massive, ethereal being with an array of ranged attacks and the ability to teleport across the arena. Effective strategies include:
- Ranged Combat: Given the Elden Beast’s mobility, ranged builds have an advantage. Spells, bows, and even throwing weapons can help maintain consistent damage output.
- Non-Holy Damage: The Elden Beast is immune to all status effects and resistant to most elemental damage. Crucially, it heals from Holy damage. Avoid using Holy-based weapons and spells at all costs.
- Mobility and Dodging: Mastering the art of dodging is essential. The Elden Beast’s attacks are telegraphed, but they cover vast distances. Learn the timing and patterns to avoid getting caught in its AoE attacks.
- Target Weak Spots: The Elden Beast has a weak spot, typically its abdomen. Focusing your attacks on this area will maximize your damage output.
- Patience: This fight can be a marathon. Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Focus on dodging, maintaining distance, and capitalizing on openings.
Preparing Your Build: Optimal Choices
Selecting the right build is crucial for tackling Radagon and the Elden Beast. Here are some recommendations:
- Faith Builds (with Fire Focus): Utilize incantations like Black Flame and Flame of Frenzy to exploit Radagon’s weakness to Fire, while switching to non-Holy offensive incantations for the Elden Beast.
- Strength Builds (with Fire infusion): Equip weapons that can be infused with Fire or inherently deal Fire damage. Heavy attacks will also help you stagger Radagon and create openings.
- Intelligence Builds (with diverse spells): Sorceries provide excellent ranged options for dealing with the Elden Beast. Utilize spells that deal Magic, Physical, or Fire damage, avoiding Holy.
- Weapon Choice: Greatswords, Colossal Weapons, and even fast-attacking curved swords can be effective, depending on your playstyle. Experiment to find what works best for you.
- Talismans: Equip talismans that boost your damage output, increase your survivability, and enhance your stamina recovery. The Erdtree’s Favor, Green Turtle Talisman, and damage-boosting talismans are all excellent choices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Radagon and Elden Beast be bled?
No. Both Radagon and the Elden Beast are immune to the Bleed status effect. Relying on Bleed builds for these encounters is highly ineffective.
2. Is the Elden Beast immune to all status effects?
Yes, the Elden Beast is immune to all status effects, including Bleed, Frostbite, Poison, Scarlet Rot, Madness, and Sleep.
3. What is the Elden Beast most vulnerable to?
The Elden Beast has no specific weakness but is less resistant to physical and magic damage than other damage types. Focus on dealing consistent damage with these types, while avoiding Holy damage at all costs, as it heals the Elden Beast.
4. What level should I be at Elden Beast?
It is recommended to be level 120 or higher with weapons upgraded to +22 or higher for a reasonable chance of success against the Elden Beast.
5. What is the best spell to use against Radagon?
Radagon is particularly vulnerable to Fire attacks. The Black Flame and Flame of Frenzy incantations are highly effective against him.
6. Can you cheese the Elden Beast?
While there’s no guaranteed “cheese” method, focusing heavy, high-damage attacks on its rear can lead to quicker success. Also, some players have found success using specific weapon skills or spells that exploit the Elden Beast’s AI or hitbox.
7. Is the Elden Beast a female?
The Elden Beast’s design is reminiscent of the alchemical Rebis, a being possessing both male and female qualities. The game does not explicitly state its gender.
8. Is it possible to one-shot the Elden Beast?
It is extremely difficult, but some players have managed to create builds capable of one-shotting both Radagon and the Elden Beast in New Game Plus cycles with high difficulty levels.
9. What ending does Melina want?
Melina’s desired ending is the standard “Elden Lord” ending, where you mend the Elden Ring and become the ruler of the Lands Between.
10. Is Ranni’s ending a bad ending?
Ranni’s “Age of Stars” ending is often considered the “good” ending because it brings significant changes to the Lands Between, potentially for the better.
11. Who is the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is generally considered the most difficult boss in Elden Ring due to her aggressive attack patterns and ability to heal with each strike.
12. In what order should I fight the bosses in Elden Ring?
The ideal order can vary based on your build and playstyle, but a common progression is:
- Margit, the Fell Omen
- Godrick the Grafted
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
- Starscourge Radahn
- Morgott, the Omen King
- The Fire Giant
- Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
- Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
- Mohg, Lord of Blood
13. Who is the easiest boss in Elden Ring?
The Soldier of Godrick serves as the tutorial boss and is widely considered the easiest in the game.
14. What is the rarest ending in Elden Ring?
The Frenzied Flame ending is the rarest due to its complex and often unintentional triggering conditions.
15. Is Ranni the Tarnished’s wife?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” implying a spousal relationship.
16. Why do people dislike Elden Beast?
Many players dislike the Elden Beast due to its constant movement across the arena, which forces players to spend more time chasing the boss than actually fighting it. Its reliance on ranged attacks also frustrates melee-focused builds.
Conclusion
The final battle against Radagon and the Elden Beast is a true culmination of your Elden Ring experience. Remember to adapt your strategy, optimize your build, and learn from each attempt. Your persistence and strategic approach will ultimately lead you to claim the Elden Throne. To further explore the intersection of learning and gaming, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, Tarnished!