Does the Radahn Cheese Still Work in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: it depends on what kind of “cheese” you’re talking about. The infamous instant-kill fall damage cheese is, thankfully (or perhaps, disappointingly, depending on your perspective), no longer a viable strategy in current versions of Elden Ring. However, other “cheesing” methods, relying on status effects like Scarlet Rot and Frostbite, and strategic use of summons, are still very much alive and kicking. Let’s dive into the details, shall we?
Understanding the Radahn Cheese Landscape
General Radahn, the Starscourge, is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and challenging bosses in Elden Ring. His imposing presence, gravity-defying abilities, and relentless barrage of attacks make him a formidable opponent. Naturally, players have explored various strategies to overcome this hurdle, some more “legitimate” than others.
The most well-known cheese involved exploiting a perceived flaw in the game’s physics. The idea was that if you could somehow maneuver Radahn to fall a significant distance, he wouldn’t calculate fall damage correctly, resulting in an instant death. This method became popular due to its simplicity – theoretically, you could skip most of the actual fight. However, FromSoftware, known for their dedication to fair (albeit brutal) challenges, patched this exploit out fairly quickly.
The Fall Damage Exploit: A Thing of the Past
Sadly for cheese enthusiasts, the days of simply pushing Radahn off a cliff for an easy win are over. FromSoftware addressed this issue in a subsequent patch, ensuring that Radahn now correctly calculates fall damage, preventing instant kills via accidental tumbles. If you’re playing on a recent version of Elden Ring, don’t waste your time trying this. It’s simply not going to work.
Alternative “Cheese” Strategies That Still Work
While the instant-kill cheese is gone, other strategies that can significantly ease the fight remain effective. These revolve around exploiting Radahn’s vulnerabilities and leveraging the game’s mechanics to your advantage. Here are a few examples:
- Scarlet Rot and Frostbite: Radahn is particularly susceptible to these status effects. Applying Scarlet Rot can slowly but surely whittle down his health, while Frostbite can significantly reduce his damage output. Items like Rot Pots, Rot Arrows, and weapons with Frost buildup are your friends here.
- Summons, Summons, Summons!: The Radahn fight is designed around the summoning mechanic. Don’t be shy about using the available NPC summons to distract him. These brave warriors can soak up a lot of damage, giving you opportunities to attack or apply status effects. Re-summoning allies as soon as possible is critical to keep Radahn’s attention diverted.
- Torrent for Mobility: Torrent is invaluable for dodging Radahn’s devastating attacks and closing the distance when needed. Mastering Torrent’s double jump and directional dashes is crucial for survival.
- Strategic Positioning: Utilizing the environment to your advantage is vital. Use the dunes and debris to create temporary cover and avoid getting caught in Radahn’s long-range attacks.
- Weapon Choice: While Radahn doesn’t have major weaknesses beyond status effects, certain weapon types are more effective than others. Fast-attacking weapons that can quickly build up status effects are ideal.
Is it Really “Cheese,” Though?
It’s important to consider whether these strategies truly qualify as “cheese.” While they might make the fight easier, they largely involve utilizing the game’s mechanics as intended. Exploiting status effects and summoning allies are legitimate tactics that FromSoftware clearly designed the fight to accommodate. The term “cheese” often implies exploiting a glitch or unintended mechanic, which isn’t necessarily the case with these strategies.
Perhaps a more accurate term would be “optimized strategy.” These methods leverage the game’s systems to maximize your chances of success, but they still require skill, planning, and execution.
FAQs: Conquering Radahn in Elden Ring
1. What level should I be to fight Radahn?
The generally recommended level is 65-70. However, this can vary depending on your build, skill level, and preferred playstyle. If you’re struggling, consider leveling up a bit more before attempting the fight again.
2. What are Radahn’s weaknesses?
Radahn is most vulnerable to Scarlet Rot and Frostbite. He also takes normal damage from other sources, but these status effects are particularly effective.
3. Does Scarlet Rot still work on Radahn?
Yes, Scarlet Rot remains highly effective against Radahn. Rot Pots and Rot Arrows are excellent options for inflicting this status effect.
4. What items should I bring to the Radahn fight?
Essential items include:
- Rot Pots and Rot Arrows: To inflict Scarlet Rot.
- Weapons with Frostbite buildup: To inflict Frostbite.
- Flasks of Crimson Tears: For healing.
- Flasks of Cerulean Tears: If you rely on weapon skills or spells.
- Grease: To add fire, lightning, or magic damage to your weapon.
- Throwable daggers: To finish off summonable NPC’s that need to be refreshed.
5. Is Radahn resistant to any damage types?
Radahn has minor resistance to Holy damage. So, Faith builds would do well to use Lightning or Fire Incantations instead.
6. Can I summon other players for the Radahn fight?
Yes, you can summon other players for co-op assistance. However, some players find the fight easier with only NPC summons, as player summons can sometimes increase Radahn’s health and make him more unpredictable.
7. Does killing Radahn affect any quests?
Yes. Killing Radahn before starting Ranni’s quest can cause issues with obtaining an important character needed to complete the quest. It’s recommended to initiate Ranni’s questline before defeating Radahn.
8. What reward do I get for beating Radahn?
You receive 70,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Starscourge. The Remembrance can be exchanged for unique items at the Roundtable Hold.
9. Is Radahn the hardest boss in Elden Ring?
While Radahn is undoubtedly challenging, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is generally considered the most difficult boss in the game.
10. What’s the best melee strategy for Radahn?
Use Torrent to close the gap between you and Radahn while dodging his arrows and other attacks. Then, use the NPC summons to draw his attention while you inflict bleed or rot.
11. What’s the best weapon for Radahn?
There isn’t a single “best” weapon, but weapons that inflict Bleed, Frost, or Scarlet Rot are highly effective. Fast-attacking weapons are generally preferred. The twin blade, Eleonara’s Poleblade is good at inflicting bleed damage fast while using jump attacks from Torrent.
12. Does Radahn love his horse, Leonard?
Yes, it’s implied that Radahn deeply cares for his horse, Leonard. Despite being consumed by Scarlet Rot, Radahn continues to ride Leonard, suggesting that his love for his horse transcends his mental deterioration.
13. Why is Caelid ravaged by Scarlet Rot?
Caelid’s devastation is a direct result of the battle between Radahn and Malenia. Malenia unleashed Scarlet Rot during their conflict, transforming the region into a festering wasteland. You can learn about games and the science of learning more from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
14. Was Radahn accidentally nerfed in a patch?
Yes, early after release, a patch did accidentally nerf Radahn. But, the problem was quickly fixed and the boss was returned to his original strength.
15. How important is the fight with Radahn to the story?
Very important. Defeating Radahn is key to progressing Ranni’s questline and opening up new areas in the game, including Nokron, Eternal City.
Final Thoughts
While the original instant-kill “cheese” for Radahn is no longer viable, there are still plenty of ways to overcome this challenging boss. By exploiting his weaknesses, utilizing summons strategically, and mastering Torrent’s mobility, you can emerge victorious. Remember, Elden Ring is all about adapting and finding your own path to success. So, experiment, learn from your mistakes, and don’t be afraid to embrace the “optimized strategies” that can help you conquer the Starscourge! Good luck, Tarnished!