Should You Fight Radahn First in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

In the vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring, the order in which you tackle bosses can significantly impact your journey through the Lands Between. One question many Tarnished grapple with is: Should I fight Starscourge Radahn early? The short answer is: it depends on your build and desired experience, but generally, it’s best to hold off until you’re around level 60-70 and have progressed through some other areas. Charging headfirst into the Wailing Dunes can be exhilarating, but it might also lead to unnecessary frustration if you’re underprepared or haven’t explored other crucial questlines.

Understanding the Radahn Dilemma

Radahn is a shardbearer, and defeating two shardbearers is a requirement to enter Leyndell, Royal Capital. This tempts many players to rush towards him. Furthermore, triggering the Radahn Festival itself opens up a new area and affects questlines. So, what’s the catch? Fighting Radahn before specific questlines are initiated can lock you out of content and character interactions, specifically those tied to Ranni the Witch.

The Ranni Questline Conundrum

If you defeat Starscourge Radahn before starting Ranni’s quest, an important character, Blaidd, will potentially not be available in the way you may expect. It is possible he will be in gaol, and if you let him out he will not be in the Ranni questline. This can hinder your ability to fully complete Ranni’s extensive and rewarding questline, which is a crucial part of unlocking one of Elden Ring’s unique endings.

When to Engage Radahn

While the game doesn’t explicitly prevent you from fighting Radahn early, consider the following:

• Level and Gear: Aim for level 60-70. This ensures you have sufficient health, stamina, and damage output. Equip yourself with a weapon that scales well with your stats and has been upgraded.
• Exploration: Explore Limgrave, Liurnia of the Lakes, and potentially some of Altus Plateau before tackling Caelid. This will provide you with valuable resources, spells, and weapons.
• Questlines: Initiate Ranni’s questline. Speak to her at Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters area of Liurnia of the Lakes. This will set the stage for Blaidd’s involvement in the Radahn fight and ensure the quest progresses smoothly.

Benefits of Postponing the Radahn Fight

• Improved Build: More time to refine your build, experiment with different weapons and spells, and acquire crucial items.
• Enhanced Skills: Gain experience fighting other enemies and bosses, improving your combat skills and reaction time.
• Questline Progression: Successfully complete other questlines, unlocking new areas, items, and lore.
• Reduced Frustration: Fighting Radahn at a higher level with better gear significantly reduces the difficulty of the encounter.

Strategies for Defeating Radahn

If you choose to fight Radahn, here are some helpful tips:

• Summon NPCs: Utilize the numerous summon signs scattered around the battlefield. These NPCs can distract Radahn and provide valuable damage.
• Mounted Combat: Stay on Torrent and utilize hit-and-run tactics. Radahn’s attacks are powerful, so avoid staying in one place for too long.
• Exploit Weaknesses: Radahn is particularly weak to magic-based attacks. Use sorceries like Comet or Glintstone Pebble to deal significant damage.
• Adapt Your Strategy: Pay attention to Radahn’s attack patterns and adjust your strategy accordingly. Learn when to dodge, when to attack, and when to summon reinforcements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Radahn and when to fight him in Elden Ring:

1. Is Radahn a mandatory boss?

No, Starscourge Radahn is not a completely mandatory boss. You only need to defeat two shardbearers to enter Leyndell, Royal Capital. However, defeating him is highly recommended for progression within multiple NPC questlines, and opens up an entirely new region to explore!

2. What level should I be to fight Radahn?

Ideally, you should be around level 60-70 before challenging Radahn. This ensures you have adequate health, stamina, and damage output.

3. What happens if I skip Radahn entirely?

Skipping Radahn will lock you out of some late-game events and character interactions, most notably impacting Ranni’s questline and preventing access to Nokron, Eternal City.

4. Does killing Radahn affect any questlines?

Yes, defeating Radahn too early can negatively affect Ranni’s questline by altering the availability of the character Blaidd.

5. How do I start the Radahn Festival?

The Radahn Festival can be started in two ways: by progressing Ranni’s questline or by activating Grand Lift of Dectus and proceeding to Altus Plateau. Either method will trigger the festival at Redmane Castle.

6. Is Radahn weak to any specific damage types?

Yes, Radahn is notably weak to magic-based attacks, making sorceries an effective choice.

7. What do I get for defeating Radahn?

Defeating Radahn rewards you with the Remembrance of the Starscourge, Radahn’s Great Rune, and triggers a cutscene showing a meteor falling, opening up access to Nokron, Eternal City.

8. Where is Radahn located?

Radahn is located in the Wailing Dunes of Caelid. You must participate in the Radahn Festival at Redmane Castle to access the fight.

9. Can I summon other players to help fight Radahn?

Yes, Elden Ring allows both NPC and player summons to help fight Radahn. Summon signs will be scattered across the battlefield.

10. Is Radahn the hardest boss in Elden Ring?

While challenging, Radahn is generally not considered the hardest boss. Many players consider Malenia, Blade of Miquella the most difficult encounter in Elden Ring.

11. Should I complete Liurnia of the Lakes before fighting Radahn?

Yes, completing most of Liurnia of the Lakes is highly recommended. This area offers valuable resources, spells, and character progression relevant to Ranni’s quest.

12. What stats should I prioritize before fighting Radahn?

Prioritize Vigor (for health), Endurance (for stamina), and the stat that scales with your primary weapon (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith).

13. What happens to Blaidd after the Radahn fight?

If you follow Ranni’s questline correctly, Blaidd will have a specific role to play after the fight. Defeating Radahn before starting the quest can alter his availability and interaction points.

14. Is it possible to respec my character if I’m not strong enough for Radahn?

Yes, you can respec your character by defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon in Liurnia of the Lakes and using a Larval Tear.

15. How does Radahn’s Great Rune affect my character?

Radahn’s Great Rune increases your maximum HP, FP, and Stamina. To activate its effect, you must use a Rune Arc after equipping the Great Rune at a Divine Tower.

Conclusion: Radahn Awaits, But Patience is Key

While the allure of challenging Starscourge Radahn early is strong, remember that Elden Ring rewards thorough exploration and strategic planning. Level up your character, explore other areas, and progress through key questlines, especially Ranni’s, before engaging in this epic battle. A well-prepared Tarnished is far more likely to emerge victorious. Good luck, and may your Elden Ring journey be filled with both triumph and valuable lessons!

As you explore the intricate systems and challenges presented in Elden Ring, consider the valuable role that gaming plays in learning and skill development. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, are dedicated to exploring the educational potential of games and interactive media. Learning to play games can help you understand different ways to solve problems. It is really important to understand what this potential can create!