What Hurts Radahn the Most? A Tarnished’s Guide to Taming the Starscourge

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So, you’re facing down Starscourge Radahn, the gravitational demigod of Caelid. He’s a formidable foe, no doubt, a whirling dervish of colossal swords and meteor strikes. But fear not, Tarnished! Every boss, no matter how imposing, has its weaknesses. The key to victory lies in understanding what truly hurts Radahn the most. In short, the answer is two-fold: Scarlet Rot and Bleed. These status effects, when applied consistently, can bring the mighty general to his knees.

Understanding Radahn’s Vulnerabilities

While Radahn is a force to be reckoned with, he is surprisingly susceptible to certain ailments. Let’s break down why Scarlet Rot and Bleed are your best bets:

• Scarlet Rot: This status effect deals massive damage over time. Once inflicted, Radahn’s health will steadily drain, regardless of his defenses. This is particularly effective due to the sheer amount of health Radahn possesses. A single application can whittle down a significant portion of his health bar, especially in the first phase. Rot Pots and arrows infused with Scarlet Rot are excellent choices for inflicting this debuff.

• Bleed: Bleed is another powerful option. Each time the bleed meter fills, Radahn will suffer a burst of significant damage. Fast-attacking weapons that inflict bleed, or weapons buffed with bleed grease, can quickly stack this status effect and deal considerable damage. Remember, consistent attacks are key to maximizing bleed buildup.

Strategic Application: Leveraging Weaknesses

Knowing Radahn’s weaknesses is only half the battle. Effective application is crucial.

• Phase One – The Summoning Pool: Take advantage of the many summoning signs available in this phase. Let the NPC summons draw Radahn’s aggro, providing you with openings to attack. Focus on inflicting Scarlet Rot early on. Once inflicted, you can focus on dodging and re-summoning NPCs, allowing the rot to do its work. If using bleed weapons, prioritize attacking during openings when Radahn is focused on other targets.

• Phase Two – Meteoric Descent: After reaching half health, Radahn transforms, launching himself into the sky to return as a meteor. This phase can be more challenging, but the same vulnerabilities apply. Continue to summon NPCs and, if possible, re-inflict Scarlet Rot. Ranged attacks are particularly useful in this phase, allowing you to maintain a safe distance while continuing to damage Radahn.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While exploiting Radahn’s weaknesses is essential, avoid these common mistakes:

• Greed: Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Radahn’s attacks are powerful and can easily one-shot you. Prioritize dodging and only attack during safe openings.

• Ignoring Summons: The NPC summons are invaluable. They draw aggro, provide distractions, and deal damage. Don’t underestimate their contribution to the fight.

• Under-Leveling: While skilled players can defeat Radahn at lower levels, being adequately leveled (around 60-75) will significantly improve your chances of success.

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Radahn’s Defeat: A Triumph of Strategy

Ultimately, defeating Radahn is a testament to your strategic thinking and understanding of the game’s mechanics. By exploiting his weaknesses and avoiding common pitfalls, you can overcome this challenging boss and claim victory. Remember, Tarnished, knowledge is power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Radahn

1. What level should I be to fight Radahn?

Ideally, you should be around level 60-75 before attempting to fight Radahn. This will provide you with sufficient health, stamina, and damage output to withstand his attacks and deal meaningful damage. Caelid is generally designed for this level range.

2. Is Radahn weak to magic?

Radahn’s only significant resistance is to holy damage. Spellcasters can use other types of magic freely, such as sorceries and incantations (excluding holy-based ones), particularly those dealing physical damage.

3. What is the easiest way to inflict Scarlet Rot on Radahn?

The easiest ways to inflict Scarlet Rot are using Rot Pots or arrows crafted with the Scarlet Rot status effect. Rot Pots are consumable items that can be thrown at Radahn to inflict the status. Crafted arrows, like Rotbone Arrows, can be fired from a bow to apply Scarlet Rot from a distance.

4. Is Radahn weak to fire?

Radahn does not have a specific weakness to fire, but he doesn’t resist it either. If you have powerful fire incantations or weapons, they can be effective, but Scarlet Rot and Bleed are generally more effective options.

5. How do I dodge Radahn’s meteor attack?

Radahn’s meteor attack in the second phase can be dodged by summoning your mount, Torrent, and riding diagonally toward him as he descends. You can also use the environment to your advantage by using the hills to shield yourself from the impact.

6. Should I use spirit ashes against Radahn?

While some players prefer to fight Radahn solo, using NPC summons (which are different from spirit ashes) is generally recommended for this fight. The NPC summons are designed to be part of the encounter and provide valuable support. Player summons are not recommended.

7. Is Radahn harder than Malenia?

Many players consider Malenia, Blade of Miquella, to be the hardest boss in Elden Ring. While Radahn is a formidable challenge, Malenia’s aggressive fighting style, healing ability, and Waterfowl Dance attack make her arguably more difficult.

8. Did Radahn get nerfed and then rebuffed?

Yes, there was a period where Radahn was accidentally nerfed in an earlier patch. However, the developers quickly addressed this issue and rebuffed him, restoring his original difficulty.

9. What are the best weapons to use against Radahn?

Weapons that inflict bleed quickly are highly effective against Radahn. Examples include:

• Dual Katanas: Uchigatana or Nagakiba (with bleed infusion)
• Twinblades: Godskin Peeler (with bleed infusion)
• Curved Swords: Scavenger’s Curved Sword (dual wielding)

10. How important is leveling Vigor for the Radahn fight?

Leveling Vigor is crucial for surviving Radahn’s powerful attacks. Aim for at least 40 Vigor, or even higher, to increase your health pool and avoid being one-shotted.

11. What are some general tips for the Radahn fight?

• Utilize the NPC summons effectively.
• Focus on inflicting Scarlet Rot and Bleed.
• Dodge frequently and avoid getting greedy with attacks.
• Level up your weapon as much as possible.
• Stay mounted on Torrent for increased mobility.

12. Can Radahn be staggered?

Yes, Radahn can be staggered. Use heavy attacks, especially when behind him, to deplete his posture meter. When staggered, he is vulnerable to a critical hit.

13. How does Radahn’s gravity magic affect the fight?

Radahn uses gravity magic to enhance his weapons and pull you toward him. Be prepared to dodge his gravity-infused attacks and maintain your distance.

14. What happens after I defeat Radahn?

After defeating Radahn, a meteor crashes into the Lands Between, opening up a new area called Nokron, Eternal City. This also progresses the questlines of certain NPCs, such as Blaidd and Ranni.

15. How did Radahn lose his mind and feet?

Radahn was infected with Scarlet Rot during his battle with Malenia, which gradually drove him to insanity. The Scarlet Rot is also believed to be the cause of his missing feet, possibly combined with the constant dragging while riding his horse Leonard. He fights to maintain control and prevent the rot from overwhelming him completely, hence his continued fighting.