Conquer the Stars: What Level Should You Be to Face Radahn in Elden Ring?
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The swirling sands of Caelid, a landscape scarred by rot and war, hold many secrets. But one challenge stands taller than the rest – Starscourge Radahn, a demigod General whose gravity-defying abilities make him a fearsome foe. Before you even think about stepping onto that battlefield, you need to ask yourself: am I ready? And a big part of that readiness boils down to your character level.
As a general rule, you should aim to be at least level 70 before taking on Radahn. However, a more comfortable and recommended range is level 75-80. This level range provides you with enough Vigor to survive a few of his devastating attacks, and enough points in your primary offensive stat (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith) to deal respectable damage. Remember, level is just a number; your weapon upgrades and build optimization play crucial roles in your success.
Preparing for the Starscourge: Beyond Level
Hitting the right level is a fantastic starting point, but it’s not the whole story. Consider these factors when preparing to fight Radahn:
- Weapon Upgrade Level: Your weapon should be at least +12 for standard weapons, and +5 or +6 for special weapons. Higher upgrades equate to significantly increased damage output, which is essential for a prolonged fight like this.
- Weapon Choice: Radahn is particularly vulnerable to Bleed and Scarlet Rot. Weapons that naturally inflict these status effects, or that can be infused with them via Ashes of War, will give you a massive advantage. The Moonveil Katana, mentioned in the provided text, is a solid choice for Intelligence builds. Other good options include weapons with inherent bleed like the Uchigatana upgraded and using the Bloodflame Blade incantation.
- Summons: Utilize the numerous NPC summons scattered across the battlefield. They act as excellent distractions, drawing Radahn’s aggro and allowing you to get in free hits. Keep resummoning them as they fall to keep the pressure on. Experiment with different summons that are able to inflict bleed or rot, like the Rotten Stray Ashes.
- Spirit Ashes: A well-upgraded Spirit Ash can provide additional support. Options like the Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless are excellent for dealing damage and drawing aggro. Consider ones that inflict bleed too.
- Armor: While not as crucial as your weapon, equipping armor with decent physical and fire resistance will help you survive Radahn’s attacks. Prioritize medium to heavy armor if you can manage the equip load.
- Talismans: Equip talismans that boost your survivability and damage output. Examples include the Crimson Amber Medallion (increases HP), the Green Turtle Talisman (increases stamina recovery), and talismans that boost your attack power based on your build.
- Understanding Radahn’s Attack Patterns: Knowing when to dodge, when to attack, and when to retreat is vital. Study Radahn’s moveset and learn the tells for his most dangerous attacks. Watching videos of successful Radahn battles can be incredibly helpful.
Mastering the Radahn Fight: Tactics and Strategy
The Radahn fight is divided into two phases:
Phase 1: Mounted Warfare
In the first phase, Radahn will constantly bombard you with gravity magic arrows. Torrent is your best friend here. Use Torrent to dodge the arrows and close the distance. Focus on summoning NPCs and getting in quick hits with jump attacks or weapon skills. Bleed and Scarlet Rot will be your allies.
Phase 2: Meteoric Might
After reaching approximately 50% health, Radahn will launch himself into the sky, becoming a meteor. This is a deadly attack that can easily one-shot you if you’re not careful. Watch for his descent and dodge at the last moment. In this phase, Radahn’s melee attacks become even more aggressive. Continue to use Torrent to maintain distance and avoid his most devastating attacks. Keep summoning NPCs and focus on inflicting status effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fighting Radahn
Here are some frequently asked questions about fighting Radahn:
1. Is Radahn weak to Bleed?
Yes, Radahn is highly vulnerable to Bleed. Weapons and skills that inflict Bleed can significantly reduce his health bar. This is one of the most effective strategies against him.
2. Is Radahn weak to Rot?
Yes, Radahn is also very weak to Scarlet Rot. Like Bleed, inflicting Scarlet Rot will deal substantial damage over time.
3. Is Radahn weak to Holy?
No, Radahn has a notable resistance to Holy damage. Faith casters should consider using Fire or Lightning incantations instead.
4. What are Radahn’s other resistances?
Besides Holy, Radahn doesn’t have significant resistances to other damage types. Physical, Fire, Lightning, Magic, and even Frostbite can be effective.
5. Can I beat Radahn at a lower level?
It’s possible to beat Radahn at a lower level, but it will be significantly more challenging. Requires near-perfect execution and heavy reliance on summons and status effects. A level 60 with fully upgraded weapons, a well-optimized build, and a deep understanding of Radahn’s moveset is more likely to succeed than a level 70 with poorly upgraded gear and a haphazard strategy.
6. Is Malenia stronger than Radahn?
The lore suggests that Malenia and Radahn were roughly equal in power before Malenia unleashed her Scarlet Rot during their battle. If Radahn had obtained more Great Runes, he might have surpassed her.
7. What stats should I prioritize for fighting Radahn?
Prioritize Vigor to increase your HP, your primary offensive stat (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith) to increase your damage output, and Endurance to increase your stamina.
8. What happens if I refuse Melina?
You need to accept Melina’s accord to level up and obtain Torrent, making the game significantly more difficult.
9. Does Radahn love his horse, Leonard?
Yes, it’s heavily implied that Radahn’s love for Leonard allowed him to retain some semblance of control over his mind, even as the Scarlet Rot ravaged his body.
10. Why is Radahn so tall?
Radahn is so tall because his father, Radagon, was a champion, granting him demigod status and leading to his immense size.
11. How do I deal with Radahn’s gravity magic arrows?
Use Torrent to constantly move and dodge the arrows. Summoning NPCs will also distract Radahn and reduce the number of arrows fired at you.
12. What is the best Keepsake for starting Elden Ring?
The Golden Seed is often considered the best keepsake, as it allows you to acquire an additional Flask of Crimson Tears early in the game.
13. What are the best stats to level up first in Elden Ring?
Vigor and Endurance are generally considered the best stats to level up first, as they increase your survivability and stamina, respectively.
14. What is a soft cap in Elden Ring?
A soft cap is a point where the stat bonuses gained from leveling begin to diminish. It’s usually wise to stop leveling a stat after reaching its soft cap, unless you have a specific build in mind.
15. What is the max level in Elden Ring?
The maximum level players can achieve in Elden Ring is 713. However, reaching this level requires an immense amount of farming.
Final Thoughts
Radahn is a formidable opponent, but with proper preparation and strategy, you can overcome him. Focus on leveling up to a comfortable range (70-80), upgrading your weapon, utilizing summons, and exploiting his weaknesses to Bleed and Scarlet Rot. Victory against Radahn will not only grant you valuable rewards but also progress you further into the world of Elden Ring. Good luck, Tarnished, and may the Greater Will be with you!
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