Radagon of the Golden Order is one of the final bosses in Elden Ring and is a challenging encounter that tests your mastery of the game's combat mechanics. As the first phase of the final boss fight (followed immediately by the Elden Beast), Radagon's fight requires precise dodging, patience, and well-timed attacks. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you defeat Radagon of the Golden Order.
Preparation
•Level: Aim for at least level 125-130. Higher levels can provide more survivability with increased health and damage output.
•Location: Erdtree Sanctuary, Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Final boss fight, encountered just before the Elden Beast.
Equipment:
•Weapons: Utilize weapons that deal good physical damage or have fire attributes since Radagon has no resistance to fire.
•Armor: Equip armor with high holy damage negation since most of Radagon's attacks deal holy damage.
•Talismans: Use talismans that boost your holy damage negation like the Haligdrake Talisman, or ones that enhance your overall damage or survivability.
Spirit Ashes:
Summoning a strong Spirit Ash like the Mimic Tear can help by distracting Radagon, allowing you to attack from a distance or heal when necessary.
Phase 1 - Radagon of the Golden Order
General Strategy:
Radagon has a mix of quick and delayed attacks. Learning the timing for dodges is crucial. Many of his attacks can be dodged into, giving you a window to counterattack.
Key Attacks and Counters:
•Hammer Swings: Often come with a delay. Dodge towards him to get behind or to his side for a counterattack.
•Holy Stomp: He might stomp the ground, causing a holy explosion. Jump over the initial shockwave and dodge sideways for the follow-up.
•Dashing Strike: When he dashes towards you with his hammer, dodge into the attack to position yourself for hits after he strikes.
•Elden Ring Combo: He'll raise his hammer, slam it down multiple times creating shockwaves and finally branding the ground. Dodge the initial slams and stay close to avoid the wider final blast.
•Grab Attack: If you see him winding up for a grab, maintain distance or perfect your dodge timing, as this can be lethal if you're not prepared with holy damage mitigation.
Tips for the Fight 
•Patience: Only attack after his combos or when you've successfully dodged an ability. Overcommitting can lead to taking unnecessary damage.
•Positioning: Try to stay at a medium distance. This provokes him into using attacks that are easier to dodge and punish.
•Healing: Only heal when you've dodged an attack and have a clear window or when using a summon to distract him.
•Fire Damage: Since Radagon has no fire resistance, using incantations like Black Flame or any fire-based attacks can be particularly effective.
•Posture Breaking: If you manage to break his posture, you get a chance for a critical hit, which can be game-changing.
•Transition: Remember, defeating Radagon leads directly into fighting the Elden Beast without a chance to rest or reset, so conserve some flasks for the next phase.
General Tips
•Consumables: Use items that boost holy damage negation or increase physical defense if you find his attacks too punishing.
•Watch and Learn: His attacks have significant tracking, but most have a clear telegraph. Spend some attempts just learning to dodge his moves without even trying to attack back.
•Stay Calm: Both Radagon and the subsequent Elden Beast fight require composure. Panicking can lead to mistakes, which these bosses punish heavily.
Rewards
•No separate reward for defeating Radagon alone. After defeating Radagon, the fight transitions immediately to the Elden Beast.
•Full Reward: Once you defeat the Elden Beast, you’ll receive Elden Remembrance and unlock the ending options for the game.
Conclusion
Radagon of the Golden Order is a challenging but rewarding fight that serves as the penultimate test of your skills in Elden Ring. His varied attacks, speed, and aggression make for an intense battle that requires focus, patience, and precise dodging. By understanding his attack patterns, preparing properly, and managing your resources, you can overcome Radagon and move on to face the final challenge of the game. Good luck, Tarnished!
