Radagon, the Marika's Other Half: A Comprehensive Guide to Defeating Elden Ring's Ultimate Foe

Introduction

In the vast and unforgiving realm of Elden Ring, Radagon stands as one of the most formidable adversaries you will encounter. As the fused form of Marika, the Eternal, he wields immense power and possesses a relentless determination to protect the Elden Ring. Defeating Radagon is a monumental task that requires meticulous strategy, unwavering resolve, and a deep understanding of his attack patterns.

Understanding Radagon's Abilities

Radagon's arsenal of attacks is diverse and deadly, ranging from swift sword strikes to devastating magical incantations. Here's a detailed breakdown of his key abilities:

Melee Attacks:
* Holy Blade: A quick, slashing attack that deals significant holy damage.
* Holy Greatsword: A slower but powerful attack that inflicts massive damage.
* Hammer of Marika: A devastating overhead slam that can break your poise and deal substantial physical damage.

Ranged Attacks:
* Golden Rain: Summons a torrential rain of golden bolts that deal moderate damage.
* Erdtree Heal: Heals Radagon by casting a powerful healing spell.

Special Attacks:
* Marika's Hammer: A devastating AoE attack that creates a massive golden hammer that crashes down on the ground, dealing immense damage.
* Elden Stars: Fires a barrage of golden stars at your location, causing explosive damage.
* Purifying Light: Summons a ring of holy light that deals constant damage and removes any status effects you may have.

Effective Strategies

Defeating Radagon requires a multi-faceted approach that combines strategic planning, skilled execution, and a bit of luck. Here are some proven strategies to help you emerge victorious:

1. Maintain Distance: Radagon's melee attacks are powerful and have a long reach. Stay at a safe distance to avoid taking unnecessary damage.
2. Dodge His Ranged Attacks: Radagon's ranged attacks can be deadly. Pay attention to his casting animations and dodge the incoming projectiles.
3. Focus on Punishing: Radagon's attacks leave him open for brief periods. Use these opportunities to strike and deal damage.
4. Utilize Spirit Ashes: Spirit Ashes can provide valuable support by distracting Radagon and dealing additional damage.
5. Use a Balanced Build: A character with a balanced mix of physical and magical damage is recommended for this fight.

Tips and Tricks

In addition to the effective strategies mentioned above, here are some specific tips and tricks to help you in your fight against Radagon:

• Equip Holy Resistance Gear: Wearing armor and accessories that boost your holy resistance can reduce the damage you take from Radagon's holy attacks.
• Stay Close to the Pillars: The arena where you fight Radagon contains pillars. Use these pillars as cover to avoid his ranged attacks.
• Interrupt His Casting: When Radagon begins to cast a spell, quickly use your weapon skill or a ranged attack to interrupt him.
• Don't Let Him Heal: Radagon has a powerful healing spell that can restore his health significantly. If you see him casting Erdtree Heal, quickly close the distance and attack him.

Step-by-Step Approach

Follow these steps to increase your chances of defeating Radagon:

1. Use a Spirit Ash to Start: Summon a Spirit Ash such as Lhutel the Headless or Black Knife Tiche to distract Radagon and deal additional damage.
2. Stay Mobile: Keep moving and dodging Radagon's melee attacks. Use a light-weight load to stay agile and avoid being caught off guard.
3. Punish His Punches: When Radagon unleashes a series of punching attacks, roll behind him and hit him with a charged heavy attack.
4. Dodge the Golden Rain: When Radagon casts Golden Rain, run to one side of the arena to avoid the projectiles.
5. Interrupt His Healing: If Radagon starts to cast Erdtree Heal, quickly use a weapon skill or ranged attack to interrupt him.
6. Be Patient and Learn His Patterns: Radagon's attacks are predictable. Observe his patterns and time your attacks accordingly.

Pros and Cons of Different Approaches

Physical Damage:
* Pros: High damage output, effective against Radagon's physical defenses.
* Cons: Can be difficult to land hits due to his mobility.

Magical Damage:
* Pros: Deals damage to Radagon's holy defenses, can be cast from a distance.
* Cons: Lower damage output than physical attacks, Radagon has high magic resistance.

Hybrid Damage:
* Pros: Balances the advantages of physical and magical damage, less susceptible to Radagon's resistances.
* Cons: Less specialized than pure physical or magical builds.

Call to Action

Defeating Radagon in Elden Ring is a formidable challenge that requires skill, strategy, and unwavering determination. By understanding his abilities, employing effective strategies, implementing useful tips and tricks, and following a step-by-step approach, you can overcome this formidable foe and progress further in your journey through the Lands Between.

Additional Information

Table 1: Radagon's Attack Patterns and Counters

Table 2: Recommended Spirit Ashes for Radagon Fight

Table 3: Pros and Cons of Different Approaches to Radagon Fight