Radagon, the formidable final boss in Elden Ring, is one of the most challenging foes players will encounter in the game. His strength, versatility, and sheer power make him a daunting opponent. However, like every boss in Elden Ring, Radagon has his weaknesses. Understanding these vulnerabilities is key to defeating him and advancing through the game. In this guide, we’ll explore what Radagon is weak to, how to exploit those weaknesses, and the best strategies to use in battle.
Who Is Radagon in Elden Ring?
Radagon is the final boss of Elden Ring and serves as the final phase of the climactic encounter with him and Queen Marika. He is a complex figure in the game’s lore, representing the merging of two entities: Radagon, the warrior, and Marika, the goddess. Throughout the fight, players are pitted against his formidable arsenal of devastating attacks and a wide range of combat abilities. Radagon’s moveset is designed to overwhelm even the most skilled players, making it essential to understand what he is weak to in order to counter his onslaught effectively.
What Is Radagon Weak to? Key Vulnerabilities to Exploit
1. Radagon’s Weakness to Magic
Radagon’s resistance to magic is not as high as his resistance to physical damage, which gives magic users an advantage in battle. Spells that deal magic or elemental damage, such as Glintstone Pebble or Comet, can effectively wear him down. One of the best ways to approach the fight is to focus on long-range magic attacks to deal consistent damage while keeping your distance.
While Radagon can block some magical attacks with his shield, it is crucial to time your attacks when his guard is down, especially after his aggressive combos or charge-ups. Magic-based damage is a key strategy for exploiting Radagon’s weaknesses.
2. Weakness to Holy Damage
Another of Radagon’s weaknesses is his susceptibility to Holy damage. While not as apparent as his vulnerability to magic, Radagon’s resistance to Holy is lower compared to his resistance to other types of damage. Weapons imbued with Holy damage or incantations like Blessing of the Erdtree are effective tools for exploiting this weakness.
Holy damage not only does more damage to Radagon, but it can also apply a status effect that makes him more vulnerable to subsequent attacks. This can be a game-changer in the battle, especially when combined with Holy-based spells or weapons like the Golden Order seal or the Rivers of Blood katana.
3. Radagon’s Vulnerability to Fire Damage
Though not as pronounced as his weaknesses to magic and Holy, Radagon is also somewhat vulnerable to fire-based attacks. Fire is particularly useful when combined with weapons or spells that deal consistent burn damage, such as the Flame, Grant Me Strength incantation or fire-infused weapons like the Dragon Slayer sword. These attacks can cause Radagon to stagger more easily and interrupt some of his most damaging moves.
The effectiveness of fire-based attacks varies depending on the part of the battle, so it’s a good idea to experiment with fire-related weapons or spells during your attempt to fight Radagon.
4. Radagon’s Weakness to Bleed
Radagon is also weak to the Bleed status effect, which causes him to take additional damage over time when his health is high enough. The Bleed effect is particularly useful for fast-hitting weapons or those that deal multiple hits in a short period, such as Katanas, Scimitars, or Daggers. The Rivers of Blood katana, in particular, is an excellent weapon for exploiting Radagon’s Bleed vulnerability.
When Radagon is inflicted with Bleed, you’ll notice that his health bar depletes at an accelerated rate, giving you an advantage during the battle. However, it’s crucial to be strategic in applying Bleed, as Radagon’s defense is high, and you need to avoid taking too many hits to build up the effect.
5. Radagon’s Poor Resistance to Poise Breaks
Radagon’s poise—his ability to resist stagger—is relatively weak in certain areas of his fight, particularly during his most aggressive attacks. Poise breaks can cause him to stagger, leaving him open for devastating follow-up attacks. If you wield a heavy weapon or use a weapon with high poise-breaking potential, you can break Radagon’s defense and gain precious openings.
Weapons like the Great Club or Colossal Weapons are great choices to deal with Radagon’s poise. Attacks from these weapons can interrupt his combos, forcing him to stagger and leaving him vulnerable to additional hits.
6. Exploiting Radagon’s Lack of Resistance to Status Effects
Radagon does not have high resistance to all status effects, making it worthwhile to use weapons or incantations that cause poison, rot, or scarlet rot. While the Bleed status effect is most effective, poison and rot-based effects can be useful in prolonging the fight and causing incremental damage. Using poison arrows or rot-inflicting weapons can help you chip away at his health while avoiding direct combat.
The key to success with status effects is timing and distance—apply these effects before closing the gap, then retreat and let the poison or rot do its work while you maintain a safe distance.
What Are the Best Strategies for Defeating Radagon?
Now that we know what Radagon is weak to, let’s explore the best strategies to defeat him effectively.
1. Magic and Holy Damage for Long-Range Combat
As mentioned earlier, using magic or Holy damage attacks is one of the best ways to deal with Radagon. Ranged combat allows you to stay out of his reach while still inflicting heavy damage. Focus on utilizing spells like Comet, Glintstone, or Ruinous Flame, and combine them with Holy-based incantations such as Blessing of the Erdtree to keep Radagon on the defensive.
2. Using Bleed Weapons for Quick Damage
If you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, equip a weapon with Bleed-inflicting properties, like the Rivers of Blood katana or Reduvia dagger. These weapons allow you to deal multiple hits in a short period, applying Bleed quickly and inflicting massive damage when the effect triggers. Be cautious with your positioning, as getting too close to Radagon can lead to devastating attacks if you’re not careful.
3. Poise Break for Staggering Radagon
If you are using a heavy weapon, like a Great Club or Colossal Weapon, your goal should be to break Radagon’s poise. Each time you stagger him, you’ll have an opening for heavy follow-up damage. This strategy requires patience and good timing, but it can make Radagon’s fight much easier by interrupting his otherwise relentless attack patterns.
4. Fire Damage for Consistent Pressure
While Radagon’s fire resistance isn’t as low as his resistance to magic or Holy, it’s still useful to incorporate fire-based spells or fire-infused weapons into your strategy. Use spells like Flame, Grant Me Strength to buff your attacks and focus on landing fire-based hits, which can deal consistent damage and stagger him during certain attacks.
5. Defensive Play for Survival
Though Radagon is extremely powerful, his attacks are telegraphed, which gives you opportunities to dodge or block. Be sure to maintain a defensive posture, especially when using magic or ranged attacks. Keeping your distance while managing stamina and timing your dodges is crucial for surviving the more aggressive phases of Radagon’s fight.
Conclusion: Mastering Radagon’s Weaknesses
Defeating Radagon in Elden Ring can be a challenging task, but knowing “what is Radagon weak to” gives you a significant advantage. By exploiting his vulnerabilities to magic, Holy, fire, Bleed, and poise breaks, you can develop a strategy that suits your playstyle and makes the fight more manageable. Whether you choose to fight from a distance using powerful spells or get up close with Bleed-inflicting weapons, understanding and leveraging his weaknesses will give you the upper hand in this epic showdown. So, prepare, strategize, and emerge victorious in one of Elden Ring‘s most memorable boss fights!
