Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden BeastFinal story boss
The two-stage final boss encounter of Elden Ring, fought in the Elden Throne after the player reaches the end of the main story.
Key takeaways
Plan for the full two-phase sequence rather than treating Radagon as the only fight.
One encounter, two bosses
Radagon of the Golden Order must be defeated before appears, and there is no separate grace or equipment screen between phases. Preserve enough healing and key buffs to make the transition worthwhile.
Holy damage is a poor default
Both phases use prominent holy attacks, and is especially resistant to holy damage. Physical damage, non-holy elemental damage and damage types that exploit the player’s own build are generally more dependable choices.
Do not chase without stamina
can travel across the arena or disappear beneath the water. Sprint only when necessary, because arriving at the boss with no stamina leaves the player unable to dodge the next sword sweep or projectile pattern.
The reward is endgame-only in practice
Victory grants Elden Remembrance and advances the ending sequence. The encounter is not an optional challenge that can be postponed after completing the story; it is the final mandatory battle.
Overview
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast form Elden Ring’s final mandatory boss encounter. The fight begins with Radagon of the Golden Order and continues immediately into Elden Beast, so resources spent in the first phase directly affect the second.
The encounter takes place in the at the end of the main story. Radagon of the Golden Order is the first opponent the player faces, using holy-infused strikes, teleportation and large golden attacks in a relatively compact arena. When Radagon is defeated, the Elden Beast emerges and the battle moves into a vast, open field of shallow water. There is no ordinary exploration section between the two phases, and the second phase begins as part of the same boss attempt.
Radagon’s attacks are built around delayed timing and area denial rather than a single repeated combo. His hammer swings can be chained into ground impacts, while several attacks create golden sigils or explosive holy effects on the floor. The safest response is usually to identify whether the attack is aimed at the player’s current position or is a delayed area attack, then dodge through the impact instead of retreating blindly.
Elden Beast changes the encounter’s priorities. It frequently creates distance, swims beneath the arena and reappears far from the player, making stamina management and deliberate pursuit more important than constant close-range pressure. The player must close the gap repeatedly while reacting to sword sweeps, projectile patterns, holy rings and attacks that cover broad sections of the arena.
This boss matters because defeating it completes the game’s final combat sequence and leads into the ending selection. The encounter also grants , which can be exchanged for powerful endgame rewards. Because the fight is mandatory and the two phases share one attempt, a build that can reliably survive Radagon is not automatically prepared for Elden Beast; holy resistance, ranged options and efficient flask use can change the difficulty substantially.
Encounter progression
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- 1Enter the Elden ThronelocationThe final approach begins the mandatory boss sequence.
- 2Defeat Radagon of the Golden OrderbossThe first phase must be cleared before the second begins.
- ●Defeat Elden BeastbossThe second phase completes the combat encounter.
- 4Choose an endingstoryVictory opens the conclusion of the main story.
The two boss phases are consecutive and share the same attempt.
Requirements
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
This is the final mandatory boss encounter, so the only absolute requirement is reaching the through the main story.
- RequiredReach the The player must progress through the main story far enough to enter the final arena. The encounter cannot be accessed as an early optional boss fight.
- RequiredPrepare for two consecutive phasesBring a setup that can handle Radagon’s close-range pressure and Elden Beast’s long-distance movement without relying on a single narrow tactic.
- RecommendedUse a damage plan that is not dependent on holy damageHoly-focused attacks are inefficient against the second phase. A physical or otherwise suitable alternative gives the player more consistent damage after Radagon falls.
- RecommendedCarry reliable healing and defensive toolsThere is no ordinary resupply point between the phases. Consumables, talismans, buffs and defensive choices should be selected before entering the .
Encounter phases
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- 1Not stated
Radagon of the Golden Order
Starts: The fight begins when the player enters the arena.
Radagon fights at close and medium range with a hammer, teleportation and golden holy attacks. His ground impacts often punish standing directly beneath or beside him after a visible wind-up.
- Hammer strikesTell Radagon raises or draws back the hammer before a horizontal or overhead blow.Answer Dodge toward the attack’s path when the swing arrives, then punish only if the recovery leaves him within reach.
- Golden ground impactTell A golden effect appears around the hammer or on the ground before the impact resolves.Answer Leave the marked area or roll through the impact; do not attack through the delayed explosion unless the timing is familiar.
- TeleportTell Radagon vanishes in a flash and reappears at a new position, sometimes close to the player.Answer Keep the camera and arena space in view, then wait for the reappearance before committing to a long attack.
- Three-hit golden slamTell Radagon raises the hammer for a sequence of increasingly dangerous impacts.Answer Avoid the first impact and remain ready for the follow-up timing rather than immediately counterattacking.
- Stay close enough to read his melee animations, but avoid standing directly in front of the hammer for extended periods.
- Short attacks and attacks with quick recovery are safer than long animations because Radagon can teleport or answer with a delayed area strike.
- If using summons, let Radagon commit to the summon before attacking from the side; careless aggression can cause the boss to redirect a powerful strike toward the player.
- 2Not stated
Elden Beast
Starts: Radagon’s defeat transitions directly into the second phase.
Elden Beast uses a large arena, swimming movement and wide holy attacks to force the player to reposition. The boss’s exposed torso is the practical target, while the glowing central area is the point most melee players try to reach after each movement sequence.
- Sacred sword sweepTell Elden Beast raises its sword and prepares a broad horizontal slash.Answer Roll through the sweep or move outside its reach; preserve stamina for the follow-up attack rather than sprinting continuously.
- Holy projectile spreadTell The boss launches luminous projectiles that travel toward the player after a brief setup.Answer Run laterally or diagonally and change direction as needed; rolling repeatedly can exhaust stamina before the next attack.
- Elden StarsTell A large magical effect sends numerous tracking stars toward the player over time.Answer Keep moving and use the arena’s space to avoid the tracking pattern, while watching for a second attack layered over it.
- Holy ring attackTell A glowing ring forms around or near the player and expands across the arena.Answer Jump over the expanding ring when the timing demands it, then continue moving away from overlapping hazards.
- Submerge and reappearTell Elden Beast disappears into the water and resurfaces at a distant location.Answer Sprint toward the new position only after identifying where it emerges, stopping early enough to recover stamina for the next tell.
- Treat the arena as a resource: use its open space to evade projectiles instead of cornering yourself near the edge.
- Attack after a sword combo, failed projectile sequence or other committed animation, then disengage before the boss swims away.
- Do not assume that reaching the boss guarantees a long damage window. Elden Beast can end close-range pressure abruptly with movement or a large area attack.
Boss encounter strategy
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Boss encounter strategySpoilers
- LocationElden Throne
- HealthNot stated
Begin by learning Radagon’s delayed hammer timing. His attacks often look finished before the golden impact has resolved, so wait through the complete animation before using a long attack or healing. Dodge toward safe space and take brief punish windows after a committed swing, slam or teleport reappearance. Save enough healing and defensive resources for the transition; defeating Radagon with no reserves can leave the second phase unwinnable even if the first phase was clean. Against Elden Beast, stop trying to maintain constant melee contact. Track its position, sprint across the water only when it is safe, and attack the exposed torso after sword attacks or other recoveries. When the boss submerges, reset the camera and identify the reappearance point before committing to pursuit. Use lateral movement for tracking projectiles and jump or roll according to the tell of the expanding holy ring. Ranged attacks can reduce the time spent crossing the arena, but the player still needs to manage line of sight and stamina when Elden Beast layers projectiles over movement.
Weaknesses
- Holy damage is a poor choice against this encounter, particularly against Elden Beast.
- Elden Beast can be damaged consistently by reaching its exposed body after its attacks and movement sequences end.
- Both phases reward punishing recovery windows rather than trading blows during active attack animations.
Rewards
- Elden Remembrance
Strategy
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
StrategySpoilers
- 01Checkpoint
Begin the final boss encounter
Enter the final arenaTravel through the Elden Throne until the final fog-free arena begins the encounter. This entry commits the player to the two-phase battle, so complete equipment changes, spell preparation and consumable selection before crossing into the fight.
Location: Elden Throne
TipUse a loadout that has both dependable damage and a way to handle a boss that can create distance.
Watch outThere is no ordinary preparation point between Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast.
- 02
Survive the opening exchange
Read Radagon’s opening movementAt the start, avoid spending the entire opening on a long attack animation. Watch whether Radagon advances with a hammer strike, pauses for a golden impact or teleports, then respond to the complete animation rather than the first visible movement.
Location: Elden Throne
TipShort attacks and quick rolls give more room to react while learning the phase.
Watch outThe apparent end of a hammer swing may be followed by a delayed golden impact.
- 03
Deal damage during safe recoveries
Punish committed hammer attacksStay near enough to keep Radagon’s actions readable, then dodge through a completed hammer swing or move out of a marked ground impact. Counterattack during recovery and immediately stop if the boss begins another golden effect or disappears.
Location: Elden Throne
TipThe best openings are created by attacks that carry Radagon past the player, not by forcing damage during the wind-up.
Watch outTrading hits beside the hammer can remove healing resources needed for Elden Beast.
- 04
Avoid the delayed multi-impact attack
React to the golden slam sequenceWhen Radagon raises the hammer for a powerful slam, treat the visible impact as the first part of a sequence rather than the end of the threat. Keep dodging through the follow-up timing and wait until the final area effect has cleared before attacking.
Location: Elden Throne
TipDo not roll early just because the hammer is held overhead; the damaging moment is tied to the impact timing.
Watch outAttacking after the first impact can leave the player in the path of the next one.
- 05
Avoid surprise attacks after teleportation
Manage Radagon’s teleportationWhen Radagon vanishes, stop attacking the empty space and reposition so the camera can cover the arena. After the reappearance, identify whether he is immediately striking or briefly recovering before committing to a punish.
Location: Elden Throne
TipKeeping the arena’s center in view makes the reappearance easier to track than locking onto a disappearing target.
Watch outA long cast or weapon animation can be interrupted by a teleport reappearance.
- 06Checkpoint
Defeat Radagon of the Golden Order
Finish Radagon without exhausting the buildContinue using brief punish windows until Radagon falls, but do not spend every flask, temporary buff or high-cost resource simply to shorten the first phase. The next phase starts immediately and requires stamina, healing and enough damage to cross the open arena.
Location: Elden Throne
TipA slower first phase is preferable to entering the second phase with no recovery options.
Watch outRadagon’s defeat is not the end of the attempt; Elden Beast follows without a normal intermission.
- 07
Adapt to the second phase
Recognize Elden Beast’s transitionWhen Elden Beast appears, reset your position and camera instead of attacking blindly during the transformation. Identify the boss’s location and wait for the first sword or projectile tell before beginning a sustained approach.
Location: Elden Throne
TipThe arena is much larger, so use the opening to establish direction and preserve stamina.
Watch outRushing under the boss can put the player inside a sword swing or overlapping holy effect.
- 08
Reach Elden Beast safely
Cross the arena between attacksElden Beast often swims away or reappears at a distance. Sprint toward it only when no immediate projectile or sword pattern is active, then stop before stamina is empty so a dodge remains available when the boss begins its next attack.
Location: Elden Throne
TipFollow the boss’s movement in a controlled line rather than sprinting continuously around the perimeter.
Watch outArriving with depleted stamina is especially dangerous against the next broad sword sweep.
- 09
Survive layered area attacks
Evade projectiles and holy ringsFor tracking projectiles, keep moving laterally and alter direction when the pattern begins to converge. When a glowing ring expands through the arena, use the appropriate jump or roll timing and continue watching the boss because another attack may follow immediately.
Location: Elden Throne
TipDo not focus exclusively on the ring; maintain enough awareness to see Elden Beast’s sword and body position.
Watch outRepeated panic rolls can consume stamina before the ring or projectile pattern has finished.
- 10
Create consistent damage windows
Attack the exposed bodyAfter a sword combo or another committed animation, close on Elden Beast’s exposed torso and deal damage during the recovery. Leave when it begins another major tell or submerges, because the safest damage window is defined by the boss’s recovery rather than permanent melee access.
Location: Elden Throne
TipUse quick attacks if the boss is already preparing to move; reserve long animations for clearly extended recoveries.
Watch outChasing a disappearing boss into a new attack is a common cause of avoidable damage.
- 11Checkpoint
Defeat Elden Beast
Defeat Elden Beast and complete the sequenceRepeat the movement, approach and punish cycle until Elden Beast is defeated. Victory ends the mandatory combat sequence, awards Elden Remembrance and leads into the game’s ending conclusion.
Location: Elden Throne
TipOnce the boss is low, continue respecting its area attacks instead of trading damage for a fast finish.
Watch outThe final portion still contains the same wide attacks and movement patterns; low health does not make the arena safe.
Pre-fight checklist
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- Choose a damage type that does not depend on holy damage.Elden Beast is especially resistant to holy-focused damage, so bring a physical or otherwise suitable alternative.
- Reserve healing for the complete two-phase attempt.There is no ordinary resupply point between the two bosses.
- Equip defensive options that help against holy attacks if available.The encounter contains repeated golden and holy area effects.
- Carry at least one fast, reliable attack option.Quick recovery is valuable when Radagon teleports or Elden Beast ends a movement window suddenly.
- Prepare a ranged option if the build supports one.Ranged pressure can reduce the time spent crossing the arena after Elden Beast swims away.Optional
- Enter with the camera and lock-on settings you can manage comfortably.Elden Beast’s large body and distant movement make target tracking more demanding than the first phase.Optional
Weaknesses and damage
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Weaknesses and damageSpoilers
Strengths
- Radagon combines melee pressure with delayed golden impacts, making simple shield-turtling or repeated attacks unreliable.
- Elden Beast controls distance exceptionally well and can force the player to cross the arena before the next damage window.
- The encounter punishes builds that spend all resources in phase one or rely exclusively on holy damage.
Weaknesses
- Both phases offer punish windows after committed attacks, provided the player waits for delayed effects to finish.
- Physical damage is generally a more dependable baseline than holy damage for this encounter.
- Elden Beast’s exposed torso gives melee builds a clear target once the player reaches the boss safely.
- Fast weapons, quick spells and attacks with short recovery are safer than slow commitments during Elden Beast’s movement-heavy phase.
Best uses
- A balanced melee build is strongest when it can dodge Radagon’s hammer timing and still sprint, stop and attack efficiently against Elden Beast.
- A ranged build can take advantage of Elden Beast’s large arena and distant position, but must still manage projectile visibility and stamina for defense.
- Holy-focused builds should carry a non-holy alternative rather than attempting to force their primary damage type through the second phase.
Failure conditions
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- The player dies during either phaseThe attempt ends and must be restarted from the beginning with Radagon of the Golden Order; defeating Radagon does not create a separate checkpoint for Elden Beast.
- The player spends all recovery resources on RadagonRadagon may be defeated successfully while leaving the player unable to withstand Elden Beast’s long movement and area-attack sequence. Resource management must cover the entire encounter.
- The player chases Elden Beast without staminaA sprint across the water can leave no stamina for the next dodge. Stop short of the boss when necessary and wait for a clean opening.
- The player attacks through delayed golden or holy effectsSeveral attacks remain dangerous after their first visual cue. Wait for the impact, ring or projectile pattern to resolve before committing to a punish.
On failure
The boss sequence is treated as one continuous attempt: Radagon of the Golden Order must be defeated again after a failed Elden Beast attempt.
Rewards
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
RewardsSpoilers
- Elden RemembranceA remembrance awarded for defeating the final boss encounter. It can be exchanged for endgame rewards through the game’s remembrance system or consumed for runes, so choose between its uses rather than treating it as an ordinary equipment drop.
Lore
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
The encounter presents Radagon of the Golden Order and as connected parts of the game’s central divine order. Radagon is the figure who confronts the player directly with a golden hammer, while Elden Beast represents the greater cosmic presence revealed after that first form is overcome.
The transition between the two phases is deliberately abrupt. Radagon’s humanoid combat style gives way to Elden Beast’s enormous body and open-water arena, turning the final battle from a close duel into a confrontation with a distant, alien-scale opponent. That contrast reinforces the difference between the ’s visible champion and the power behind it.
Defeating Elden Beast does more than provide a combat reward. It closes the main story’s final fight and leaves the player at the point where the consequences of earlier choices can determine which ending becomes available.
Encounter entities
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- Radagon of the Golden OrderFirst phase of the final encounter
- Elden BeastSecond phase of the final encounter
- Elden RemembranceReward received after victory
- Elden ThroneLocation of the encounter
Other bosses
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- GLGodfrey, First Elden LordA major boss encountered before the final battle
- HWHoarah Loux, WarriorThe later phase of the Godfrey encounter before Radagon
- MBMaliketh, the Black BladeA major late-game boss fought before the final approach
- SASir Gideon Ofnir, the All-KnowingA late-game mandatory boss before Godfrey
Trivia
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
- The entity name combines the two sequential opponents rather than treating Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast as unrelated boss encounters.
- The boss arena changes dramatically between phases: Radagon is fought in a compact golden setting, while Elden Beast moves through a much larger body of water.
- The victory reward is named Elden Remembrance, linking the final encounter to the remembrance system used for other major bosses.
- The encounter’s ending transition means that defeating Radagon is not a natural stopping point for an attempt; Elden Beast begins immediately afterward.
Frequently asked questions
SpoilersStory spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Are Radagon of the Golden Order and Elden Beast one boss fight?
Is there a checkpoint between Radagon and Elden Beast?
What damage should be used against Elden Beast?
Why is Elden Beast difficult for melee builds?
What is the reward for defeating the encounter?
Where does the fight take place?
Does defeating the boss finish the game immediately?
Relationships
Select any portrait to jump to that relationship
Radagon of the Golden Order
Radagon of the Golden Order is the first phase of this continuous final boss encounter.
Elden Beast
Elden Beast appears immediately after Radagon of the Golden Order is defeated.
Elden Throne
The final boss encounter takes place in the Elden Throne.
Elden Remembrance
Defeating the encounter awards Elden Remembrance.
Related characters
Full directory →coreRadagon of the Golden OrderRadagon of the Golden Order is the first phase of this continuous final boss encounter.
coreGodfrey, First Elden LordGodfrey, First Elden Lord is fought during the late-game approach to the final encounter.
Optional remembrance-free boss encounter and source of Rakshasa's Great Katana and Rakshasa's armor set.RakshasaRakshasa is an optional humanoid boss found in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Defeating this aggressive great-katana wielder rewards Rakshasa's Great Katana and Rakshasa's armor set.
coreRanni the WitchRanni the Witch is a Carian demigod and central ally in Elden Ring. Her quest leads through Nokron, the Lake of Rot and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, and can unlock the Age of Stars ending and the Dark Moon Greatsword.