Quick Answer: Starscourge Radahn is a mandatory boss fight at the Radahn Festival in Caelid, Elden Ring. Recommended level: 60-80. He uses gravity-based attacks and a massive meteor crash in phase 2. The fight features NPC summons throughout the arena. Defeating him drops his Great Rune, which boosts HP, FP, and Stamina, and unlocks the path to Nokron, Eternal City.
Starscourge Radahn is one of Elden Ring’s most iconic boss fights — a massive demigod riding into a festival arena where summoning NPCs is encouraged. Radahn rewards aggression and clever positioning, and his unique mechanics turn the battle into something closer to a duel of armies than a one-on-one duel. This guide walks through the festival setup, his moveset, and the strategies that work consistently.
How to Trigger the Festival
Radahn waits at Redmane Castle in eastern Caelid. Before the festival begins you must:
- Speak with Jerren at the castle veranda;
- Have rested at any Site of Grace after defeating Godrick the Grafted or Rennala (the festival activates on first major boss defeat);
- Confirm the festival is “on” by checking the new red banner outside the castle.
Approach the cliff overlooking the beach and interact with the summoning gate. From here you are warped into the boss arena, joined by allied NPC summons.
Recommended Level and Loadout
Most players take Radahn between levels 60 and 80, depending on when they fight him. Weapons at +12/+5 or higher are recommended. He has enormous health but is not especially resistant to any single damage type.
Top loadout choices:
- Bows with Radahn’s Lion Greatbow — ironically, his own weapon is one of the best counters;
- Bleed weapons — Uchigatana or Reduvia procs reliably;
- Sorceries from Torrent — Glintstone Pebble from horseback exploits his slow tracking;
- Comet Azur — if cast right after his meteor opening, it can solo-melt his first phase.
Phase 1 — The Long-Range Battle
Radahn’s opening move is to fire massive gravity-charged arrows from across the arena. Sprint Torrent perpendicular to him in wide loops, never in a straight line away. He cannot easily lead a moving horizontal target.
Use the time to close in on him with NPC summons distracting him. When summons engage:
- Ride straight to his flank;
- Dismount once you are close enough to land 2-3 hits;
- Remount the moment he wheels around — his sweeps have huge range.
Re-summoning Allies
Allied NPC summon signs are scattered throughout the arena. If yours dies, look for the next colored sign and interact to call a fresh ally. Always keep at least one summon active — Radahn’s aggro will fixate on them, giving you free hits.
Key Phase 1 Moves
- Gravity Pull — he yanks you toward him from range. Roll into the pull, then strike;
- Double Sword Slash — wide horizontal sweep. Roll under or sprint backward beyond range;
- Charge Trample — he gallops on his own steed. Sidestep with Torrent, do not try to outrun in a straight line.
Phase 2 — The Meteor
At roughly 50% health, Radahn teleports into the sky and crashes back down as a meteor. The impact deals massive damage in a wide radius. Sprint full speed in any direction the moment he disappears; the impact zone is centered where he stood.
Phase 2 introduces gravity-themed attacks:
- Meteor strike — telegraphed by him raising his swords skyward;
- Gravity arrow barrage — three rapid arrows in a fan. Sprint perpendicular;
- Forward leap slam — his fastest gap-closer. Roll into it, not away.
Punish Windows
Despite his size, Radahn has clear punish windows:
- After any sweeping ground combo where he overcommits;
- Immediately after the meteor crash — he is staggered for a long moment;
- While he wheels his steed to reposition.
Aim for legs and flanks. Hits to his side count as critical openings — he cannot punish you while turning.
Cheese Strategy — Comet Azur
If you have Comet Azur and Cerulean Hidden Tear in your Flask of Wondrous Physick:
- Stand at the arena’s southern edge;
- Pop the Physick (infinite FP for ~10 seconds);
- Cast Comet Azur as soon as Radahn lifts off for his first meteor opener;
- The continuous beam interrupts his cast and deletes phase 1 entirely.
This is one of the cleanest cheese strategies in the game — and lore-wise, Radahn would respect it.
Bleed Build Approach
If you are running a melee bleed build, the formula is:
- Summon Mimic Tear or another tough NPC;
- Apply bleed once from his side;
- Back off and let summon hold aggro;
- Re-engage every 8-10 seconds to refresh bleed.
Three procs in phase 1 will end the phase. Repeat in phase 2 to finish him off.
Rewards
On defeat, Radahn drops the Remembrance of the Starscourge, which can be exchanged at Enia for the Starscourge Greatswords (a powerful paired weapon set with a gravity-themed Ash of War) or Radahn’s Lichdragon Catalyst. You also receive his Great Rune, which boosts max HP, FP, and Stamina — one of the best Great Runes in the game.
Lore Significance
Defeating Radahn unlocks the path to Nokron, Eternal City and continues the questlines of Ranni, Blaidd, and Iji. It also unlocks dialog from D, the Hunter of the Dead, and triggers events at the Roundtable Hold. Killing Radahn is one of the major narrative turning points of Elden Ring.
Final Notes
Radahn is best understood as a battlefield encounter, not a duel. Embrace the chaos, use Torrent and your summons, and treat the gravity arrows as the puzzle rather than the centerpiece. Beat his opening volley and the rest of the fight unfolds naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I beat Starscourge Radahn?
A: Use Torrent for mobility and engage allied NPC summons. Stay close to his flanks for damage windows. Comet Azur with Cerulean Hidden Tear can melt his first phase if cast at the start. Bleed weapons proc reliably against him.
Q: Where do I find Radahn in Elden Ring?
A: Radahn waits in the boss arena beyond Redmane Castle in eastern Caelid. Trigger the Radahn Festival by speaking with Jerren and resting at any Site of Grace after defeating Godrick or Rennala.
Q: Is the Radahn fight optional?
A: Technically yes, but defeating Radahn unlocks Nokron, Eternal City — required for Ranni’s questline and the Age of Stars ending. Most players treat him as mandatory.
Q: What does Radahn’s Great Rune do?
A: Radahn’s Great Rune simultaneously boosts maximum HP, FP, and Stamina by approximately 15% when activated with a Rune Arc. It is one of the most universally useful Great Runes in the game.