Mastering Radahn: Effective Strategies To Counter Cheese Tactics In Combat

how to beat radahn cheese

Beating Radahn, the Red Lion General, in *Elden Ring* can be a daunting task, but players have discovered a strategy known as Radahn cheese to simplify the fight. This method involves exploiting the game's mechanics to minimize direct confrontation with Radahn, often by using ranged attacks or summoning allies to distract him while dealing damage from a safe distance. While some consider this approach less honorable, it’s a practical way for less experienced players or those struggling with the boss’s aggressive moveset to progress. Understanding how to execute Radahn cheese effectively requires knowledge of the arena layout, timing, and the right tools, making it a popular topic among the *Elden Ring* community.

Characteristics Values
Boss Name Starscourge Radahn
Location Redmane Plaza
Cheese Strategy Summon NPCs and use ranged attacks to minimize direct confrontation
Recommended NPC Summons Alexander the Iron Fist, Jerren, and Great Horned Tragoth
Optimal Positioning Stay near the edge of the arena to avoid Radahn's sweeping attacks
Effective Weapons Ranged weapons (bows, spells, or catapults)
Key Vulnerabilities Radahn is weak to strike and standard damage
Phase Transition Radahn becomes more aggressive after losing 50% health
Critical Attacks to Avoid Meteor Shower, Gravity Slam, and Arrow Barrage
Recommended Flask Use Use Flask of Crimson Tears and Flask of Cerulean Tears frequently
Reward Starscourge Heirloom and progress in Ranni's questline
Difficulty Level High (requires strategy and patience)
Best Time to Cheese Early to mid-game when NPC summons are strong enough
Additional Tips Focus on damaging Radahn while NPCs tank his attacks; avoid direct combat

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Use Starscourge Radahn's Summons

Starscourge Radahn’s summons are not just a spectacle—they’re a tactical opportunity. During the fight, Radahn periodically calls forth spectral warriors to aid him, a move many players dread. However, these summons can be turned against him. By positioning yourself strategically, you can lure Radahn into attacking his own allies, depleting their health while you stay out of harm’s way. This method exploits the AI’s aggression, transforming a liability into a weapon.

To execute this strategy, focus on Radahn’s summon phase, which typically occurs after he performs a sweeping area-of-effect attack. As the spectral warriors materialize, move to the edge of the arena, ensuring Radahn is between you and his summons. His massive strikes often hit multiple targets, including his own allies. Time your dodges to avoid collateral damage while the summons take the brunt of his attacks. This approach requires patience and precision but minimizes direct engagement, ideal for low-damage builds or players seeking a safer approach.

A critical caution: avoid damaging the summons yourself. Striking them resets their aggression, causing them to target you instead of Radahn. Let his attacks do the work, and prioritize staying mobile to avoid becoming the focus of the spectral warriors. If they do aggro onto you, a well-timed sprint or invisibility spell (like Mimic’s Veil) can reset their attention back to Radahn.

The takeaway is clear: Radahn’s summons are not an obstacle but a resource. By manipulating the battlefield and leveraging his own attacks, you can significantly reduce the fight’s complexity. This cheese strategy is particularly effective for players struggling with Radahn’s high damage output or those lacking optimized builds. Master this technique, and the Starscourge’s grand spectacle becomes a controlled, predictable dance.

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Exploit Rooftop Sniping Strategy

The Rooftop Sniping Strategy is a cunning approach to defeating Radahn, leveraging elevation and precision to minimize direct confrontation. By positioning yourself on the rooftops surrounding the arena, you gain a tactical advantage that allows you to chip away at Radahn’s health while avoiding his devastating melee attacks. This method requires patience, timing, and a keen understanding of the battlefield’s layout, but it’s a proven way to "cheese" the fight without relying on overpowered builds or summons.

To execute this strategy, begin by positioning yourself on the rooftops to the north or south of the arena. These locations provide a clear line of sight to Radahn while keeping you out of his immediate reach. Equip a long-range weapon such as a bow, crossbow, or even a spell like Greatbow or Carian Slich. Aim for Radahn’s head or torso, as these areas deal higher damage. Be mindful of his movement patterns; Radahn will occasionally charge or perform sweeping attacks, so time your shots carefully to avoid wasting ammunition or exposing yourself to danger.

One critical aspect of this strategy is managing Radahn’s aggro. If you stay too long in one spot, he may target you with ranged attacks like gravity waves or arrows. To counter this, periodically reposition between rooftops or use the environment for cover. For example, the pillars and structures on the rooftops can shield you from his projectiles while you recharge or adjust your aim. Additionally, keep an eye on your stamina and FP (Focus Points) to ensure you can dodge or cast spells when needed.

While the Rooftop Sniping Strategy is effective, it’s not without risks. Radahn’s AI is designed to adapt to player behavior, so prolonged sniping may trigger more aggressive responses. To mitigate this, vary your attack timing and occasionally feign disengagement by moving to a different rooftop. This can reset his aggro and give you more opportunities to strike. Another tip is to bring consumables like arrows, bolts, or FP-restoring items to sustain your assault over time.

In conclusion, the Rooftop Sniping Strategy is a clever and efficient way to defeat Radahn by exploiting the battlefield’s verticality. It requires precision, resource management, and adaptability, but the payoff is a victory that feels both strategic and satisfying. Whether you’re a ranged specialist or simply looking for a unique challenge, this method offers a fresh perspective on one of Elden Ring’s most iconic boss fights.

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Abuse Torrent's Mobility Advantage

In the battle against Radahn, exploiting the mobility advantage of torrents can be a game-changer. Torrents, when used strategically, allow you to maintain constant pressure while minimizing exposure to Radahn’s devastating area-of-effect attacks. The key lies in understanding how to abuse this mobility to disrupt his attack patterns and create openings. By chaining torrent dashes during his wind-up animations, you can reposition yourself to safer zones or behind him, effectively nullifying his most dangerous moves. This tactic requires precise timing and a deep familiarity with Radahn’s attack cadence, but mastering it turns the fight from a defensive struggle into an offensive dance.

To execute this strategy, start by observing Radahn’s tells for his wide-reaching attacks, such as the ground slam or the gravitational pull. As soon as you recognize the wind-up, initiate a torrent dash in a direction that avoids the attack’s radius. For example, during his ground slam, dash perpendicular to the attack’s trajectory to maintain distance while staying within striking range. Repeat this process, using the torrent’s invincibility frames to dodge follow-up attacks and reposition aggressively. Over time, Radahn’s stamina will deplete, leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks. This method is particularly effective for melee builds, as it allows you to close the gap quickly and punish openings without risking prolonged exposure to his combos.

A critical aspect of abusing torrent mobility is managing your own stamina and positioning. While torrents offer unparalleled agility, overuse can leave you stranded without stamina, making you an easy target. To avoid this, limit dashes to moments when Radahn is committing to an attack, and use the brief windows of safety to regain stamina. Additionally, prioritize positioning that keeps you near Radahn’s flanks or rear, as these areas minimize the risk of being caught in his 360-degree sweeps. For ranged builds, this strategy can be adapted by using torrents to maintain distance while peppering Radahn with projectiles during his recovery phases.

One advanced technique involves using the environment to amplify the torrent’s mobility advantage. Radahn’s arena is littered with obstacles that can disrupt his attack flow. By dashing through these obstacles during his wind-ups, you can force him to adjust his positioning, often leading to awkward or delayed attacks. For instance, dashing behind the large boulders can block his line of sight, granting you precious seconds to heal or reposition. This environmental manipulation, combined with torrent dashes, creates a dynamic and unpredictable engagement that keeps Radahn off-balance.

In conclusion, abusing the torrent’s mobility advantage is a high-skill, high-reward approach to defeating Radahn. It demands a deep understanding of his attack patterns, precise timing, and strategic positioning. By mastering this tactic, you transform the fight into a test of agility and foresight rather than brute force. Whether you’re a melee warrior or a ranged caster, integrating torrent dashes into your combat strategy can turn the tide in your favor, making Radahn’s once-daunting presence a manageable challenge. Practice makes perfect, so experiment with different dash timings and routes to find what works best for your playstyle.

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Focus on Meteor Phase Timing

The Meteor Phase is Radahn’s most devastating attack, capable of wiping out even well-prepared players. Its unpredictability and area coverage make it a fight-ender for those caught off guard. However, mastering its timing transforms this phase from a death sentence into a predictable window of opportunity. The key lies in recognizing the subtle cues that signal the Meteor Phase’s onset and using that knowledge to dictate the fight’s rhythm.

To exploit this phase effectively, observe Radahn’s behavior after he summons the first meteor. The attack sequence typically begins with a brief pause, followed by a specific animation where he raises his sword and points it skyward. This is your cue to reposition. Radahn’s meteors have a delayed impact, giving you roughly 5–7 seconds to move out of the initial blast radius. Use this time to sprint to a safe zone, ideally behind a large structure or near the arena’s edge. Avoid staying in the center, as subsequent meteors will target your last known position.

A lesser-known tactic is to use the Meteor Phase as a reset opportunity. If you’re low on health or flasks, intentionally trigger the phase by maintaining distance and avoiding aggressive attacks. Radahn’s meteor animation locks him into a lengthy cast, during which he’s vulnerable to damage but won’t pursue you. Use this window to heal, buff, or reposition without fear of interruption. This strategy is particularly effective in co-op play, as it allows teammates to coordinate and recover simultaneously.

Comparing this approach to traditional strategies highlights its efficiency. While many players focus on dealing damage during Radahn’s vulnerable states, prioritizing Meteor Phase timing minimizes risk and maximizes control. It shifts the fight’s tempo from reactive to proactive, allowing you to dictate when and where Radahn uses his most dangerous attack. This method is especially valuable for builds with limited mobility or defensive options, as it reduces reliance on dodging or blocking.

In practice, combine this timing knowledge with environmental awareness. The arena’s terrain can be your ally—use the large rocks and ruins to block line-of-sight, reducing the number of meteors targeting you. Pair this with a summon or two to distract Radahn, further limiting his ability to track your position. By treating the Meteor Phase as a strategic pause rather than a chaotic scramble, you’ll not only survive but also gain the upper hand in this notoriously challenging fight.

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Utilize Bloodhound Step Dodge Tactic

The Bloodhound Step Ash of War is a game-changer for dodging Malenia's relentless combos. Its unique ability to cover ground while granting hyper armor makes it ideal for slipping through her most punishing attacks, like the waterfowl dance.

Mastering this tactic requires precise timing. Activate Bloodhound Step the moment Malenia begins her wind-up animation, ensuring you’re already moving through her attack by the time it connects. Practice recognizing her tells—the slight pause before a heavy swing, the subtle shift in stance before a flurry—to anticipate the optimal dodge window.

Malenia's attacks are designed to punish predictable rolls. Bloodhound Step disrupts this pattern by allowing you to dodge *and* reposition simultaneously. Use this to your advantage, closing the distance for a counter-attack or creating space to heal during a lull in her aggression.

While Bloodhound Step is powerful, it’s not invincible. Over-reliance can lead to stamina depletion, leaving you vulnerable. Combine it with traditional rolls and well-timed parries for a balanced approach. Remember, the goal is to control the rhythm of the fight, not simply react to it.

Frequently asked questions

The Radahn cheese strategy involves exploiting the boss's AI and arena mechanics to defeat him with minimal effort. It typically includes pulling the boss to a specific location and using ranged attacks or spells to damage him from a safe distance.

The most common location for the Radahn cheese strategy is on the stairs leading up to the boss arena, near the site of grace. This spot allows you to stay out of reach of most of Radahn's attacks while still being able to damage him.

Ranged weapons like bows, crossbows, or magic spells such as Great Glintstone Shard or Carian Slicer are highly effective for this strategy. These allow you to deal damage from a safe distance while avoiding Radahn's devastating melee attacks.

The strategy is most effective during the first phase of the fight. In the second phase, Radahn becomes more aggressive and may move around more, making it harder to maintain a safe distance. However, with careful positioning and timing, it’s still possible to use a similar approach.

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