Mastering Elden Ring: Cheesing Radagon And The Elden Beast Strategies

how to cheese radagon and the elden beast

Cheesing Radagon and the Elden Beast in *Elden Ring* requires exploiting mechanics and strategies to bypass their formidable abilities. Players often use tactics like summoning NPCs or other players to distract the bosses, while focusing on high damage output through critical hits or bleed/poison builds. Another popular method involves positioning the bosses near environmental hazards or using specific ashes of war to stagger them repeatedly. Additionally, equipping items like the Rivers of Blood katana or the Sword of Night and Flame can trivialize the fight due to their high damage potential. While these strategies may not align with a traditional challenge, they offer a practical approach for players struggling with these late-game encounters.

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Exploit Radagon's Slow Start: Use ranged attacks or spells during his long intro animation

Radagon’s opening animation is a glaring vulnerability in his otherwise relentless assault. This phase, lasting approximately 8-10 seconds, offers a rare window of opportunity to deal damage without retaliation. During this time, Radagon rises slowly from the ground, his movements deliberate and unhurried. Savvy players recognize this as a golden moment to strike, turning what could be a defensive waiting period into an offensive advantage.

To capitalize on this, equip yourself with high-damage ranged weapons or spells that can be cast quickly. Arrows, bolts, or spells like Great Glintstone Shard or Carian Slicer are ideal. Position yourself at medium range, just outside his initial aggro zone, to ensure you’re not caught by surprise if the animation ends sooner than expected. Time your attacks to begin immediately as the fight starts, maximizing the number of hits before Radagon becomes active. A well-executed strategy here can shave off 20-30% of his health bar before he even moves, significantly easing the overall difficulty of the battle.

However, this tactic requires precision and practice. Miscalculating the timing or standing too close can result in wasted attacks or, worse, taking damage yourself. Additionally, be mindful of stamina management; overextending with ranged attacks can leave you vulnerable once Radagon becomes active. Pair this strategy with a shield or quick roll to ensure you’re prepared for his first strike.

The beauty of this exploit lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It transforms a daunting boss fight into a manageable encounter by shifting the power dynamic early on. While it may feel like “cheesing,” it’s a legitimate tactic that rewards observation and preparation. Players who master this approach gain not just an advantage but also a deeper understanding of Radagon’s mechanics, making it a valuable skill for both this fight and future encounters in *Elden Ring*.

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Elden Beast Stun Lock: Focus on staggering the beast with heavy attacks during its beam phase

The Elden Beast's beam phase is a window of opportunity for aggressive players. During this phase, the beast channels a devastating laser attack, leaving it momentarily vulnerable to stagger. Heavy attacks, with their high poise damage, become your primary tool for exploiting this weakness.

Imagine the beast as a glass cannon—powerful but fragile when its guard is down. As it begins the beam animation, sprint towards its side, positioning yourself just outside the attack's radius. Time your heaviest attack—a greatsword's jumping slash, a colossal weapon's ground slam, or a reinforced spear's thrust—to connect just as the beam fires. The goal is to stagger the beast mid-cast, interrupting the attack and leaving it open for a few precious seconds.

This strategy requires precision and practice. The beam's startup is your cue, but the timing varies depending on your weapon's animation. Experiment with different heavy attacks to find the ones with the fastest poise damage output. Strength-scaling weapons like the Greatsword or the Gargoyle's Black Halberd are ideal, as they deal significant poise damage per hit.

However, this tactic is not without risk. Misjudge the timing, and you'll be caught in the beam's blast radius. Always keep a Flask of Crimson Tears ready for quick healing. Additionally, ensure your vigor is high enough to survive a direct hit if things go awry.

Mastering the Elden Beast stun lock is a high-risk, high-reward strategy. It demands patience, timing, and a willingness to learn from failure. But when executed correctly, it transforms one of the game's most daunting bosses into a predictable—and beatable—foe.

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Poise Break Radagon: Use hyper-armor weapons to trade damage and stagger him mid-combo

Hyper-armor weapons are your ticket to disrupting Radagon's relentless combos and gaining the upper hand in this phase of the Elden Beast fight. The strategy hinges on exploiting Radagon's poise—a mechanic governing his ability to withstand attacks and maintain his attack animations. By using weapons with hyper-armor (like the Greatsword or the Gargoyle's Black Halberd), you can trade damage effectively, staggering him mid-combo and creating openings for massive damage.

Step 1: Weapon Selection and Build Optimization

Choose a weapon with hyper-armor during its attacks, such as the Rivers of Blood katana or the Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear. Pair this with a high-poise-break ash of war like Lion’s Claw or the charged heavy attack of a colossal weapon. Ensure your vigor is at least 50 and your endurance is 30+ to survive trades and maintain stamina for consecutive attacks.

Step 2: Timing and Execution

Wait for Radagon’s slower, multi-hit combos (e.g., his three-hit staff slam) and time your hyper-armor attack to collide with his second or third strike. This will break his poise, staggering him and allowing you to follow up with a full combo. Aim for 3–4 hits before disengaging to avoid overextending and getting caught in his next attack.

Cautions and Counterplay

Avoid using this strategy during Radagon’s fast, single-hit attacks or his area-of-effect spells, as these cannot be poise-broken. Additionally, monitor your stamina—trading damage depletes it quickly, and running out mid-trade leaves you vulnerable. Practice the timing in the first phase of the fight, where Radagon’s attacks are slower and more predictable.

Mastering this poise-break strategy turns Radagon’s phase into a series of controlled trades rather than a frantic dodgefest. With consistent execution, you can stagger him 2–3 times per phase, drastically reducing the fight’s duration. Pair this with a bleed or scarlet rot buildup for even faster results, but prioritize poise-breaking as your primary damage window.

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Summon Distraction Tactics: Use NPC summons to draw aggro while you deal damage safely

In the relentless dance with Radagon and the Elden Beast, every second counts. NPC summons aren’t just allies—they’re sacrificial pawns. By strategically deploying them, you shift the boss’s focus away from you, creating windows of opportunity to strike without fear of retaliation. This tactic hinges on timing and positioning: summon your NPC just as the boss transitions between phases or begins a lengthy attack animation. For instance, using Ranni the Witch or Latenna the Albinauric near the arena’s edges forces the Elden Beast to chase them, giving you 5-7 seconds to unleash high-damage spells or melee combos.

The effectiveness of this strategy lies in understanding aggro mechanics. Radagon and the Elden Beast prioritize targets based on proximity and damage dealt. NPCs, despite their fragility, generate enough threat to hold the boss’s attention for crucial moments. Pair this with Golden Vow or Terra Magica to amplify your damage output during these openings. However, beware: over-reliance on summons can lead to predictable patterns, so vary your approach by alternating between summoning and direct engagement.

Comparatively, this method outshines traditional strategies like hit-and-run or tanking damage. While those require precise timing and high endurance, summon distraction tactics lower the skill floor, making the fight more accessible to players with varied builds. For example, a mage can summon Renalla, Queen of the Full Moon to draw aggro while casting Comet Azur from a safe distance. Similarly, a strength-focused build can use Black Knife Tiche to distract Radagon while landing critical hits with a colossal weapon.

Practical tips: Always position your summon slightly ahead of the boss to ensure they’re the primary target. If the NPC dies too quickly, use Cerulean Hidden Tear to extend their lifespan. For the Elden Beast phase, summon your NPC near the center of the arena to maximize their movement range. Avoid using summons with low health or poor AI, like Patches, as they’ll fail to hold aggro effectively. Finally, practice the timing of your summon deployment—too early, and the boss ignores them; too late, and you’re left exposed.

In conclusion, summon distraction tactics transform Radagon and the Elden Beast from an overwhelming duel into a manageable chess match. By leveraging NPCs as decoys, you dictate the flow of battle, turning their aggression into your advantage. Master this strategy, and the Elden Throne becomes less a distant dream and more an inevitable reality.

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Magic/Ranged Cheese: Stay at max range and spam spells or arrows to avoid melee

One of the most effective strategies for cheesing Radagon and the Elden Beast is to maintain maximum distance and rely on magic or ranged attacks. This approach minimizes the risk of melee combat, where both bosses excel in dealing devastating damage. By staying at the edge of their aggro range, you can exploit their slower movement and predictable attack patterns, turning the fight into a test of patience and precision rather than raw skill.

To execute this strategy, equip yourself with high-damage spells or arrows that have sufficient range to hit the bosses without closing the gap. For mages, spells like *Comet Azur* or *Ancient Death Rancor* are ideal due to their long range and high damage output. Archers should opt for heavy arrows or bolts paired with a bow that maximizes range, such as the *Erdsteel Bow*. Ensure your FP or arrow supply is ample by bringing consumables like *Flocks of Snow* or purchasing arrows in bulk before the fight.

Positioning is critical. Start the fight by luring Radagon to the edge of the arena, then circle around the perimeter while keeping him in your line of sight. When the Elden Beast phase begins, maintain the same strategy, but be mindful of its teleportation attacks. Always prioritize staying at max range, even if it means sacrificing a few seconds to reposition. Avoid greedily attacking when the boss is too close, as this is where most attempts fail.

While this method is effective, it’s not without risks. Radagon’s homing projectiles and the Elden Beast’s area-of-effect attacks can still reach you, so timing your dodges is essential. Additionally, this strategy requires a significant investment in either Intelligence or Dexterity, depending on your build. If you’re underleveled or lack the necessary stats, the damage output may not be sufficient to outpace the bosses’ health regeneration.

In conclusion, the magic/ranged cheese strategy is a reliable way to defeat Radagon and the Elden Beast with minimal risk. By focusing on distance, positioning, and consistent damage, you can turn one of the game’s most challenging encounters into a manageable test of endurance. Just remember: patience is your greatest ally, and overconfidence is your worst enemy.

Frequently asked questions

Use a high-damage, ranged strategy with Rivers of Blood or Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear to poke from afar, avoiding melee combat and minimizing risk.

The Rotten Winged Sword Insignia talisman boosts bleed buildup, making it ideal for bleed-focused builds to cheese the bosses quickly.

Yes, Comet Azur or Stargazer’s Meteor are effective for high damage from a distance, especially with high intelligence and the Carian Regal Scepter.

Position yourself near the edge of the arena, using the pillars for cover, and attack from range to avoid their sweeping attacks.

Focus on bleed or magic attacks while staying mobile, using the environment to avoid its laser and ground slam attacks.

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