How to Beat Starscourge Radahn

AI Coaching Guide — Elden Ring

By the Souls & Action RPG Coach @ Sidekick AIPublished

Owns Sidekick AI's coaching for Souls games and action RPGs. Built the boss-fight workflows for Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Hollow Knight, and Lies of P.

★★★☆☆~20 minMid Game
Phase 1Arrow approach
Phase 2Melee combat
Phase 3Meteor transition

Opening: survive the approach

Radahn's opening arrow sequence is what kills most first attempts. The goal is not to rush him blindly. The goal is to use the battlefield, activate summons quickly, and arrive in melee range without burning all of your healing.

Sidekick AI suggested:

Don't sprint in a straight line. Move from cover to cover, grab the summon signs, and watch his bow hand. If he lifts early, get ready to dodge late.

Best opening sequence

  1. Summon the first NPCs immediately.
  2. Use cover whenever possible for the gravity arrows.
  3. Close distance only after the first pressure is split.
  4. Save stamina when entering melee range so you can dodge the first swing string.

Mid-fight: controlled aggression

Once the summons engage him, Radahn gives you windows after large swings and gravity attacks. Stay near his flanks, not directly in front of his horse, and punish only after clear recovery animations.

Safe punish windows

  • After his large overhead slam
  • After wide combo enders that push him past you
  • After he retargets a summon instead of you
Sidekick AI suggested:

He just committed to a big slam. One or two hits only, then reset to his side. Don't stand in front of the horse waiting for a third swing.

Meteor phase transition

When Radahn launches into the sky, heal, rebuff, and start moving. His re-entry can delete you if you panic or stop tracking the sky.

What to do when he disappears

  • Keep moving while watching the horizon
  • Resummon fallen allies when possible
  • Re-center yourself before re-engaging
Sidekick AI suggested:

He's gone airborne. Heal now, keep moving, and don't tunnel on resummons until you see where he's landing.

Recommended approach

  • Melee: stay patient, use jump attacks only when his recovery is obvious
  • Ranged: punish from medium distance, but rotate often and never assume summons will hold aggro
  • Healing: top up between patterns, not during neutral when he can suddenly close distance

Summary

Radahn is a spectacle fight, but the winning formula is simple: survive the approach, use summons to control aggro, punish the largest openings, and respect the meteor transition. Sidekick AI is a strong fit for this fight because voice coaching can call out arrows, punish windows, and phase changes without forcing you to alt-tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level should I be for Radahn?
Most players are comfortable around level 60-80 with a weapon upgraded to roughly +12 to +16 for standard weapons or +4 to +6 for somber weapons. The fight is more about execution and summon management than raw level alone.
Should I use the NPC summons in the Radahn fight?
Yes. The festival summons are part of the intended design of the encounter. They split Radahn's attention, create safe windows, and buy time to heal, rebuff, or reposition.
How do I avoid Radahn's arrows at the start?
Use the weapon racks and dunes as cover while sprinting between summon signs. If you are caught in the open, dodge late and keep moving diagonally rather than straight at him.
Is Radahn easier with ranged or melee builds?
Both can work. Melee builds want tight punish windows after his bigger slams, while ranged builds need discipline to reposition and not overcommit during his gap-closing attacks.

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