Elden Ring: How to Defeat Radahn and Progress the Festival Questline
Unlocking the Festival
Before you can face Radahn, you’ll need to trigger the Festival of Combat at Redmane Castle in southern Caelid. There are a few ways this event can unlock, but the most consistent path is tied to story progress:
Progress Ranni’s Questline
After meeting Ranni at Caria Manor in Liurnia and pledging service to her, you’ll begin a quest that eventually points toward Radahn’s battle. Blaidd, Seluvis, and Sellen also reference the General.
Alt Method – Altus Plateau Progression
Simply reaching the Altus Plateau (via Dectus Medallion or Ruin-Strewn Precipice) can also trigger the festival’s availability.
Once active, head to Redmane Castle in Caelid. Instead of fighting through enemies, you’ll find a gathering of warriors in the plaza. Speak to Festival Coordinator Jerren, and after a cutscene, you’ll be allowed to participate in the grand battle.
Preparing for Radahn
Radahn is infamous for both his damage output and the size of the battlefield. Preparation is crucial.
Level Recommendation: Aim for Level 60–80, with a weapon upgraded to at least +12 (normal) or +4 (somber).
Flask Upgrades: Ensure you’ve upgraded your flasks with Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears; Radahn’s attacks are punishing.
Spirit Summons: While Spirit Ashes can be used, the fight already features unique NPC summons that play a key role. Focus on NPC allies, but don’t hesitate to bring your strongest summon if needed.
Resistances: Radahn deals heavy physical and magic damage (gravity spells). Consider talismans like the Dragoncrest Shield Talisman or Magic Scorpion Charm.
The Battlefield
The fight takes place on a vast desert battlefield, the Wailing Dunes, accessible via a teleporter after speaking to Jerren. You’ll immediately notice summon signs scattered around the arena. These allow you to call in allies such as Blaidd, Alexander, and Iron Fist Tarkus-like warriors to fight alongside you. These NPC summons are vital for distracting Radahn and soaking up his devastating attacks.
Phase One: Surviving the Barrage
When you enter, Radahn begins at long range, unleashing a storm of massive gravity-imbued arrows. These can one-shot unprepared players. Here’s how to survive:
Summon Allies Immediately
Rush to the nearest golden summon sign and begin calling in allies. The more fighters on the field, the less attention Radahn can focus on you.
Avoid Arrows
Sprint and roll diagonally as you close the distance. His arrows can be blocked with a greatshield, but dodging is safer and stamina-friendly.
Torrent Mobility
You can mount Torrent in this battle, which is essential for covering ground quickly. Use Torrent to dash between summon signs and regroup with allies.
Once you and your NPC allies reach melee range, Radahn will shift from arrows to colossal swords.
Phase Two: Close Combat Chaos
In melee range, Radahn attacks with wide sword swings and shockwaves. His combos are devastating but predictable with practice.
Watch for Spin Combos: Radahn can chain multiple swings together. Time your dodges for the final sweep, then punish with 1–2 hits.
Gravity Slam: Radahn may leap up and slam down, creating a gravity field. Roll just before the impact and avoid the pull effect.
Stay Mobile: Always circle strafe or use Torrent to reposition. Standing still guarantees you’ll be punished.
This is the phase where your NPC summons do the most work. Keep them alive by resummoning fallen allies at glowing signs around the battlefield.
Phase Three: Meteor Descent
At around 50% health, Radahn will launch himself into the sky and disappear. After a few seconds, he returns in a dramatic meteor crash that deals massive AoE damage. If you see him vanish:
Sprint Away Immediately: Use Torrent to ride as far as possible from his landing zone. The impact can kill instantly.
Reposition After Crash: Radahn reemerges in a new position, often separating you from allies. Quickly regroup and continue summoning reinforcements.
From here, Radahn gains new attacks, including meteor projectiles and enhanced gravity spells. However, his aggression can be turned against him: with enough allies distracting him, you can chip him down steadily.
Victory and Rewards
Defeating Radahn rewards you with:
Remembrance of the Starscourge – Exchangeable for powerful weapons like the Starscourge Greatswords or Radahn’s gravity spell.
Radahn’s Great Rune – Activates via the Divine Tower of Caelid, granting boosted HP, FP, and stamina when equipped with a Rune Arc.
Festival Progression – The Festival Questline continues as NPCs react to Radahn’s defeat.
Progressing the Festival Questline
Once Radahn falls, the Festival concludes with unique NPC dialogue and shifts in several questlines:
Ranni’s Questline
After Radahn’s defeat, Blaidd investigates further mysteries, leading to deeper stages of Ranni’s storyline. This eventually unlocks Nokron, Eternal City, advancing one of the game’s biggest arcs.
Alexander, Warrior Jar
Speak to Alexander after the battle to continue his personal journey. He later relocates to new locations, eventually culminating in his dramatic fate.
Seluvis and Sellen
Their involvement changes depending on whether you’ve interacted with them prior to the Festival. Both tie back into Ranni’s questline.
Jerren
As the festival overseer, Jerren also has follow-up dialogue and moves on from Redmane Castle. This affects his availability in other quests.
The Festival thus acts as a narrative pivot point, shaping multiple characters’ arcs and opening access to entirely new zones.
Final Tips
Don’t be discouraged if Radahn overwhelms you. His fight is designed as a chaotic, large-scale battle rather than a traditional duel.
Rely on Torrent for survival and NPC summons for damage absorption.
Use the environment and summons to your advantage rather than trying to 1v1 him.
Conclusion
General Radahn is one of Elden Ring’s most memorable encounters, blending spectacle with brutal difficulty. Unlocking and winning the Festival of Combat is a rite of passage for Tarnished, and it serves as the gateway to major story developments. With preparation, smart use of summons, and persistence, you can overcome the Starscourge and cheap Elden Ring Runes set the stage for the deeper mysteries of the Lands Between.
Conquer Radahn, and the Festival Questline will unfold, carrying you toward Nokron, Ranni’s fate, and some of the most important chapters of Elden Ring.
