The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion brings players face-to-face with one of the most challenging and cinematic encounters in Elden Ring: Promised Consort Radahn. This God Boss is found in the radiant city of Enir-Ilim, standing as the ultimate trial before the conclusion of the DLC.

 

Radahn is no ordinary foe. Once a mighty general tied to the stars, here he takes on a new form, an armored warrior in red and gold, wearing a lion-shaped helm and wielding two colossal swords with devastating precision. His second phase transforms the fight into something even more intense, as he becomes Radahn, Consort of Miquella, unleashing holy devastation in the name of his bond with the Empyrean.

 

Unlike optional fights scattered throughout the DLC, this encounter is mandatory. To finish Shadow of the Erdtree, you must defeat Radahn. Victory not only provides one of the most epic narrative payoffs in FromSoftware's history but also grants a massive haul of Elden Ring Runes and unique Elden Ring Items that reflect his legendary power.

 

Lore and Significance

 

Radahn's return in the DLC has deep narrative weight. Once known as Starscourge Radahn, he was a demigod general who commanded gravity itself. In Shadow of the Erdtree, however, he is transformed through his union with Miquella into something more divine. His appearance as the Promised Consort ties his power to Miquella's ambitions, and their union manifests most clearly in his second phase.

 

Phase one shows Radahn as the ferocious warrior general, armored and brutal, while phase two represents his role as Miquella's chosen consort, with divine holy power augmenting his already overwhelming might.

 

Preparation

 

Radahn is one of the most difficult bosses in the game, requiring exceptional preparation.

 

Recommended Scadutree Blessing: At least 18, with 20 strongly recommended for survivability.

 

Level Range: Players should ideally be 140–160 with maxed or near-maxed weapons.

 

Rune Farming: Before this fight, farming Elden Ring Runes in Scadutree-heavy areas can help push your build to its peak.

 

Buffs and Consumables

 

Golden Vow: A must for both phases to increase damage and defense.

 

Black Flame's Protection: Excellent for Phase 1 mitigation.

 

Divine Fortification or Lord's Divine Fortification: Highly effective in Phase 2, when holy damage dominates.

 

Hefty Rot Pots: Inflict Scarlet Rot, draining up to 30% of Radahn's health across 90 seconds. Throw one after his Gravity Rush in Phase 1, and two during Phase 2 while he channels the Light of Miquella.

 

Boiled Crab: Adds extra physical defense if you lack Faith to use divine buffs.

 

Ingredients for consumables can be farmed, so preparing ahead of time is well worth the effort.

 

Summons

 

If you've completed the questlines of Thiollier and Ansbach, they can be summoned for this fight. They provide status buildup and temporary distractions, but summons come with a trade-off: Radahn's health pool and resistances scale significantly with they are present.

 

For many players, fighting Radahn solo is the better option, as summons may prolong the battle and reduce your ability to inflict consistent status effects like Scarlet Rot. Still, if you prefer extra breathing room, they can be valuable allies.

 

Recommended Talismans

 

Talismans can make or break your attempt against Radahn. Universal recommendations include:

 

Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Boosts physical defense for Phase 1.

 

Golden Braid: Reduces holy damage, essential for Phase 2.

 

Two-Headed Turtle Talisman: Speeds stamina regeneration.

 

Depending on your build, consider:

 

Dagger Talisman: For parry/riposte builds.

 

Curved Sword Talisman or Greatshield Talisman: Guard-counter builds.

 

Radagon Icon: Essential for caster builds.

 

Shard of Alexander: Increases skill damage, especially for Lion's Claw-centered builds.

 

Spear Talisman: Boosts pierce damage for tanky, spear-focused characters.

 

Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Increases strength-based two-hander builds.

 

Avoid Beloved Stardust, as it shortens cast times but reduces damage negation by 30%, a death sentence against Radahn's heavy attacks.

 

Recommended Crystal Tears and Great Runes

 

Crystal Tears

 

Offensive Options:

 

Thorny Cracked Tear for physical builds.

 

An elemental tear appropriate to your primary damage type.

 

Defensive Options:

 

Opaline Hardtear for balanced defense.

 

Opaline Bubbletear for a one-time safety net.

 

Great Runes

 

Radahn's Great Rune: Boosts HP, Stamina, and FP by 15%.

 

Morgott's Great Rune: A straight 25% HP increase for durability.

 

Miquella's Great Rune (Tool): Removes the charmed effect from Radahn's first grab attack, giving you an edge in Phase 2. Defeat the Scadutree Avatar to acquire this before the fight.

 

Battle Strategy

 

Phase One

 

Radahn wields colossal swords with a mix of brutal combos, sweeping arcs, and gravity-based abilities. Key attacks include:

 

Gravity Rush: A charge attack that leaves him briefly vulnerable, ideal for throwing a Hefty Rot Pot.

 

Sword Barrages: He chains multiple slashes that punish over-aggression. Learn to roll through rather than back away.

 

Shockwaves: Gravity-infused ground slams create large AoEs. Dodge inward to minimize damage.

 

Maintain medium range, punish after his rush attacks, and let Scarlet Rot tick down his health.

 

Phase Two

 

At about 50% health, Radahn becomes Radahn, Consort of Miquella, infusing his abilities with holy damage.

 

Light of Miquella: A devastating charged attack. You can punish him during the charge-up by throwing Scarlet Rot pots, though it may require tanking damage.

 

Holy Shockwaves and Blade Beams: These attacks cover large areas. Stay aggressive and roll into him rather than away to avoid being clipped.

 

Grab Attack: Inflicts charm unless countered with Miquella's Great Rune. If you lack the rune, avoid this move at all costs.

 

Patience is vital. Use stamina wisely and rely on mitigation talismans to survive the holy onslaught.

 

Rewards

 

Defeating Promised Consort Radahn grants a massive number of Elden Ring Runes, letting you level up or max out attributes before the end of your journey. In addition, he drops unique Elden Ring Items tied to his power and legacy. These may include his Great Rune, boss weapon options forged at Enia, and other lore-rich rewards that make the fight worth every effort.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Promised Consort Radahn is one of FromSoftware's finest bosses: mechanically punishing, narratively rich, and visually unforgettable. Preparation is everything, stacking the right talismans, farming Elden Ring Runes, and stocking up on consumable Elden Ring Items can turn an impossible battle into a hard-fought victory.

 

Once defeated, you not only conclude Shadow of the Erdtree but also cement Radahn's place as one of the most iconic demigods in the Soulsborne pantheon.