When you step into the grand, imposing arena for the very last showdown in Elden Ring, a question might just pop into your mind: how many phases are the final boss in Elden Ring? It's a natural thought, especially when you consider the truly epic scale of this world and its many, many challenges. Knowing what awaits can make a big difference, offering a bit of calm before the storm, or perhaps, in some respects, a bit more excitement for what's to come.
For players who have journeyed through the Lands Between, facing countless foes and overcoming immense obstacles, the ultimate confrontation feels like a massive moment. You've pushed through tough times, learned many things, and collected powerful items, all leading up to this point. It’s the grand finale, the last hurdle before you claim your rightful place or bring about a new age, so you really want to be ready for it, you know?
The final boss encounter in Elden Ring is, as a matter of fact, a truly memorable one, a test of all the skills you've gathered along your extensive travels. It brings together all the things you've learned about combat, movement, and timing into one intense sequence. So, figuring out the structure of this last big fight can give you a bit of an edge, helping you to plan your moves and keep your cool when things get heated.
Table of Contents
- The Ultimate Confrontation Unveiled
- Phase One: Facing Radagon of the Golden Order
- Phase Two: The Elden Beast Emerges
- Why Two Phases Matter
- Distinguishing the True Final Boss
- Community Expectations and Reality
- General Rewards for Defeating Bosses
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Final Boss
The Ultimate Confrontation Unveiled
The final boss of Elden Ring, the very last obstacle you must overcome to reach one of the game's many endings, is actually split into two distinct parts. This means you won't just be facing one powerful opponent; you'll need to defeat two different, yet connected, entities in what counts as a single, continuous fight. It's a rather clever way the game designers keep you on your toes, making sure the very end of your journey is as memorable as possible. You see, this structure is a bit of a tradition for some games of this kind, where the final encounter often has more than one stage to it, adding to the overall feeling of accomplishment when you finally finish it.
Phase One: Facing Radagon of the Golden Order
The first part of this big final battle pits you against Radagon of the Golden Order. He's a truly striking figure, described as a tall, fractured god. Radagon carries the very hammer that shattered the Elden Ring, a powerful and significant item in the game's lore, which he uses with great skill. You find him right in the heart of the Erdtree, a very important and central location in the Lands Between, which feels just right for such a key character. This location, you know, really sets the scene for the gravity of the fight that's about to happen.
Radagon's Form and Attacks
Radagon is, in a way, a humanoid enemy, meaning he has a shape somewhat like a person, making his movements and attacks a bit more relatable, perhaps, than some of the more monstrous creatures you've faced. He's known for using a lot of strong holy damage in his melee attacks. This means his physical strikes also carry a sacred energy, which can be quite punishing if you're not ready for it. Players have noted his combat style includes an "endless cycle of repeating attacks," which can make him quite a challenging boss to predict and counter. He often helps these attacks with holy area-of-effect abilities, spreading damage over a wider space around him, so you need to be very aware of your positioning.
Radagon's history is also a part of his character; he was previously married to Rennala, a detail that adds a bit of depth to his backstory, though it doesn't directly change how you fight him. His presence as a "ruined figure containing what remains of the Elden Ring" suggests a deep connection to the very thing you're trying to mend or change. Successfully getting past this first part means you've truly mastered a good portion of the game's combat mechanics, which is a big deal, you know.
Preparing for Radagon
Since Radagon relies heavily on holy damage, having some way to protect yourself from that type of harm can be a very good idea. This might involve wearing specific armor pieces or using certain talismans that boost your holy defense. His repeating attack patterns mean that learning his moves and finding openings becomes very important. It’s a bit like learning a dance, where you need to know when to step in and when to step back. Many players find that understanding these patterns is key to getting through his phase without too much trouble, so that's something to think about.
Because he's the first part of a two-stage fight, managing your resources, like your healing flasks, is also very important. You want to have enough left over for the next part of the fight, so being efficient here can really help you out. It's a balance, really, between dealing enough damage to progress and making sure you don't use up all your healing items too soon.
Phase Two: The Elden Beast Emerges
Once you manage to defeat Radagon in combat, a new and quite different opponent appears. This is a manifestation of the Elden Ring itself, known as the Elden Beast. This second phase, while different in appearance and attack style from Radagon, counts as the same fight. This is a very important detail, as it means if you fall to the Elden Beast, you'll have to start the entire encounter over again, facing Radagon at every attempt. This can be a bit frustrating for some, but it certainly adds to the challenge and the feeling of a grand, continuous struggle.
The Beast's Nature and Challenge
The Elden Beast, as a representation of the Elden Ring, offers a different kind of challenge compared to Radagon. While Radagon is a close-quarters, holy-damage brawler, the Elden Beast tends to be a more sprawling, often ranged, magical opponent. The provided information suggests that this second phase "is not particularly difficult actually," which might come as a bit of a surprise to some players, given the sheer spectacle of its appearance. However, its challenge often comes from its size, its movement, and its wide-reaching attacks that can be hard to avoid if you're not paying close attention. It's a very different pace, you know.
The Elden Beast’s attacks often involve large, sweeping movements and projectiles that track you across the arena. This means you'll likely be doing a lot more running and dodging compared to the more direct combat with Radagon. Its vast size can sometimes make it hard to get close and deal consistent damage, so finding the right openings and managing your stamina for both offense and defense becomes key. It's a test of adaptability, really, to switch from one fighting style to another within the same big encounter.
Maintaining Momentum
The continuous nature of the fight means that any damage you took from Radagon, and any healing items you used, carry over into the Elden Beast phase. This makes resource management a critical part of the entire final boss encounter. You need to approach Radagon with a strategy that leaves you in good shape for the Elden Beast, rather than using up everything just to get past the first part. It’s a bit of a marathon, not a sprint, in some respects, so pacing yourself is important.
Many players find that after recovering from the intense Godfrey fight, which often comes right before the final boss, Elden Ring is about to throw its ultimate test at you. The transition from Radagon to the Elden Beast is seamless, meaning there’s no break to rest or regroup, which adds to the pressure. You need to be ready to keep fighting, even as the landscape and the opponent change dramatically around you.
Why Two Phases Matter
Having two distinct phases for the final boss makes the encounter much more epic and memorable. It ensures that the very end of the game is not just a simple, straightforward fight but a multi-layered challenge that truly tests all aspects of a player's skill. This design choice also allows for more storytelling through the bosses themselves; Radagon, a fractured god, then giving way to the Elden Beast, a manifestation of the Elden Ring itself, visually represents the core conflict of the game. It’s a pretty neat way to wrap up the whole story, you know.
This approach also means that players cannot simply rely on one strategy or build type. What works well against Radagon's holy melee attacks might not be as effective against the Elden Beast's ranged magic and wide movements. This encourages players to have a more versatile approach or to be quick on their feet in adapting their tactics during the fight. It’s a good way to ensure that the final challenge is a comprehensive one, testing everything you've picked up along the way.
Distinguishing the True Final Boss
It is important to note that when people talk about "the final boss in Elden Ring," they are almost always referring to Radagon of the Golden Order and the Elden Beast, as this is the ultimate confrontation that leads to one of the main endings of the base game. However, the game has expanded since its release, and some players might get a little mixed up with other "final bosses" that appear in additional content. For example, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has its own final boss, Promised Consort Radahn, who is a different character entirely.
Similarly, the text mentions "Elden Ring Nightreign's final boss, Heolstor the Nightlord," who is described as a "brutal test of patience, skill, and adaptability." This boss is part of a "final expedition" called "Night Aspect." These are separate challenges, you know, not the main game's ultimate encounter. So, when discussing "how many phases are the final boss in Elden Ring," the answer firmly points to the two-part fight against Radagon and the Elden Beast in the core game. It’s good to keep these distinctions clear, especially when looking for specific advice or just chatting about the game.
Community Expectations and Reality
Before Elden Ring was fully released, there was quite a bit of talk among players about how many phases the final boss might have. Some people thought it would be just one phase, similar to how final bosses were handled in earlier games like Demon's Souls, Dark Souls 1, and Dark Souls 2. Others, perhaps looking at Dark Souls 3, thought it might have two phases. There were even some who speculated that Elden Ring's final boss might have three phases, aiming for something truly grand and unexpected. It's pretty interesting, actually, how much thought goes into these things before a game even comes out.
The reality, as we've discussed, settled on two phases: Radagon leading into the Elden Beast. This design choice, in a way, balances the desire for a multi-stage, epic encounter with keeping the fight manageable enough not to become overly drawn out or frustrating for the majority of players. It offers a good mix of challenge and progression, giving you a real sense of accomplishment when you finally get past both parts. This structure, you know, really delivers on the promise of a big, final showdown.
General Rewards for Defeating Bosses
Successfully defeating any boss in Elden Ring, including the final one, brings with it a host of rewards that are truly helpful for your journey. Players typically gain more runes than they would from regular enemies in the area. Runes, as you might know, are the game's main form of currency and experience points, so getting a lot of them from a tough boss is always a good thing. This helps you level up your character, making future challenges a bit easier, so that's always a plus.
Beyond runes, many bosses also offer rare or unique armaments, which are weapons, as well as armor pieces, new magic spells, and other special items. These items can be incredibly powerful and often have unique properties that can change how you play the game or open up new strategies. The final boss, in particular, grants rewards that are fitting for such a monumental victory, providing you with truly special gear that reflects your achievement. It’s a good feeling, you know, to get something truly special after a tough fight. For more insights on Elden Ring's world and its many secrets, you might want to visit a popular gaming news site.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Final Boss
How do you defeat the final boss of Elden Ring?
To defeat the final boss, you first need to beat Radagon of the Golden Order. After that, you'll immediately face the Elden Beast. Strategies for each part involve learning their attack patterns, understanding their weaknesses, and managing your healing items carefully. For Radagon, you'll want to watch out for his holy melee and area attacks. For the Elden Beast, it's more about dodging its wide-ranging magic and finding openings to attack its large body. You know, it's a matter of patience and observation.
What is the second phase of the final boss in Elden Ring?
The second phase of Elden Ring's final boss is the Elden Beast. This creature appears right after you defeat Radagon of the Golden Order. It is a manifestation of the Elden Ring itself and represents the ultimate challenge. While some players find it less difficult than Radagon, its vast size and magical attacks require a different approach to combat. It’s a very different fight, actually, compared to the first part.
Does Elden Ring have a three-phase final boss?
No, the main game's final boss in Elden Ring does not have three phases. The final boss encounter is split into two distinct phases: first, you fight Radagon of the Golden Order, and then immediately after, you fight the Elden Beast. While some players might have hoped for or speculated about a three-phase fight before the game came out, the actual final encounter has two parts that count as one continuous battle. You know, it’s a solid two-stage challenge.
Learn more about Elden Ring bosses on our site, and link to this page for more specific boss strategies.
