Final Boss Analysis #5
Radagon Of The Golden Order
Elden Ring
“…”
After overcoming countless challenges across the lands between, you finally arrive back at the foot of the erdtree. The wall of thorns now burned, the Tarnished enters to become Elden Lord, but one last challenge stands in their way.
Tragedy of Radagon
A champion serving Marika, and a stout believer in the Golden Order, Radagon strived to be complete, studying all manner of sorcery and incantation. Recognizing his mistake in invading Raya Lucaria, he dissolved his sins in celestial dew, and married Rennala. For a time, all was well.
However, at some point, he would leave Rennala to marry Marika, and become the second Elden Lord. Unbeknownst to the lands between, or likely even the player, it turns out that Marika and Radagon shared the same body. Whether they were always like this, or it happened after they married is unclear. After Marika shattered the Elden Ring, Radagon attempted to repair it to no avail, sealing the Erdtree in an effort to maintain the status quo, and make sure no one could reach the Marika, whatever their intentions with her power may be.
Change Comes Anyway
Despite his best efforts, the tarnished reaches the Kiln, and burns the Erdtree, turning Radagon's seal to ashes, and allowing entry.
After defeating Hoarah Loux, the Tarnished enters, and sees Marika hanging limp on a cross. Radagon, recognizing he has failed, takes control, and wields the hammer that shattered the Elden Ring to be its last line of defense.
Moveset
Radagon is a mere shadow of his former self, weakened by the shattering of the Elden Ring. In this way, I would compare him to Gwyn, Lord Of Cinder, who is also on the chopping block. Nonetheless, he's a formidable opponent that can catch you off guard easily.
In Phase 1, he'll primarily dash at you for a hammer combo, occasionally making the ground erupt with a golden shattering. Sometimes he'll pin you with a holy spike for a grab, in which he'll use you as practice for hammering a nail. If you're far away, he'll also try to throw holy bolts at you. Also, don't even try to hit him with projectiles, he will parry that shit.
Once he reaches 50% health, he enters a pseudo phase 2. He'll start teleporting, which can damage you if you're too close. He also gains an additional move, where he brings the hammer up and crashes down 3 times, causing a massive AOE shockwave and imbuing the pattern of the Elden Ring on the ground.
Theme: The Final Battle
Radagon's theme is The Final Battle, an epic reprisal of the game's main theme, and my personal favorite. The shot of Radagon lifting the hammer as the choir gets ready to sing their throats out is just divine.
While not much needs to be said, there is a small detail that I love in this track that isn't featured in the title screen version is the bridge. Midway through, you can literally hear the Elden Ring shatter, and a few discordant smithing noises after, symbolizing Radagons attempts to repair it.
Overall, Radagon is a fun and fair fight, unlike...
Elden Beast
After putting down Radagon, the true antagonist reveals itself. Elden Beast, a vassal for the Greater Will. Also, if you look closely, Radagon got turned into a sword, which is pretty amusing and a horrifying fate.
If you were disappointed by Radagon in terms of difficulty, first of all you're stupid and second off, congratulations, now you get to fight one of the most bullshit bosses.
Moveset
Thanks to a patch from our lord and savior Miyazaki, we can mount Torrent to help us dodge some of the Beasts attacks. Emphasis on some.
Elden Beast only has 1 phase, but it'll constantly swim to the other side of the Arena, resulting in a wild goose chase where you stumble to get like 4 hits in before it runs away again.
Among giant sword swings, holy flames, bullet hell attacks, and rings, the thing you need to look out for the most is Elden Stars, a projectile which sends out tinier projectiles in all directions. You can only avoid this by running around like a madman and hoping you don't get hit.
It's Theme
Elden beast's theme is an extension of the harp section you hear at the beginning of the title theme. An orchestral piece led by a female choir, the theme really puts the fact that you're fighting a god into perspective.
Conclusion
Theres a big theme with Radagon: Repair. I can fix the Lands Between. I can fix my wife and kids. I can fix the Elden Ring. He literally wields a hammer when fighting you. Despite this, the land lies in disrepair, he couldn’t even save himself from becoming a shattered, broken man.
Firth was pretty silly so heres a pallet cleanser. Probably gonna do a suggestion for the next one. Stay tuned.

















