Elden Ring DLC Boss Perfect Parry Guide: Radahn Shadow of the Erdtree

The One Attack You Need to Master

In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Radahn presents one of the most punishing move sets in FromSoftware history. His rapid left-and-right slash combo, followed by a cross-slash, is widely considered the hardest attack to dodge in the entire fight. Here’s the secret: ignore the first two slashes entirely. They’re deliberately tricky to time. Instead, focus your roll on the final cross-slash, then immediately heal or leech back the lost health. If you find yourself struggling to survive long enough to master this timing, you might consider whether to buy Elden Ring Runes to strengthen your character beforehand—though the real solution lies in learning this dodge pattern, not just raw stats.

Melee Parrying Strategy

1. Use Malenia’s Great Rune

This rune received a significant buff recently, and it’s exceptionally effective here. In Phase 2, you will inevitably take minor chip damage. Malenia’s Great Rune lets you instantly leech that health back through follow-up attacks, preserving your flasks for emergencies.

2. Max Out Holy Resistance

Radahn’s Phase 2 attacks deal heavy Holy damage. If you’re running a Faith build, cast your strongest Holy damage negation incantation before the fight begins. This alone can turn near-fatal combos into manageable hits.

3. The Cross-Slash Combo (Revisited)

As mentioned, the rapid left-right slashes are bait. Don’t panic roll. Let them connect if necessary, then time your dodge for the cross-slash. Afterward, either attack to trigger Malenia’s leech or use a healing flask.

4. Cerulean Hidden Tear – Save It

The Infinite FP Crystal Tear is tempting, but don’t waste it on standard offense. Save it specifically for Radahn’s most dangerous moves: his “Vacuum Pull” attack or the massive Phase 2 AoE blast. For everything else, standard rolling suffices.

5. Never Roll Backward in Phase 2

This is critical. Rolling backward almost guarantees you’ll get hit by his vertical light beams. Instead, roll into Radahn—forward or to the sides. This closes the distance and places you safely past the beam hitboxes.

6. Phantom Slashes Are Deceptive

Don’t fear the various “Phantom Slashes” in Phase 2. They deal almost no damage. If you die during these sequences, it’s nearly always due to the final physical slash and the explosion that follows. Tank the initial phantom hits safely; just focus your dodging on that lethal closing strike.

7. Carian Retaliation Ash of War

If your build allows, equip Carian Retaliation. It lets you sneak in magic damage during brief openings and can serve as a high-risk, high-reward finisher when Radahn’s health is low.

8. The Massive Phase 2 Explosion? Don’t Dodge

Counterintuitive but true: you don’t actually need to dodge this explosion. With maxed Holy Resistance, use the Cerulean Hidden Tear (if equipped) or simply block with any shield or weapon. You’ll take virtually no damage—and the explosion’s recovery window is the perfect moment to heal up.

Final Mindset Tip

Focus your attention on the attacks that can truly kill you. Minor, hard-to-avoid chip damage shouldn’t shake your composure. You aren’t aiming for a no-hit run, and you have plenty of healing flasks. Remember: Phantom Slashes deal negligible damage. Death typically comes only from the final physical slash and the subsequent explosion. Tank the early hits, dodge the finisher, and stay aggressive. If you ever need to restock or optimize your gear without endless farming, you can buy Elden Ring Items from MMOEXP for a reliable and efficient experience. You’ve got this, Tarnished.