How to Beat the Elden Beast in Elden Ring
Prepare for the Elden Beast with arena survival tips, effective damage choices and a clear explanation of the final encounter.
How to Beat the Elden Beast in Elden Ring
The Elden Beast is the final boss of the original Elden Ring, immediately following Radagon of the Golden Order. You must manage both phases as one demanding finale rather than spending every flask to finish Radagon. This guide covers the base game; Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign have separate progression and bosses. Spoiler warning: final encounter mechanics follow.
Prepare for a two-part fight
Allocate flasks for the combined encounter, and consider gear that improves protection against Holy damage. The Elden Beast often creates distance, so dependable ranged options or ways to close space matter. Prioritize a weapon you can use consistently over a fashionable build that burns all your stamina on one swing. Spirit Ashes may help in the base game when permitted; ensure you understand the summon system and your FP needs.
Radagon: make the first phase repeatable
Radagon uses delayed hammer swings, leaps, and area effects that punish early rolls. Watch the full animation rather than reacting to the wind-up alone. After a clear finishing slam or other committed recovery, use one or two safe hits and reset. Inconsistent aggression here is expensive because health lost now cannot be replenished by entering the second phase.
Elden Beast: think distance and space
Expect sweeping attacks, projectiles, and large luminous effects that force repositioning. Sprint when the boss travels far away, conserve stamina for the next attack, and use the wide arena rather than chasing blindly through lingering damage. When you see a large ring-like attack form, focus on reaching a safe route through its boundaries. Avoid greed after finally catching the boss; proximity is valuable only if you can survive the next tell.
Troubleshoot a stalled build
If melee damage windows are short, choose a safer attack rather than repeatedly committing to a long animation. If projectiles are the problem, experiment with camera distance and movement direction while keeping a defensive reserve. If the first phase drains your flask supply, practice Radagon separately in your mind as a resource-management test: your second-phase strategy begins before Elden Beast appears.
A phase-by-phase reset checklist
Before Radagon, confirm your damage and defense actually work with your stat spread. During Radagon, track how many flasks you spend per attempt. When Elden Beast begins, locate the boss before sprinting, and be prepared for another burst rather than assuming its distance means safety. After defeat, you can explore ending-related choices, but those outcomes are not the subject of this combat guide. Changing one variable between tries makes your learning easier to measure.
Related reading
For tactics or progression connected to this encounter, the next useful reads are Godskin Duo boss guide, Shadow of the Erdtree boss list, and what counts as the first Elden Ring boss.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elden Beast after Radagon?
Yes. Radagon of the Golden Order comes first in the base game's final encounter.
Is Elden Beast part of the DLC?
No. It is part of the original game's finale; Shadow of the Erdtree has separate bosses.
What should I prioritize if I run out of flasks?
Practice making Radagon repeatable and improve resource use before entering the second phase.