how to get radahn great rune

Acquiring the Great Rune of Starscourge Radahn is a pivotal and formidable challenge in the Lands Between. This shard of the Elden Ring, pulsating with gravitational might, is not merely a trophy but a key to reshaping your character's destiny. The journey to claim it is a multi-stage epic, testing combat prowess, exploration skills, and sheer determination. This guide will navigate the path to conquering the legendary general and harnessing the power of his Great Rune.

Table of Contents

Preparation: The Road to Redmane Castle
The Festival of War: A Collective Assault
Confronting Starscourge Radahn: Strategy and Execution
Claiming the Great Rune and Activating Its Power
The Legacy of the Starscourge

Preparation: The Road to Redmane Castle

The journey begins not on the battlefield, but with the quest to reach it. Starscourge Radahn resides in Redmane Castle, perched on the southern coast of Caelid. Gaining access requires traversing this scarlet-rotted region, a perilous endeavor in itself. Two primary paths exist. The first is through the Smoldering Church in Limgrave, descending into the treacherous depths of the Siofra River well and emerging in Caelid via a coffin ride. The second, more direct route is simply braving the main road from the Dragon-Burnt Ruins eastward, though this path is fraught with monstrous crows and diseased dogs.

Upon arriving at the imposing Redmane Castle, you may find its plaza eerily quiet or besieged by lesser foes. To trigger the Radahn Festival—the event necessary to challenge the general—you must advance the world's state. This is most reliably achieved by reaching the Altus Plateau. Simply obtaining either half of the Dectus Medallion and riding the Grand Lift, or scaling the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, will progress time and summon the festival hosts to the castle. Alternatively, progressing Ranni's questline or resting at a specific site of grace within the castle itself can also initiate the event.

The Festival of War: A Collective Assault

The Radahn Festival transforms Redmane Castle from a fortress into a war camp. Champions like Blaidd, Alexander the Iron Fist, and Patches gather, their presence signaling the monumental battle ahead. Exhausting their dialogue is crucial, as they will become instrumental allies. Speaking to the festival host, Jerren, and resting at the newly available site of grace will prepare you for the final step. A teleporter at the far end of the plaza, now active, is your gateway to the battlefield: the burning, desolate sands of the Wailing Dunes.

This phase underscores a unique aspect of the Radahn encounter. You are not expected to face the demigod alone. The festival is a call to arms, a collective effort to give Radahn a warrior's death. The mechanics of the fight are designed around this premise, making preparation of your spirit summoning bell unnecessary, as a legion of NPC summons awaits your signal on the dunes.

Confronting Starscourge Radahn: Strategy and Execution

The battle with Starscourge Radahn is a spectacle of cosmic horror and martial grandeur. The strategy unfolds in distinct phases. Initially, you must navigate the dunes while Radahn fires colossal gravitational arrows and spears. Use the scattered debris and terrain for cover while summoning the available NPC signs scattered across the battlefield. Each summon distracts Radahn, creating vital openings.

Once engaged in melee, Radahn's immense size and sweeping attacks demand careful spacing. Mounted combat on Torrent is highly recommended for its mobility, allowing you to close distance rapidly after his devastating leap attacks and retreat from his gravitational vortexes. The second phase is triggered at half health, as Radahn transforms into a meteor and crashes from the sky. This leads to more aggressive melee combes infused with gravitational magic and fiery explosions.

Patience is the ultimate weapon. Do not grow greedy. Treat the fight as a war of attrition, using the continuously re-summonable NPC allies as a frontline. Attack during the recovery of his grander moves, such as after his multi-slam combos or his hovering gravitational charge. Exploiting his susceptibility to Scarlet Rot or Hemorrhage can significantly shorten the duel, but surviving his overwhelming offense remains the core challenge.

Claiming the Great Rune and Activating Its Power

Victory is met with a cinematic demise, as the stars held in stasis by Radahn's power are finally set free. Your reward is the immediate acquisition of Radahn's Great Rune and a staggering 70,000 runes. However, the Great Rune is inert in this state. To unlock its formidable boon, you must ascend the Divine Tower of Caelid.

This journey requires returning to the now-changed Redmane Castle and accessing the newly opened elevator behind the boss arena. Traversing the bridge beyond leads to the tower itself. A daunting platforming climb awaits, culminating in a chamber at the summit. Interacting with the dead Two Fingers at the apex will finally activate Radahn's Great Rune. This process of activation at a Divine Tower is consistent for most major Great Runes, a necessary ritual to awaken their latent strength.

Once activated, the Great Rune's effect must be enabled by consuming a Rune Arc. Radahn's rune provides a massive increase to maximum HP, FP, and Stamina. This blanket enhancement to all core resources is uniquely versatile, benefiting every build from fragile mages to stalwart warriors, making it one of the most universally powerful and sought-after Great Runes in the game.

The Legacy of the Starscourge

Securing the Great Rune of Starscourge Radahn is more than a combat milestone; it is a narrative and mechanical cornerstone. It represents the toppling of one of the mightiest Shardbearers, a key step in mending the Elden Ring. The rune's power reflects Radahn's own legendary stature, granting not a specialized trick but raw, overwhelming vitality—a fitting inheritance from the warrior who held the very stars at bay.

Furthermore, Radahn's defeat unlocks vast new avenues for exploration. The falling stars open up previously inaccessible areas, including the path to Nokron, Eternal City, which is essential for several profound questlines. Thus, the pursuit of this Great Runeechoes throughout the entire journey, its rewards extending far beyond the immediate statistical boost. It is a testament to the game's design, where a single, monumental victory ripples out to reshape the world, empowering the Tarnished for the conflicts that lie ahead.

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