Facing the Red Wolf of Radagon in Elden Ring is no small feat; this formidable foe guards the path to the Academy of Raya Lucaria with a ferocity that can catch even seasoned players off guard. As the first major boss within this mystical realm, the Red Wolf combines swift physical attacks with devastating magical spells, creating a challenging encounter that demands both strategy and skill. Whether you’re a melee fighter or a magic user, understanding its attack patterns and preparing your defenses can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Dive into our guide to uncover essential tips and tactics that will help you conquer this fierce guardian and continue your journey toward becoming Elden Lord.
The first version of the boss is in Liurnia of the Lakes, more precisely in the Raya Lucaria Academy.
Red Wolf of the Champion on Mt. Gelmir:
Another version of the boss is on Mt. Gelmir, more precisely in the Gelmir Hero’s Grave.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Red Wolf of Radagon rewards players with significant benefits that enhance their journey in Elden Ring. Upon conquering this formidable foe, players earn 14,000 runes, which can facilitate leveling up or purchasing items crucial for survival in the game. Additionally, players receive a Memory Stone, allowing them to equip more spells, thereby expanding their magical capabilities. This victory not only paves the way to confront the next major boss, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, but also serves as a critical milestone in the player’s quest through the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Defeating Red Wolf of Radagon rewards you with 14,000 Runes and a Memory Stone that increases the number of slots for sorceries/incantations.
However, for defeating the Red Wolf of the Champion, located on Mt. Gelmir, you will receive Bloodhound Knight Floh Ashes and 21,000 Runes. What’s more, there is a chest in the arena with Deathroot.
General tips
To effectively conquer the Red Wolf of Radagon in Elden Ring, players should focus on a few essential strategies. Preparation is key: ensure your character has high magical resistance by equipping armor that offers good protection against magic attacks. This will help mitigate the damage from the wolf’s powerful sorceries. Understanding attack patterns is crucial; memorize the wolf’s combos and learn to dodge or roll into its leap attacks for better positioning. Utilizing Spirit Ash summons can provide a significant advantage, distracting the wolf and allowing you to land hits safely. Lastly, maintain a balance between offense and defense—capitalize on openings after the wolf’s attack sequences, but always be ready to evade its swift and deadly strikes. Following these tips will enhance your chances of defeating this challenging boss.
- During the boss fight you can summon reinforcements in form of other players or ashes.
- The Red Wolf deals mostly magic damage. You should equip gear increasing your resistance to magic.
- Watch out for its sword which it conjures while attacking. These are mainly horizontal attacks.
- You can block its attacks with a shield. Be careful when the boss jumps into the air. In this case dodging when it lands is much safer than blocking.
Mage build – how to fight?
To effectively fight the Red Wolf of Radagon as a mage in Elden Ring, focus on maximizing your magical defenses and utilizing ranged spells. Equip armor that offers high magic resistance, such as the Karolos Glintstone Crown and Raya Lucarian Robe, to mitigate the wolf’s potent magical attacks. During the battle, maintain distance and use fast-casting spells like Glintstone Pebble to chip away at its health while staying mobile. Be mindful of the wolf’s attack patterns; dodge its leaping strikes and summon spells to create openings for your own attacks. Additionally, consider using Spirit Ashes to distract the wolf, allowing you to cast spells safely from afar. By combining defensive strategies with agile spellcasting, you can outmaneuver this formidable foe and secure victory.
Red Wolf of Radagon is a very fast and agile opponent. He rarely exposes himself to attack and keeps jumping away. He also often uses magic attacks what will follow you. Therefore, it is worth getting a relatively fast weapon and armor that will protect you not only from magic, but also from physical damage.
You should summon someone to help you first, mainly to distract the boss. The Red Wolf is very aggressive and doesn’t give you much time to cast spells. Ashes which summon several units at a time will be helpful, such as the wolves or demi-humans.
During the battle you should run away to a safe distance and then cast as many spells as you can. The boss is, unfortunately, quite agile and dodges as soon as you cast a spell. This makes Magic Glintblade and the Carian Slicer/Piercer invaluable.
Watch out for the wolf’s magic attacks. It doesn’t fire them immediately after conjuring, but once the blades materialize. It often fires swords and then immediately jumps. After dodging its magic be ready to dodge again.
Melee build – how to fight?
To effectively engage the Red Wolf of Radagon in Elden Ring, a melee build should focus on agility and timing. This boss is known for its rapid attacks and magical abilities, making it crucial to learn its patterns. Utilize dodge rolls to evade its swift lunges and magical projectiles, particularly when it summons glintstone daggers. After successfully dodging an attack, capitalize on the brief recovery time of the wolf to land 2-3 quick strikes. Equipping armor with high magic resistance will also help mitigate damage from its magical attacks. Additionally, using a shield with good magic negation can provide extra defense during critical moments, allowing you to maintain pressure while minimizing risk.
Try to keep a moderate distance during most of the fight. The reason is that when you are far away from the boss, he will attack by jumping into the air with a sword in its teeth. Avoiding this attack is relatively easy (dodge upon landing), so you can gain a few precious seconds to attack, because the wolf will need a breather.
At this distance, however, you have to watch out for his magical attacks. If three blue clusters of spells appear near the boss, prepare to sprint sideways – this is the easiest way to avoid the triple shots. This also applies to the single projectile that the boss will also shoot.
The wolf will also often shorten the distance. In such situations, be prepared to dodge a whole series of attacks – especially bites. His attacks will throw you out of balance very quickly, so use a shield as a protection.
If possible, stay behind the boss’s back – this way, the magic sword’s attacks will be easier to avoid. The same applies to the boss’s biting attacks. It’s best to dodge towards him, to get behind his back as often as possible.
As for the rest of the magic attacks, watch out for the one that materializes in his mouth. After that, the wolf will jump into the air and release an arrow that deals high damage. You can dodge it just like the other missiles – moving quickly to the side, preferably sprinting. A well-timed dodge will, of course, also work.
What are the best strategies to counter the Red Wolf of Radagon’s magical attacks
To effectively counter the Red Wolf of Radagon’s magical attacks in Elden Ring, players should adopt a combination of strategic movement, defensive measures, and timely aggression. Here are the best strategies:
Key Strategies
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Dodge and Roll Timing:
- Glintblade Attacks: The Red Wolf often creates magical glintblades that can track you. When you see him dash and create these blades, dodge sideways to avoid them. Keep moving to evade multiple blades that may be fired in succession.
- Jumping Attacks: When the wolf jumps to unleash a powerful magic projectile, roll toward it as it leaps. This allows you to position yourself for a counterattack once it lands, taking advantage of its recovery time.
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Utilize Shields:
- Equip a shield with 100% physical damage negation to block melee attacks effectively. This is crucial as the wolf’s physical strikes can deal significant damage if you’re caught off-guard.
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Increase Magical Resistance:
- Prioritize armor and spells that boost your resistance to magical damage. Items like the Karolos Glintstone Crown and Raya Lucarian Robe can provide substantial protection against the wolf’s magical assaults.
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Aggressive Counterattacks:
- After the wolf finishes a combo or a major attack, it often leaves itself vulnerable. Take this opportunity to land a few hits before it recovers. This is particularly effective after its leap attack or when it finishes casting spells.
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Spirit Ash Summons:
- Use Spirit Ashes like the Spirit Jellyfish or Marionette Soldiers to distract the wolf. This can create openings for you to attack safely while the spirit draws its attention away from you.
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Close-Range Spellcasting:
- If you’re using magic, opt for fast-casting spells like Glintstone Pebble or melee-focused spells such as Carian Slicer. Position yourself strategically to minimize the wolf’s ability to dodge your attacks.
By combining these strategies, players can effectively mitigate the Red Wolf of Radagon’s magical threats and create opportunities for successful counterattacks, ultimately leading to victory in this challenging encounter.
What are the best weapons to use against the Red Wolf of Radagon
To effectively combat the Red Wolf of Radagon in Elden Ring, choosing the right weapons is crucial due to its unique resistances and weaknesses. Here are the best weapon options to maximize your chances of success against this formidable foe:
Best Weapons Against the Red Wolf of Radagon
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Katanas:
- Example: Uchigatana or Nagakiba
- Why: Katanas deal slash damage, which the Red Wolf is particularly vulnerable to. Their quick attack speed allows for rapid strikes, making it easier to connect hits between the wolf’s attacks.
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Straight Swords:
- Example: Longsword or Broadsword
- Why: These weapons provide a balance of speed and damage, allowing players to land consistent hits while maintaining mobility. They also benefit from being able to perform jumping attacks effectively.
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Flails:
- Example: Spiked Flail
- Why: Flails have a unique attack animation that can bypass shields and deal significant damage, making them effective against the wolf’s agile movements.
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Heavy Weapons with Slash Damage:
- Example: Greatsword or Colossal Sword
- Why: While slower, these weapons can deal heavy damage with charged attacks or jumping attacks, which are effective against the wolf’s poise, allowing for critical hits when it is staggered.
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Blood-Based Weapons:
- Example: Bloodhound’s Fang or weapons infused with Blood Arts
- Why: The Red Wolf is susceptible to blood loss effects, making these weapons particularly advantageous as they can chip away at its health rapidly.
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Magic Scaling Weapons:
- Example: Winged Scythe or Rosus’ Axe
- Why: If you prefer a magic build, these weapons scale with Intelligence and Faith while dealing physical damage. They can be effective when paired with fast spells like Glintstone Pebble during openings in the fight.
Combat Tips
- Focus on using quick, slashing attacks to exploit the wolf’s weakness.
- Combine melee attacks with strategic dodging to avoid its magical projectiles.
- Utilize jumping attacks to break its poise and set up for critical hits when possible.
By equipping one of these weapon types and employing effective combat strategies, players can significantly increase their chances of defeating the Red Wolf of Radagon and progressing in their journey through Elden Ring.
