Should You Fight Radahn Before Altus Plateau?
When it comes to the Elden Ring, players are faced with numerous decisions regarding which characters to interact with, quests to complete, and areas to explore. One crucial decision is whether to take on Radahn, the formidable Starscourge God, before or after visiting the Altus Plateau. In this article, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of battling Radahn before or after reaching the Altus Plateau, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Radahn’s Role in the Story
Radahn is a crucial figure in the Elden Ring’s narrative, and defeating him can have significant repercussions on the story. According to the lore, Radahn is a god with a complex and troubled history. He was once a champion of the gods but became corrupted by the power of the runes. Now, he seeks to become the most powerful being in the Lands Between, going so far as to slay the God-King.
Benefits of Defeating Radahn Before Altus Plateau
• Early Progression: Defeating Radahn before visiting the Altus Plateau can grant you significant early progression. He drops two runes, Ravenous Royals, which can boost your stats and abilities.
• Additional Storyline Insights: Taking on Radahn before reaching the Altus Plateau provides a unique perspective on the world’s lore. You’ll gain insight into Radahn’s motivations and the significance of his defeat.
• Enhanced Difficulty: Defeating Radahn beforehand will make future battles, including those in the Altus Plateau, significantly more challenging. This added difficulty can make the overall experience more rewarding and immersive.
Disadvantages of Defeating Radahn Before Altus Plateau
• Rushed Progression: If you defeat Radahn too early, you might feel pressured to rush through the rest of the game, neglecting other essential story beats and character interactions.
• Limited Options: After defeating Radahn, your character’s stats and abilities will be more defined. This can limit your future character builds and experimentation with different playstyles.
Benefits of Defeating Radahn After Altus Plateau
• Access to Additional Story Content: Completing the Altus Plateau and reaching other areas of the world unlocks new story content, characters, and quests. Defeating Radahn after experiencing these developments can provide a richer understanding of the narrative.
• Increased Difficulty with Radahn: If you save Radahn for later, you’ll face an even more formidable foe, making the battle more rewarding and challenging.
• Greater Character Build Flexibility: With Radahn as a potential future target, you can experiment with different builds and playstyles, utilizing the resources and abilities gathered throughout the game.
Disadvantages of Defeating Radahn After Altus Plateau
• Lessened Early Progression: By saving Radahn for later, you’ll miss out on the early benefits mentioned above, such as the runes and storyline insights.
• Tightened Scheduling: Defeating Radahn after reaching the Altus Plateau means you’ll have to dedicate a significant amount of time to preparing for and facing the battle.
In Conclusion
Whether to defeat Radahn before or after reaching the Altus Plateau is a crucial decision in the Elden Ring. Both options have their pros and cons, and ultimately, the choice comes down to your playstyle and preferences.
For the Early-Bird Advantages: Defeating Radahn before reaching the Altus Plateau grants you early progression, additional storyline insights, and enhanced difficulty.
For the Complete Story Experience: Defeating Radahn after completing the Altus Plateau and experiencing the game’s world, characters, and story beats provides a richer narrative and increased character build flexibility.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. We recommend playing through the game at least once, exploring different approaches, and then replaying with your preferred approach to experience the Elden Ring in all its complexity.