Defeating Promised Consort Radahn in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is the ultimate test of endurance, reflexes, and build optimization in Elden Ring. When you finally watch the remembrance screen pop up after that punishing second phase, you're left standing in an eerily quiet arena. Unlike base game bosses that trigger immediate world shifts, Radahn's defeat feels different because he sits at the absolute pinnacle of the expansion's difficulty curve. You've climbed the steepest mountain in the game, but what awaits you at the summit isn't credits or an immediate shift to New Game Plus. Instead, you're handed unique rewards, lingering map mysteries, and the freedom to tie up the final loose threads of the Land of Shadow.
If you're wondering how to properly close out your journey and squeeze every drop of value from your playthrough before putting down your controller or moving to a fresh character, you need a concrete plan. This guide walks you through claiming your hard-earned boss memories, clearing forgotten side content, optimizing your build for endgame testing, and prepping your save for future adventures.
Claiming Your Spoils and Memory Rewards
The immediate priority after beating Radahn is turning his remembrance into gear that defines high-level builds. Head straight to the Enia at Roundtable Hold to trade your hard-earned items, but don't rush into spending them blindly without checking your stat spreads.
Choosing Between Swords and Light
Radahn's Remembrance yields two distinct weapon options: the Lord's Greatswords (Light) and the Lord's Greatswords (Lord). Each weapon scales heavily with strength, dexterity, faith, or intelligence depending on which version you pick. If you spent dozens of attempts dodging his holy clone slashes, you might want revenge by wielding his dual light-greatswords. For another angle on this story, see the latest coverage from Reuters.
- Light Greatswords: Exceptional for aggressive, multi-hit playstyles with unique rolling attack chains.
- Colossal Sword alternative: Check your inventory for his armor set at the Finger Reader crone, which offers incredible physical defense and poise if you're running a heavy heavyweight tank build.
Duplicating Remembrances
If you want both weapon variants or his signature AoE spell (Miquella's Light) without starting a new playthrough, you must find a Walking Mausoleum. The Shadow Realm contains specific mausoleums that house remembrance duplication power, though many players miss them tucked away in obscure cliffside niches or behind phantom-ridden ruins. Make sure you clear out any lingering mausoleums before starting New Game Plus, as unused duplications do not carry over across playthroughs.
Clearing Hidden Side Quests and Forgotten Bosses
Beating the final expansion boss doesn't automatically lock you out of most side quests, but it can alter NPC locations or wrap up lingering threads. Take this time to backtrack across the map for things you skipped or ignored while rushing toward Enir-Ilim.
Hunting Down Remnants and Mausoleums
Did you fully explore every Abyssal Woods section, or did you sneak past the winter lantern madness enemies? Now that you're at peak character level with maximum Scadutree Blessings, revisit those dark corners.
- The Finger Ruins: If you haven't completed Count Ymir's questline, finishing it awards unique spells and lore clarity regarding the Greater Will and Miquella's ascent.
- Hidden Catacombs: Many players miss Scorpion River Catacombs or Stone Coffin Fissure. These dungeons reward high-tier upgrade materials and unique talismans that you'll want for PvP or NG+.
Checking on Surviving NPCs
Return to key hubs like the Grand Bazaar or the Cross sites of grace where St. Trina, Thiollier, and Moore spent their time. Depending on how their individual questlines resolved, you might find forgotten gear sets lying on the ground where they fell. Collecting missed armor sets now saves you hours of trading or hunting on subsequent runs.
Testing Your Endgame Build Against Optional Superbosses
If you conquered Radahn with heavy crutch strategies like fingerprint shields and poke spears, you might feel like you didn't truly master the combat system. Use your post-Radahn power spike to test your mettle against other elite challenges across both realms.
Taking on Bayle the Dread
If you haven't faced Bayle the Dread atop Jagged Peak, you're missing one of the most cinematic spectacles FromSoftware ever coded. Bayle provides a fight that rivals Radahn in raw aggression and camera management, but with a dragon-hunting twist. Equip the Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana and test your spacing without relying on spirit summons.
Clean Up Base Game Remnants
Many players jumped straight into the DLC the moment they beat Mohg, Lord of Blood, leaving Malenia, Blade of Miquella, or Dragonlord Placidusax untouched in the base game. Taking Radahn's endgame gear back to the Haligtree provides a satisfying victory lap, letting you melt bosses that previously caused you grief.
Preparing Your Save for New Game Plus
When you're finally ready to flip the switch and start over, a little preparation goes a long way. Don't rush into NG+ without checking off a final maintenance checklist.
Stockpiling Smithing Stones and Larval Tears
Carrying over your inventory means you can start a new character build immediately on NG+. Farm Bell Bearings and turn them into Twin Maiden Huskeis so you don't have to hunt down basic smithing stones all over again in Limgrave. Stock up on Larval Tears if you plan to respec into a completely different archetype—like a pure arcane bleed build or a magic-slinging astrologer—right from tutorial church.
Map Prep and Grace Activation
While map progress and sites of grace reset in NG+, remembering where major items and dungeons are located shortens your runtime significantly. Make a quick note of any cookbook locations or legendary talismans you missed so you can grab them efficiently on your second tour of the Lands Between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fight Promised Consort Radahn again without starting New Game Plus?
No. Once defeated, Radahn remains dead for the remainder of that playthrough cycle. If you want to experience the fight again, you must either drop your summon sign near the Gate of Divinity to help other players or progress to New Game Plus.
Do Scadutree Blessings carry over to New Game Plus?
No. All Scadutree and Revered Spirit ashes reset when you start a new journey. You will need to collect the fragments again in NG+, though the enemies scale up correspondingly in health and damage output.
What is the level cap for weapons after beating Radahn?
Weapons upgrade to a maximum of +25 for regular smithing stone weapons and +10 for somber stone weapons. Ensure your favorite armaments are fully upgraded before entering harder cycle difficulties.
Should I start New Game Plus immediately or wait for patches?
If you enjoy high-level cooperative play or want to experiment with PvP invasions around Limgrave and DLC hotspots, keeping a save parked right after Radahn is ideal. If you want a fresh challenge with scaling difficulty, start NG+ right away.
