Somehow, Elden Ring manages to give each of its bosses, be it main or optional, a distinct aura and an unmatched satisfaction in beating them. This is especially evident in the Great Enemy bosses.
One of these Great Enemy bosses is Red Wolf of Radagon, a giant red wolf able to manifest swords, magic daggers, and magic blasts. Its attacks are ruthless and relentless, capable of inflicting devastating damage to its targets. And yet, with a clear mindset and an intelligent strategy, you can easily get the better of the Red Wolf.
Red Wolf of Radagon Overview
Red Wolf of Radagon is guarding its master, who has long left it. It is a fierce guardian, motivated by grief to annihilate anyone and anything that dares cross its path. Only a madman would take on the Red Wolf of Radagon, and we can see why.
Is Red Wolf of Radagon optional?
While Red Wolf of Radagon is not considered one of the main story bosses, it blocks the path leading to Queen Rennala, meaning that defeating the Red Wolf is mandatory if you want to proceed further into the Legacy Dungeon and want to take on Queen Rennala.
Weaknesses: Red Wolf of Radagon is weak to slash damage.
Red Wolf of Radagon’s Location and How to Get There: Red Wolf of Radagon can be encountered in Raya Lucaria Academy, near the Schoolhouse Classroom Site of Grace. Here is how you can get to it:
You will first need to obtain the key to unlock the seal to the city if you have not obtained it already. You can find the key next to the sleeping dragon in Temple Quarter. Once you have done that, you can either normally travel to South Raya Lucaria Gate or teleport there, where you will find the sealed gate leading to an empty building.
Stand on the platform in the middle and wait for it to start rising. It will take you to the Academy of Raya Lucaria, where you will have to follow the path in front of you while evading the enemies there until you reach the church.
Take the door on the left side of the church and go right, then left and out of the church. Make your way downhill and over the bridge, then to the building guarded by skeletons. Ride the elevator, located at the end of the hallway, and dismount on the first cliff.
Enter the building on the said cliff and keep following the path until you reach a cross-section. Go right and up both sets of stairs.
The red carpet will lead you to the entrance to the boss fight, identifiable by the mist that is covering it.
Pre-fight Preparation
We will first discuss some tips to help prepare you for your boss fight with Red Wolf of Radagon. We will then move on to the fight strategy.
What level should you be for Red Wolf of Radagon?
Ideally, you should reach at least level 35 before taking on the Red Wolf of Radagon in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. But apart from that, we advise you boost your vigor stats to withstand the Red Wolf’s barrage of attacks.
Equip a good shield
With 100% physical resistance, a good shield would come in extra handy against the Red Wolf’s various attacks, but especially against its bite attacks.
Dodging is equally as effective against the Red Wolf’s attacks. However, blocking can be used as an offensive tool by creating prime striking opportunities.
Can you summon Red Wolf of Radagon?
You will notice that there is no NPC summon sign near the Red Wolf of Radagon’s mist door, so NPCs cannot be summoned. On the other hand, Spirit ashes can be summoned to aid you through this boss fight.
Summon spirit ashes
Spirit ashes can distract the Red Wolf and tank its strong melee attacks while you safely attack it from a distance. Most spirit ashes should do the trick, so summon whichever you are most familiar with.
Our pick for this boss fight is Kaiden Sellsword Ashes, courtesy of its curved swords, which can exploit the Red Wolf’s weakness to slash damage. Kaiden Sellsword Ashes can be obtained after defeating the Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Cliffbottom Catacombs.
Melee players should equip a lightweight weapon that deals slash damage.
Exploit the Red Wolf’s weakness to slash damage by equipping one of the many slashing weapons in Elden Ring. Your weapon of choice should also be lightweight so that your attacks can match the pace of the Red Wolf. In addition to that, attacks with lightweight weapons consume less of your stamina than their heavy counterparts, leaving you with more stamina for blocking and dodging.
Our only recommendation would be to use a fast-attacking weapon like the Uchigatana katana.
Casters should use quick casts.
Your best bet against the Red Wolf, as a ranged player, is to maintain a far distance from the boss by staying mobile at all times, even when attacking.
Spells like the Glintstone Pebbles allow you to shoot projectiles instantly and even while moving. You should already have Glintstone Pebbles if you started as an Astrologer. If not, you can purchase it from Sorceress Sellen, Thops, or the Twin Maiden Husks for 1,000 Runes.
Use the Barricade Shield Ash of War
Should you opt to block the Red Wolf’s attacks instead of dodging them, you will find yourself yearning for more stamina after a couple of blocks, placing you in a rather disadvantageous situation.
The Barricade Shield Ash of War will negate that effect and allow you to preserve your stamina for as long as possible and increase your shield’s effectiveness.
Ash of War: Barricade Shield can be obtained after defeating Night’s Cavalry at Weeping Peninsula. If you would like some help on beating Night’s Cavalry, feel free to check out our guide.
Feel free to bring melee spells or incantations for additional support
Thanks to the Red Wolf’s aggressiveness, you will constantly find yourself within melee reach of the boss, which is somewhat good for melee players but not so much for ranged builds.
The Carian Slicer spell would work great in that situation, as it manifests a magic sword and performs a sweeping slash with it. Carian Slicer can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 1,500 Runes.
If you are a fan of incantations, you can bring in any that you feel could help in this boss fight. We feel the Lightning Spear incantation could be of great assistance to melee players, as it is used to shoot lightning spears at the enemy from a distance.
Fight Strategy
It is time to plan. Before you dive into the strategies and the boss fight itself, remember that composure and level-headedness are of the utmost importance in any boss fight, especially in this one.
Capitalize on the Red Wolf’s lengthy recovery times
Most of the Red Wolf’s attacks come with considerably long recovery times, leaving the boss vulnerable to attacks.
You can effortlessly dodge into or to the side of its attacks, then strike back. The Red Wolf’s jumping slam has an especially long recovery time, so ensure you deal as much damage as possible.
Beware that the recovery times for the Red Wolf’s bite attacks are considerably shorter than the rest.
Keep an eye for the Red Wolf’s magic projectiles.
Be it the magic daggers or the more powerful magic blast, the minute you notice the start of either attack, focus on the Red Wolf and be ready to move out of the way.
The magic daggers can be easily evaded by sprinting or dodging out of their way, while the blast will require you to dodge just as the blast is about to hit you.
Hold your shield up while moving.
To avoid catching any strays, you should hold your shield up while you back away from the Red Wolf. The boss will often charge at you while you are backing away, in which case, a shield would save you a lot of trouble.
Bait the boss into attacking
Try to bait the Red Wolf into attacking you by keeping your distance from it, then dodge into or to the side of the attack. You’ll have ample time to strike and deal considerable damage. As mentioned previously, many of the Red Wolf’s attacks come with lengthy recovery times. As mentioned previously, many of the Red Wolf’s attacks come with lengthy recovery times.
You will find the most success countering the Red Wolf’s jumping slam attack.
Do note that the Red Wolf’s magic attacks cannot be countered.
Block the Red Wolf’s melee attacks
Assuming your shield has 100% physical resistance, you can consistently block the Red Wolf’s melee sword attacks and most of its bite attacks.
If you are fighting the boss from close quarters, do not be shy to use your shield and even guard counter the boss’s attacks.
Spam your casts and projectiles.
You will quickly notice that the Red Wolf keeps dodging your casts and projectiles if you are a ranged player. Your best bet is to spam your quick casts and leave the Red Wolf no time or space to dodge all of them.
Make the most out of your surroundings.
Should you maintain a high level of aggression against the Red Wolf, you will find that it will often try to back away and create distance. With the right moves, you can force the Red Wolf into the arena’s walls or one of its four corners, immobilizing it and giving yourself a massive advantage over the boss.
This will be most helpful to ranged players, as the Red Wolf will no longer be able to evade your projectiles.
Do note that summoned spirit ashes will help you achieve the same goal of impeding the Red Wolf.
Try to keep your distance.
Regardless of your character build, staying in the Red Wolf’s melee reach is much more arduous and exhausting than staying clear of the boss, as you will have to fend off a foray of melee attacks in quick succession.
Keep clear of the boss and let it come to you instead of approaching it yourself.
Rewards
Once you reign victorious over the Red Wolf of Radagon, you will receive the following rewards:
- 14,000 Runes.
- Memory Stone: A key Item that increases memory slots.
- Access to the Legacy Dungeon: The dungeon leads straight to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.
Hopefully, this guide has fulfilled its purpose of educating you on the ins and outs of your boss’s fight with the Red Wolf of Radagon. Take on the knowledge and strategies bequeathed to you in this guide and implement them to take down the Red Wolf with grace.
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