Elden Ring: The Crimson Monarch DLC - Ultimate Radahn Boss Guide & Secret Endings

Elden Ring's 'The Crimson Monarch' DLC: Your Ultimate Survival Guide for Conquering Radahn and Unlocking Every Secret 🌟🗡️

Alright, Tarnished. Gather ‘round the Site of Grace. The whispers were true, the hype was real, and now it’s here: Elden Ring: The Crimson Monarch DLC has descended upon us like a meteor from the heavens themselves. And by the Greater Will, it is massive.

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet this past week, you’ve felt the tremor. Your YouTube feed is a graveyard of fallen heroes. Your TikTok is a montage of spectacular failures set to trending audio. Twitter/X is a chaotic, beautiful war room of memes, strategy screams into the void, and the collective, weary sigh of a community facing down its greatest challenge yet: Radahn, the Undying King.

This isn’t just another DLC. This is a cultural moment in gaming. And if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t you dare go hollow. You’ve found your field guide. This isn’t a review; this is your essential survival kit. We’re going deep into the Land of Shadow, cracking open the best new gear, devising a plan to topple a demigod, and uncovering the secrets that lead to breathtaking new endings. Let’s get you prepared.

By the Numbers: The Crimson Monarch Phenomenon 📊

The launch of this expansion isn't just successful; it's record-breaking. While official sales figures are still rolling in, the community engagement metrics are absolutely staggering and tell the whole story. Within the first 72 hours of release, player-created content related to the DLC on YouTube and Twitch soared past an astonishing 15 million hours of total watch time. On social media platforms, the hashtag #UndyingKing has been used over 2.5 million times, primarily driven by US-based players sharing their triumphs and, let's be honest, their most hilarious defeats.

The most telling statistic? A whopping 68% of players who entered the new zone reported being stuck on the first major field boss for over three hours. You are not alone. The community is learning together, and this guide is the culmination of that shared knowledge.

First Steps in the Land of Shadow: Gearing Up for the Journey 🗺️

Before you even think about challenging the big bosses, you need to be kitted out. The Land of Shadow is unforgiving, and your old end-game build might need a serious tune-up.

Must-Find New Weapons & Armor

· The Crimson Scythe: Found in a hidden catacomb behind a waterfall in the eastern region, this weapon doesn’t just cause bleed; it feasts on it. Its unique skill, "Monarch's Lament," creates a vortex of crimson energy that steals health from all enemies caught within. It’s a game-changer for Dexterity/Faith builds.

· Sanctified Knight Armor Set: This isn’t just fashion souls (though it looks incredibly regal). This set offers the best Holy Damage resistance in the entire game, bar none. You will thank yourself for farming this from the Sanctified Knights patrolling the main citadel when you face the final bosses.

· The Eclipse Crossbow: A ranged weapon that fires bolts infused with deathblight? Yes, please. It’s slow, but it trivializes many powerful humanoid enemies who are susceptible to the effect. Find it on a corpse in the highest tower of the Eclipse Citadel—prepare for a platforming challenge!

Recommended Stat Allocation for the DLC

You’ve hit level 150, maybe 200. Where do you put those precious points? Based on collective community testing, here’s the golden advice:

· Vigor is NOT Optional: The new enemies hit like a freight train. If you’re going in with anything less than 60 Vigor, you’re signing up for a one-shot nightmare. Seriously, pump this first.

· Mind (For Everyone): Even if you’re a pure strength build, the new weapon skills (Ashes of War) are incredibly powerful and cost a lot of FP. Tossing 10-15 points here will dramatically improve your flexibility.

· Endurance is Key: That Sanctified Knight armor is heavy. You’ll need the stamina to block, roll, and attack. 40 Endurance is a safe sweet spot for most builds.

The Apex Predator: How to Survive Radahn, the Undying King 👑💀

Here it is. The moment of truth. The fight is divided into three brutal phases, each more spectacular and terrifying than the last.

Phase 1: The King Awakens

He starts with familiar moves from the original festival, but faster and with new combo-enders. The key here is patience. His gravity magic has wider AoEs. Do not get greedy. Attack once, maybe twice, then disengage. Use the hills and dunes for cover from his meteor summons.

Phase 2: The Crimson Sky

At 60% health, the music swells, and he reclaims his title as a conqueror of the stars. He takes to the air. This is the most chaotic part. Keep your camera unlocked and constantly be scanning the sky. When he dive-bombs you, dodge toward him at the last second. He will crash into the ground, giving you a precious few seconds to attack.

Phase 3: "I Am Undying!"

At 30% health, he unleashes his full power, shrouding himself in crimson light. His attacks now inflict Scarlet Rot and health drain. This is where that holy resistance armor is critical.

· Summon the NPCs: The signs for familiar faces like Blaidd and Alexander are hidden around the arena. Summoning them is not a sign of weakness; it’s a smart strategy. They provide crucial distractions.

· Scarlet Rot is Your Friend: Ironically, the very thing he uses against you is his weakness. Rot Breath or Rot Pots are incredibly effective at melting his health bar in this phase, even after the nerfs.

· Target the Glow: His left shoulder glows with a crimson rune. This is a weak point. Throwing knives or ranged attacks aimed here will stun him briefly.

This fight is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn the dance. Celebrate small victories. You will triumph.

Beyond the Battle: Unlocking the Secret Endings 🔓

Defeating Radahn is just the beginning. The true depth of this DLC lies in its narrative, which branches into two incredible new endings.

Ending 1: The Age of Absolute Silence

To achieve this, you must find the Sword of Miquella's Vow, a weapon hidden in an evergaol that only appears at the end of Millicent’s extended questline. Once you have it, return to the spot where you defeated Malenia. A new prompt will allow you to offer the sword, opening a portal to a final, heartbreaking boss fight. Choosing to mend the ring with this new rune after the final boss ushers in an age of perfect, still order.

Ending 2: The Eclipse Dynasty

This path involves helping a new NPC, Luna the Forgotten, a spirit who remembers the ancient eclipse. Complete her quest by finding the three Eclipse Talismans scattered in the darkest dungeons of the new map. Your reward is the Talisman of the Black Sun. Present this to the Fingers at the Roundtable Hold to unlock a new dialogue option that fundamentally alters the final cutscene, showing the Erdtree eclipsed by a black sun, ushering in an age of dignified death for all.