An Esteemed Expansion
Shadow of the Erdtree has, overall, gone down about as well as one might expect. It’s one of FromSoftware’s best expansions yet, snagging an esteemed 95 in our Shadow of the Erdtree review. Naturally, this success has led to a flood of discourse, with “bosses are harder than usual” being one notable topic.
Boss Difficulty and Player Challenges
FromSoftware’s new standard for boss fights seems to involve every enemy in armor wielding a 100-step combo, exploding AoEs, and a level of aggression usually reserved for tilted MOBA players. The DLC’s final boss, Promised Consort Radahn, is no exception. While some Elden Ring players have managed to defeat him with surprising ease—using, for instance, a bottle of perfume—the challenge he presents cannot be understated.
Hitbox Controversies
One point of contention among players has been Radahn’s hitboxes. As outlined by YouTuber TheKevDev and shared on Reddit, Radahn’s hitboxes extend far beyond the actual model of his weapon. Particularly egregious freeze-frames illustrate that Radahn’s swords have significant phantom girth, with about 12-15 phantom inches protruding ghostly from the tip of his blade. This has undeniably added a layer of difficulty to an already challenging encounter.
FromSoftware’s Response
In response to player feedback, FromSoftware has patched Radahn’s hitboxes, though initial adjustments made the boss too easy. It’s noteworthy that similar corrections are yet to be made for Promised Consort Radahn. Despite these issues, Shadow of the Erdtree remains a testament to FromSoftware’s ability to craft engaging and challenging content, further cementing their legacy in the gaming industry.
