In the sprawling, unforgiving world of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, a singular legend has emerged from the chaos, one that has left even the most hardened Tarnished in awe. While the community collectively grapples with the DLC's brutal final challenge, Consort Radahn—a boss so punishing he makes the infamous Malenia feel like a leisurely stroll—one player has achieved the seemingly impossible. This individual defeated the demigod at Rune Level One, without the crucial empowerment of a single Scadutree Fragment, and without taking a single hit. The feat, accomplished by utilizing a save file that skipped directly to the battle, may not be a traditional, full-DLC RL1 run, but its sheer audacity and precision have redefined the boundaries of player skill. It's a victory that stands as a stark monument in the landscape of 2026's gaming achievements, a whisper of perfection in a symphony of controlled, brutal violence.
The Anatomy of an Impossible Fight
The victory wasn't just about avoiding damage; it was a masterclass in resource management and predictive combat. Consort Radahn is a tempest of celestial and gravitational fury, with attack patterns that can feel as random and overwhelming as a collapsing star. To face him at RL1 is to operate with a health pool akin to a soap bubble and damage output that feels like trying to carve marble with a feather. Without Scadutree Fragments—the DLC's primary system for increasing damage dealt and reducing damage taken—every mistake is fatal, and every encounter is a protracted war of attrition.
This player's approach was a ballet of minimalism. Eschewing parries, buffs, or any complex mechanics, they relied purely on foundational skills: precise dodging, impeccable spacing, and an intimate understanding of every frame of Radahn's animations. The fight became less of a brawl and more of a high-stakes puzzle, where each solution was a perfectly timed roll or a cautiously placed attack. It was a performance where the player's focus was as sharp and unyielding as a surgeon's scalpel, dissecting the boss's movements with cold, calculated efficiency.

The Community's Relentless Gauntlet
As is tradition in the Elden Ring community, a monumental achievement is merely the starting pistol for a cascade of even more ludicrous challenges. The player's video, shared across forums and social media, was met with a mixture of reverence and mischievous provocation.
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"Now this is true skill," one fan applauded. "Incredible work my friend. Unarmed bare fists run when?"
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Another commenter took a more teasing tone: "Still using a weapon I see? Casual."
The challenge didn't stop at weaponless combat. The community quickly pointed out the elephant in the room: the skipped content. Right before Radahn lies another infamous hurdle, the gang battle against Leda and her cohorts—a chaotic, multi-enemy brawl that many find more frustrating than the one-on-one duel with the demigod. Fans immediately petitioned the player to return and conquer that gauntlet on the same crippled character. "If you want, I'll go beat Leda and her gang on this save, just for you," the player gamely replied, acknowledging the unfinished business.
Yet the suggestions grew ever more extreme. Proposals flooded in for a New Game Plus Seven attempt—the game's ultimate difficulty setting where enemy health and damage are astronomically inflated. Facing Radahn under those conditions, even with a fully leveled character, is a trial that would make most players' controllers tremble; attempting it at RL1 without fragments is a concept as absurd as trying to hold back the ocean with a teacup.
A Testament to Human Skill in a Digital Arena
This accomplishment transcends a simple boss kill. It represents the pinnacle of what dedicated players can achieve when they merge deep systemic knowledge with inhuman reflexes and patience. In an age where games are often completed through grinding or leveraging overpowered builds, this run is a pure, unadulterated expression of skill. The player didn't out-level the challenge; they out-thought and out-maneuvered it on its own brutal terms.
Their victory over Consort Radahn is a beacon for the community, a reminder that the most imposing walls can be scaled with enough determination and practice. It has sparked new discussions about boss design, player limits, and the very nature of challenge in modern gaming. While the community may never stop concocting harder trials—a fight where the controller is held upside-down, perhaps, or one conducted blindfolded—this particular feat will stand as a legendary benchmark. For now, maybe we should simply celebrate this staggering victory and let the player enjoy their hard-earned peace, at least until the next DLC drops and the cycle of challenge begins anew. 🏆⚔️