There’s nothing quite like killing a god in the morning. But Absolute Radiance (AbsRad) isn’t just any boss—she’s the final challenge of Hollow Knight, a brutal platforming gauntlet wrapped in relentless bullet-hell attacks.

If you’re struggling with this fight (like most sane people do), don’t worry—this guide will break down every phase, attack pattern, and strategy, so you can conquer the final nightmare of Hallownest once and for all.

---

Absolute Radiance: What You Need to Know Before the Fight

✔ Location: Pantheon of Hallownest (Final boss of Godhome)
✔ Difficulty: Extreme – Considered the hardest boss in Hollow Knight
✔ Health: 1,700 HP
✔ Phases: Six phases total, including platforming sections

🔥 Key Advice:

• Play slow and defensive – This fight is all about endurance.
• Use spells wisely – Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark can carry you through phases.
• Expect failure at first – Learning the attack patterns is more important than immediate victory.
• Don’t get greedy – Prioritize dodging over damage output.

---

Best Charm Loadout for Absolute Radiance

Since AbsRad is a long battle, you’ll want charms that maximize damage, mobility, and soul generation.

Recommended Charms:

• Unbreakable Strength → Boosts Nail damage.
• Quick Slash → Speeds up Nail attacks (great for early phases).
• Shaman Stone → Increases spell damage (Abyss Shriek is key).
• Steady Body → Stops knockback when attacking—great for platforms.
• Grubsong → Generates Soul when hit, helping sustain spell usage.

✔ Alternative Options:

• Mark of Pride → Increases Nail range (easier to hit AbsRad).
• Quick Focus → Heals faster (only if you prioritize survival).
• Spell Twister → Reduces spell cost (better for spell-heavy strategies).
• Nailmaster’s Glory → Buffs Nail Arts, for players who prefer Great Slash strategies.

🔥 Key Strategy:

• Focus on spells and careful movement.
• Use Descending Dark aggressively—its invincibility frames are a lifesaver.

---

Phase-by-Phase Breakdown

Absolute Radiance’s fight is divided into six phases, each more chaotic than the last. Here’s how to handle each stage efficiently.

---

Phase 1: Learning the Attack Patterns

This is the “calm before the storm” phase, but it still packs a punch. Radiance will teleport randomly and use five major attacks.

Attacks & Counters:

✔ Sword Wall → Radiance summons three waves of swords from one side of the screen.

• Counter: Walk away from the swords and find a gap to dash through.
• Best Strategy: Use Descending Dark if you’re cornered.

✔ Sword Rain → Swords drop vertically from the ceiling.

• Counter: Walk, don’t dash—dashing makes it harder to track openings.
• Best Strategy: Look for safe spots instead of reacting last-minute.

✔ Wall of Light → A horizontal light wave moves across the arena.

• Counter: Shade Dash through it or use Descending Dark for safety.

✔ Sword Burst → Radiance fires two rounds of circular sword projectiles.

• Counter: Step out of the way before they fire, like dodging Gorb’s spears.
• Best Strategy: Use Howling Shriek right after the second wave for free damage.

✔ Beam Burst → Three waves of laser beams fire outward.

• Counter: Move early—waiting too long will trap you between beams.

✔ Orb Attack (Hardest Move in Phase 1) → Four homing orbs that track you.

• Counter: Try to bait them into the ground—or use Descending Dark to escape.
• Best Strategy: Dodge the first two, then D-Dark through the rest.

---

Phase 2: The Spikes Appear

Things get worse here. Radiance starts teleporting over a spiked floor, forcing you to fight in a smaller space.

✔ New Mechanics:

• Spikes appear on the ground → They can be removed with Descending Dark.
• Limited movement options → Staying safe becomes harder.

🔥 Best Strategy:

• Use Descending Dark frequently—it removes spikes and grants invincibility.
• Prioritize dodging over attacking—don’t risk greedy hits.

---

Phase 3: The Continuous Sword Rain

Radiance now stays in the center while swords rain down endlessly.

✔ Two Strategies:

1. Slow & Safe: Jump between swords, wait for attack gaps, then strike.
2. Fast & Aggressive: Dump soul into Abyss Shriek to skip the phase entirely.

🔥 Best Strategy:

• If you’re good at dodging, save soul for later.
• If you struggle, use Abyss Shriek to rush to Phase 4.

---

Phase 4: The Platforming Nightmare

Now, there’s no floor—only floating platforms to stand on while Radiance spams her attacks.

✔ Key Challenges:

• Orbs become deadly → Use platforms as shields.
• Falling off only deals 1 damage (better than taking 2 from an attack!).
• Positioning is everything → If you chase Radiance, you’ll take more hits.

🔥 Best Strategy:

• Stay on middle platforms—Radiance will come to you.
• Spam Up-Slashes or Howling Shriek whenever she teleports close.
• Descending Dark is still your best friend—use it liberally.

---

Phase 5: The Climb (Final Platforming Section)

Now you must climb toward the top of the arena, avoiding rapid-fire laser beams.

✔ Two Climbing Methods:

1. Vertical Climb: Jump straight up and make small dodges to avoid lasers.
2. Horizontal Climb: Jump outward, dash back onto platforms to reposition.

🔥 Best Strategy:

• Use Monarch Wings carefully—hovering can help you dodge beams.
• Don’t rush—lasers fire in predictable timing.
• If you fall, don’t panic—you have time to recover.

---

Final Phase: The Last Pogo

Now, Radiance is almost dead, and there are only two platforms left.

✔ The Trick:

• Pogo on Radiance’s head to avoid the homing orbs.
• She teleports frequently → Be ready to double jump mid-air.
• Only takes 10 more hits to win!

🔥 Best Strategy:

• If you fall, recover immediately—this phase is short but deadly.
• Stay aggressive but don’t overcommit—small mistakes can still kill you.

---

How to Beat Absolute Radiance on Radiant Difficulty

✔ Overcharm for Extra Soul Generation:

• Swap Grubsong for Soul Eater → More soul = More spells.
• Focus on Abyss Shriek—skipping phases is the best strategy.

✔ Master Phase 4 → If you struggle here, you won’t win on Radiant.
✔ Practice without healing → Get used to dodging every attack flawlessly.
✔ Always Remember: When in doubt, Descending Dark!

---

Final Thoughts: Beating Absolute Radiance

Once you’ve conquered Absolute Radiance, you’ve officially mastered Hollow Knight. This is a battle of patience, precision, and resilience—but with practice, even the hardest boss in the game will fall before you.

Now go forth, little bug—the light must be extinguished.