Facing Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Elden Ring is a daunting challenge that tests both strategy and skill. As you enter the fiery arena of Volcano Manor, the key to victory lies in wielding the Serpent-Hunter spear, a weapon specifically designed for this epic showdown. This two-phase battle pits you against the God-Devouring Serpent before revealing Rykard himself, whose grotesque form and devastating attacks will keep you on your toes. With the right tactics and preparation, you can conquer this formidable foe and claim his Great Rune, but beware—the path to victory is fraught with peril. Ready your spear and brace yourself for one of the most memorable boss fights in the Lands Between!
You can get to Rykard in three ways. The first one is to join the Volcano Manor, which will give you a key that opens most of the rooms. There is a hidden path in the first room on the right, you just need to find it and keep going. This will bring you to new locations, one of which contains a portal that will transport you to the boss fight arena.
The second option is to complete all orders from Tanith, Lady of the Volcano Manor.
In the room on the left you will find a letter from the Volcano Manor on the table. When you pick up the letter, a red marker will appear on your map. You will have to go there and kill several invaders in different locations. Next, Tanith will ask you if you want to meet the leader of the Volcano Manor. If you answer yes, you will be brought to him.
The third option is to follow the instructions given by Patches, who can also be found in Volcano Manor. He will tell you to move to Rai Lucaria Academy, then use the platform that goes round in circles. You have to climb onto one of these platforms and jump down to the very bottom (at the last moment). There’s an enemy at the bottom who will move you to Volcano Manor after absorbing and killing you.
Reward for defeating
Defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, yields significant rewards that enhance your gameplay experience in Elden Ring. Upon successfully vanquishing this formidable foe, players receive 130,000 Runes, which can be used to level up and improve character stats. Additionally, you will obtain Rykard’s Great Rune, a powerful item that can be activated to grant various benefits, and the Remembrance of the Blasphemous, which can be exchanged for unique weapons or spells at specific locations in the game. These rewards not only bolster your character’s abilities but also contribute to the overall progression in your journey through the Lands Between.
For defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, you will receive 130,000 Runes, the Rememberance of the Blasphemous and Rykard’s Great Rune.
General tips
To effectively defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Elden Ring, players should focus on a few key strategies. First, equip the Serpent-Hunter Great Spear, which is essential for this boss fight as it significantly enhances damage against Rykard. Second, position yourself strategically within the fiery area surrounding the boss to avoid most of his attacks while dealing damage. Third, be mindful of Rykard’s two distinct phases—beginning with the God-Devouring Serpent and transitioning to his humanoid form—each requiring patience and careful timing to dodge his powerful attacks. Utilizing these tips will increase your chances of success in this challenging encounter.
- When you enter the arena, you will see a weapon to pick up on the left in front of you. It’s a weapon that has special interactions in the fight with Rykard, including long-range aerial attacks. It makes the boss fight much easier, so it’s a good idea to equip this weapon.
- Using Mimic’s ashes will make the fight with Rykard even easier. Make sure that upon summoning Mimoc you’re wearing only the weapon you got at the entrance to the arena. This will increase the chance of Mimic using this weapon.
- Using a Weapon Skill (L2 on PS4 / PS5) will charge the attack and hit the boss with great force after a while. This attack has a very long distance, and throws the boss off balance, preventing him from doing anything.
- Even if you don’t usually use a shield, have one equipped, especially during the first stage of the fight. The boss can create an earthquake, which is almost impossible to avoid, and deals a lot of damage. The shield will allow you to reduce this damage a little.
- Equipping a talisman against fire damage can also be quite helpful. When walking towards you, the boss will create lava on the ground, that will cause you to take fire damage. His other attacks do the same.
- The second phase will start only when you erase the entire health bar.
How to fight him?
To effectively combat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Elden Ring, players should utilize the Serpent-Hunter weapon, which is essential for this boss fight. Upon entering the arena, grab the spear from the corpse nearby, as it significantly enhances your damage output against Rykard. The battle unfolds in two phases: first against the God-Devouring Serpent, and then against Rykard himself. During both phases, position yourself strategically in the lava to minimize damage while continuously attacking. In particular, leverage the spear’s unique abilities to deal substantial damage from a distance, allowing you to avoid many of Rykard’s more dangerous attacks. Remember to stay alert for his sweeping strikes and area attacks, dodging appropriately to maintain your health and maximize your offensive potential.
At the very beginning, go into the arena, pick up the spear and equip it. It has special interactions meant only for this boss fight.
Don’t be afraid of being attacked. The boss is at the end of the arena and he will only wake up when you get close enough to him. After equipping the spear, remove any other standard weapons for your build so that Mimic can only fight with the weapon you just picked up.
Then, approach the boss but stay outside of the lava zone. Then use the weapon skills (L2 on PS4/PS5). Each time the boss is attacked with a weapon skill, his stance will shake.
Make sure you don’t use this skill right away, because then the boss will take more damage, but he will be impossible to throw off balance. You should use the skill, wait a second and then use it again. This way, the boss won’t even be able to attack.
Meanwhile, use the Flasks of Cerulean Tears to recharge your mana. Using the skill of this weapon consumes mana, and without it, you won’t be able to use the air attack. Try to have more Flasks of Cerulean Tears than Flasks of Crimson Tears.
If you fail to do so at some point, though, make sure you’re not too close to Rykard, especially in the second phase, because the range of the lava is much bigger. Moreover, when his HP is low, he will create many fireballs that will fall on you from time to time. They won’t explode when they hit you, but rather a bit later.
What are the best strategies to avoid Rykard’s poison attacks
To effectively avoid Rykard’s poison attacks during the boss fight in Elden Ring, consider the following strategies:
- Maintain Distance: Stay at medium range from Rykard, as his poison spit attack does not reach this distance. This positioning allows you to evade his poison while still being able to attack with the Serpent-Hunter spear.
- Dodge Poison Pools: After Rykard spits poison, avoid walking into the resulting pools on the ground. These areas will deal continuous poison damage if you step into them, so always be mindful of your footing.
- Keep Moving: When Rykard launches his poison attack, sprint left or right to quickly evade the poisonous spray. Constant movement is crucial to avoid both the initial attack and any lingering effects from poison pools.
- Use Neutralizing Boluses: If you do get poisoned, have Neutralizing Boluses on hand to cure yourself without wasting healing resources. This item is crafted from Herba, Cave Moss, and Great Dragonfly Heads, making it a valuable asset during the fight.
- Watch for Telegraphed Attacks: Pay attention to Rykard’s movements and telegraphed attacks. His poison spit is often preceded by a specific animation, giving you a chance to react and reposition yourself before it lands.
By employing these strategies, you can minimize the impact of Rykard’s poison attacks and maintain your health throughout this challenging battle.
What are the best ways to dodge Rykard’s skull explosions
To effectively dodge Rykard’s skull explosions during the boss fight in Elden Ring, follow these strategies:
- Stay Mobile: The key to avoiding Rykard’s skull explosions is to keep moving. When you see him begin to raise his sword, which signals the start of the attack, immediately start sprinting away from him. This will help you avoid both the skulls and the subsequent fire eruptions that follow their impact.
- Recognize Attack Patterns: Pay attention to Rykard’s animations. When he lifts his sword into the air, it indicates that he will unleash a barrage of skulls. Prepare to dodge as soon as you see this animation, and continue running to avoid getting hit by the falling skulls.
- Use Terrain for Cover: Utilize the environment to your advantage. If you find yourself needing a moment to heal or regroup, hide behind the large bones and rocks scattered throughout the arena. These can provide temporary protection from both the skulls and other attacks.
- Dodge Timing: As the skulls begin to rain down, time your dodges carefully. You can either roll or sprint away from the area where the skulls are landing to avoid damage. The explosions will occur in a sequence from where each skull lands, so staying aware of your position is crucial.
- Avoid Lava Pools: Be cautious of lava pools that may erupt simultaneously with the skull explosions. Ensure you are not standing in these areas as they can deal significant damage if you are caught off guard while dodging.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll enhance your chances of successfully avoiding Rykard’s explosive attacks and maintaining your health throughout this challenging encounter.
