Rykard Lord of Blasphemy Boss Guide and Recommended Strategy
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy is one of the most memorable demigod encounters in Elden Ring, situated deep within the fiery depths of Volcano Manor. This spectacular encounter functions as a unique gimmick battle that shifts the traditional rules of engagement. Players must adapt to specialized mechanics to overcome this massive beast and claim its powerful rewards.
Securing the Ultimate Serpent Weapon
As you pass through the fog gate into the boss chamber, your absolute first priority should be retrieving the weapon resting on a corpse to your left. This item is the Serpent-Hunter, a great spear specifically designed to pierce the heavy defenses of the massive snake. The weapon has no attribute requirements, meaning any character build can wield it with maximum efficiency during this encounter.
Using regular swords or spells will force you to stand inside pools of lethal lava, resulting in a swift defeat. The Serpent-Hunter emits incredible long-range light constructs with every swing, allowing you to strike safely from a distance. Upgrading this spear slightly at Roundhold Table before committing to the fight will drastically increase your overall damage output.
Surviving the God-Devouring Serpent Phase
The first phase of the encounter forces players to battle the God-Devouring Serpent before its true master awakens. The beast relies heavily on massive biting attacks and sweeping tail strikes that can be easily avoided with precise roll timing. Keep your distance and utilize the heavy stance-breaking power of the spear's charged attacks to disrupt its rhythm.
When the serpent plunges its head into the magma, stay alert for an erupting geological wave that can quickly deplete your health bar. Focus on a steady rhythm of basic light attacks interspersed with fully charged heavy inputs to continuously stagger the creature. Once its health bar drops to zero, a cinematic sequence will trigger, ushering in the true lord of the manor.
Conquering Rykard Lord of Blasphemy
In the second phase, Rykard pulls a massive, flesh-covered sword from the serpent's mouth, expanding his attack range significantly. His sword strikes are much slower than the first phase bites but carry immense physical and fire damage potential. Maintaining a calm composure and focusing on his grand weapon swings will reveal ample opportunities to strike back safely.
The most dangerous mechanic occurs when Rykard summons an apocalyptic red sky that continuously rains exploding skulls down upon the arena. During this chaotic event, you must sprint continuously in a wide circle to outrun the tracking projectiles until the sky clears up. Combining your efforts with a high-level Mimic Tear summon will allow you to quickly defeat the boss before this phase becomes overwhelming.