Shardbearer Rykard

Rykard's fight is one of those epic 'Elden Ring' moments that feels like a spectacle straight out of a nightmare. The key is the Serpent-Hunter spear you find right at the entrance—it’s literally designed for this fight. Its weapon art lets you unleash massive ranged attacks, which is crucial because Rykard’s lava pools and sword swings are brutal up close. I learned the hard way that dodging into his attacks often works better than backing off, especially when he does that ridiculous skull barrage.

Phase two is where things get wild. The arena becomes a hellscape of fire and falling debris, and his new attacks have insane range. Staying mid-distance and spamming the spear’s weapon art is the safest bet, but don’t get greedy—he punishes overextension hard. Mimic Tear can help distract him, but honestly, this fight feels more satisfying solo. The soundtrack and visuals alone make it worth the struggle.

Rykard's fight is one of those battles in 'Elden Ring' that feels epic right from the start—giant serpent, lava everywhere, and that eerie soundtrack. His weakness? The Serpent-Hunter spear, found right at the entrance of his arena. It’s basically tailor-made for this fight, with its special weapon art that deals massive damage to him. Without it, the fight becomes a nightmare, especially with his lava pools and ranged attacks.

Another thing I noticed is his vulnerability to staggering. If you keep up the pressure with the Serpent-Hunter, he’ll stagger pretty often, opening him up for critical hits. Just make sure to dodge his sword swipes and the skull projectiles—those things hurt. Oh, and don’t forget your fire resistance gear. Standing in lava while fighting a god-devouring serpent is bad enough without taking extra damage.

Rykard's lair is one of those 'how did I miss this?' moments in 'Elden Ring'—hidden behind layers of volcanic drama. You'll need to trek through Mt. Gelmir, past the absurdly tough enemies and lava pools, to reach Volcano Manor. Inside, the real fun begins: secret doors, NPC questlines, and that eerie 'join or fight' vibe. The manor itself feels like a gothic horror novel, with Rykard waiting at the end like a twisted punchline. When you finally reach him, it's less of a boss fight and more of a spectacle—giant snake god, blasphemous blade, the works. Progression here ties into Tanith's quest, so if you're skipping dialogue, you might overlook the path entirely.

What stuck with me was the sheer audacity of his design—a grotesque mashup of serpent and sorcerer, oozing lore. The fight’s phase two transition is pure nightmare fuel, especially if you wandered in unprepared. Bring fire resistance, memorize the terrain, and maybe don’t trust the NPCs offering 'help.'

Rykard's fight is one of those moments in 'Elden Ring' that sticks with you—partly because of the sheer spectacle, partly because you can technically skip it. From what I've experienced, the game never forces you to confront him unless you're dead-set on completing certain questlines, like Tanith's or the Volcano Manor assassinations. But here's the thing: skipping him feels like missing out. The boss arena, the dialogue, the whole 'join the serpent king as family' bit? Pure gold.

That said, if you're just barreling toward the endgame, Rykard's optional status means you can bypass the Volcano Manor area entirely. I did that on my second playthrough because I was testing a speedrun route, and it honestly felt weird not facing him. The game doesn't penalize you for it, but you lose access to his Remembrance and Blasphemous Blade, which are game-changers for faith builds. Plus, no Rykard means no 'TOGETHAAAA' memes, and that’s a tragedy.

Rykard's transformation into that grotesque serpentine form is one of the most chilling arcs in 'Elden Ring,' and it ties deeply into the game's themes of ambition and corruption. Initially a noble demigod and member of the Golden Lineage, Rykard's hunger for power led him to merge with the blasphemous serpent Eiglay. The lore suggests this wasn't just a physical change—it was a deliberate act, a rejection of the Erdtree's order. By devouring warriors in his Volcano Manor and fusing with Eiglay, he became a symbol of defiance against the gods, embracing 'tanning' (the act of being devoured) as a twisted sacrament. The sword 'Blasphemous Blade,' forged from his remains, even whispers of his lingering will.

What fascinates me is how his transformation mirrors other tragic figures in FromSoftware's worlds—think of Artorias or Ludwig. There's this recurring idea that power extracted through taboo means always demands a monstrous price. Rykard's final form, with that gaping maw and endless hunger, feels like a visual punchline to his ideology: in seeking to devour the gods, he lost everything that made him human.

Rykard's fight is one of those epic 'Elden Ring' moments that feels like a proper spectacle, and tackling it requires a mix of preparation and adaptability. First off, the Serpent-Hunter spear is absolutely non-negotiable—it’s your key weapon for this fight, found right at the boss arena entrance. Its weapon art trivializes phase one if you time the charged attacks well, but phase two is where things get messy. Rykard’s skull projectiles and lava pools demand constant repositioning, so stamina management is crucial. I recommend the Flame Fortification incantation or the Flamedrake Talisman to mitigate fire damage, and don’t sleep on summoning Mimic Tear if you’re struggling—it can draw aggro while you land those critical hits.

One thing I learned the hard way: greed is your worst enemy here. Rykard punishes overcommitment hard, especially with his delayed sword slashes in phase two. Stick to hit-and-run tactics, and always save enough stamina to dodge his AoE eruptions. If you’re a caster, Pest Threads or Rock Sling can work at range, but melee is far more reliable with the spear. Oh, and if you’ve got a coop buddy, dual-wielding Serpent-Hunters turns the fight into a hilarious stomp. Just don’t forget to savor the atmosphere—that soundtrack and visual design are top-tier even by 'Elden Ring' standards.