Let me tell you about my epic showdown with Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy - the giant snake boss that made me question my life choices more times than I'd like to admit. As someone who considers themselves a seasoned Tarnished warrior, I thought I'd seen it all until I stumbled into Volcano Manor and found myself face-to-face with what can only be described as a biblical-scale serpent with anger management issues. This optional boss fight beneath the Volcano Manor isn't just challenging; it's like trying to wrestle a volcano that's also a snake that's also really, really mad at you personally.
Finding This Slithering Nightmare
Getting to Rykard felt like going through security at the world's most dangerous airport. First, I had to navigate my way to Mt. Gelmir in the Altus Plateau, which is basically FromSoftware's way of saying "here are some cliffs, try not to die." You've got two options: either scale the mountain like some kind of mountaineering enthusiast (which I am not) or complete one of Rya's requests in Liurnia (which sounds much more civilized).
Once I finally reached Volcano Manor, I met Tanith, who gave me that classic "I've got a job for you" look that NPCs in these games always have. She assigns contracts that ultimately lead you to Rykard, but let's be real - I'm impatient. I discovered you can just sneak into the room on the right in the Manor's side corridor (thanks to Tanith's key) and find an Illusory Wall that's about as subtle as a dragon in a tea shop.
The Pre-Boss Gauntlet of Pain
Before you even get to the main event, the game makes you fight a Godskin Noble in the Temple of Eiglay. Because apparently one boss fight isn't enough - you need a warm-up boss to really set the mood. This temple sits southeast from the Prison Town Church, and defeating the noble lets you cross a magma river to reach a portal that teleports you to the Audience Pathway. It's like the world's most dangerous amusement park ride.
My Frosty Preparation Strategy
When I first saw Rykard, my immediate thought was "this thing is basically a walking volcano with scales." So naturally, I brought frost-based items because nothing says "I'm serious about killing you" like throwing frozen pots at a giant snake. Here's what I learned about his weaknesses:
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Frostbite is your best friend - This status effect deals damage over time and Rykard hates it more than I hate falling off cliffs
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Freezing Pot causes 380 Frost buildup - That's a lot of cold!
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Mage players can use Adula's Moonblade or Frozen Lightning Spear - Because why choose between magic and frost when you can have both?
I watched this amazing YouTuber YumiNyan who used a full Frost build that made Rykard look like he was having a really bad day at the ice rink. The effectiveness was downright hilarious.
The Actual Fight: Phase One - Snake Wrestling 101
When you enter the arena, Rykard is just chilling in the center like he owns the place (which, technically, he does). But here's the secret weapon: there's a lootable Great Spear called Serpent-Hunter just waiting for you to pick it up. This thing is basically the "easy mode" button for this fight.
What makes the Serpent-Hunter so brilliant is that it has no stat requirements - meaning even my magic-focused character could swing it around like a pro. The spear has this amazing staggering, slamming-stab ability that makes you feel like you're poking a very large, very angry volcano snake with a very pointy stick.
My strategy became: dodge the lava attacks, wait for an opening, and then unleash the spear's special attack. Rinse and repeat until phase two. It's like playing whack-a-mole, except the mole is a demigod serpent and the hammer is a magical spear.
Phase Two: When Snakes Get Sassy
Just when you think you've got things under control, Rykard decides to upgrade from "giant snake" to "giant snake with a sword made of corpses." Because apparently being a massive serpent wasn't intimidating enough. The second phase introduces new attacks, but the strategy remains largely the same: keep using that Serpent-Hunter and timing your attacks properly.
What's hilarious is that if you bring a friend who also wields the Serpent-Hunter, this fight becomes almost comically easy. It's like two people trying to contain an angry garden hose, except the garden hose can summon skulls and lava.
Why This Fight is Actually Brilliant
Despite my complaining, Rykard represents everything I love about Elden Ring's boss design. The game gives you this seemingly impossible challenge, but then provides the perfect tool to overcome it. It's like the developers are saying "yes, this is hard, but we believe in you." The Serpent-Hunter spear turns what could be a frustrating battle into an epic, cinematic experience where you feel like an actual hero taking down a mythological beast.
My Final Thoughts
Beating Rykard felt like graduating from snake-fighting school. This optional boss fight encapsulates Elden Ring's philosophy: immense challenges met with clever solutions. Whether you take Tanith's contract route or charge in directly, the journey to defeat the God-Devouring Serpent is one of the most memorable experiences in the Lands Between.
So if you're facing Rykard yourself, remember: bring frost, grab that spear, and don't be afraid to die a few dozen times. Because when you finally defeat this blasphemous lord, the victory tastes sweeter than any rune arc. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find something less terrifying to fight - maybe some regular-sized snakes for a change.