Frederic Melton
Beating Rykard in *Elden Ring* can be a challenging task, especially for players who struggle with his aggressive moveset and the unique mechanics of his arena. However, with the right strategy and preparation, it’s possible to overcome this formidable boss. One effective approach is to exploit his vulnerabilities by targeting his serpent heads during specific phases of the fight, as they deal significant damage when destroyed. Additionally, using poison or scarlet rot buildup can steadily chip away at his health, making the battle more manageable. Proper positioning and timing are crucial, as Rykard’s attacks are wide-reaching and can easily catch players off guard. By combining these tactics with patience and persistence, players can successfully defeat Rykard and claim their well-earned rewards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy |
| Location | Volcano Manor (via Lake of Rot or Grand Lift of Dectus) |
| Weaknesses | Strike damage (physical), Fire, Lightning |
| Resistances | Magic, Holy |
| Immune To | Poison, Scarlet Rot, Bleed |
| Phase 1 Strategy | Focus on serpent heads, dodge or block grapple attacks, avoid standing in front |
| Phase 2 Strategy | Target Rykard directly, dodge gravitational pull attacks, use ranged attacks if possible |
| Summons | Recusant Henricus (NPC summon available nearby) |
| Recommended Level | 70-80 |
| Suggested Gear | High physical damage weapon, fire/lightning infusion, poison/rot resistance talismans |
| Drops | Remembrance of the Blasphemous, Rykard’s Rancor (incantation) |
| Cheese Tactics | Poison/rot buildup (ineffective due to immunity), ranged sniping from afar, exploiting serpent head aggro |
| Key Tip | Prioritize serpent heads in Phase 1 to reduce damage and focus on Rykard’s vulnerabilities in Phase 2 |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploit Arena Layout: Use pillars for cover, dodge attacks, and strike when Rykard is vulnerable
- Summon Allies: Bring NPCs or players to distract Rykard, focus on damage
- Poison Build: Apply poison status to weaken Rykard over time, reducing his health
- Magic Spells: Use ranged spells like Carian Slicer or Glintstone Pebble to avoid melee
- Dodge and Punish: Learn Rykard’s attack patterns, dodge, and counter during openings
Exploit Arena Layout: Use pillars for cover, dodge attacks, and strike when Rykard is vulnerable
The arena where you face Rykard is not just a backdrop—it’s a tool. Pillars, often overlooked, are your greatest allies in this fight. Their placement is deliberate, offering cover from Rykard’s sweeping attacks and creating opportunities to strike when he’s vulnerable. Understanding the layout is the first step to exploiting it effectively.
Begin by positioning yourself near a pillar at the arena’s edge. When Rykard launches his serpentine strikes or area-of-effect attacks, the pillar will block damage, giving you a safe zone to regroup. Time your dodges to align with his attack animations—most of his moves have a noticeable wind-up, leaving him momentarily exposed afterward. Use this window to dash around the pillar and land a few strikes before retreating to safety.
A key tactic is to bait Rykard into attacking the pillar directly. His melee strikes often have wide arcs, and pillars provide a physical barrier that absorbs damage. Circle around the pillar during these attacks, staying just out of range. When he pauses to reposition or recover, that’s your cue to strike. Focus on quick, precise hits rather than prolonged combos, as Rykard’s aggression can quickly turn the tide if you overextend.
However, caution is essential. Pillars are not invincible—prolonged exposure to Rykard’s attacks can destroy them, leaving you vulnerable. Monitor their durability and be ready to switch to a new pillar if necessary. Additionally, avoid staying too close to a pillar during his grappling attacks, as they can pull you out of cover. Always maintain enough distance to dodge and reposition.
In conclusion, mastering the arena’s layout transforms the fight from a test of brute force to a strategic dance. Pillars are more than obstacles—they’re shields, bait, and staging points for counterattacks. By leveraging their placement, you can control the flow of the battle, turning Rykard’s aggression into his downfall. Practice this approach, and the cheese becomes less of a threat and more of an opportunity.
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Summon Allies: Bring NPCs or players to distract Rykard, focus on damage
One of the most effective strategies to defeat Rykard, the boss notorious for his overwhelming attacks and arena hazards, is to summon allies. This tactic leverages the game’s mechanics to create a distraction, allowing you to focus solely on dealing damage while your summoned NPCs or players draw Rykard’s aggro. By splitting his attention, you reduce the frequency of his devastating area-of-effect attacks and gain precious seconds to strike. This method is particularly useful for solo players struggling with the fight’s complexity or those aiming to minimize damage taken.
To execute this strategy, start by positioning yourself near Rykard’s initial location, ensuring your summoned allies are within his line of sight. NPC summons like the Black Knife Tiche or the River-raiding Karoll are excellent choices due to their high damage output and ability to survive prolonged combat. Alternatively, if playing online, summon fellow players who can actively engage Rykard while you focus on consistent, high-damage attacks. Time your summons strategically—activate them just before Rykard’s first attack to maximize their effectiveness. Avoid summoning too early, as Rykard may eliminate them before the fight truly begins.
While summoning allies is a powerful tactic, it’s not without risks. Rykard’s grappling attack, for instance, can target and eliminate summons instantly, leaving you vulnerable. To mitigate this, maintain a safe distance from Rykard when he begins his wind-up animation for this move. Additionally, be mindful of the arena’s hazards, such as the snakes that spawn during the fight. Position yourself to avoid these while keeping an eye on Rykard’s movements. If your summons are defeated, prioritize dodging his attacks until you can resummon or find an opening to strike.
The key to success with this strategy lies in balance. While your allies distract Rykard, focus on dealing consistent, high-damage attacks rather than risking greedy combos that could leave you exposed. Use weapons or spells with high single-target damage, such as the Rivers of Blood katana or Comet Azur sorcery, to maximize your output. Keep an eye on your stamina and flask usage, as prolonged combat can deplete your resources quickly. With proper timing and positioning, this method transforms the Rykard fight from a chaotic scramble into a manageable, methodical battle.
In conclusion, summoning allies to distract Rykard is a game-changing tactic that simplifies one of Elden Ring’s most challenging encounters. By leveraging NPCs or player summons, you create opportunities to focus on damage while minimizing the risk of his deadly attacks. While this strategy requires careful timing and awareness of arena hazards, it rewards players with a more controlled and strategic approach to the fight. Whether you’re a solo player seeking an edge or a group looking to coordinate, mastering this technique can turn the tide in your favor against Rykard.
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Poison Build: Apply poison status to weaken Rykard over time, reducing his health
Poison builds offer a strategic, methodical approach to defeating Rykard by exploiting his susceptibility to status effects. Unlike direct damage strategies, this method relies on cumulative degradation, turning the battle into a war of attrition. Poison, in particular, deals damage over time, bypassing Rykard’s formidable defenses and health pool. By layering poison stacks, players can steadily reduce his health while minimizing direct confrontation, making it ideal for those who prioritize survival over aggression.
To execute this build effectively, equip weapons or spells that inflict poison, such as the Poisoned Mist sorcery or Poison Moth Knife. Pair these with items like the Sepulcher Secret Talisman, which increases status buildup efficiency. Aim to apply poison during Rykard’s slower, more predictable attacks, such as his serpentine lunges or area-of-effect sweeps. Each successful application adds a stack, increasing the damage-over-time effect. Monitor the poison meter beneath his health bar to ensure maximum uptime, reapplying as needed to maintain pressure.
One critical advantage of this strategy is its synergy with Rykard’s fight mechanics. His arena is spacious, allowing players to dodge and reposition while poison ticks away at his health. Additionally, his tendency to telegraph attacks provides ample opportunities to strike without risking retaliation. However, this method requires patience; poison damage scales gradually, so expect the fight to last longer than conventional approaches. Bring Antidote Bouquets to counter his poison attacks, ensuring you remain unaffected while he suffers.
A common misconception is that poison builds lack scalability in boss fights. In reality, with proper investment in Arcane and Dexterity stats, poison buildup becomes devastatingly efficient. Aim for at least 20 Arcane to enhance status effect potency, and prioritize weapons with innate poison or those that can be infused with Poison Grease. For a more aggressive twist, combine poison with Bleed for a dual-status approach, though this requires precise timing and higher stat investment.
In conclusion, the poison build is a tactical, resource-efficient way to defeat Rykard, particularly for players who favor control over chaos. By leveraging status effects, you transform the fight into a calculated erosion of his health, reducing the need for high damage output or flawless dodges. While slower than traditional methods, its reliability and safety make it a standout choice for those seeking a less stressful victory. Master the rhythm of application and evasion, and Rykard’s cheese will crumble under the weight of your poison.
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Magic Spells: Use ranged spells like Carian Slicer or Glintstone Pebble to avoid melee
Rykard, the blighted serpent-man boss in *Elden Ring*, is a formidable foe whose melee range and poison attacks make close combat perilous. To minimize risk, ranged magic spells like Carian Slicer or Glintstone Pebble become invaluable tools. These spells allow you to chip away at Rykard’s health from a safe distance, avoiding his devastating grabs, tail sweeps, and toxic breath. While not the fastest method, this strategy prioritizes survival over speed, making it ideal for players struggling with his aggressive patterns.
Carian Slicer, a swift, projectile-based spell, excels in this fight due to its low FP cost and rapid casting speed. Its ability to pierce through Rykard’s defenses makes it a reliable choice for consistent damage. Pair it with Glintstone Pebble for variety—while weaker, Pebble’s lower FP consumption allows for sustained pressure during prolonged phases. Both spells benefit from investment in Intelligence, so ensure your character has at least 30–40 points in this stat to maximize damage output.
A critical aspect of this strategy is positioning. Rykard’s arena is deceptively small, and his attacks have long reach. Stay near the edges of the room, using the pillars for cover when necessary. Cast your spells during his slower animations, such as after his tail slam or during his wind-up for the poison breath. Avoid greediness—one well-placed hit is better than risking a counter-attack by overcommitting.
While ranged magic is effective, it’s not without drawbacks. Rykard’s second phase introduces a grappling attack that can pull you in, negating your distance advantage. To counter this, keep a Golden Vow or Terra Magica buff active to boost spell damage and survive if pulled into melee range. Additionally, carry Poison Moss or Antidote Boluses to neutralize his poison damage, as prolonged exposure can whittle down your health even from afar.
In conclusion, using ranged spells like Carian Slicer or Glintstone Pebble against Rykard is a tactical, patient approach that minimizes risk while maintaining steady damage. It requires careful positioning, resource management, and awareness of his attack patterns. While not the flashiest strategy, it’s a reliable method for players prioritizing consistency over speed, turning a brutal fight into a manageable test of endurance.
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Dodge and Punish: Learn Rykard’s attack patterns, dodge, and counter during openings
Rykard's attacks are predictable, but only if you’ve studied his rhythm. His moveset falls into distinct phases: sweeping strikes, serpentine lunges, and area-of-effect bursts. Each phase has telltale signs — a slight rearward coil before a lunge, a glow in his serpent heads before a breath attack. Memorize these cues through repetition. Watch for the subtle shift in his weight distribution or the flicker of his eyes. These micro-movements are your early warning system, allowing you to dodge with precision rather than panic.
Dodge timing is as critical as attack timing. Rykard’s swings have deceptively long reach, so rolling too early leaves you vulnerable to follow-ups. Aim to dodge at the *last possible frame* of his wind-up. This minimizes your exposure and maximizes your punish window. Practice in slower encounters first — use weaker enemies to refine your roll timing until it becomes muscle memory. For Rykard, prioritize dodging through his attacks rather than away from them; this positions you closer for a counterstrike.
Punishing Rykard requires exploiting his recovery frames. After a sweeping strike, he staggers for 1.5 seconds; after a breath attack, his serpent heads recoil for 2 seconds. These are your openings. Equip a weapon with quick strike animations (e.g., a dagger or rapier) to land 2-3 hits before he regains composure. Avoid greed — overcommitting leaves you open to his next attack. If you’re using a slower weapon, focus on one well-timed strike instead.
Caution: Rykard’s second phase introduces erratic patterns. His attacks become faster and less telegraphed, particularly his tail sweeps. Here, patience is key. Let him commit to an attack before reacting. If you’re unsure, prioritize defense — a mistimed dodge in this phase is often fatal. Use the environment to your advantage: lure him near walls to limit his mobility, reducing the number of angles you need to defend.
Mastering this strategy requires repetition and adaptability. Record your attempts to analyze mistakes — did you dodge too early? Did you miss a punish window? Adjust your approach incrementally. Over time, Rykard’s patterns will feel less like chaos and more like a dance, where your dodges and counters become as natural as his attacks. This isn’t about brute force; it’s about understanding, anticipation, and precision.
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Frequently asked questions
Rykard Cheese refers to a boss in the video game *Elden Ring*, specifically Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. It’s challenging due to his high damage output, multiple phases, and the arena’s hazards, such as the snakes that deal poison damage.
Focus on dodging his attacks, stay close to avoid his ranged moves, and use poison resistance or flasks to mitigate damage from the snakes. Summoning allies or using a spirit ash can also help distract Rykard.
Weapons with high bleed or poison buildup, such as rivers of blood or venomous mist, are effective. Strength or dexterity builds with high damage output can also quickly deplete his health before he becomes too aggressive.
Use ranged attacks or spells to clear the snakes before engaging Rykard. Alternatively, stay mobile to avoid their poison attacks, and use items like Poison Mosquito or Poison-Proof Dried Liver for resistance.
Rykard is weak to strike damage, particularly in his first phase. In his second phase, focus on avoiding his grapple attack and striking during his slower, more predictable moves. Exploit his recovery windows to deal consistent damage.
