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Facing Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is one of the most intense and memorable moments in Elden Ring. As a player who’s spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between and learning its bosses, I can say Rykard’s fight is both unique and rewarding—especially for players looking to farm Elden Ring runes or seeking a boss battle that breaks the usual combat formula.

Here’s a comprehensive guide based on my personal experience, aimed at helping both new and seasoned Tarnished defeat Rykard while also sharing rune strategies and safe ways to enhance your gameplay without risking bans.

Where to Find Rykard

Rykard is located deep within Mt. Gelmir, specifically inside Volcano Manor. This area isn’t always accessible through normal exploration. If you haven't been invited to Volcano Manor through Tanith, you’ll need to either complete assassination missions for the Manor or take the alternate lava route that winds up through the mountain’s harsh terrain.

Preparing for the Battle

Unlike most bosses in Elden Ring, Rykard’s boss fight features a special weapon—the Serpent-Hunter—placed right in the arena. When I first fought him, I tried using my regular build, but quickly realized the fight was designed around this weapon. It scales with your strength and functions like a long-range spear, capable of striking Rykard’s massive form without getting too close.

Before you enter the fog gate:

• Unequip unnecessary weapons to stay under medium load.

• Stock up on Flask of Crimson Tears upgrades.

• Equip talismans that boost stamina and strength.

• Summon Spirit Ashes or co-op allies if you need support.

Phase One: God-Devouring Serpent

In the first phase, Rykard appears as the God-Devouring Serpent. He’ll use lava pools and sweeping attacks to zone you out. The key here is to stay patient and keep your distance. I recommend locking on to the head and using charged Serpent-Hunter attacks between his moves.

Tips:

• Keep moving to avoid lava buildup.

• Time your rolls to avoid his lunge and slam attacks.

• Use charged R2 attacks when he pauses.

Phase Two: Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy

This is where things get wild. In phase two, Rykard fuses with the serpent and unleashes more devastating attacks, including the terrifying blasphemous blade swings and skull projectiles. I died here multiple times before realizing that spacing and patience were more important than aggression.

What worked for me:

• Roll diagonally towards his swings to avoid wide-range attacks.

• Use the Serpent-Hunter’s special moves to stagger him.

• Summon a tanky Spirit Ash like Lhutel or Omenkiller Rollo to distract him.

Post-Fight Rewards and Runes

Defeating Rykard grants you a massive amount of Elden Ring runes and unlocks his remembrance, which can be traded for powerful gear like Rykard’s Rancor or the Blasphemous Blade—a top-tier weapon for strength and faith builds.

I used this boss as a rune farming checkpoint while respec’ing my build. However, if you're tight on time or trying to optimize your level for PvP and co-op without tedious grinding, there's another option worth considering.

Safe Ways to Boost Runes: Buy Elden Ring Runes No Ban

Not everyone has hours to farm runes, especially if you’re trying new builds or rushing to meet PvP meta levels. I’ve personally tested several methods, and if you choose to buy Elden Ring runes no ban, make sure you're using a trusted and verified seller like U4GM. They deliver fast, don’t require risky account sharing, and I’ve never faced a penalty or warning for using their services.

This option gave me a much smoother gameplay experience, letting me test multiple builds after defeating Rykard without grinding the same enemies repeatedly. It’s a legitimate time-saver for those focused on exploring and mastering the game.

Rykard is one of Elden Ring’s most creative and cinematic bosses. With the right weapon, timing, and positioning, you can take him down even on your first try. For those looking to level quickly, always remember there are ways to buy Elden Ring runes no ban safely—just choose your source wisely. Developer Notes:6 Elden Ring Weapons Perfect for Exploiting Boss Weaknesses