Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy: Questing or Not Questing? That Is the Question!

Yes, you absolutely can fight Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, in Elden Ring without completing any of the Volcano Manor quests. The game provides avenues for players to reach him regardless of their involvement with Tanith and her band of Tarnished assassins. However, choosing this path has significant consequences, primarily locking you out of the Manor’s questline and associated rewards. Think of it as bypassing the scenic route to arrive directly at the destination – faster, perhaps, but you’ll miss all the intriguing stops along the way. So, buckle up, Tarnished, as we delve into the intricacies of tackling Rykard with or without the backing of Volcano Manor!

Navigating the Volcano Manor: Quests vs. Direct Assault

The beauty of Elden Ring lies in its player agency. You’re not railroaded into a specific path. Rykard’s boss arena is accessible through two distinct methods.

1. The Volcano Manor Questline (The Scenic Route):

This involves joining Tanith, accepting assassination contracts, completing these contracts, and progressing through the Manor’s internal storylines. This offers rich lore, unique items, and a gradual build-up to the ultimate showdown with Rykard. Completing these quests will eventually lead you to Rykard’s chamber, where you’ll be tasked with ending his reign of blasphemy.

2. The Hidden Path (The Direct Route):

For those who shun servitude or simply want to challenge Rykard early, a secret path exists. This involves navigating the environment, exploring hidden passages and treacherous lava flows around the Volcano Manor. This route presents a challenge in itself, requiring skillful platforming and resource management.

Consequences of Skipping the Volcano Manor Quests

While the allure of a direct confrontation is tempting, understanding the consequences is vital:

• Quest Lockout: Defeating Rykard prematurely locks you out of all Volcano Manor quests. This means missing out on the unique rewards, storylines, and interactions with the Manor’s inhabitants.
• Missed Items and Weapons: Several powerful weapons, armor sets, and talismans are only obtainable through the Volcano Manor questline.
• Patches’ Quest Complications: Patches’ storyline becomes truncated, potentially preventing you from acquiring certain items like the Magma Whip Candlestick until New Game Plus (NG+).
• Altered NPC Behavior: Characters within the Manor will react differently, often offering “goodbye” dialogue and leaving the area.

Ultimately, the decision rests with you, Tarnished. Do you value the rewards and lore offered by the questline, or are you willing to sacrifice them for the sake of speed or a challenging early boss fight?

Strategy and Tactics for Rykard

Regardless of how you reach him, the fight against Rykard remains the same. He wields the power of blasphemous fire and the legendary Serpent-Hunter great spear, which is conveniently located near the entrance to the boss arena.

The Serpent-Hunter is your key weapon. Its unique weapon skill allows you to unleash powerful, long-range attacks that deal significant damage to both the God-Devouring Serpent and Rykard himself.

General Tips:

• Utilize the Serpent-Hunter: This weapon is specifically designed for this fight. Don’t try to brute-force it with other weapons.
• Maintain Distance: While close-range attacks are possible, Rykard’s fire attacks are devastating. Staying at a medium distance allows you to react and dodge effectively.
• Fire Resistance: Equip armor and talismans that boost your fire resistance to mitigate the damage from Rykard’s fiery attacks. The Flamedrake Talisman is particularly helpful.
• Level Up: It is recommended to be at least level 65+, and ideally over 70, to beat Rykard.
• Patience is Key: This is a fight of attrition. Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Focus on dodging and landing your Serpent-Hunter blows when an opening presents itself.

Rykard’s encounter is a test of patience, adaptability, and your understanding of the Serpent-Hunter’s potential. Master these elements, and you shall emerge victorious. But remember to always strive to broaden your horizon, just like we do at the Games Learning Society, where we explore the intersection of gaming and learning. You can find more information on GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fighting Rykard

Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify specific aspects of the Rykard encounter and its impact on the game:

1. Can you fight Rykard without killing Godskin Noble?

Yes, the Godskin Noble within Volcano Manor is an optional boss. You do not need to defeat him to access Rykard. However, defeating him is part of progressing through the Volcano Manor Legacy Dungeon if you plan to fight Rykard via that route.

2. How early can you fight Rykard?

You can technically fight Rykard as soon as you reach the Volcano Manor region, provided you can navigate the hidden path leading to his chamber. However, attempting this fight at a low level will be extremely challenging.

3. What level should I be at Rykard?

Ideally, you should be at least level 65+, and ideally over 70, before attempting the Rykard fight. This ensures you have sufficient health and damage output to withstand his attacks and deal significant damage in return.

4. Does killing Rykard affect Patches’ quest?

Yes, defeating Rykard before completing Patches’ assassination request will prevent you from receiving the Magma Whip Candlestick until NG+. Patches will immediately enter his “goodbye” dialogue, cutting off the questline.

5. Can you do Tanith’s quest after killing Rykard?

No, defeating Rykard effectively ends Tanith’s questline, preventing you from completing any remaining assassination contracts.

6. Why does Tanith eat Rykard?

In the lore, after Rykard is defeated, Tanith consumes his remains hoping to either inherit his power or allow him to be reborn within her. This is also the end of Tanith’s quest unless you end her in your playthough.

7. What happens if I give Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets after killing Rykard?

Giving Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets after she’s eating Rykard’s corpse results in no special item or dialog. You can still attack and kill her after.

8. Where is Rya after killing Rykard?

After Rykard is defeated and you leave and return to the manor Rya will have gone to her original location in the manor.

9. What talisman is best for Rykard?

The Flamedrake Talisman is highly recommended for the Rykard fight, as it significantly increases your fire resistance, mitigating the damage from his numerous fire-based attacks.

10. Is Rykard an easy fight?

While the Serpent-Hunter makes the fight manageable, Rykard can still quickly defeat you if you are not careful or fail to utilize the weapon effectively. His attacks are powerful, and his lava pools can inflict significant damage.

11. What does killing Rykard lock me out of?

Killing Rykard prematurely locks you out of all remaining Volcano Manor quests, preventing you from obtaining unique items, weapons, and armor sets associated with those quests.

12. Why does Volcano Manor hunt Tarnished?

Volcano Manor hunts the tarnished because their lord Rykard hates the Erdtree and wishes to rule the Lands Between with new laws.

13. Why did Rykard feed himself to the serpent?

Rykard fed himself to the God-Devouring Serpent in his quest for immortality.

14. Are there missable quests in Elden Ring?

Yes, Elden Ring is filled with missable quests, some of which, like Nepheli Loux’s, are quite significant. Carefully exploring and interacting with NPCs is crucial to avoid missing out on valuable content.

15. Can you get to Rykard without Volcano Manor?

Yes, Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy can be found without doing the Volcano Manor quest. You have to explore around the edges of the map and find a secret way in.