Among the many terrifying bosses in Elden Ring, the Lord of Blasphemy, Rykard, stands out not only for his grotesque design but also for the unique challenge he presents. Finding the Lord of Blasphemy’s location is not straightforward, as it requires players to follow a series of hidden paths, uncover secret teleporters, and complete optional quests. Knowing where to find Rykard, the Lord of Blasphemy, is essential for players looking to collect powerful rewards, progress through story arcs, or unlock achievements in the Lands Between.
Who Is the Lord of Blasphemy?
Understanding Rykard’s Role
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is one of the demigods in Elden Ring, tied to the Shardbearers who control parts of the Elden Ring’s power. He once served as a noble figure but became consumed by ambition, eventually merging with the great serpent Tanith worshipped. This transformation turned him into a grotesque fusion of human and beast, ruling from the volcano-themed region of Mt. Gelmir.
Why Players Seek Him
Defeating the Lord of Blasphemy grants players access to powerful gear, including:
- Rykard’s Great Rune
- Remembrance of the Blasphemous(can be traded for unique weapons)
- Access to new questlines and areas tied to Volcano Manor
For many players, the fight is also memorable for its mechanics, which differ drastically from most boss battles in the game.
Reaching Mt. Gelmir and Volcano Manor
Initial Path to Mt. Gelmir
The Lord of Blasphemy resides deep within Mt. Gelmir, a dangerous, lava-scarred region filled with tough enemies and vertical climbing routes. Players can access Mt. Gelmir through the following methods:
- Start from Altus Plateau via the Grand Lift of Dectus.
- Head northwest past the Bridge of Iniquity Site of Grace.
- Climb the ladder near the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast to enter Mt. Gelmir proper.
The journey involves several boss fights, cliffside paths, and flame-spewing enemies, making preparation essential before pressing forward.
Finding Volcano Manor
Volcano Manor is the key to locating the Lord of Blasphemy. You can reach it in one of three ways:
- Join the Volcano Manor Covenant: Speak with Tanith in the manor and agree to join her cause. She will eventually grant you access to Rykard’s location after completing several assassination missions.
- Explore Mt. Gelmir manually: Climb through the treacherous paths to reach the manor entrance directly, though this is far more difficult and dangerous.
- Use the Abductor Virgin trick: Allow yourself to be captured by an Abductor Virgin in Raya Lucaria Academy. This teleports you to the Volcano Manor dungeon area, skipping a large portion of the map.
Each method provides a different gameplay experience but ultimately leads to the same confrontation deep within the manor.
Unlocking the Lord of Blasphemy’s Arena
Progressing Through Volcano Manor
If you choose to join Volcano Manor, Tanith will offer you targets through letters on a table. Each successful assassination advances your standing with the Manor. After completing three contracts, you will be invited to meet Rykard himself.
Players who avoid these contracts can still find a hidden teleporter deep inside the legacy dungeon of Volcano Manor that leads to the boss arena. To access it:
- Proceed through the manor’s dungeon from the Prison Town Church Site of Grace.
- Defeat the Godskin Noble mini-boss along the way.
- Find the hidden path behind a corpse leading to the audience chamber teleporter.
Using this teleporter drops you directly into the Lord of Blasphemy’s lair, bypassing the quest requirements but maintaining the boss challenge.
The Boss Fight: What to Expect
Unique Mechanics and Weapon
Unlike most encounters in Elden Ring, the Lord of Blasphemy fight requires use of a special weapon called theSerpent-Hunter, found right before the boss door. This spear scales with no stats and is designed specifically to counter Rykard’s enormous body and attacks.
Phases of the Battle
The fight is split into two main phases:
- Phase 1 God-Devouring Serpent: A massive serpent attacks with lava pools, bites, and tail sweeps. Players should use Serpent-Hunter from a distance to stay safe from lava damage.
- Phase 2 Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy: Once the serpent form is defeated, Rykard emerges with his sword and launches fire-infused attacks, including skull summons and explosive waves. Movement and spacing are critical.
The arena is wide and designed for spacing, allowing for safer Serpent-Hunter thrusts, but the boss’s aggression and area-of-effect attacks remain threatening throughout the battle.
Post-Battle Rewards
What You Gain from Victory
Defeating the Lord of Blasphemy grants a combination of useful items, lore implications, and progression rewards:
- Remembrance of the Blasphemous: Can be exchanged for either the Blasphemous Blade or Rykard’s Rancor incantation.
- Rykard’s Great Rune: When activated at the Divine Tower of West Altus, this rune restores health on enemy kills, ideal for aggressive playstyles.
- New dialogue and reactions from Tanith: Tanith’s fate changes depending on how you engage with her and the choices you make after Rykard’s death.
These rewards offer strong incentives for players to face the Lord of Blasphemy regardless of their chosen playstyle or build.
Tips Before Facing the Lord of Blasphemy
Preparation Strategy
Although the Serpent-Hunter weapon is provided, players should still prepare adequately:
- Upgrade the Serpent-Hunter: It scales uniquely but benefits greatly from weapon level upgrades if you return later.
- Equip fire-resistant gear: Most attacks in both phases deal fire damage, so talismans and armor with high fire resistance help significantly.
- Bring ranged summons: Ashes like Latenna or Mimic Tear work well to draw attention while you deal damage from a safe distance.
Lastly, ensure you’ve leveled up adequately. Rykard’s fight is balanced for mid to late-game players, and under-leveled characters will struggle even with the correct weapon.
Locating the Lord of Blasphemy in Elden Ring is a challenging but rewarding journey. Whether you reach him through Volcano Manor’s quests, explore Mt. Gelmir on your own, or take an unconventional shortcut, the battle with Rykard offers a distinct experience that stands out in the game. Mastering the mechanics and understanding the route to his lair not only brings satisfying rewards but also deepens your connection to the world of Elden Ring. For those aiming to complete every demigod challenge, Rykard is an unmissable milestone.