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Messmer the Impaler

Messmer the Impaler is the lord of the Shadow Keep and the heart of the Shadow of the Erdtree story. He is a son of Queen Marika the Eternal, a demigod with red hair, a long spear and a flame inside him that he has hated all his life. Long ago, Marika sent him into the Land of Shadow to burn it clean, and then she left him there.

He is not optional. Beating him gives you Messmer’s Kindling, the fire you need to burn the Sealing Tree and move on toward the end of the expansion.

This boss is part of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. To reach the Land of Shadow, you first need to defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, then touch the withered arm in Mohgwyn Palace.

Drops
Remembrance of the Impaler
Messmer’s Kindling
Weaknesses
Resistances & immunities
Most of his attacks deal fire damage

How to beat it

Phase 1. Messmer is fast and has long reach. He chains spear thrusts and sweeps, adds fire to many of them, and often leaps away after a combo, only to dive back in. Fighting him up close is usually safer than standing at mid range, where his lunges catch you. Wait for the end of a string, then punish with one or two hits, or a charged heavy attack to work on his stance.

Phase 2. At half health, serpents join the fight. He keeps all of his old moves and adds new ones where a huge red serpent rises from his body to bite or spit fire. Expect longer combos and bigger area attacks, so heal early and keep your stamina up.

Help. Hornsent can be summoned inside the arena, as long as you sided with him or left that part of Needle Knight Leda’s quest alone.

Lore

Marika sealed Messmer’s right eye with a mark of her grace to hold back something inside him. He led her crusade into the Land of Shadow, burned the Hornsent and their towers, and became known as the Impaler. His closest friend was Commander Gaius, another child cursed from birth. Messmer is also the elder brother of Starscourge Radahn.

Notes & tips

  • Raise your Scadutree Blessing before this fight. In the Land of Shadow it matters more than your normal level.

Found at

Drops & rewards

Talisman

Lacerating Crossed-Tree

Connected characters & quests

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Boss
Type:
Region: ,
Game:
HP: 38,981
Runes: 400,000
Required to finish the game: Yes. You need Messmer’s Kindling to burn the Sealing Tree.

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