Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy waits at the very bottom of the Volcano Manor, in a lake of lava. He was once a praetor and a demigod, but he let a great serpent swallow him so that he could keep devouring and never die. What you face is that serpent, with Rykard’s face pressed into its body.
It looks terrifying, and the first phase in particular feels hopeless. But the game gives you a special weapon for this exact fight, and with it Rykard becomes one of the most spectacular and enjoyable boss fights in the game.
Drops
Remembrance of the Blasphemous
Rykard’s Great Rune
Weaknesses
The Serpent-Hunter, found just outside the arena, deals huge damage to him
Resistances & immunities
Fire and lava everywhere, so fire resistance helps
How to beat it
Get the Serpent-Hunter first. On the way into the arena, a great spear sticks out of a pile of bodies. Grab it. Its charged attack fires a long blade of light that hits the serpent from far away, and it is by far the best weapon for this fight, whatever your build.
Phase 1: the God-Devouring Serpent. The serpent moves slowly and surrounds itself with lava. Stay out of the lava, keep your distance and use charged attacks with the Serpent-Hunter. Watch for its lunge and its poison breath.
Phase 2: Rykard. After a short cutscene, Rykard fights with a sword and fire spells, and the skulls on his body come alive. Keep using the Serpent-Hunter from a safe distance, move sideways, and heal between his long combos.
Lore
Rykard is a son of Rennala and Radagon. He became praetor of the Volcano Manor and rebelled against the Golden Order, and in the end chose to be devoured by a serpent so he could become something that never dies.