Fighting Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, in Elden Ring is a memorable experience due to his monstrous design and unique boss mechanics. Unlike many bosses, Rykard’s encounter is heavily tied to the use of a special weapon, the Serpent-Hunter. However, not all players choose to follow the conventional path. Some prefer a more creative or strategic approach often called a ‘cheese’ method to beat this intimidating foe. Whether due to under-leveled characters, limited resources, or simply for fun, cheesing Rykard has become a popular topic in the Elden Ring community.
Who Is Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy?
Rykard is one of the Shardbearers in Elden Ring and a demigod boss found deep within Mt. Gelmir. He is also the lord of Volcano Manor, a faction that defies the Golden Order. Rykard’s appearance is grotesque and unforgettable a fusion of man and serpent. His two-phase battle tests players in both endurance and adaptability, as the arena is massive, and his attacks can be overwhelming without proper strategy.
Defeating Rykard is optional for game completion, but taking him down rewards players with powerful items, a large number of runes, and access to key story progression elements.
The Arena and the Serpent-Hunter Weapon
When entering Rykard’s arena, players are immediately presented with the Serpent-Hunter weapon, designed specifically for this boss. This weapon scales with player progression and gains special abilities while in the boss fight. It’s essentially meant to level the playing field by allowing players to strike Rykard from a safe distance.
However, many players choose not to use it or look for alternatives to simplify the battle. That’s where Rykard cheese methods come in ways to exploit AI behavior, environment, or game mechanics to defeat him with minimal risk.
Why Cheese Rykard?
There are several reasons why players might choose to cheese Rykard instead of fighting him normally:
- Low-level builds: If you’re under-leveled or under-geared, cheesing may help overcome the difficulty spike.
- Speedruns: Some speedrunners use cheese tactics to save time and skip complex phases.
- Experimentation: Players enjoy testing the limits of Elden Ring’s combat system and finding creative solutions.
- Frustration: After multiple failed attempts, cheesing offers a break from the challenge.
Popular Rykard Cheese Methods
There are a few effective methods to cheese Rykard, depending on your build and platform. Some of them exploit certain weapons or spirit ashes, while others rely on ranged attacks or terrain manipulation.
1. Mimic Tear with Serpent-Hunter Cheese
This method is one of the simplest and most effective. Summoning the Mimic Tear spirit ash while equipping the Serpent-Hunter creates a powerful ally that mimics your loadout. Since Serpent-Hunter scales with the boss fight itself, having two characters using it deals massive damage rapidly.
How to execute:
- Equip Serpent-Hunter.
- Summon Mimic Tear before engaging the boss.
- Let the Mimic take aggro while you attack from a distance.
- Dodge his area attacks and keep pressure on his weak points.
This tactic isn’t a glitch, but it trivializes the boss if done right, especially if your Mimic Tear is well-upgraded.
2. Ranged Magic Cheese from a Safe Distance
Magic users have the advantage of attacking from afar, and in Rykard’s first phase, you can stand at a certain spot where he has trouble reaching you. With spells like Comet Azur or Rock Sling, you can whittle down his health before triggering the second phase.
Key steps:
- Use Spirit Summons to draw aggro away from you.
- Stay near the outer edge of the arena, just outside his melee range.
- Spam high-damage spells during his recovery animations.
- Have a high FP pool and flasks ready to sustain casting.
Although this method doesn’t completely remove the threat, it significantly reduces the risk involved, especially for sorcerer builds.
3. Terrain Exploit Cheese (Patch Dependent)
In some earlier versions of the game, players discovered specific spots in the arena where Rykard’s attacks couldn’t hit due to poor pathing or geometry. Standing on ledges or corners allowed for free damage with bows or spells.
While many of these exploits have been patched, they may still work depending on the game version or timing. This method usually involves patience and knowledge of Rykard’s AI patterns.
Tips to Improve Cheese Success
Even when using cheese methods, preparation is important to ensure success. Here are a few tips to maximize your chances:
- Upgrade your Spirit Ashes: A strong summon makes a huge difference when using the Mimic or other distractions.
- Use talismans that boost damage: Equip items that enhance your specific attack type whether melee, magic, or fire.
- Stack consumables: Buff with magic potions, defense boosters, and flask enhancements before starting the fight.
- Learn the timing: Rykard has clear wind-ups for major attacks. Understanding his animation patterns helps avoid damage.
Don’t forget to reallocate your flasks at a Site of Grace before the fight favor FP if you’re using magic or summons heavily, and HP if you’re going melee.
Cheesing Rykard: Is It Legitimate?
Some players debate whether cheesing a boss like Rykard is legitimate or fair. The truth is, Elden Ring gives players the freedom to approach challenges however they choose. The game does not penalize players for using smart tactics or spirit ashes. In fact, even the Serpent-Hunter is a form of built-in cheese it’s a weapon that only works in this fight, encouraging players to play differently.
Whether you’re using terrain exploits, powerful summons, or ranged attacks, the goal is the same: defeating a difficult boss in a way that fits your playstyle. Cheesing is just another form of problem-solving, and in a game known for brutal difficulty, any edge can feel like a small victory.
What Happens After Beating Rykard?
Defeating Rykard rewards you with Runes, a Remembrance, and the chance to unlock one of his unique weapons or spells through Finger Reader Enia. You also gain access to more of Volcano Manor’s questline and lore. Beating him breaks the faction’s power and grants deeper insight into the game’s dark mythology.
More importantly, it clears one of the required Shardbearers if you’re aiming to reach the final legacy dungeons of the game. Whether you cheese the fight or conquer it with raw skill, the outcome is the same you’ve progressed in one of the most demanding titles in gaming.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is one of Elden Ring’s most unique and challenging bosses, not just in design but in the way the fight unfolds. For many, cheesing the encounter offers a satisfying shortcut, especially if they’ve struggled with earlier fights or want to experiment with mechanics. From Mimic Tear support to ranged spell tactics and environmental tricks, there are multiple ways to tilt the battle in your favor. Elden Ring encourages creativity, and using a cheese method for Rykard is just one example of that flexibility in action. However you choose to take him down, what matters is that you claim victory and move forward into the Lands Between with confidence.