Recommended Stats Before Rykard: Level 60-80 | Vigor 40 | Weapon +15 to +18
1. Where to Start & Early Steps
- Accessing Altus: There are two ways up: the Grand Lift of Dectus (requires the left medallion from Fort Haight in Limgrave and right medallion from Fort Faroth in Caelid) or the Ruin-Strewn Precipice (a dungeon path in northern Liurnia guarded by Magma Wyrm Makar).
- Golden Seeds: The Altus Plateau has an abundance of minor Erdtrees and Golden Seeds along the main roads. Ride through and grab them to max out your flasks.
- Mt. Gelmir: Located to the northwest of the plateau. Follow the path north, then west through the mountains (past the fallingstar beast crater) to reach Volcano Manor.
2. Things to Do Before the Boss
- Volcano Manor Assassinations: Join the manor by talking to Tanith. Do NOT kill the boss of the area (Rykard) yet. Complete the assassination requests (red markers on your map) to get some of the best armor sets in the game, including the Raging Wolf set and Hoslow's set.
- Rya's Quest: Continue talking to Rya inside the manor. She will eventually guide you to the hidden legacy dungeon behind a fake wall in the adjacent room.
- Miner's Bell Bearing [2]: Found in the Sealed Tunnel outside the capital's western wall. This allows you to buy Smithing Stones [3] and [4].
3. Volcano Manor (Legacy Dungeon)
Behind the illusory wall in the manor drawing room is a massive, lava-filled dungeon leading to the boss.
- The Lava: Walking on lava slows you down and damages you, but rolling through it allows you to move at normal speed. The damage isn't high, so don't be afraid to cross it when necessary.
- Mini-Boss: Godskin Noble: A tough, aggressive boss in the Temple of Eiglay. Use Sleep Pots to put him to sleep instantly for easy critical hits.
- After defeating the Noble, take the elevator up and navigate the rooftops to reach the portal that teleports you to Rykard's arena.
4. Boss Strategy: Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
- The Serpent-Hunter: Immediately upon entering the boss room, grab the spear on the left. Equip it. It has zero stat requirements and unleashes massive blades of wind in this boss room only. Do not use any other weapon.
- Pro Tip: Upgrade It! If you are struggling or dying, use the item menu to leave the boss fight, return to the Roundtable Hold, and upgrade the Serpent-Hunter a few times. It makes the fight trivially easy.
- Phase 1 (God-Devouring Serpent): Stand in the lava near its body. The lava does very little damage, and many of its biting attacks will go right over your head. Spam the Serpent-Hunter's light attacks and its unique skill.
- Phase 2 (Rykard): When he pulls out his sword, distance yourself slightly. When the sky turns red and flaming skulls start raining down, do not try to attack. Just sprint away continuously until the spell ends, then finish him off.