The Blasphemous Blade remains one of the most sought-after greatswords in ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, and knowing exactly how to get the Blasphemous Blade transforms your faith build from mediocre to monstrous. This weapon drops from Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, and its Taker's Flames skill heals you on every kill while dealing massive fire damage. Because the blade scales primarily with Strength and Faith, it rewards players who invest in both stats rather than spreading themselves thin across multiple damage types. The journey to claim it requires reaching Volcano Manor, surviving one of the game's most theatrical boss fights, and making the right choice at the Roundtable Hold. Get the latest weapon acquisition strategies, stat requirements, and build recommendations below so you can wield this legendary greatsword with confidence. If you're chasing the full legendary-armor aesthetic to match that greatsword, be sure to check out our Elden Ring How To Get Malenia Armor guide for the exact location and strategy to secure her complete set. For more detail, see the best faith weapons alongside it, covered in our related guide.
Understanding the Blasphemous Blade Acquisition Path
The path to obtaining the Blasphemous Blade follows a specific sequence that every player should understand before venturing into Volcano Manor. According to the official ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition page from Bandai Namco, the blade drops from Rykard via his Remembrance, which means you cannot simply pick it up from a chest or defeat a random field boss. The acquisition requires defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, inside the Volcano Manor legacy dungeon, then exchanging his Remembrance at Enia's shop in the Roundtable Hold.
The full acquisition sequence breaks down into these essential steps:
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Reach Volcano Manor by either completing Rya's questline in Liurnia or finding the hidden path through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
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Progress through the manor until you reach the Audience Chamber site of grace, which sits directly before the boss arena.
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Defeat Rykard using the Serpent-Hunter spear found inside the boss arena, which deals massive damage to the Lord of Blasphemy.
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Return to the Roundtable Hold and speak with Finger Reader Enia to exchange Rykard's Remembrance for the Blasphemous Blade.
The weapon requires 22 Strength and 21 Faith to wield effectively, which means most players will need to invest several levels before they can even swing it. Community reports suggest that players who rush to Volcano Manor early often find themselves short on the required stats, so planning your leveling path matters just as much as knowing the route. The blade also scales with Strength at C-rank and Faith at D-rank at base level, though upgrading it to +10 dramatically improves both scaling values.
What makes this acquisition path particularly appealing is that Rykard's fight is designed to be accessible with the Serpent-Hunter spear, which negates the need for a highly optimized build before attempting it. This means even players who have focused on other weapon types can secure the Blasphemous Blade without respeccing first, as long as they meet the base stat requirements afterward.
Stat Requirements and Scaling Breakdown
Understanding the stat requirements for the Blasphemous Blade helps you plan your build efficiently, especially when you are considering how to get the Blasphemous Blade alongside other powerful weapons. The blade demands 22 Strength and 21 Faith, which places it firmly in the quality-faith hybrid category rather than a pure strength or pure faith weapon. This stat spread means you cannot simply dump all your levels into one attribute and expect optimal performance.
| Stat | Base Requirement | Scaling at +10 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 22 | B | Primary damage stat |
| Faith | 21 | B | Secondary damage stat |
| Dexterity | 0 | D | Minimal investment needed |
| Intelligence | 0 | — | No scaling |
| Arcane | 0 | — | No scaling |
The Taker's Flames skill deserves special attention because it fundamentally changes how you approach combat encounters. When activated, the skill launches a wave of fire that deals significant damage while restoring HP equal to a percentage of the damage dealt. Community testing indicates that the heal triggers on every enemy killed by the skill, which makes it exceptional for clearing groups of weaker enemies while sustaining through longer engagements.
Players often compare the Blasphemous Blade to other faith-scaling weapons when deciding how to allocate their stats. The Sacred Relic Sword, which drops from the final boss, offers similar wave-clearing potential but requires 14 Strength, 24 Dexterity, and 22 Faith. While the Sacred Relic Sword demands less Strength, its higher Dexterity requirement makes it less appealing for pure strength-faith builds. The Blasphemous Blade's lower Dexterity requirement means you can invest those points into Vigor or Endurance instead, which improves your survivability in late-game areas.
When planning your leveling order, prioritize Strength to 22 first so you can two-hand the weapon, then bring Faith to 21 for the full damage potential. After meeting both requirements, continue investing in Strength and Faith equally to maximize the scaling returns, while keeping Vigor at 40 or higher for the Mountaintops of the Giants and beyond.
Comparing the Blasphemous Blade to Other Top Weapons
Rykard’s Remembrance Exchange: Enia’s Shop Mechanics
After defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Volcano Manor, his Remembrance is the sole source of the Blasphemous Blade. You must travel to the Roundtable Hold and speak with Finger Reader Enia to exchange the Remembrance for the weapon. This is a one-time transaction per playthrough unless you duplicate the Remembrance at a Walking Mausoleum. Note that Rykard’s Remembrance can also be exchanged for Rykard’s Rancor, a Faith-based incantation, so choose carefully if you do not plan to duplicate it.
Taker’s Flames Skill: Healing and Fire Damage Analysis
Taker’s Flames is the Blasphemous Blade’s unique skill, unleashing a wave of fire that deals significant damage and heals you for a percentage of your maximum HP per enemy killed. The heal triggers on any kill, including mobs, making it invaluable for clearing Volcano Manor’s corridors and farming runs. Each kill restores roughly 4% of your max HP, which stacks with the Godskin Swaddling Cloth talisman for additional regen. This makes the weapon exceptionally strong in mob-heavy areas like the Haligtree, where sustained combat is the norm.
The Blasphemous Blade competes with several other weapons for the top spot in faith builds, and understanding these comparisons helps you decide whether this greatsword fits your playstyle. While the elden ring best greatsword debate often comes down to personal preference, the Blasphemous Blade's combination of damage, healing, and reach makes it a strong contender for the title.
| Weapon | Stat Requirements | Skill | Unique Trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blasphemous Blade | 22 Str / 21 Fai | Taker's Flames | Heals on kill |
| Sacred Relic Sword | 14 Str / 24 Dex / 22 Fai | Wave of Gold | Massive wave damage |
| Maliketh's Black Blade | 34 Str / 12 Dex / 20 Fai | Destined Death | HP reduction on hit |
| Golden Order Greatsword | 16 Str / 21 Dex / 21 Fai | Establish Order | Holy damage focus |
The elden ring best katana category offers a different playstyle entirely, with weapons like the Moonveil and Rivers of Blood favoring Dexterity and Arcane builds. While katanas provide faster attack speeds and bleed buildup, they lack the raw damage per hit and sustain that the Blasphemous Blade offers. If you prefer a more aggressive, in-your-face playstyle, the greatsword's poise damage and healing make it superior for trading blows with bosses.
For players considering the elden ring best straight sword options, weapons like the Sword of Night and Flame provide spellcasting utility but require Intelligence and Faith investment. The Blasphemous Blade simplifies your stat spread by focusing on just Strength and Faith, which frees up levels for Vigor, Endurance, and Mind. This flexibility makes it easier to build a well-rounded character rather than a glass cannon.
The elden ring best hammer category includes weapons like the Giant-Crusher and Prelate's Inferno Crozier, which deal massive poise damage but swing slowly. While hammers excel at breaking enemy stances, they lack the healing utility and range of the Blasphemous Blade. The greatsword's longer reach also makes it safer for fighting multiple enemies simultaneously, which is a common scenario in the game's open-world areas.
When comparing against the elden ring best spear options, such as the Bolt of Gransax or the Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear, the Blasphemous Blade offers superior damage per hit but slower attack speed. Spears provide excellent reach and thrust attacks that can be used from behind a shield, but they lack the wave-clearing potential of Taker's Flames. Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer defensive poke play or aggressive trading.
Building Around the Blasphemous Blade
Once you understand how to get the Blasphemous Blade, the next step is constructing a build that maximizes its potential. The weapon's Strength and Faith scaling means you should prioritize those stats while maintaining adequate Vigor and Endurance for survivability. A typical level 150 build might allocate 50 points to Vigor, 30 to Endurance, 45 to Strength, and 45 to Faith, leaving the remaining points for Mind and Dexterity as needed.
The Taker's Flames skill benefits enormously from the Fire Scorpion Charm talisman, which increases fire damage by 12% while reducing physical damage negation by 10%. Community reports indicate that combining this talisman with the Shard of Alexander boosts skill damage by an additional 15%, creating a devastating combo for boss fights. The Carian Filigreed Crest reduces FP consumption for skills, allowing you to use Taker's Flames more frequently during extended encounters.
For armor, prioritize pieces with high fire resistance to offset the Fire Scorpion Charm's drawback. The Fire Prelate armor set offers excellent fire negation while providing solid physical defense, making it an ideal choice for this build. Alternatively, the Bull-Goat armor provides the highest poise in the game, allowing you to trade hits with bosses without being staggered.
Your flask allocation should include at least three Cerulean Tears to sustain Taker's Flames usage during boss fights. The skill costs 32 FP per use, which means a standard 38 Mind investment provides roughly seven uses before exhausting your FP pool. Players who prefer longer engagements should consider increasing Mind to 40 or equipping the Ancestral Spirit's Horn talisman, which restores FP on enemy kills.
For Spirit Ashes, the Mimic Tear remains the strongest choice because it copies your equipped weapon and uses Taker's Flames independently. This effectively doubles your damage output while providing a distraction for bosses. The Black Knife Tiche also works well because her ranged attacks complement your melee pressure, though she cannot benefit from your weapon's skill.
Advanced Blasphemous Blade Combos
Strength and Faith Scaling: 22 STR / 21 FAI Requirements
The Blasphemous Blade demands 22 Strength and 21 Faith to wield, making it a hybrid weapon suited for quality-Faith builds. At +10, it receives B scaling in both Strength and Faith, meaning your damage output grows substantially with investment in both stats. For comparison, the Sword of Milos requires 15 STR and 19 DEX, while the Blasphemous Blade’s Faith requirement locks out pure physical builds. Prioritize Faith to 21 first if you are leveling from a melee base, as the weapon’s skill and fire damage scale primarily with Faith.
Volcano Manor Route: Serpent-Hunter Spear Strategy
To reach Rykard, you must first complete the Volcano Manor questline or enter via the Abductor Virgin teleporter in Raya Lucaria. Inside the boss arena, the Serpent-Hunter spear is automatically equipped and is the only viable weapon for the first phase. The spear’s skill, Impaling Thrust, staggers Rykard’s serpent form, allowing you to chain attacks. In phase two, Rykard gains a sword and fire attacks; use the spear’s charged attacks to break his poise and trigger a critical hit, which deals massive damage and shortens the fight significantly.
Mastering the Blasphemous Blade requires understanding its strengths and limitations in various combat scenarios. The weapon's Taker's Flames skill excels in crowd control situations, but its long recovery animation leaves you vulnerable if you mistime the activation. Practice using the skill at medium range to catch enemies as they approach, rather than waiting until they are already in melee range.
| Scenario | Recommended Approach | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd clearing | Use Taker's Flames at range | Heal for each kill |
| Boss fights | Trade hits with charged attacks | Sustain through damage |
| PvP invasions | Mix light attacks with skill | Catch rolls with fire wave |
| Dungeon crawling | Two-hand for poise damage | Break enemy stances |
Against Rykard specifically, the Serpent-Hunter spear remains the optimal choice because its skill deals massive damage to the Lord of Blasphemy. However, once you obtain the Blasphemous Blade, you can use it effectively against Rykard in New Game Plus runs. The weapon's fire damage actually heals Rykard, so you must rely on physical damage from charged attacks rather than the Taker's Flames skill during that specific fight.
For general boss encounters, the Blasphemous Blade's charged heavy attacks deal excellent poise damage, allowing you to stagger most bosses within three to four hits. Combine this with the Cragblade Ash of War if you want even more poise damage, though this replaces the Taker's Flames skill. Most players prefer keeping Taker's Flames because the healing utility outweighs the additional poise damage in most situations.
The weapon's reach also provides advantages in PvP encounters, where the fire wave can catch players attempting to roll away from your attacks. Community testing suggests that the skill's hitbox extends slightly beyond the visual effect, making it more forgiving than it appears. This makes the Blasphemous Blade particularly effective for invasions, where catching multiple opponents with one skill activation can turn the tide of battle.
When exploring the game's open world, the Blasphemous Blade's healing on kill means you rarely need to use flasks for health restoration while clearing regular enemies. This allows you to save your Crimson Tears for boss fights and emergency situations, effectively increasing your overall survivability during long exploration sessions. The weapon pairs exceptionally well with the Blessed Dew Talisman, which restores 2 HP per second, creating a passive healing loop that keeps you topped up between engagements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get the Blasphemous Blade?
The fastest route requires reaching Volcano Manor through Rya's questline, which starts in Liurnia near the Grand Lift of Dectus. After obtaining the letter from Rya, travel to the manor, defeat the Godskin Noble boss, and proceed to the Audience Chamber. Defeat Rykard using the Serpent-Hunter spear, then exchange his Remembrance at the Roundtable Hold.
Can I get the Blasphemous Blade without fighting Rykard?
No, the Blasphemous Blade only drops from Rykard's Remembrance, which means you must defeat him to obtain it. There are no alternative sources for this weapon, and it cannot be found in chests or dropped by other enemies. The fight is mandatory for acquiring this specific greatsword.
Does the Blasphemous Blade heal on every kill?
Yes, the Taker's Flames skill heals you for a percentage of damage dealt when it kills enemies. The heal triggers on every enemy killed by the skill, including groups of weaker enemies. This makes the weapon exceptionally strong for clearing mobs while sustaining through longer engagements.
What talismans work best with the Blasphemous Blade?
The Fire Scorpion Charm increases fire damage by 12%, while the Shard of Alexander boosts skill damage by 15%. The Carian Filigreed Crest reduces FP consumption for skills, allowing more frequent Taker's Flames usage. The Ancestral Spirit's Horn restores FP on kills, creating a sustainable loop for extended fights.
Is the Blasphemous Blade better than the Sacred Relic Sword?
The Blasphemous Blade offers better sustain through healing, while the Sacred Relic Sword provides superior wave-clearing damage. The Blasphemous Blade requires less Dexterity, making it easier to build around for strength-faith characters. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize survivability or raw damage output in your build.