Upon reaching the Shadow Lands in pursuit of Miquella, you will ultimately confront its tyrannical leader. Prepare for a challenging fight against Messmer the Impaler, but we will provide detailed instructions on how to defeat him below.
Despite the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree trailers portraying Messmer the Impaler as a merciless dictator and the primary adversary of the DLC, it is unexpected that you will confront such a crucial figure so early on. However, in order to reach your goal, you must now face the fiery demigod and put an end to his malevolent reign – here’s a guide on how to do so.
Messmer the Impaler is the ruler of the Shadow Lands.
Messmer the Impaler’s location
Having reached the top floor of the Shadow Keep’s Specimen Storehouse, you will find Messmer, the boss of the expansion’s third Legacy Dungeon, waiting for you in his Dark Chamber.
Just outside his arena, there is a Site of Grace known as the Dark Chamber Entrance.
After taking a break at the Grace, proceed to Messmer’s Dark Chamber where you will face off against the ruler of the Shadow Lands.
How to defeat Messmer the Impaler
Prior to the start of the battle, it would be wise to prepare by equipping protective items against fire damage, such as the Flamedrake Talisman. With Messmer’s frequent use of fire attacks, this talisman could greatly benefit you in the upcoming battle.
We discovered that Messmer was significantly more challenging than any previous bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree. Therefore, it is important to obtain Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ash before facing him in order to boost your stats.
If you are having difficulty raising Messmer’s health above 50%, it is a clear indication that you should consider increasing your stats by locating more of these items in the wilderness.
Messmer is not happy to see his lands invaded by followers of the Erdtree.
Phase 1
After engaging in a riveting and enlightening conversation, the battle will commence. Messmer will truly embody his moniker, “The Impaler,”as he uses his long spear to attack you. Following this, Messmer will summon a fiery ball and hurl it at you while airborne.
This will target you specifically, but can be avoided with relative ease. However, the true threat lies in the AOE flame that engulfs the ground upon impact of the ball. Make sure to quickly move away from the affected area and take advantage of Messmer’s vulnerability during his recovery. If attacking is not an option, position yourself to strike or anticipate his next move.
If you plan on utilizing a summon (such as the mimic), activate it immediately upon entering the gate and swiftly roll to avoid its first attack upon arrival. After successfully dodging the flame burst AoE, you can either heal (if the mimic was used) or take the opportunity to launch a few attacks.
Expecting his next move to be a rapid succession of strikes, he may or may not incorporate fire damage. It is possible to defend against them or dodge to the side, and then quickly roll forward to catch him off guard and strike his vulnerable side. However, it is important not to be overly aggressive with your attacks as he will most likely retaliate with a quick jab once he regains his composure.
Messmer’s grab animation is his most lethal move, capable of causing immediate death. This occurs when he ignites his hand and charges towards you. It is important not to panic and roll away, but to stay calm and quickly move out of his path. There may even be an opportunity to counter his attack if you avoid being caught in it.
Be aware that your spirit summons or NPC allies are at a higher risk of being defeated by this move, and it has the potential to take them out in one hit. However, our biggest frustration was that during this animation, Messmer becomes invincible. So instead of wasting your attacks on him, focus on healing or buffing yourself. Don’t worry about your AI comrade’s well-being.
One of his most lethal attacks involves throwing a handful of red dust into the air and igniting it, creating a blazing wall of fire. While this can cause significant damage if it hits, the true threat lies in his quick jabs and combinations that he will unleash from behind the wall of flames. To avoid being caught in this attack, try to evade or roll around him before launching a counterattack.
If timed correctly, you will be able to surprise him from behind while he is still recovering from his jabs, giving you a chance to land a few strikes before safely retreating.
Occasionally, he may utilize a different version of this attack in which he sets the dust on fire and jumps into the air. If this occurs, quickly move to the opposite side of the arena and wait for the attack to finish before attempting to strike him. Be cautious not to get caught in the explosion when he lands, as it could prove fatal for players with less than 40 Vigor.
If one possesses the skill of parrying and riposting, Messmer is particularly susceptible to this tactic during his first phase. Successfully executing a riposte attack can stun him, providing an opportunity to deal significant damage.
Bring some protection against fire when fighting Messmer.
Phase 2: Messmer Serpent Base
After an unpleasant cutscene, Messmer will reveal his true form as Base Serpent Messmer, signaling the start of the second phase of the battle.
Messmer’s anger has been reignited due to his previous underestimation of a lowly Tarnished. As a result, he will now become even more determined and aggressive in his efforts to eliminate the threat you present. He will retain many of his attacks from Phase 1, but will execute them at a faster pace and in rapid succession.
Additionally, we discovered that rolling towards Messmer was an effective strategy, as it often caused the attack to miss us and allowed us to avoid the flames trailing behind us. When Messmer summoned dark clouds around himself, we knew he was about to perform a snake-like lunge. We were able to defend against this by either blocking or rolling to the side, but it is important to note that this move is quite swift.
We also observed him using a smoke attack to teleport, which he followed by striking from below. If you see him disappear in a cloud of black smoke, simply run towards him and spin around to attack when his strike misses. During this animation, he is vulnerable and we were able to inflict significant damage with bleed attacks, especially when our Mimic Tear joined in on the fight.
It is only a matter of time before he calls forth a great multitude of snakes, making it seem as though they are all around us. Frantically avoiding them could prove fatal. Therefore, it is best to locate a secure area and remain still until the onslaught subsides. Afterwards, seize the opportunity to strike at Messmer before he moves on to his next offensive.
The positive aspect is that in his second form, Messmer becomes a larger target, making it easier to hit him. Despite his strong attacks, Messmer has lower health compared to other bosses, resulting in a shorter and more manageable fight.
Messmer is enthralled to the Great Serpent.
NPC Allies
Hornsent can be summoned during this battle, but his summon sign will be located in the center of the arena instead of outside the boss gate.
Messmer the Impaler Rewards
After he’s been killed, Messmer drops the following:
- 400,000 Runes
- Remembrance of the Impaler
Enia, who is now deceased, can still be traded with at the Roundtable Hold for the Remembrance. This item can be exchanged for either the Spear of the Impaler or Messmer’s Orb, a potent fire spell.
Messmer the Impaler’s weaknesses
Messmer the Impaler’s vulnerabilities include the following elements and status ailments:
- Hemorrhage
- Frostbite
As anticipated, Messmer has a high resistance to fire attacks. While they may still cause harm, their impact will not be significant.
Are you getting ready to dive into Shadow of the Erdtree? Read about our experience after spending countless hours exploring the Shadow Lands.
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