Messmer the Impaler is in the Dark Chamber at the top of Shadow Keep in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Reach him by progressing through the Storehouse to the keep’s upper levels. The fight has two phases, so focus on dodging his attack strings and striking during recovery rather than trying to trade hits.
Where to find Messmer the Impaler
Messmer waits at the Dark Chamber Entrance Site of Grace in Shadow Keep. To reach him, advance through the Storehouse toward the keep’s upper levels. A route outline in ConCon’s walkthrough lists these landmarks in order:
- Shadow Keep Main Gate
- Storehouse, First Floor
- Storehouse, Fourth Floor
- Storehouse, Seventh Floor
- Dark Chamber Entrance
Those landmarks establish the broad route, not every turn, lift, shortcut, or prerequisite. Use the Storehouse floor labels to orient yourself as you climb; the available route description does not provide enough detail to reliably specify each connection between them.
How to prepare for the fight
Messmer is a mandatory main boss. His fight is aggressive, with spear combos and fire attacks in the first phase, followed by serpent attacks in the second. PowerPyx describes it as a two-phase encounter with one overall health bar, so conserve healing and look for openings instead of assuming a phase transition restores your progress.
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- Playable on 21st June 2024.
- Pre-order now and get the following bonus content for the expansion: ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Bonus Gesture
- Winner of hundreds of accolades including The Game Awards Game of the Year and Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year, ELDEN RING is the acclaimed action RPG epic set in a vast, dark fantasy world. Players embark on an epic quest with the freedom to explore and adventure at their own pace.
- The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion features an all-new story set in the Land of Shadow imbued with mystery, perilous dungeons, and new enemies, weapons and equipment.
- Discover uncharted territories, face formidable adversaries, and revel in the satisfying triumph of victory. Dive into the riveting interplay of characters, where drama and intrigue intertwine, that create an immersive experience to savor and enjoy.
- Keep enough health to survive a long sequence or a grab; either can punish a mistimed dodge.
- Prioritize evasion over interrupting his attacks. Medium-range combos can cover ground, so avoid committing to a slow attack while a string is still underway.
- Wait for a combo to finish, then use the recovery window for a short punish.
These are general recommendations based on PowerPyx’s boss guide, not independently tested build advice. Its guide also recommends attacking after certain serpent transformations and attacks in phase two; the opening depends on the specific move, so avoid treating every transformation as a guaranteed safe window.
What changes in each phase
Phase one: spear and fire
Messmer uses rapid spear strings and fire attacks. Focus on reading the end of each sequence: dodge through the attack pattern, maintain enough stamina to respond, and punish only after he has committed to the final move. Rushing in between hits risks being caught by the next part of the combo.
Phase two: serpent attacks
Serpent attacks make the second phase less predictable. Keep watching the full attack rather than reacting only to Messmer’s initial movement. PowerPyx identifies recovery after some serpent transformations and attacks as opportunities to retaliate; otherwise, continue prioritizing survival and wait for a clear end to the sequence.
Rewards and story progression
Defeating Messmer awards Messmer’s Kindling, which is used at the Sealing Tree to advance the story, along with the Remembrance of the Impaler. PowerPyx lists the in-game reward as 400,000 runes; that figure is the guide’s reported reward, not an independently measured statistic. Eldenpedia’s Messmer entry records his line: “Those stripped of the Grace of Gold shall all meet death. In the embrace of Messmer’s flame.”
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For players interested in a physical collectible rather than help with the boss, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe’s 2024 Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Edition page lists a 46 cm Messmer the Impaler statue, an art book, an expansion download code, and a soundtrack voucher. The expansion requires the base game. The page describes console compatibility and edition contents, but does not establish current stock; availability and terms may vary by region, so check the official listing for your location before purchasing.
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