The winner of the 2023 Game of the Year title, Elden Ring, captivated gamers with its breathtaking visuals and a challenging yet fair gameplay experience, particularly through its array of boss characters. Many players hold these bosses in high esteem, prompting speculation about the return of past adversaries as the highly anticipated update nears its release.

The upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is poised to deliver a wealth of new content, offering players fresh weapons, gear, skills, and a heightened level of difficulty with the introduction of over 10 new boss characters in the mysterious Land of Shadow. Among the potential candidates for a dramatic return stands Praetor Rykard, a foe previously vanquished in the depths of Volcano Manor.

The Case for Praetor Rykard's Resurgence in Shadow of the Erdtree

Praetor Rykard, the once noble Lord of Volcano Manor, underwent a dramatic transformation upon merging with the God-Devouring Serpent, driven by a desire to dismantle Marika's order and unite like-minded individuals in his cause. His insatiable quest for power and eternal life poses a formidable challenge to any who underestimate him, as he seeks to expand his 'family' by consuming formidable champions.

The groundwork for Rykard's potential return is laid through ominous clues left behind: his cryptic dying declaration,