This guide will help you master Messmer’s Spear, breaking down its mechanics, ideal builds, combat usage, and advanced PvE and PvP tactics.

1. Weapon Overview: What Makes Messmer’s Spear Special

Messmer’s Spear is a unique great spear imbued with fire and madness-infused properties, likely acquired by defeating Messmer during the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

Core Stats (Assumed):

Weapon Type: Great Spear

Scaling: Strength, Dexterity, and Faith

Damage: Physical + Fire

Special Trait: Causes Madness buildup (unique to this weapon)

Weapon Skill: Flame Spiral Impalement – an explosive flame-charged thrust with AoE fire aftershock

Key Features:

Long reach with heavy stagger potential

Fire-infused attacks ideal for Faith hybrids

Madness effect useful in PvP against Tarnished

Unique skill that blends melee burst with ranged flame AoE

2. Stat Requirements and Scaling

To wield Messmer’s Spear effectively, you'll need a hybrid Strength/Faith or Dexterity/Faith build. While exact scaling may vary, expect:

Minimum Requirements: ~20 Strength, 15 Dexterity, 20+ Faith

Ideal Build Stats:

Strength or Dexterity: 30+

Faith: 40+ (for maximum flame damage and skill scaling)

Mind: 20+ (for frequent use of the weapon skill)

Vigor: 40 (essential for melee builds in late game)

3. Best Builds for Messmer’s Spear

A. Strength/Faith Hybrid (Paladin of Flame)

Attributes: High Strength and Faith, with enough Mind and Vigor to tank.

Armor: Medium-heavy for poise, fire resistance (e.g., Messmer’s own set).

Talismans:

Fire Scorpion Charm – boosts fire damage.

Shard of Alexander – enhances weapon skill power.

Erdtree’s Favor – boosts HP, stamina, equip load.

Spells:

Flame, Grant Me Strength

Blessing of the Erdtree

Catch Flame (for quick cast)

This build emphasizes aggressive melee trading and flame-heavy skill usage.

B. Dex/Faith Flame Lancer

Attributes: Prioritize Dexterity for faster attacks and better madness buildup.

Armor: Lighter armor to maintain roll speed.

Talismans:

Radagon Icon – faster spell cast, complements hybrid spellcasting.

Flock’s Canvas Talisman – boosts incantation power.

Lightning/Fire Resistance talismans for survivability.

Spells:

Frenzied Burst (to match Madness synergy)

Flame Sling / Giantsflame Take Thee

Heal / Flame Protect Me!

This variant weaves in ranged fire or Frenzied Flame spells to complement spear usage.

4. Combat Mechanics and Weapon Skill Usage

Basic Moveset:

Messmer’s Spear uses the Great Spear moveset:

Standard Attacks (R1): Long-reach thrusts, effective for spacing and footsies.

Charged Attacks (R2): Heavy lunges with bonus stagger.

Jump Attack: A strong two-handed slam, ideal for poise-breaking.

Running Attack: Fast thrust to catch fleeing foes.

Guard Counter: Pairs well with medium shields for a reactive style.

Weapon Skill – Flame Spiral Impalement (Assumed Name):

This is the spear’s signature move, which:

Charges forward with a fiery thrust

Leaves a spiral flame trail

Ends in a fiery AoE burst (with Madness buildup)

Tips for Use:

Use after baiting a dodge or shield raise—hard to punish.

Aim at clustered mobs in PvE for maximum value.

Combos well after a guard counter or jumping attack.

In PvP, time it during roll recovery frames or punish slow attacks.

5. PvE Strategy: Dominating the Battlefield

General Mob Clearing:

Use long thrusts to poke enemies before they close in.

Combine jumping attacks with fire buffs for fast staggers.

Against groups, the skill’s AoE helps spread burn and control space.

Boss Fights:

Stay mid-range and abuse spear length to avoid trading.

Use Flame Spiral Impalement after boss recovery windows.

Buff pre-fight with Flame, Grant Me Strength and Golden Vow.

Punish slower bosses with jumping R2 combos and weapon skill chains.

6. PvP Strategy: Control, Pressure, and Mind Games

Messmer’s Spear is a PvP powerhouse with its combination of:

Madness buildup (hard to resist)

Unpredictable skill range and AoE

Reach advantage over most melee weapons

PvP Tips:

Play reactive—poke with R1, bait rolls, then punish with the weapon skill.

Madness buildup forces ranged casters to back off.

Use backstep R1 to catch aggressive roll-pokers.

Weapon skill is dodgeable—mix in feints or cast it after jump-R2 to catch panic rolls.

Counters to Watch Out For:

Madness-resistant builds (especially other Faith builds)

Spell-heavy enemies that out-range you (Snipers or Moonlight builds)

Hyper armor weapons (Greatswords, Colossal Weapons)

Best Counter Strategy:

Stay mobile.

Use the spear's range and dodge-punish tools.

Don’t over-commit to the weapon skill—it has windup.

7. Buffs and Enhancements

While you can’t infuse Messmer’s Spear (being a unique weapon), you can still use:

Incantation Buffs:

Flame, Grant Me Strength – massive boost to physical/fire.

Golden Vow – general damage and defense buff.

Blessing of the Erdtree – health sustain.

Flame Protect Me! – situational vs other fire enemies.

Physick Mixtures:

Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear – boosts fire attack.

Greenburst Crystal Tear – faster stamina regen (helps with pokes and rolls).

Holy-Shrouding Cracked Tear – if hybridizing with holy incantations.

8. Tips for Mastery

Learn enemy spacing: the spear’s length is best used from just outside enemy range.

Use jumping attacks to break enemy poise—especially against humanoid foes.

Practice timing the weapon skill between enemy swings or rolls.

Alternate between charged R2s and normal thrusts to keep opponents guessing.

In co-op, use the weapon skill to zone enemies or break poise for allies to finish off.

Conclusion

Messmer’s Spear is more than just a weapon—it’s a statement. With its burning blade and buy Elden Ring Runes madness infusion, it stands out as a top-tier weapon for any Tarnished who loves tactical spearplay combined with elemental devastation. Whether you’re dueling in PvP or scorching through the expansion’s deadliest dungeons, mastering this iconic weapon will put the fury of Messmer’s flame in your hands.