Summary
With a backstory as deep as what has been presented in the base game ofElden Ring, there were plenty of opportunities for theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC to answer many open questions. The new boss, Metyr, Mother of Fingers may be one of the most influential additions to the game’s lore, delivering much needed context to everything from a strange type of enemy mob to thenature of the God-like Two Fingers.
On top of the lore implications, Metyr also brings an impressive fight toElden Ringthat follows in the footsteps of other FromSoftware designs that pit the player against a deity in an otherworldly lake. Combine this fight with an elongated quest that highlights the strangest aspect of the game world, and Metyr stands tall as a highlight ofShadow of the Erdtree.
Metyr, Mother of Fingers, on the Pulse of Elden Ring’s Biggest Questions
A Quest Across the Shadow Lands
To even find Metyr in the first place, players will need to explore the outer edges of the Shadow Lands. This starts with finding Count Ymir in the Cathedral of Manus Metyr before then heading out to find the threeFinger Ruins scattered throughoutShadow of the Erdtree. While it might originally feel like a lengthy series of trips to several strange locations, this quest does a lot of heavy lifting to expand the lore of the themes of fingers found throughoutElden Ring. In fact, it is through this quest that players can first learn about Metyr and what her title as Mother of Fingers really means.
As is explained by Count Ymir, and later expanded on withMetyr’s Remembrance, the Mother of Fingers is the first envoy of the Great Will and created all of the Finger-themed creatures and items found throughoutElden Ring. These include the Fingercreepers, as well as possibly some of the furled finger items that connect worlds and allow for multiplayer. However, most important to the lore is the fact that Metyr is the source of the iconic Two Fingers that bind Empyreans to the Great Will. A great feat accomplished so long ago that Ymir believes it is time for both Metyr and her creations to be replaced.
How to Replace the Mother of Fingers
In the case of replacing the Mother of Fingers for Count Ymir, this means heading into the final Finger Ruins and being transported into a space between worlds reminiscent of the fight againstRom the Vacuous Spider inBloodborne. Unlike Rom, though, Metyr displaysElden Ring’s signature aggression from start to finish and doesn’t rely on filling the arena with smaller enemies in order to win. That doesn’t mean that Metyr won’t summon little Fingercreepers to catch the player off guard, but simply that it isn’t even close to being the most dangerous attack in the boss' arsenal. Although, it doesn’t appear at first that Metyr’s arsenal is really much to worry about during the initial phase of the fight.
Moving into phase two, however, Metyr quickly becomes one of the mostdemanding enemies inShadow of the Erdtree. Having started with little more than a series of slams and the occasional laser attacks, Metyr begins to call upon the true power of the cosmos from the fingers arching up from the boss' backside, with a massive explosion and arena-spanning lasers. It is an incredible step up in difficulty, as Metyr continues to pile on the pressure and gives fewer opportunities to attack between the onslaught of cosmic magic and heavy slams. With the phase shift that showcases Metyr’s power as the first envoy to the Lands Between and the direct expansion of the lore, the Mother of Fingers certainly makes a name for herself inElden Ringand its DLC.
