Any tips for Messmer RL1

[Thane]

Iam average player, but I wanted to try how far I can get with RL1 no weapon upgrades. Somehow I made it to DLC and defeated Dancing lion, Rellana and Midra.

Now Iam stuck on Messmer for hours and it seems I met my limits. I use Omenkiller Rollo summon + 10, and Black knife ash of war + Swarm of flies spam. Scadutree and Revered spirit is almost maxed.

Usually I die soon after start of phase 2, but furthest I got was like 1/5 of hp, but both Rollo and Hornsent died I had couple of flasks left but he killed me with swift thrusting combo. I can tank one hit with Ritual shield and Dragoncrest greatshield talisman, but his combos are very wild I usually die on his jumping swift thrusting combo.

Any tips to make this fight easier on RL1?

[potato]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1_k8lLrZvc
play like this guy i guess

[76561199392198891]

In my RL1+0 run I found the following things very helpful:
- Great-Stars (the greathammer) with frost infusion does a decent job at building up frost and bleed. The stance damage is also very helpful to give you a bit of a breathing room every now and then
- Poison infused venomous fang is still bugged and applies deadly poison for 90 seconds, which chunks a large amount of HP from Messmer
- For phase 2 I have two Hefty Rot Pots ready to inflict scarlet rot (first opening for a throw is after the initial big snake explosion)

Since you are using summons, I think the best ashes are IMO the greatshield dudes, since they draw aggro very well, are pretty tanky and can inflict frost.
Hornsent is probably also pretty useful, since the Falx inflict bleed

If you find yourself dying a bit too much, you can make use of the uplifting aromatics, which let you (and your summons) tank large hits with next to no damage

Best of luck and don't you dare to go hollow. :D