I never bother with that lava lord stuff. There's nothing you need, and nothing i want, involved in that part of the Rift.

Heh. My mook bard-fighter knocked the lava lord unconscious with a single swing of her giant sword. The lava lord nevered managed a single attack.

My hardest fights:
1. Nessie
2. Largest group of Rynjin
3. Dark Savant
4. Those cursed fish in Shallows and Underwater Tunnels
5. Don Barlone
6. Al-Sadexus
7. Rapax castle
8. Temple fight
9. Souldrinker
10. Rapax army on the Ascention Peak

Order is a bit random because last time I played to the end was some time ago.

The hardest fight for me was DOn Barlone at lvl 7 with a melee only party. Other notable mentions would be Nessie (if low level party), various fish in the underwater areas, SE wilderness temple, Souleater, Gregor (if low level). Dark Savant, Al-S. and Lavalord don't even come close, since they are not too much stronger than the creatures who are found in their areas. And the Dark Savant is just too easy. With one fighter in the party he goes down in two rounds.

Psi-sharks are near the top for me.