Diving into the Darkness: A Comprehensive Guide to the Abyss in Dark Souls
So, you’re brave (or foolish) enough to venture into the Abyss in Dark Souls. Good on you! It’s a dark, dangerous place, but also essential for completing the game and experiencing some of its most challenging content. Let’s cut to the chase:
The path to the Abyss involves a few key steps:
- Defeat Sif, the Great Grey Wolf: This unlocks the Covenant of Artorias ring.
- Navigate to New Londo Ruins: Located below Firelink Shrine.
- Drain the Water: Activate the lever after defeating Ingward to lower the water level.
- Equip the Covenant of Artorias: Absolutely essential to survive the Abyss.
- Descend into the Abyss: Find the entrance in the now-drained New Londo Ruins and drop into the darkness.
That’s the short version. Now, let’s delve into the details and address some common questions that arise along the way.
Reaching the Abyss: A Step-by-Step Guide
Slaying Sif and Obtaining the Covenant of Artorias
The first hurdle is Sif, the Great Grey Wolf. You’ll find him guarding Artorias’ grave in Darkroot Garden. Prepare for a poignant battle against a noble creature forced to defend his master’s final resting place. Defeating Sif grants you the Covenant of Artorias ring, which is absolutely crucial for surviving the Abyss. Without it, you’ll plummet to your death. Seriously.
Traversing New Londo Ruins
From Firelink Shrine, take the elevator down to New Londo Ruins. This area is initially flooded, making it treacherous and slow to navigate. Watch out for the ghosts – they can only be damaged if you’re cursed or using a transient curse. You’ll need to proceed carefully, using transient curses as necessary, until you can drain the water.
Draining the Water and Reaching Ingward
To drain the water, you need to find and defeat Ingward, a ghostly mage residing in the upper levels of New Londo Ruins. He holds the key to the floodgates. To reach Ingward, you’ll likely need to temporarily raise the water level slightly using a valve near the beginning of the area to access a higher rooftop. Defeat Ingward, and he’ll give you the key to drain the water.
Descending into the Abyss
Once the water is drained, a new section of New Londo Ruins is revealed. This area is riddled with Darkwraiths, powerful enemies that can drain your humanity. Proceed with caution. The entrance to the Abyss is located in a large, open area. Look for a swirling vortex of darkness. Equip the Covenant of Artorias ring, take a deep breath, and jump in!
Navigating the Abyss and Facing the Four Kings
The Abyss itself is a unique and unsettling environment. It’s a vast, empty expanse of darkness. The only enemies here are the Four Kings, the boss fight that awaits you at the bottom. The key to defeating the Four Kings is aggressive, close-quarters combat. Equip your best armor, buff your weapon, and get in their faces. They deal less damage up close, allowing you to stagger them and inflict significant damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if I don’t wear the Covenant of Artorias in the Abyss?
If you enter the Abyss without the Covenant of Artorias, you will fall endlessly and die. The ring is absolutely essential for surviving the descent. There is no avoiding this.
How do I cure curse in Dark Souls?
Curing curse requires a Purging Stone or the assistance of Ingward. Purging Stones can be purchased from Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish or the female Undead Merchant in the Undead Burg aqueduct.
What are transient curses for?
Transient curses allow you to damage ghosts in New Londo Ruins before you drain the water. They are essential for navigating the area and reaching Ingward.
Can I access the Abyss early in the game?
While technically possible to access New Londo Ruins early, it’s highly recommended to wait until after obtaining the Lordvessel. Draining the water and navigating the area is significantly easier with the ability to warp between bonfires.
Is the Chasm of the Abyss the same as the Abyss?
No, the Chasm of the Abyss is a separate area accessible through the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. It’s located in Oolacile and contains different enemies and challenges.
How do I start the Artorias of the Abyss DLC?
To access the DLC, you must:
- Defeat the Hydra in Darkroot Basin and rescue Dusk of Oolacile.
- Obtain the Lordvessel and give it to Frampt or Kaathe.
- Kill the Crystal Golem in the Duke’s Archives to obtain the Broken Pendant.
- Return to Darkroot Basin where you defeated the Hydra; a new golem will appear.
What is the best strategy for fighting the Four Kings?
The best strategy involves:
- Wearing heavy armor for poise and defense.
- Using a powerful weapon with high damage output.
- Staying close to the Kings to minimize damage taken.
- Drinking Estus Flasks aggressively to heal.
What happens if I beat the Four Kings before placing the Lordvessel?
If you defeat the Four Kings before placing the Lordvessel and have joined the Darkwraiths covenant (by agreeing with Kaathe at the abyss bonfire), Kaathe will take you to the Firelink Altar to place the Lordvessel and continue with his ending.
Is there anything else to do in the Abyss after defeating the Four Kings?
After defeating the Four Kings, a bonfire appears. If you haven’t yet placed the Lordvessel and have not spoken to Frampt, Darkstalker Kaathe will appear and offer you a covenant. Otherwise, there is nothing else of importance to do.
What covenant does Kaathe offer?
Kaathe offers the Darkwraiths covenant.
Is the Artorias DLC worth playing?
Absolutely! The Artorias of the Abyss DLC is considered by many to be some of the best content in the entire Dark Souls series. It features challenging new enemies, compelling lore, and memorable boss fights.
What are the Four Kings weak to?
The Four Kings are weakest to Lightning damage, followed closely by Fire damage.
What is the lore behind the Abyss?
The Abyss is a primordial force of darkness that threatens to consume the world. It is associated with the serpentine god Kaathe and the corrupting influence of the Dark Soul. You can explore these themes further with resources from the Games Learning Society. You can find out more information on the GamesLearningSociety.org website
Who is Ciaran, and what is her connection to Artorias?
Ciaran is one of Gwyn’s Four Knights and a member of the Lord’s Blades. It’s implied that she had romantic feelings for Artorias. You can find her body near Artorias’ grave after defeating him.
Can you cut the tail of Manus?
No, you cannot cut the tail of Manus.
Venturing into the Abyss is a challenging but rewarding experience in Dark Souls. By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to face the darkness and emerge victorious. Good luck, Chosen Undead!