Are Abyss Watchers Optional in Dark Souls 3?
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The simple answer is no, the Abyss Watchers are not an optional boss fight in Dark Souls 3. Defeating them is mandatory for progressing through the game. They are a significant roadblock located in Farron Keep, and overcoming them is crucial to unlocking the path to the next main area. This means that regardless of your playstyle or preferred route, you will ultimately have to face and conquer this challenging encounter.
Understanding the Abyss Watchers
The Abyss Watchers stand as a formidable hurdle for many players. They are not just another boss; they are a vital part of the game’s narrative and mechanical progression. Their importance goes beyond simply being an obstacle, making their fight central to the Dark Souls 3 experience.
The Lore and Significance
The Abyss Watchers are more than just challenging enemies; they are deeply embedded in the game’s lore. They are followers of Sif and Artorias, also known as the Wolf Knight, and their goal is to prevent the spread of the Abyss. This dedication to eradicating the Abyss, however, led to their tragic corruption. They are cursed to relentlessly fight amongst themselves and resurrect, a twisted cycle of duty and despair. The lore of the Abyss Watchers provides the fight with context, adding a layer of depth to the difficulty.
A Memorable Fight
The battle itself is memorable. It’s a multi-stage encounter with three individual Watchers involved: two initially, and then a third, red-eyed watcher that joins the fight. The dynamic of having multiple opponents, including them fighting amongst each other, makes the fight unique and challenging. Successfully navigating this chaos is key to victory, forcing players to adapt and learn.
Preparing for the Fight
Knowing that the Abyss Watchers are not optional means being prepared for the encounter. Here are some tips to help you:
Recommended Level
A good level to tackle the Abyss Watchers is around Lv 35-40. This provides enough health, stamina, and damage to comfortably withstand their attacks and deal sufficient damage. However, player skill can be more important than level alone.
Pre-Fight Tasks
Before heading to the Abyss Watchers, take the time to explore and strengthen your character. Key actions to perform include:
- Locate the Farron Keep Perimeter bonfire. This will serve as your checkpoint for the area.
- Give the Dreamchaser’s Ashes to the Handmaiden at Firelink Shrine and speak to Sirris.
- Find Anri of Astora and Horace the Hushed at Firelink Shrine, furthering their storyline.
- Explore the Farron Swamp area to find the Fallen Knight Armor, or better yet, farm the Black Knight in the same area for his armor and shield.
Essential Equipment
Choosing the right weapon and armor for the fight can make a noticeable difference. While many weapons are viable, consider the following:
- Weapon Choice: While the Farron Greatsword and Wolf Knight’s Greatsword are both thematically appropriate choices, with the latter edging out the former, other weapons that can stagger the Watchers may be preferable, depending on your playstyle. Weapons such as Great Clubs and Greatswords can stagger them with each hit, making them more vulnerable.
- Armor Choice: The Fallen Knight Armor is an easily acquired, solid armor option found in the Farron Swamp before the ladder at Crucifix Woods, while farming the Black Knight armor is a step up.
Understanding Their Weaknesses
Knowing how to exploit their weaknesses will make the fight more manageable.
- Parrying: They can be parried and riposted, like any other human-sized enemy. Practice makes perfect, and even a single successful parry will give you a major advantage.
- Backstabbing: Circle around them carefully to get behind for a backstab, which deals significant damage.
- Staggering: They are susceptible to stagger, so use heavy weapons and aggressive attacks. They have relatively low health, making them prime targets for powerful weapons.
- Lightning Damage: They are vulnerable to lightning damage, so weapons enchanted with lightning or resin will be very useful.
- Their Own Chaos: The Abyss Watchers tend to attack each other, which is a major advantage to the player.
Debunking Myths and Misconceptions
Despite their notoriety, some players believe the Abyss Watchers are overly difficult. Let’s address some common misconceptions:
Difficulty Perception
Many find them challenging initially but not impossibly so. They are considered among the Lords of Cinder, but they are relatively easy technically. They have lower health compared to other bosses, are easily staggered and even stunlocked, and can be parried, backstabbed and tricked to fight each other.
Cheesing the Fight
If you’re struggling, there are ways to cheese the fight. Shielding is an effective tactic. A block from a shield will stagger them briefly. This allows you to reposition and backstab, as they are easy to circle around if you are not rolling. If you don’t want to backstab, just a couple of hits will stagger them.
FAQs About the Abyss Watchers
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Abyss Watchers to provide a more in-depth perspective:
1. What is the best strategy for the first phase of the fight?
Focus on isolating one watcher while trying to avoid being surrounded. Let them attack each other and look for openings to backstab or stagger.
2. How does the second phase differ?
In the second phase, one of the Watchers becomes empowered with fire, gaining new, more aggressive attacks. Adapt your strategy and don’t be afraid to adjust to the new attack patterns.
3. Is it better to use a fast weapon or a slow, heavy weapon against them?
Heavy weapons tend to be favored for their ability to stagger the Watchers, while faster weapons can be used with a different approach of parrying, backstabbing, and chip-damaging.
4. Are the Abyss Watchers considered hard compared to other bosses in Dark Souls 3?
Compared to certain other bosses, they are generally considered moderately difficult, not the toughest but certainly not a pushover. Their difficulty lies in their aggression and multiple targets.
5. Can you summon help for the Abyss Watchers fight?
Yes, you can summon other players for assistance, which can greatly reduce the difficulty of the encounter.
6. How does their lore connect to Artorias and Sif?
The Abyss Watchers were originally inspired by Artorias, who is the legendary Wolf Knight. Their armor and move sets are similar to what players of Dark Souls encountered when facing him. They carry on his duty, even corrupted.
7. What items do you get for defeating them?
Defeating the Abyss Watchers grants you the Soul of the Abyss Watchers, which can be used to transpose either the Farron Greatsword or Wolf Knight’s Greatsword and provides access to the next area.
8. Is farming before the Abyss Watchers essential?
Farming is not essential, but it can be beneficial if you’re struggling. Good locations include the Undead Settlement, and Cathedral of the Deep.
9. Does armor matter against the Abyss Watchers?
Armor helps, but learning to dodge and parry will be more effective. The Fallen Knight Armor is a solid early option, with the Black Knight Armor being a great upgrade.
10. Are there any environmental advantages during the fight?
There are no real environmental advantages, but keep an eye out for the Watchers to attack each other, and leverage that.
11. Can the Abyss Watchers be poisoned or bled?
While it is possible to inflict poison and bleed, it is not very effective on the Watchers, and should not be prioritized over other tactics.
12. What is the best approach for players who have never played a Souls game before?
Patience is key. Learn their attack patterns, use shields to position, practice parrying and be prepared to die a few times.
13. Are the Abyss Watchers susceptible to magic damage?
While not particularly resistant, magic can still be used against them, though lightning is the preferred weakness.
14. How is their lore related to the overall story of Dark Souls 3?
Their lore ties directly to the themes of duty, corruption, and the endless cycle of the world in Dark Souls 3. They’re more than just enemies; they are a tragic embodiment of the game’s themes.
15. What makes the Abyss Watchers such a memorable boss fight?
Their uniqueness in being a multi-target boss, their connection to the lore, and the multi-phase structure of the fight, combined with the haunting soundtrack, make this battle one of the more memorable and challenging in the game.
Conclusion
The Abyss Watchers are an integral part of the Dark Souls 3 experience. They are not optional and defeating them is necessary to advance in the game. Despite being difficult for some, with the right approach, understanding of their weaknesses, and proper preparation, they can be overcome. Embrace the challenge, learn from your defeats, and you too can triumph over these fallen knights.