Can You Conquer the Abyss Before Facing the Great Grey Wolf? Exploring Dark Souls DLC Order
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Yes, you absolutely can tackle the Artorias of the Abyss DLC before defeating Sif in Dark Souls. In fact, many players and experienced veterans recommend this approach for a more impactful narrative experience. You still have to beat him before you complete the game though. This is because encountering Sif after completing the DLC and saving him from the Abyss unlocks a special cutscene that adds significant emotional weight to the encounter. Here’s a deep dive into why this approach is compelling, how to execute it, and what you need to know.
Why Do the DLC Before Sif? The Narrative Impact
The Dark Souls games are renowned for their intricate world-building and subtle storytelling. The Artorias of the Abyss DLC provides significant backstory and context regarding Artorias the Abysswalker, a legendary knight whose legacy looms large throughout the main game. In the DLC, you’ll venture to Oolacile, a land consumed by the Abyss, where you’ll encounter figures such as Manus, Father of the Abyss, and, crucially, a young Sif trapped by the encroaching darkness.
Saving Sif in the DLC is where the magic happens. When you eventually encounter Sif in the Darkroot Garden for the traditional boss fight, a special cutscene will play. This scene reveals that Sif recognizes you as the one who saved him from the Abyss, adding a layer of tragic irony to the encounter. Sif is forced to fight you to prevent you from taking the Covenant of Artorias and facing the Four Kings, protecting you from a fate similar to Artorias’. The emotional impact of this scene is significantly heightened if you’ve already experienced the events of the DLC. This is a prime example of how environmental storytelling and player agency contribute to the immersive experience that the Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) recognizes as powerful learning tools within gaming.
How to Access the DLC Early
Accessing the Artorias of the Abyss DLC requires a few steps, but they can be accomplished relatively early in your playthrough:
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Defeat the Hydra in Darkroot Basin: This is a necessary precursor to access the DLC area.
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Rescue Dusk of Oolacile: After defeating the Hydra, head to the back of the area to find a golden golem. Defeating this golem will free Dusk of Oolacile. Accept her offer to be summoned and then summon her to purchase some sorceries.
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Acquire the Broken Pendant: Head to the Duke’s Archives (accessed after placing the Lordvessel). The Broken Pendant is dropped by a blue golem found near the entrance of the archives.
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Enter the DLC: Return to Darkroot Basin and head to the location where you rescued Dusk. A portal will now be active, triggered by the Broken Pendant. This portal transports you to the beginning of the DLC area.
Challenges and Considerations
While tackling the DLC early can enhance the narrative, it also presents a few challenges:
- Difficulty: The DLC area is generally considered to be more challenging than many of the areas accessible early in the main game. Be prepared for tougher enemies and bosses. It may be wise to level up a bit.
- Gear: Make sure you are properly equipped with upgraded weapons and armor to handle the increased difficulty.
- Timing: While you can access the DLC early, it’s generally recommended to do so after you’ve gained a few levels and upgraded your gear. Level 40-60 is a good range.
The Darkwraith Conundrum
The only real drawback of doing the DLC before Sif is that you won’t be able to join the Darkwraiths until NG+. You need the Covenant of Artorias from Sif to fight the Four Kings to progress through the Darkwraith covenant storyline with Kaathe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Sif a mandatory boss in Dark Souls?
Yes, Sif is a mandatory boss in Dark Souls. You must defeat Sif to obtain the Covenant of Artorias, which is required to access the Abyss and fight the Four Kings, a critical step towards completing the game.
2. Can you summon Sif for Manus if you haven’t fought Sif yet?
Yes, you can summon Sif for the Manus fight even if you haven’t fought him in the main game. Saving Sif in the DLC allows you to summon him to assist in the fight against Manus. The summon sign is inside the Manus arena, to the left.
3. What level is recommended for fighting Sif?
A recommended level for fighting Sif is around 40-50. This allows you to have sufficient health, stamina, and weapon upgrades to handle the fight effectively.
4. Does Sif increase Manus’s health?
No, summoning Sif as a phantom in the Manus fight does not increase Manus’s health. Summoned phantoms typically do not affect the boss’s health pool.
5. Is it possible to cut off Manus’s tail?
No, it is not possible to cut off Manus’s tail. Manus does not have a cuttable tail.
6. How do you trigger the special cutscene with Sif?
To trigger the special cutscene with Sif, you must save Sif in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC by venturing into the Chasm of the Abyss and defeating the enemies tormenting him. Then, when you encounter Sif in the Darkroot Garden for the boss fight, the unique cutscene will play.
7. Can you save Sif in every playthrough?
Yes, you can save Sif in every playthrough by completing the necessary steps in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.
8. Is there any advantage to giving the Soul of Artorias to Ciaran?
From a purely practical viewpoint, there is no real advantage to giving the Soul of Artorias to Ciaran. She gives you her dual Tracers, which are arguably two of the best Dex weapons in the game.
9. What happens if you don’t have the Covenant of Artorias ring?
If you don’t have the Covenant of Artorias, you cannot enter the Abyss and fight the Four Kings. The ring is essential for surviving the Abyss.
10. Is the Artorias of the Abyss DLC difficult?
Yes, the Artorias of the Abyss DLC is generally considered to be more difficult than many of the base game areas. The enemies and bosses in the DLC are challenging and require careful planning and execution.
11. What should you do after beating Sif?
After defeating Sif, you should continue exploring Darkroot Garden. You need to head left after exiting Sif’s chamber, following the cliff until you cross a stone bridge.
12. Can you save Sif before fighting Artorias?
No. You have to fight Artorias before you can save Sif. You have to progress through the DLC and then rescue Sif from the Abyss.
13. Why is Sif guarding Artorias’ grave?
Sif is not guarding Artorias’ grave. Sif is guarding the Covenant of Artorias in the Darkroot Garden, which is required to traverse The Abyss.
14. Does difficulty affect the Sif cutscene?
No, difficulty does not affect the Sif cutscene. The cutscene will play regardless of the difficulty setting, as long as you have saved Sif in the DLC before fighting him in the main game.
15. Where do you get the covenant of Artorias?
You get the covenant of Artorias after you beat Sif.
Conclusion
Exploring the Artorias of the Abyss DLC before battling Sif in Dark Souls unlocks a deeper layer of emotional resonance within the game’s narrative. While it may present a greater challenge in terms of difficulty, the payoff is well worth the effort, particularly for players seeking a more profound understanding of the lore and characters within the Dark Souls universe. Remember to upgrade your gear, level up adequately, and prepare for a journey that will redefine your understanding of sacrifice and duty. This order of play highlights how games can create emotionally impactful experiences, aligning with the principles explored at GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy delving!