Navigating the Abyss: The Essential Ring for New Londo Ruins in Dark Souls
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The treacherous New Londo Ruins in Dark Souls present a unique challenge, not just in terms of enemies and level design, but also in terms of accessibility. To even begin your exploration, you need the Covenant of Artorias ring. This ring, acquired by defeating the Great Grey Wolf Sif in Darkroot Garden, is absolutely essential to survive the fall into the Abyss where the Four Kings boss fight takes place. Without it, you’ll be instantly killed by the bottomless chasm. This article will break down everything you need to know about this crucial item and navigating New Londo Ruins.
Understanding the Covenant of Artorias
The Covenant of Artorias isn’t just a key; it’s a lifeline. This ring is a testament to the legendary knight Artorias, who sacrificed himself to protect the world from the encroaching Abyss. Its protective magic allows you to traverse the very void he fought so hard to contain. Don’t forget to equip the Covenant of Artorias ring before jumping into the abyss!
Why is the Covenant of Artorias Ring Essential?
Without the ring, the Abyss inflicts instant death. There’s no gradual health drain, no chance to heal – just instant oblivion. This mechanic reinforces the lore, highlighting the immense power and danger of the Abyss and the need for exceptional protection to even set foot within it.
Acquiring the Covenant of Artorias
Obtaining the Covenant of Artorias requires you to defeat Sif, the Great Grey Wolf, a boss located in the Darkroot Garden. The process to reach Sif goes as follows:
- Defeat the Moonlight Butterfly: In the Darkroot Garden, head towards the tower with the Moonlight Butterfly. Defeat the boss.
- Acquire the Crest of Artorias: After defeating the Moonlight Butterfly, continue exploring Darkroot Garden to find a locked door. Purchase the Crest of Artorias from Andrei the blacksmith in the Undead Parish for 20,000 souls to unlock it.
- Find Sif: Beyond the now-unlocked door, navigate through the area filled with stone knights and plant creatures. You will eventually reach Sif’s arena.
- Defeat Sif: Prepare for a challenging fight against Sif, a formidable wolf wielding a massive greatsword. Defeating Sif grants you the Covenant of Artorias.
Navigating New Londo Ruins: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you have the Covenant of Artorias, you’re ready to tackle New Londo Ruins. However, the ring is only one piece of the puzzle. Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigate this challenging area:
- Acquire the Key to the Seal: Talk to Ingward, located at the top of a building accessible by the rooftops in New Londo Ruins. He will give you the Key to the Seal. If Ingward is hostile, you must absolve your sins with Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish.
- Drain the Water: Use the Key to the Seal to drain the water from New Londo Ruins. This exposes lower levels and reveals new pathways. The mechanism is located near the entrance, guarded by a few ghosts.
- Deal with Ghosts: New Londo Ruins is populated by ghosts who can only be damaged by cursed weapons, Transient Curses, or Occult/Divine weapons. Use Transient Curses early on, but try to acquire a weapon that can permanently harm ghosts, such as the Cursed Greatsword of Artorias or weapons upgraded along the Divine or Occult paths.
- Descend into the Abyss: After draining the water, locate the entrance to the Abyss. This is a large, open area where you can see the swirling dark energy.
- Equip the Covenant of Artorias: Before jumping, ensure the Covenant of Artorias is equipped.
- Face the Four Kings: Descend into the Abyss and prepare for the fight against the Four Kings. They are weak to Lightning and Fire damage, so use weapons and spells accordingly. Their attacks deal less damage up close, so get in close and tank their hits while dealing damage.
Essential Tips for New Londo Ruins
- Level Recommendation: It is highly recommended to be between levels 50-70 before attempting New Londo Ruins.
- Healing Items: Bring plenty of healing items, such as Estus Flasks and Humanity, especially for the Four Kings fight.
- Armor: Wear armor with good poise to avoid being staggered by enemy attacks.
- Weapon Upgrades: Ensure your weapons are fully upgraded to maximize damage output.
- Explore Carefully: New Londo Ruins contains hidden items and pathways. Take your time to explore thoroughly.
New Londo Ruins is a complex and dangerous area in Dark Souls. The Covenant of Artorias is non-negotiable, serving as your only protection against the deadly Abyss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About New Londo Ruins
1. What happens if I don’t have the Covenant of Artorias in New Londo Ruins?
If you attempt to enter the Abyss without the Covenant of Artorias, you will die instantly. The game does not provide any warning or second chance; it’s immediate death.
2. Can I skip New Londo Ruins altogether?
Yes, there is a glitch called the Seal Skip that allows you to bypass obtaining the Key to the Seal and draining the water. It involves a Save & Quit and Fall Control maneuver. However, this is an advanced technique and not recommended for first-time players.
3. What weapons can I use to hit ghosts in New Londo Ruins?
You can damage ghosts using Transient Curses, Occult weapons, Divine weapons, the Cursed Greatsword of Artorias, the Ghost Blade, and the Jagged Ghost Blade.
4. Are there any bonfires in New Londo Ruins?
Unfortunately, there are no bonfires within New Londo Ruins itself. You’ll need to rely on bonfires in nearby areas, such as Firelink Shrine or the bonfire near Ingward’s location, and carefully manage your Estus Flasks.
5. What level should I be before entering New Londo Ruins?
The recommended level for New Londo Ruins is between 50 and 70. Entering at a lower level can make the area significantly more challenging.
6. How do I drain the water in New Londo Ruins?
To drain the water, you must first obtain the Key to the Seal from Ingward, who resides on the rooftops in New Londo Ruins. Once you have the key, head to the device near the entrance of the ruins and use it to drain the water.
7. Is the Artorias armor set worth using?
The Artorias armor set is considered decent medium armor. It provides a good balance of protection and mobility, but it might not be optimal compared to other sets like the Elite Knight armor if you’re willing to sacrifice some mobility.
8. Can I summon other players for help in New Londo Ruins before draining the water?
No, you can only summon other players after the water has been drained from New Londo Ruins.
9. Where does New Londo Ruins lead to?
While New Londo Ruins doesn’t directly lead to Blighttown, completing it is essential for progressing the main storyline. It’s indirectly connected to Firelink Shrine through the Valley of Drakes.
10. What are the Four Kings weak against?
The Four Kings are weakest to Lightning and Fire damage. Using weapons and spells that deal these types of damage can significantly speed up the fight.
11. Is the Centipede Demon an optional boss?
Yes, the Centipede Demon is an optional boss, located in the Demon Ruins on the way to Lost Izalith.
12. Can you skip the Asylum Demon?
Yes, there’s a technique to skip the Asylum Demon by defeating it on the first encounter with Black Firebombs or fists/sword hilt, depleting all his health and quitting out before the kill actually counts.
13. Where do I find Ingward to get the Key to the Seal?
Ingward is found on the rooftops of New Londo Ruins. You can reach him by navigating the upper levels and using bridges and ladders.
14. What is the most overpowered weapon in Dark Souls?
Many consider the Black Knight Halberd to be one of the most overpowered weapons due to its high damage output, range, and speed.
15. What are some of the hardest enemies in Dark Souls besides bosses?
Some of the notoriously difficult non-boss enemies include Basilisks, Havel the Rock, the Anor Londo Archers, and Undead Dragons.
Understanding the necessity of the Covenant of Artorias and the challenges of New Londo Ruins is crucial for any Dark Souls player. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can conquer this daunting area and claim victory against the Four Kings. The world of video games is constantly evolving, and understanding how these games can be used for educational purposes is crucial for the future of learning. GamesLearningSociety.org is at the forefront of this movement. You can find more information at the Games Learning Society website.