There are a few characters in Lordran that immediately come to mind, and for various reasons, one of them is Dark Souls’ Artorias. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest bosses in all FromSoftware games, including Bloodborne, Sekiro, Dark Souls trilogy, and Elden Ring. Second, his past is really tragic, particularly when you learn about his relationship to Sif.
Though there is obviously more to Dark Souls than simply Artorias, his tale does connect to Sif, so when you're through reading, we recommend you check out that tutorial. If you'd want to learn more about two of Gwyn's offspring, we also offer Dark Souls Gwyndolin, Dark Souls Gwyn, and Dark Souls Gwynevere tutorials.
In any case, buckle up and prepare for a closer examination at Artorias the Abysswalker, the famous knight.
Who is Artorias from Dark Souls?
Renowned for his bravery, Artorias commanded Lord Gwyn's army during his time as one of the Four Knights of Gwyn, along with Gough, Ornstein, and Cairan. It is well known that Artorias has a strong will, a never-say-die mentality, and a deep dislike for anyone who work for the dark.
One may question what Artorias accomplished to earn the title of Abysswalker. He did, however, get a unique ring when he was in New Londo; this ring became known as the covenant of Artorias. This ring is unique since it allows the bearer to cross the Abyss, which is how the fabled knight got his well-known moniker.
Before we continue, it's important to note that Artorias and his favourite great wolf, Dark Souls’ Sif, have a unique affinity. Together, they battled the Abyss and the evil powers that sustain it. The team's quest to save Princess Dusk of Oolacile after the Abyss destroys the village brings them to Oolacile.
Regretfully, Artorias encountered the very strong adversary Dark Souls’ Manus, Father of the Abyss, on his quest to drive the Abyss back and save the village. The fabled knight ultimately failed, but in a last-ditch heroic deed, he gave his life to wield his purifying greatshield to keep the small wolf pup safe from the mankind sprites nearby. See our Sif guide for additional information on this.
But Artorias travels aimlessly in these strange places, his left arm broken, until finally he loses himself entirely to the Abyss.
Despite his demise, we are glad that the people he knew in the past still remember the hero he was rather than the shell he has become. History remembers him as a brave, fearless, obedient, and gallant warrior.
Where can I locate Artorias for Dark Souls?
Obtaining the damaged pendant
Since that Artorias is halfway through the DLC, there are a few steps you must do to reach him. You must place the lordvessel and at least make it to the Duke's Archive in order to get the shattered pendant, which is necessary in order to access the further material. Let's start by pointing out that although this location isn't really enjoyable, it's not too horrible considering you don't have to drive far to get this item.It's not too difficult to get to this location. Anyhow, you'll probably stumble into it when you first arrive in Anor Londo. However, now that the golden fog gate has vanished, battle your way past the two sentinels and the mimic, up the stairs, and turn left. Proceed forward and take care of any obstacles in your path until you finally come to a short stairway leading into a small corridor.The lift leading to the Duke's Archive is located in the chamber with the bonfire at the end. After entering the new region and eliminating the weaker opponents, focus on the crystal golem. Although it's a formidable opponent, it drops the shattered pendant when it loses.
Approaching the DLC
Alright, now that you have the item, go towards Darkroot Basin, or more precisely, the hydra lake. No, you don't have to beat the hydra to get the DLC, but be careful when you travel along the wall to the left of the lake since it attacks severely. When you eventually get at the finish, if you defeated the golden crystal golem earlier on your quest to rescue Dusk, you should be able to see a doorway, which is where Manus saves you.It won't be an issue if you arrive and discover the gold golem. Simply vanquish it to set Dusk free, talk to her, go away, take a nap by a campfire, and return.
The location of Artorias
Are you still with us, phew? Good, since the DLC is finally here. Don't get too comfortable, however, for you must beat the Sanctuary Guardian monster before you can even begin to explore all this location has to offer. Newcomers may find it challenging, but if you need help, our guide to the
Dark Souls bosses contains some excellent advice.Now that you've gained entry to Oolacile Sanctuary, a secure location, have a nap and prepare to go into the Royal Wood, where Artorias the Abysswalker is located.To be honest, not much needs to be said at this point other than to navigate the region. It is impossible to overlook Artorias since he is a must-have character that prevents you from accessing the second part of the DLC. Go through the fog gate in the colosseum to start the boss battle.
Artorias boss battle in Dark Souls
Without a doubt, facing Artorias the Abysswalker will be difficult, but it is possible to overcome him. The most important thing is to avoid greed. Select the moments that matter to you. The secret is to be patient. Even for a melee fighter like Artorias, it's crucial to maintain some space since he may be unexpected with his manoeuvres.With his destructive moveset, Artorias will punish you for whatever hit you take, but if you get caught up in his wombo combination, it might end your game right then and there. Before you rush in, keep in mind that if you see him swing his blade many times in a succession, there's a significant probability he's going to execute a hurricane swing.We advise you to take every precaution to ensure you can at least roll normally in order to avoid Artorias at any time; but, if you can roll quickly, that's even better (you may use our
Dark Souls rings guide to assist you). For instance, if Artortias leaps into the air, you should roll to the right three times before rushing in for a few blows.Additionally, he possesses two charge strikes that are fast and do a lot of damage, so don't hesitate to utilise them. However, they leave him vulnerable to a counterattack. Naturally, all of this advise is predicated on the fact that you are a magic or melee fighter. If you chance to be skilled in pyromancy, you can destroy Artorias with only a high stability shield.One of the finest battles in any FromSoftware game, this one is a dance between two warriors, and to be honest, ending this once-proud knight's misery is an honour.All the information you need regarding Dark Souls Artorias is finally available, whew. This is a renowned knight deserving of reverence. There are many of boss-heavy games to pick from in our list of the top
Soulslike games.