Lore and difficulty are two core pillars that define the Dark Souls experience. Each game in the series beautifully interweaves storytelling through boss fights and item descriptions that players find scattered across the landscape.
One of the best examples of this storytelling through combat is the Abyss Watchers, the first Lord of Cinder players fight in Dark Souls 3. Their acrobatic attacks with greatswords make them distinct enough, but there is much more to this fight than most think. Here are 10 things everyone should know about the Abyss Watchers in Dark Souls 3.
Author’s Note: This article contains quest and progression spoilers for Dark Souls 3.
10 They Based Their Fighting Style On Artorias & Sif
Artorias is one of the most iconic characters in the Dark Souls series. Those who have played the original Dark Souls will know of his tragic fate and the legacy his wolf, Sif, must live up to. Their fighting styles are distinct and use acrobatics alongside slashes to take down opponents.
The Abyss Watchers studied their techniques well and use them in their boss fight, mimicking the giant sword Artorias used with the sweeping attacks Sif uses in the first game.
9 They Were Inspired By Bloodborne’s Keeper Of The Old Lords
Bloodborne fans might have gotten a sense of déjà vu fighting the Abyss Watchers. That feeling isn’t unfounded, as the Abyss Watchers seem to take heavy inspiration from the Keeper of the Old Lords from Bloodborne.
Appearing as a Chalice Dungeon boss, the Keeper of the Old Lords is a master at both swordsmanship and pyromancy. Rapid sword slashes are complimented with flaming attacks that mimick what the Abyss Watchers do in their second phase.
8 They Have Two Phases
As for the fight proper, the Abyss Watchers have two phases that players must beat. Unlike previous bosses such as Gundyr, their health bar must reach zero before the next phase begins.
The first stage involves multiple Abyss Watchers that fight the player at once. Once they are defeated, a single Watcher will then fight the player with fire-infused attacks that can be devastating for newer characters.
7 They Fight Against The Abyss
As the name suggests, the Abyss Watchers are sworn to kill anything that becomes tainted by the Abyss. This likely stems from the corruption that Oolicile faced and would eventually influence Artorias.
As Lords of Cinder, their duty to uphold the flame is paramount, which is why Darkwraiths spawn outside of their arena and why the Abyss Watchers fight amongst each other.
6 They’re The Only Bosses That Fights Themselves
That’s right, the Abyss Watchers fight each other. Deceased Watchers rise from the dead with red eyes, implying that the Abyss is resurrecting them.
In gameplay terms, the boss will fight itself during the first phase. Abyss Watchers with red eyes are frenzied and will attack the player or fellow Abyss Watchers with disregard for its own life. Team up with the frenzied Abyss Watcher to make the first phase much easier.
5 Players Can Summon Four NPCs For Help
Four NPCs can be summoned outside of the boss fog to help take on this multi-man fight. Summon these NPCs or players to make this fight much easier.
Sirris of the Sunless Realms can be summoned if the player talked to her at least twice in Firelink Shrine. Black Hand Gotthard is always available to summon, and Yellowfinger Heysel can be summoned if she was defeated during her invasion at the Road of Sacrifices and if Rosaria has received a Pale Tongue. Finally, Londor Pale Shade can be summoned if the player has 5 Darksigns given by Yoel of Londor.
4 They’re Weak To Lightning
Most bosses in Dark Souls have strengths and weaknesses just as players do. Learning these weaknesses can make boss fights much easier.
Lightning is the weakness of the Abyss Watchers. Anything with a lightning infusion or a lightning-based miracle will make short work of their health bar. If players can’t use Miracles due to low Faith, a Lightning Gem can be obtained by turning in the Xanthous Crown to Pickle Pee in Firelink Shrine.
3 Uses Fire Attacks Against Them
Once the first phase of the fight is over, a single Abyss Watcher will rise to fight the player. Now infused with fire, his attacks now deliver delayed fire explosions.
Timing attacks and dodges is a nightmare during this phase, so it’s important that fire-resistant gear is equipped. The Flame Stoneplate Ring can be useful here, granting 13% damage reduction against fire. This ring can be found in the Undead Settlement on a hanging corpse near the cage that takes players to the Mound Makers Covenant.
2 They Can Be Parried & Staggered
Alternatively, players can play aggressively to make sure the Abyss Watchers never get a chance to strike. This boss is easily staggered and can be parried with the right gear.
Nearly any attack will stagger the Abyss Watchers, and heavier weapons such as greatswords can break their Poise with a single heavy attack. Better yet, this boss can be backstabbed for critical damage if the player can get behind them. This is easier to do during the first phase when a corrupt Watcher is distracting an enemy.
1 Hawkwood Is A Former Abyss Watcher
While not related to the fight itself, Hawkwood is likely to be a former Abyss Watcher. His armor matches their attire excluding his headgear, and Hawkwood mentions that he was once part of Farron’s Undead Legion.
Hawkwood’s questline eventually reaches a point where players need to defeat him at the Abyss Watcher’s boss arena. He can also give the player the Farron Ring through dialogue or through killing him at this point, cementing his involvement with this boss.
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