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"Thou shalt see further on, an Abyss was begat of the ancient beast, and threatens to swallow the whole of Oolacile. Knight Artorias came to stop this, but such a hero has nary a murmur of Dark. Without doubt he will be swallowed by the Abyss, overcome by its utter blackness... Indeed, the Abyss may be unstoppable..."
Elizabeth

Knight Artorias, also known as Artorias the Abysswalker, is a character and boss in Dark Souls and a mentioned character in Dark Souls III. He is exclusive to the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.

Location

Knight Artorias is located in the coliseum area of Oolacile Township, at the end of the Royal Wood.

Description

By the time the Chosen Undead encounters him, Artorias is shown to have already been corrupted by the Abyss with his armor looking putrefied, oozing an aura of darkness. His crippled arm is likely the result of Artorias halting the spread from devouring his wolf companion by means of a now missing shield. He possesses a greatsword that has also been consumed, yet is still far from ineffective. Having lost his sanity, the knight moves about in an untamed, beastly manner as he howls beneath the blue shroud of his helm.

Lore

Dark Souls

Wolf Knight Set

The azure-blue armor of Artorias.

Sir Artorias was one of the knights at the service of Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight and, thanks to his unmatched skill with a greatsword and unbendabke will of steel[1], he became one of Gwyn's most trusted warriors and was rewarded with a fragment of Gwyn's powerful Lord Soul[2]. Along with Ornstein, Ciaran and Gough, he became part of the Four Knights of Gwyn and as a symbol of his association with the order he gained a magical ring with the wolf symbol, which strengthened his poise, making his fighting style with his greatsword more effective[1].

Artorias wore his distinctive azure-blue tassel armor as a symbol of pride and glory[3] and brandished his Greatsword[4] and Greatshield[5]. Artorias was also a dear friend of Ciaran, his companion as another Knight of Gwyn[6]. At a certain point Artorias met Silf, a great grey wolf, and formed a deep bond with it, fighting alongside the fearsome animal like he was his companion[7] to the point that the wolf learned to fight with his greatsword and acquired the power of Artorias' soul[8][9][10].

Wolf Ring (DSIII)

The Wolf Ring of Artorias.

At some point after Lord Gwyn sacrificed himself to link the fading First Flame, the Primordial Serpent Kaathe began searching for a human strong enough to become the Dark Lord capable of leading humans and usher in an Age of Dark[11]. At some point Kaathe arrived in new Londo and managed to seduce the Four Kings, powerful humans who had received a fragment of Gwyn's Lord Soul[12], to follow his ideals, teaching them the art of Lifedrain so that they could preserve their humanity even while Undead and so cast off the shackles placed upon them by the gods[13][14]. But his dark influence did not stop with the kings and in fact their entire army followed them. The knights of New Londo became Darkwraiths[15], servants of the Dark who learned the art of Lifedrain and used it to absorb humanity[16]. As the Four Kings' were able to open an Abyss in the center of their city, their very bodies were mutated by their freed Dark Soul and the Darkwraiths' armor transformed too[17] as they began to employ the Red Eye Orbs granted by Kaathe[18] to seek humanity and plunge further into the powers of the Dark[19],

Wolf Knight's Greatsword

The greatsword of Artorias.

A nation of humans freed from the shackles of the Darksign and who not only began to understand the powers of their Dark Soul but had an entire army at their disposal that shared this power represented an unparalleled threat to the gods of Anor Londo who branded the Darkwraiths as diabolical enemies of man and of every living thing[20][21]. For this reason Artorias, as one of the Four Knights of Gwyn, was sent to fight the dark soldiers of New Londo and was given a Silver Pendant to deflect the Dark of the Abyss in its magical forms[22]. However this did not prove sufficient to cross the Abyss of the Four Kings and Artorias was forced to forge a covenant with the "beasts of the Abyss"[23], obtaining a ring that would allow him to cross the Abyss but also cursing his sword in the process[24]. Artorias thus became known as the "Abysswalker" and hunted the Darkwraiths[25] but failed to eliminate the Four Kings and thus close the Abyss of New Londo. Having failed to eliminate the dark threat, an agonizing and terrible decision was made: flooding the entire land of New Londo despite the realization that countless lives and the entire culture of the country would be lost[26]. For this task, sorcerers were called[27] and the feat was accomplished without even evacuating the city's civilians, sealing away the Four Kings, their Darkwraights and the entire population with them, the victims were thus cursed[28] and became Ghosts roaming the ruins of their country[29].

After his failure with the Four Kings[30]., the Primordial Serpent Kaathe arrived in Oolacile and manipulated the country to upturn the grave of Manus, a primordial man with an extraordinary Dark Soul[31] and dark sorcery skills[32][33], that had been buried beneath the dungeons of their city and resurrect him[34][35]. However, the royal family of Oolacile took the precious broken pendant of Manus for themselves, giving it to Princess Dusk[36]. The wrenching nostalgia connected to his object of obsession and the sincere hope to reclaim it[37] drove Manus mad and his Dark Soul went wild, transforming him into a dark beast eternally seeking his pendant[38]. His immense mass of humanity out of control led to the manifestation of an Abyss that spread, threatening to devour the entire land[39]. The Dark emanating from Manus did not limit itself to generating countless Humanity Phantoms with a will of their own but also influenced the residents of Oolacile, making their humanity go wild and horribly mutating their bodies, bloating their head and opening them with cracks lined with innumerable tiny red eyeballs and protuding brain parts[40].

Knight Artorias

Artorias corrupted by the Abyss of Manus.

As the Abyss continued to spread across the land of Oolacile, Knight Artorias came to stop it and confront Manus[41], as the Knight of Gwyn already had experience with fighting the Abyss and its creatures after the events of New Londo and his hunt for the Darkwraiths[42], and possessed a Silver Pendant that protected him from the Dark[43]. Artorias, together with his trusted companion Sif, thus faced Manus[44] but his strength proved insufficient to defeat the Father of the Abyss and he succumbed to the Abyss[45][41]. Wounded by the battle, Artorias used his Cleansing Greatshield to form a barrier to protect Sif leaving a magic barrier to repel the Dark[46]. Artorias, now corrupted to the Soul by the Abyss[47] and with his armor corroded[48], was left to fight alone and wounded the distorted creatures of Oolacile[49].

At one point Manus managed to take possession of his lost pendant, kidnapping Princess Dusk and taking her to his Abyss[50][51]. However, due to a time distortion, Manus found himself chasing a further copy of his pendant, but this one was located in the future[52]. Using his Dark power, Manus snatched the Chosen Undead that found it from the future bringing him to the Oolacile of the past[53]. This Undead would be able to put the corrupted Artorias to rest and succeed his mission, facing Manus and defeating him, thus saving Oolacile from further corruption[54]. Thanks to Elizabeth's confidentiality, the legend spread that Artorias had defeated Manus and his Abyss, omitting the role of the unsung hero to preserve the honor of the knight[55][56]. Ciaran, who had arrived at the location, also requested the Soul of Artorias from the Chosen Undead who had finally put an end to the knight's suffering, with the intention of paying proper respects to her passed dear friend[6].

Sif appears

Sif defending the grave of Artorias.

As centuries passed, the ruins of Oolacile became overgrown and the region became known as the "Darkroot Garden"[57][58], where the remnants of the ancient Guardians of the city still patrol the area as Stone Knights[59]. Sif survived the battle with Manus thanks to the intervention of the Chosen Undead, thus managing to save himself. The wolf inherited Artorias' divine greatsword and the magical ring that had allowed the knight to cross the Abyss[60][61]. The wolf settled in the forest where Artorias' tomb had been erected[62] and, holding his companion's sword in his jaws, continued to fight to guard Artorias' rest[63], slaughtering the numerous Undead who arrived with the intention of plunder the tomb of the legendary knight[64][65].

In addition, Artorias and Sif had become trusted friends of Alvina, a white Great Feline that had lived for centuries since the early Age of Fire[66]. After Artorias' death, Alvina founded the Forest Hunter covenant[67], a clan of hunters bound with the aim of protecting the Darkroot Forest[68] where her friend rested and Sif resided from the many adventurers who invaded it to look for the tomb of the legendary knight[69]. Alvina would try to dissuade those who ventured into the region recently, advising them not to seek Artorias' tomb and that his legends were only fabrications and fairy tales[70].

Dark Souls III

This section of the lore lacks sources and is in need of further expansions and explanations His legacy as a hero lasted for centuries. By the time of Lothric, there was the Undead Legion of Farron, who were commonly called the Abyss Watchers. They partook of wolf blood,[71] and it is said that their souls are bound together and are one with the soul of the "wolf blood master",[72] who is Artorias.[73] Wielding greatswords modeled after his, and fighting in wild ferocious styles, the Legion fought a veritable war with the dark of the Abyss that their master had fought ages past.

Artifacts

Melee strategy

While this boss is rather difficult to predict, he does have a few signs for his attacks, and well-timed rolls prove useful here. Being able to fast-roll is highly advised but not necessary. The player can place themself away from him by about twice his reach at all times, even for melee.

Aerial attacks

See below for attack name references

When he uses his Somersault Slam attack, the player will want to roll to the right as the camera tilts upward while locked onto him. The player can do this three times and then get in one or two attacks (based on one's weapon) after the third attack lands. Avoid attacking after his Steadfast Leap. Instead use that opportunity to heal or get some distance from him.

Standing attacks

When he uses his Overhand Smash, roll to the right. While he leaves himself open for a few frames, he will usually follow up with his Spinning Slash attack. Therefore, it is best to get some distance from him instead as the Spinning Slash attack is difficult to get away from when it begins.

Charging attacks

With his Charging Slash move the player will always want to roll backwards from where he intends to land the attack. After successfully dodging this attack, the player will be able to get one or two hits on him.

His Heavy Thrust attack will need to be side dodged. Depending on which way he turns during the charge, the player will need to dodge the opposite way. After the dodge, he has a long recovery time and the player should be able to get two or three hits in.

Other attacks

When the player is behind Artorias, he may use his Abyss Sludge attack. This move does little damage but can stun and even knock down players with little to no poise. If timed right, the player can roll forward through the attack and get a hit on him, then immediately retreat.

After Artorias has lost 1/3 of his health, he will start to use his Wrath of the Abyss power up. If left alone, he will do much more damage after he completes the power up for a limited time, potentially one-shotting the player. If the player can get close fast enough, they can stun him out of his power up before it's completed by hitting him repeatedly. If the player doesn't do enough damage fast enough, he will hit them with an area of effect blast attack that will knock the player on their back. The best bet is to use a heavy, high damage weapon and stop him from gaining his attack buff. Another, safer way is to equip a bow in the off-hand and shoot him repeatedly while he is charging up. Yet another way is to equip Throwing Knives and use those in quick succession to stagger him.

Boss information

Attacks

Steadfast Leap

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Slow

Artorias crouches, then leaps high into the air towards the player, causing damage in a small area of effect around him. Rolling or moving towards him instead of away can increase one's chance of successfully dodging before he lands.

Artorias - Overwhelming Leap

Somersault Slam

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Medium

Artorias somersaults into the air after which he slams his sword down vertically. He can repeat this up to three times. Roll to the side to avoid it. The player can be stun-locked in this combo.

Artorias - Somersault Attack

Overhead Smash

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Medium

Slams his sword overhead and towards the ground; high staggering power that leaves his guard open for a short time after it lands.

Artorias - Heavy Slam

Charging Slash

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Medium

Artorias moves toward the player while swinging his sword 360 degrees. He presents an opportunity to be attacked after the player dodges his swing.

Artorias - Heavy Spin

Heavy Thrust

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Thrust
Physical
No Right Medium

Pauses before performing a heavy, medium range thrust towards the player. If it connects, it can hit twice, dealing heavy damage and knocking the player to the ground.

Artorias - Heavy Thrust

Spinning Slash

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Medium

Artorias quickly spins, completing a full revolution. It has the potential to connect twice.

Artorias - Spin Attack

Abyss Sludge

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? - - - Physical No Both Fast

Artorias throws a staggering sludge in a wide arc, a few feet in front of him. Usually performed if positioned behind him.

Artorias - Abyss Sludge

Wrath of the Abyss

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
- ??? - - Magic No AoE Slow

Activates in intervals after approximately 20% of his total health is reduced. After rolling away, he will slowly build up dark magic energy, presenting ample time for retaliation, potentially staggering him, or to apply augmentations to one's weapon or self. A single Sunlight Spear can stagger him and prevent this build up from finalizing. If the player does not stagger him, he will release an explosion that does magic damage in a mid-ranged area of effect all around him. Artorias' attack speed, area of effect and damage are enhanced for a limited time afterwards. These effects can stack. 

In addition to the health thresholds, this attack has a time interval between uses, in that if Artorias is left undamaged for a period of time, he will re-activate Wrath of the Abyss.

Artorias - Wrath of the Abyss

Defenses

Physical Defenses Elemental Defenses Resistances
Regular Defense Strike Defense Slash Defense Thrust Defense Magic Defense Fire Defense Lightning Defense Poison Toxic Bleed
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? S S S

These stats are sourced from FuturePress's Official Dark Souls Strategy Guide.


Drops

Item Soul of Artorias
Soul of Artorias
Drop Rate Guaranteed

Notes

  • Artorias can be stunned via headshots from arrows.
  • All of Artorias' overhead attacks hit the player while on the ground or during roll animation, ignoring invincibility frames — except for rolls with the Dark Wood Grain Ring.
  • The Set of Artorias is sold by Domhnall of Zena after he is defeated.

Trivia

  • Artorias's introduction cinematic is similar to that of the Penetrator in Demon's Souls, who impales a Fat Official and then tosses its corpse at the player.
  • Artorias possesses his very own set of unused dialogue [74] hidden in the game's database.
  • Great Grey Wolf Sif wields the Greatsword of Artorias in the fight against the Chosen Undead.
  • Knight Artorias is the only boss that does not drop any type of Humanity.

Gallery

3D Model

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Videos

Music

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wolf Ring description.
  2. Soul of Ornstein description.
  3. Set of Artorias description.
  4. Greatsword of Artorias description.
  5. Greatshield of Artorias description.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Lord's Blade Ciaran dialogue:"...You, is that not... The soul of the man who fell on this spot, he was a dear friend. I wish to pay proper respect, with that Soul. Would you be willing to part with it?
  7. Soul of Sif description.
  8. Greatsword of Artorias description.
  9. Soul of Sif description.
  10. The fact that with Sif's Soul we can create the artifacts of Artorias implies that the knight shared part of his power and soul with the wolf.
  11. Darkstalker Kaathe dialogue: ""Hmm... You are astonishing. The truth I shall share, without sentiment. After the advent of Fire, the ancient Lords found the three souls. But your progenitor found a fourth, unique soul. The Dark Soul. Your ancestor claimed the Dark Soul, and waited for Fire to subside. And soon, the flames did fade, and only Dark remained. Thus began the age of men, the Age of Dark. However... Lord Gwyn trembled at the Dark. Clinging to his Age of Fire, and in dire fear of humans, and the Dark Lord who would one day be born amongst them, Lord Gwyn resisted the course of nature. By sacrificing himself to link the Fire, and commanding his children to shepherd the humans, Gwyn has blurred your past, to prevent the birth of the Dark Lord. I am the primordial serpent. I seek to right the wrongs of the past, to discover our true Lord. But the other serpent, Frampt, lost his sense, and befriended Lord Gwyn. Undead Warrior, we stand at a crossroads. Only I know the truth about your fate. You must destroy the fading Lord Gwyn, who has coddled Fire and resisted nature, and become the Fourth Lord, so that you may usher in an Age of Dark"." and "They failed me, every last one of them. They were strong, but saw not the truth... I am certain that you will prove different. Ahh... If you wish, I shall grant the art of Lifedrain, the legendary power of the Dark Lord. It can preserve your humanity while Undead, and cast off the shackles placed upon your brethren."
  12. Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard description.
  13. Darkstalker Kaathe dialogue: "They failed me, every last one of them. They were strong, but saw not the truth... I am certain that you will prove different. Ahh... If you wish, I shall grant the art of Lifedrain, the legendary power of the Dark Lord. It can preserve your humanity while Undead, and cast off the shackles placed upon your brethren."
  14. Four Kings#Attacks explains how the Four King learned the art of Lifedrain.
  15. Darksword description.
  16. Dark Hand description.
  17. Dark Set description.
  18. Red Eye Orb#Availability
  19. Red Eye Orb description.
  20. Dark Set description.
  21. Ingward dialogue: "New Londo was sacrificed to contain the Darkwraiths. Mark my words. The Darkwraiths are the enemies of man, and any living thing that has a soul. They were never meant to roam again." and "I am the Guardian of the Seal. I watch over the Four Kings, the masters of the Darkwraiths. The Darkwraiths are the enemies of man, and any living thing that has a soul. They were born in New Londo, and that is where they perished; the entire city was sacrificed to contain them. ...For that is how great a threat they were..."
  22. Silver Pendant description.
  23. Covenant of Artorias description.
  24. Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed) description.
  25. Greatsword of Artorias description.
  26. Key to the Seal description.
  27. Tin Banishment Catalyst description.
  28. Transient Curse description.
  29. Key to the Seal description.
  30. Greatsword of Artorias and Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed) descriptions imply that Artorias fought the Darkwraiths before coming to Oolacile meaning that the events related to the Four Kings happened before those of Manus.
  31. Soul of Manus description.
  32. Manus Catalyst description.
  33. Pursuers description.
  34. Marvelous Chester dialogue: "Believe it or not, Oolacile has brought the Abyss upon itself. Fooled by that toothy serpent, they upturned the grave of primeval man, and incited his ornery wrath. What could they have been thinking? But to you and I, it's all ancient history. You have to ask yourself. Does it really matter? Heh heh heh..."
  35. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "I suspect thou hast taken a gander at it, but the Dark of the Abyss, which swallowed poor Artorias, threatens to devour our entire land of Oolacile. It seems that this dire fate is unavoidable. But, seduced by a Dark serpent or no, they awoke that thing themselves, and drove it mad... One's demise is always one's own making."
  36. Broken Pendant#Availability and Broken Pendant description.
  37. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue:"I still think on that creature from the Abyss that preyed on me. My faculties were far from lucid, but I quite clearly sensed certain emotions. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, an object of obsession, and a sincere hope to reclaim it... Could these thoughts belong to the beast from the Abyss? But if that were true, then perhaps it is no beast after all? Oh, please forgive my ramblings. It's just that, I wish to know the truth. And no one, not even loving Elizabeth, will tell me."
  38. Soul of Manus description.
  39. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: ""I suspect thou hast taken a gander at it, but the Dark of the Abyss, which swallowed poor Artorias, threatens to devour our entire land of Oolacile. It seems that this dire fate is unavoidable. But, seduced by a Dark serpent or no, they awoke that thing themselves, and drove it mad... One's demise is always one's own making." and "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  40. Bloated Sorcerer Head description.
  41. 41.0 41.1 Elizabeth dialogue: "Thou shalt see further on. An abyss was begat of the ancient beast, and threatens to swallow the whole of Oolacile. Knight Artorias came to stop this, but such a hero has nary a murmur of Dark. Without doubt, he will be swallowed by the Abyss, overcome by its utter blackness...Indeed, the Abyss may be unstoppable...Still I have faith, that Princess Dusk may be rescued yet..." and Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  42. Greatsword of Artorias and Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed) description.
  43. Silver Pendant description.
  44. Cleansing Greatshield description.
  45. Soul of Artorias description.
  46. Cleansing Greatshield description.
  47. Soul of Artorias appearance and description.
  48. Set of Artorias description.
  49. Knight Artorias#Location
  50. https://darksouls.fandom.com/wiki/File:Dusk_Post-Manus.png
  51. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue: "I still think on that creature from the Abyss that preyed on me. My faculties were far from lucid, but I quite clearly sensed certain emotions. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, an object of obsession, and a sincere hope to reclaim it... Could these thoughts belong to the beast from the Abyss? But if that were true, then perhaps it is no beast after all? Oh, please forgive my ramblings. It's just that, I wish to know the truth. And no one, not even loving Elizabeth, will tell me."
  52. Broken Pendant#General information
  53. Broken Pendant#General information
  54. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  55. Soul of Artorias description.
  56. Elizabeth dialogue: "I will remember thee, but I will keep thy story to myself. This is the best way, for thou art come from a time far ahead. No-one will sing thy praises, but yet thy greatness shall live on. For it shall be my purpose, to remember all thou hast done for us."
  57. Enchanted Ember description and Enchanted Ember#Availability
  58. Wolf Ring description and Wolf Ring#Availability
  59. Stone Set and Guardian Set description and appearance.
  60. Soul of Sif description.
  61. Covenant of Artorias#Availability
  62. https://darksouls.fandom.com/wiki/File:Artorias_grave.jpg
  63. Greatsword of Artorias description.
  64. Alvina of the Darkroot Wood dialogue.
  65. Crest of Artorias description.
  66. Cat Covenant Ring description.
  67. Cat Covenant Ring description.
  68. Forest Hunter#Summoning and rank
  69. Crest of Artorias description.
  70. Alvina of the Darkroot Wood dialogue: "Is it not so that thou art new? Thou fared well to find me. But cometh thee not for the grave of Sir Artorias? My advice true, forget this! The legend of Artorias art none but a fabrication. ...Traversing the dark? 'Tis but a fairy tale. Have thine own respect, go not yonder knocking for nothing, I say!" and "Well indeed, thou art a strange one! Nevertheless, I feel some liking for thee. I'm Alvina of the Darkroot Wood. I command a clan of hunters who track down defilers of the forest graves. What dost thou say? Wilt thou not join us? Oh yes, I believe we would suit thee well"
  71. Undead Legion Set description.
  72. Soul of the Blood of the Wolf description.
  73. Wolf Knight's Greatsword description.
  74. Knight Artorias - Cut Dialogue. Youtube
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