Andy Montoya
The Abyss Watchers, a formidable boss encounter in *Dark Souls III*, are notorious for their aggressive dual-phase battle that tests even the most seasoned players. However, with the right strategy, it’s possible to cheese this fight, exploiting mechanics to simplify the challenge. One popular method involves luring the boss to the edge of the arena and using the environment to your advantage, such as knocking them off the ledge or using the terrain to separate the main boss from its summon. Another tactic involves positioning yourself near the fog gate, forcing the boss to attack from a distance, which can be countered with ranged attacks or spells. While cheesing may not align with the intended experience, it offers a creative solution for players seeking a less punishing path to victory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss | Abyss Watchers |
| Location | Catacombs of Carthus |
| Cheese Strategy | Summon + Range/Melee Baiting |
| Recommended Summons | Yellow Finger Heysel (mandatory), 2 additional summons (optional) |
| Recommended Weapons | High damage ranged weapons (e.g., bows, greatbows) or fast, high-damage melee weapons |
| Recommended Spells | Soul Greatsword, Crystal Soul Spear, or other high-damage spells |
| Recommended Armor | Light armor with high poise or medium armor with good damage reduction |
| Recommended Rings | Chloranthy Ring, Hornet Ring, Morne's Ring (for ranged builds), or Flynn's Ring (for melee builds) |
| Key Tactics | 1. Summon Yellow Finger Heysel and 2 additional summons if possible. 2. Stay near the fog gate to prevent the boss from splitting into multiple clones. 3. Use ranged attacks or bait the boss into attacking your summons, then punish with high-damage attacks. 4. Focus on the main boss (the one with the red aura) to prevent clones from appearing. 5. Use the environment to your advantage, such as the pillars for cover. |
| Weaknesses | Thrust and strike damage, as well as fire and lightning damage |
| Resistances | Magic, dark, and poison damage |
| Drops | Soul of the Blood of the Wolf (guaranteed), Wolf Knight's Greatsword (rare) |
| Notes | This strategy relies heavily on summons and ranged attacks to minimize damage taken. Be cautious of the boss's strong attacks and avoid getting surrounded by clones. |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploit Phase 1 Aggro: Lure one watcher away, focus on single target, avoid dual attacks
- Use Pillar Strategy: Hide behind pillars to block attacks, reset aggro, and heal safely
- Summon NPC Ally: Bring Yoel or Yellowfinger for distraction, focus on damage while they tank
- Abuse Estus Timing: Drink during their long animations, minimize damage taken during heals
- Focus on Adds First: Kill the smaller watchers quickly to reduce overall damage and chaos
Exploit Phase 1 Aggro: Lure one watcher away, focus on single target, avoid dual attacks
The Abyss Watchers' Phase 1 aggro mechanics present a unique opportunity for exploitation. By understanding their AI behavior, you can manipulate their aggression to isolate a single target, significantly reducing the difficulty of the fight. This strategy hinges on luring one watcher away from the group, effectively splitting their focus and preventing devastating dual attacks.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
Luring Mechanics: The key lies in exploiting the watchers' aggro range and their tendency to prioritize the closest target. Start by positioning yourself near the edge of the arena, ensuring you have enough space to maneuver. Provoke the watchers with a few attacks, then immediately backpedal, keeping a consistent distance. One watcher will break away from the group, pursuing you while the others remain focused on your summon or another target.
Single Target Focus: Once you've isolated a watcher, prioritize dealing damage to it while maintaining distance from the others. Utilize ranged attacks or spells if possible, minimizing the risk of drawing aggro back to yourself. If using melee, time your attacks carefully, taking advantage of the watcher's attack animations to dodge and strike without getting overwhelmed.
Avoiding Dual Attacks: The most dangerous aspect of the Abyss Watchers fight is their coordinated dual attacks. By isolating one watcher, you eliminate this threat entirely. Focus on keeping the separated watcher engaged, preventing it from rejoining its allies. If the other watchers start to approach, quickly reposition yourself to maintain distance and draw their aggro back to your summon or another target.
This strategy requires patience, precise positioning, and a good understanding of the watchers' attack patterns. Practice is key to mastering the timing and distance required for successful isolation. Remember, the goal is not to defeat the watcher quickly, but to control the fight's flow and minimize the risk of dual attacks.
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Use Pillar Strategy: Hide behind pillars to block attacks, reset aggro, and heal safely
The arena for the Abyss Watchers fight is riddled with pillars, and these aren't just decorative. They're your lifeline. The Pillar Strategy leverages these structures to turn a chaotic, high-risk encounter into a controlled, methodical cheese. By understanding the Watchers' attack patterns and the pillars' hitbox mechanics, you can dictate the flow of battle, minimizing damage and maximizing your opportunities to strike.
Here's the core principle: pillars block most attacks. This includes the Watchers' sweeping strikes, their leaping slashes, and even their projectile attacks. By positioning yourself behind a pillar, you create a temporary safe zone, effectively removing yourself from the fight for a crucial moment. This allows you to heal, chug Estus, or simply regroup and reassess the situation.
Execution is key. The strategy involves a dance around the pillars, constantly maneuvering to maintain your advantage. When a Watcher targets you, dash behind a pillar just as they initiate their attack. The pillar will absorb the blow, giving you a window to heal or reposition. Be mindful of the second Watcher – they can flank you, so always keep an eye on their movements. If both Watchers are engaged, prioritize dodging and use the pillars to separate them, creating opportunities for single-target damage.
Remember, the Pillar Strategy isn't about brute force; it's about patience and precision. It requires a deep understanding of the Watchers' attack animations and the pillars' hitboxes. Practice is crucial. Experiment with different pillar placements, learn the timing of your dodges, and don't be afraid to retreat and regroup when overwhelmed.
This strategy shines for players who prioritize survival over speed. It's particularly effective for builds that lack high damage output or rely on slower, more methodical combat styles. By exploiting the arena's geometry, you can turn a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a manageable, even predictable, encounter. The Pillar Strategy transforms the Abyss Watchers fight from a test of raw skill into a puzzle, one solved through observation, timing, and strategic use of the environment.
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Summon NPC Ally: Bring Yoel or Yellowfinger for distraction, focus on damage while they tank
One of the most effective strategies for cheesing the Abyss Watchers is to summon an NPC ally, specifically Yoel of Londor or Yellowfinger Heysel, to serve as a distraction while you focus on dealing damage. This tactic leverages the AI behavior of the Abyss Watchers, who will often prioritize attacking the summoned ally, giving you crucial windows to strike without fear of retaliation. Yoel, in particular, is a durable choice due to his high health pool, while Heysel’s aggressive playstyle can draw aggro effectively. Position your ally near the entrance of the arena to maximize their utility, ensuring they remain within the Watchers’ line of sight but not so close that they die prematurely.
To execute this strategy, first ensure you’ve progressed far enough in Yoel or Heysel’s questlines to unlock their summon signs. Yoel’s sign appears near the bonfire in the Catacombs of Carthus, while Heysel’s is found in the Road of Sacrifices. Once summoned, equip a high-damage weapon with strong single-target capabilities, such as a fully upgraded straight sword or greatsword. Focus on attacking the main Watcher while your ally tanks the others, but be mindful of their health—if they die, the Watchers will turn their full attention to you. Use the environment to your advantage by staying near the edges of the arena, allowing your ally to reposition and draw aggro.
A critical aspect of this approach is timing your attacks. The Abyss Watchers have a predictable pattern when targeting NPCs, often pausing to assess their new threat. Use these moments to land heavy combos or charged attacks. If you’re using Yoel, his passive health regeneration can buy you additional time, but don’t rely on it indefinitely. For Heysel, his aggressive stance may cause him to push the Watchers into more dangerous positions, so be prepared to adapt your positioning accordingly. Always keep an eye on your stamina and FP, as overextending can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks.
While this method is highly effective, it’s not without risks. The Abyss Watchers’ AoE attacks can still hit both you and your ally, so maintain a safe distance when they begin their flame-based combos. Additionally, if your NPC ally dies too early, the fight can become significantly more challenging. To mitigate this, consider using healing items sparingly to keep them alive longer, or summon a second ally if available. However, avoid summoning too many NPCs, as this can cause the Watchers to become overly aggressive and unpredictable.
In conclusion, summoning Yoel or Heysel to tank the Abyss Watchers is a reliable cheese strategy that shifts the battle’s dynamics in your favor. By focusing on damage while your ally draws aggro, you can significantly reduce the fight’s complexity. Practice positioning and timing to maximize their effectiveness, and always be prepared to adapt if the situation turns unfavorable. With patience and precision, this method can turn one of Dark Souls III’s most daunting encounters into a manageable—even trivial—challenge.
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Abuse Estus Timing: Drink during their long animations, minimize damage taken during heals
The Abyss Watchers' combat is a relentless dance of fire and steel, but their animations offer fleeting windows of opportunity. Among these, their long, sweeping attacks and phase transitions provide the perfect moment to exploit a critical mechanic: Estus Flask timing. By understanding and abusing these animation locks, you can drastically reduce damage taken during heals, turning a desperate struggle into a calculated victory.
Consider the Watcher's signature move: a slow, arcing slash that leaves them momentarily vulnerable. This animation lasts approximately 1.5 seconds, a lifetime in Dark Souls III's fast-paced combat. During this window, you can safely chug a full Estus Flask, restoring a significant portion of your health without fear of interruption. The key is anticipation and precision. Learn the telltale signs of their long attacks – the wind-up, the glow of their blades – and time your Estus activation accordingly.
A single well-timed heal during these animations can mean the difference between a successful dodge and a fatal blow.
However, this strategy isn't without its risks. Miscalculating the animation length or being caught off guard by a follow-up attack can leave you exposed. Practice is crucial. Start by identifying the specific attacks with the longest animation locks, such as their leaping slash or the initial phase transition. Experiment with Estus timing during these moves in a controlled environment, like a solo fight against a single Watcher. Gradually increase the difficulty by incorporating more Watchers or engaging them in their arena.
Remember, the goal isn't to rely solely on Estus chugging, but to use it strategically to minimize damage and maintain a healthy HP pool throughout the fight.
Mastering Estus timing against the Abyss Watchers is a testament to your understanding of the game's mechanics and your ability to exploit its nuances. It's a delicate balance of aggression and patience, requiring both quick reflexes and a keen eye for opportunity. By incorporating this tactic into your arsenal, you'll transform the Abyss Watchers from a daunting challenge into a calculated dance, where every animation becomes a potential lifeline.
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Focus on Adds First: Kill the smaller watchers quickly to reduce overall damage and chaos
In the frenzied dance with the Abyss Watchers, the smaller, spectral adds are not mere nuisances—they are the catalysts of chaos. Each one you ignore becomes a ticking time bomb, siphoning your health with relentless, synchronized attacks. Prioritizing their elimination isn’t just a tactic; it’s a survival imperative. By focusing on these adds first, you dismantle the fight’s complexity, turning a multi-front war into a manageable duel.
Consider the mechanics: the smaller watchers spawn in waves, often flanking you while the main boss remains stationary during its flame-pillar attack. This creates a window of opportunity. Equip a weapon with wide sweep damage (e.g., a greatsword or whip) and position yourself near the boss to lure the adds into a cluster. A single, well-timed roll followed by an area-of-effect attack can decimate them before they fully materialize. For spellcasters, a Crystal Soul Spear or Pestilent Mist can clear adds efficiently, but manage stamina to avoid being caught mid-cast.
The risk of ignoring this strategy is stark. Left unchecked, the adds will swarm, forcing you into a defensive posture that limits your offensive opportunities against the boss. Their attacks are not only frequent but also staggered, making it nearly impossible to predict and dodge incoming damage. By the time you’ve dealt with three or four adds, your health bar could be critically low, even with high vitality. This approach isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about controlling the battlefield to maximize your damage output while minimizing risk.
A practical tip: use the environment to your advantage. Position yourself near the edges of the arena to limit the adds’ approach angles, funneling them into a predictable path. If you’re using a shield, opt for one with high stability to block their rapid strikes while you reposition. For a more aggressive approach, infuse your weapon with lightning or dark damage, as the adds are particularly vulnerable to these types. Remember, speed is key—the faster you eliminate them, the less time they have to coordinate their attacks with the boss.
In conclusion, treating the smaller watchers as the primary threat in the early phases of the fight is a calculated move that pays dividends. It transforms a chaotic, high-pressure encounter into a series of controlled engagements. While it requires discipline and precision, the reward is a significantly reduced risk of being overwhelmed. This isn't cheesing in the traditional sense—it’s leveraging the game’s mechanics to tilt the odds in your favor, turning a brutal fight into a strategic victory.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method is to use the environment to your advantage. Lure the Abyss Watchers to the narrow ledge near the fog gate, then use a bow or spells to attack from a distance while they struggle to reach you.
Yes, using a weapon with long reach, like the Dragonslayer Greataxe or a spear, allows you to poke them from a safe distance while they’re stuck in the narrow area near the fog gate.
Absolutely. Focus on kiting the Abyss Watchers to the narrow ledge, then use ranged attacks or spells to chip away at their health while they’re unable to effectively engage you.
If they split, prioritize the main watcher while keeping your distance. Use the environment to block the second watcher, and focus on taking down one at a time to avoid being overwhelmed.
