Kamil Perry
Dark Souls is known for its challenging boss fights and the Manus, Father of the Abyss, is no exception. Defeating Manus is a difficult task, with players reporting frustration over the long run back to the bonfire after dying. One strategy to defeat Manus involves sniping him with arrows from outside the fog, a tactic known as arrow cheese. However, this guide will focus on the steps to get to the Manus bonfire after employing this strategy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strategies to defeat Manus | Strafing around the arena while locked on with a good ranged weapon and light armor; dodging physical attacks; using the Silver Pendant to block dark magic attacks; summoning Sif during the battle |
| Sif's role | Sif attacks relatively slowly, dealing around 100 damage on New Game (NG) but has high resilience, making it difficult for Manus to defeat him. Sif can be an excellent distraction for solo players or those struggling to find summon signs for Manus. |
| Issues with bonfire placement | The bonfire before Manus is challenging to reach, and the five-minute run back after dying to Manus is frustrating for players |
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What You'll Learn
Defeating Manus: Strafing, dodging, and ranged weapons
Strafing is a technique used in gaming to dodge an opponent's attacks. It involves moving sideways without turning, perpendicular to the opponent's line of fire, to stay out of their range. Strafing can be an effective strategy for defeating Manus, as it allows you to avoid his attacks while staying locked on with a ranged weapon.
To defeat Manus, players should focus on strafing around the arena and dodging his physical attacks. Mobility and timely dodging are paramount to escaping Manus' long-range hand-slams. Instead of relying solely on shielding, players can light-roll out of the way and then swing at Manus' hand. This strategy may feel like "cheesing it," as it does not provide the same level of challenge as a direct confrontation.
Using ranged weapons, such as the Black Bow of Pharis+15 with Large Arrows, can be effective when combined with strafing and light armor. However, some players argue that using the Silver Pendant to block dark magic attacks during the second phase of the battle is more engaging while still maintaining a safe distance.
Additionally, summoning Sif during the battle can provide an excellent distraction, allowing players to get in a few free shots or heal themselves. Manus' occasional leap attack is challenging to dodge and nearly impossible to block at close range, so maintaining a safe distance through strafing and ranged attacks can be advantageous.
Overall, defeating Manus requires a combination of strafing, timely dodging, and the use of ranged weapons and items like the Silver Pendant. Players can also summon Sif to create opportunities for dealing damage or healing.
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Sif: Distracting Manus
Sif's summon sign is found in the arena where the player fights Manus, inside the fog door. Sif's attacks are slow and deal around 100 damage on New Game (NG), but he is highly resilient, making it difficult for Manus to defeat him. This makes Sif an excellent distraction for solo players or those struggling to find summon signs for Manus at their level. Sif can be summoned instantly during the fight by interacting with his sign, without the usual white phantom-summoning animation. Sif barely does any damage to Manus and mostly serves as a distraction, giving the player time to get in a few free shots or heal. Sif is the only useful NPC summon in the series.
To find Sif, head down to the first mass of humanity spirits from the Oolacile Dungeon Bonfire, then turn left and take the small fall off the small ledge onto an illusory floor. Follow the ghostly Alvina through the caves until she disappears next to the shortcut to the surface. The last time Alvina disappears, there will be an illusory wall directly behind that you can strike or roll through to open. Head in and kill the spirits to save Sif.
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Silver Pendant: Blocking dark magic
The Silver Pendant is a tool in Dark Souls that can be used to block Manus' dark magic attacks. It is extremely helpful in the second phase of the battle against Manus, Father of the Abyss.
To successfully use the Silver Pendant, it is important to get the timing right. Spamming the pendant can cause small openings, allowing the dark magic to hit you. Instead, it is recommended to use the pendant a few times to get a sense of the timing, and then activate it just as Manus is about to cast the circle attack. Unlocking the camera can also help you watch the magic and time your pendant activation accordingly.
If you wait too long to use the pendant, you may find yourself caught in the attack with the buff down, resulting in damage. It is a delicate balance, and learning Manus' cast animations is crucial.
Additionally, the Crest shield can be used effectively to block dark magic and maintain distance from Manus. The strategy you employ should reflect your build and playstyle.
Some players have also found success in getting close to Manus when he casts the circle spell, as it seems to miss at close range.
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Summoning Sif: Getting free shots and healing
Summoning Sif to aid in the battle against Manus, Father of the Abyss, can be a great help, as Sif can distract Manus and give the player time to heal. Sif's summon sign is found in the arena where the player fights Manus, inside the fog door, directly to the left of where the player spawns. It is advisable to summon Sif only after Manus is below half health, to distract him during his harder phase, making it less likely that the player will be targeted by the Dark Orb barrage attack.
When fighting Sif, it is important to time your regeneration and avoid randomly drinking Estus Flasks, as this can easily get you killed. Instead, guard and use your spells when Sif whiffs, or kite her around and make sure you've rolled away from her before firing off a few spells. If you have combustion, you can sit under Sif and combust.
Great Heavy Soul Arrows should be avoided unless you have excellent timing, as the casting time is too great. Stick to using Soul Spears and Great Soul Arrows instead.
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Bonfire issues: The five-minute run
The Manus boss fight in Dark Souls is notoriously challenging, and players have expressed frustration with the bonfire placement, calling it a "bonfire issue" due to the long run back to the bonfire after dying. Players have noted that the bonfire issue, coupled with the difficulty of the boss, makes the fight feel like busywork.
One strategy to reach the Manus bonfire quickly is to use a bow and arrow to snipe enemies from a distance, including Manus himself. This tactic, known as "arrow cheese," allows players to deal damage without getting too close to the dangerous melee fighters in the area. However, some players have reported issues with this method, such as not seeing a health bar for Manus when using a composite bow and standard arrows.
Another approach to consider is to take on the enemies one at a time. Players can hug either side of the area and lure the melee enemies away from the casters, then take them on individually. This reduces the risk of being overwhelmed by multiple foes at once. It is also recommended to take on the anchor enemy in the room before the bonfire with caution, as rushing in can lead to a quick defeat. Patience and luring attacks to find openings are key to success.
Additionally, players can make use of magic and spells to deal significant damage to Manus. Soul Spears, for example, can deal over 50% of Manus's HP in less than a minute if all shots land. It is advisable to use weaker spells initially and save the more powerful ones for when Manus reaches 60% health and starts using dark magic, which is challenging to dodge. With careful strategy and persistence, players can overcome the challenges posed by the Manus bonfire issue and eventually defeat this formidable boss.
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Frequently asked questions
After defeating Manus, a bonfire appears near the ledge of the fighting grounds.
Arrow cheesing is a tactic used to defeat Manus by sniping him with arrows outside of the fog.
Other strategies include strafing around the arena with a good ranged weapon and light armor, dodging physical attacks, and using the Silver Pendant to block dark magic attacks.
