Dark Souls' HundoDex

Battle of Stoicism

The arena at the end of Royal Wood where Knight Artorias, consumed by the Abyss, has to be fought.

  • Suggested level: 55–70
  • DLC: Artorias of the Abyss

Bosses

  • Knight Artorias: Fast and relentless. Interrupt him while he powers up with the Abyss, and roll through his flips rather than away from them.

Walkthrough: Sanctuary Garden, Oolacile Sanctuary and Royal Wood

  • Go to Darkroot Basin and examine the dark portal near where the Golden Crystal Golem stood (requires the Broken Pendant and Dusk rescued).
  • Rest at the Sanctuary Garden bonfire, go through the fog and defeat the Sanctuary Guardian.
  • Cut its tail for the Guardian Tail.
  • Up the path is Oolacile Sanctuary. Light its bonfire and say yes when Elizabeth asks her question.
  • A corpse nearby holds Humanity. Below lies Royal Wood; deal with the first group of Ents and Stone Guardians.
  • Three pickups in this clearing: Guardian Gauntlets up the right-hand tower, a Blue Titanite Slab in the central chest, Guardian Leggings off to the left.
  • Cross the bridge on the left, avoid Kalameet's flames, kill the Crystal Lizard and deal with the Stone Guardian that appears.
  • On the left a gap leads down and across to more Ents and a Stone Guardian; drop over and clear them.
  • Loot nearby: the Guardian Helm on a ledge, and the Guardian Armor with Gough's Great Arrows where the Stone Guardian was.
  • Pick up the Elizabeth's Mushroom in a hidden alcove.
  • Return over the gap; more Ents lurk on the left, and a Gold Coin lies among them.
  • Near the tower stand two Stone Guardians. Once they are down, chase the Crystal Lizard before it vanishes.
  • Grab the soul behind the tower, ride the elevator down and take the soul around the corner at the bottom.
  • Marvelous Chester waits past the bridge. Agree to his question, trade if you like, then take the elevator to unlock a shortcut.
  • Go through the fog and defeat Knight Artorias.
  • After a reload, Lord's Blade Ciaran kneels at the grave. Hand her the Soul of Artorias, or fight her for the Lord's Blade Set, Dark Silver Tracer and Gold Tracer.
  • The second exit of the arena leads into Oolacile Township, where a bonfire waits just inside.
  • Go back into Royal Wood, follow the path beside the elevator down into the valley and take the soul on the left at the bottom.
  • Follow the gorge onward and down a ladder past a Crystal Lizard. Let Black Dragon Kalameet strike at you once, then retreat to the bonfire.