Knight Artorias

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

Location
In the colosseum area of Oolacile Township, at the end of the Royal Wood.

Plot
Knight Artorias has already been corrupted by the Abyss and is hostile when encountering the player.

Lore
Sir Artorias the Abysswalker was one of the Four Knights of Lord Gwyn. He only makes an appearance in the past as he is deceased by the time the Chosen Undead escapes the Undead Asylum.

Knight Artorias wore distinctive armor, as well as the Wolf Ring and brandished his Greatsword and Greatshield. He is also known to have been a friend to Alvina of the Forest Hunter covenant and Sif, the Great Grey Wolf, who guards his grave and keeps the Covenant of Artorias ring in his possession.

Artorias hunted the Darkwraiths and was able to traverse the Abyss with the power of his ring, which he gained after making a covenant with the beasts there, preventing him from being swallowed by the void and cursing his sword. In recognition of his actions, he was awarded one of Anor Londo's treasures, a Silver Pendant that allowed him to repel Dark sorceries.

When Oolacile became threatened by the Abyss created by Manus, Artorias and his wolf companion, Sif, arrived there to save Oolacile and rescue the abducted Princess Dusk. However, the two were overrun by the Abyss and Artorias sacrificed himself to protect Sif using his Cleansing Greatshield, erecting a barrier around the young wolf. Swallowed by the Dark, he became corrupted along with his sword.

Overwhelming Leap
Crouches, then leaps high into the air attempting to land on the player, causing damage in an area of effect around him. Rolling or moving towards him, instead of away, can increase one's chance of successfully dodging him before he lands.

Somersault Attack
Somersaults into the air and slams his sword down vertically. He can repeat this up to three times. Roll to the side to avoid it. Artorias can stunlock the player in this combo.

Heavy Swing
Swings sword overhead, slamming it towards the ground. He presents an opportunity to be attacked after it lands.

Heavy Thrust
Pauses before performing a heavy thrust towards the player. If it connects, it has the potential to hit twice, dealing heavy damage.

Spin Attack
Quickly spins, completing two full revolutions.

Abyss Sludge
Throws black sludge in a wide arc in front of him.

Magic Explosion
Activates in intervals after approximately 20% of his total health is reduced. After backing off, he slowly builds up magical energy, presenting ample time for retaliation or to apply augmentations to one's weapon or self. He releases it in an explosion that does Magic Damage in a mid-ranged area of effect which completely surrounds him. He becomes supercharged for a time afterwards, hitting harder and causing more damage. However, he is vulnerable while charging and can be stunned with consecutive hits from a strong enough weapon.

Trivia

 * Artorias, like many characters, had unused content that was hidden between the game files. Here is the dialogue that was kept out of the final version.
 * Artorias was supposed to have the same voice actor of Griggs of Vinheim, his content was cut out of the game.
 * It is believed that Artorias had a romantic relationship with Lord's Blade Ciaran before being corrupted by the Abyss.
 * Artorias has severely injured his left arm, to the point of being limp, sometime before the player fights him. It is also believed that Artorias left his Greatshield with Sif in the Abyss after he suffered the injury.