Manus, Father Of The Abyss Dark Souls Guide
Last update: 24 May 2016
Manus is arguably one of the most difficult bosses to defeat in the game. Before you decide to fight him, make sure that your character is at sufficiently high level and, just like in the case of the remaining bosses of the DLC, the key is the appropriate amount of healing elements.
Attacks and weaknesses
1) rage attack - Manus waves its paws, after which he grabs his sword and hits the ground with tremendous force. It is easy to figure out that the attack is going to take place, because the boss roars right before performing it. At this point, it is sound idea to get outside of the reach of his blows.
2) Paw attack - Manus performs a swing and hits the ground with its paw. The best idea is to sip away from the attack. After the hit with the paw, it remains motionless, for a moment, which you can take advantage of to attack.
3) Double attack - the enemy attacks with the catalyst and performs a horizontal swipe with the paw. This attack can be blocked with the shield.
4) Jumping attack - the beast jumps up into the air and hits the ground with both of its paws. You can roll to its side, at this point. For a moment, Manus will remain motionless, which will give you the chance to strike.
5) Dark rain- Manus lifts its catalyst into the air and summons a cloud. This will drop a rain of dark projectiles. The danger is that the projectiles follow your character. To increase your chances of avoiding them, you need to perform a few rolls.
Hints
1) Get the Artorias Grand Shield - Artorias Grand Shield will allow you to block Manus's physical attacks.
2) Keep an eye on the enemy - at the moment at which Manus is preparing for the magical attack, it will be surrounded by a magical halo (it starts performing the magical attacks after its health drops to 60%).
3) try to dodge from attacks - characters that are agile and mobile will be able to dodge most of the attacks.
4) Ensure yourself with appropriate amount of healing elements
Tactic
The basic rule, while fighting Manus, is the endurance control. You cannot allow a situation in which the green bar drops to zero. In the case of , e.g. the rage attack, if you fail to block the first blow, you will have to take on the entire sequence of attacks. It is best to land your blows at the moment at which Manus's paw is resting on the ground, when the best is taking res. Note that, when Manus's health points drop below 60%, it starts to deploy magical attacks. From now on, start to keep a careful eye on its surroundings. While loading the magical attack, your enemy starts to glow. NOTE: after you have landed your blow, get away from Manus to replenish the endurance bar.