Abyss Watchers Dark Souls III Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Note: If you followed Sirris quest and delivered the Dreamchaser's Ashes to the Handmaid, you could have spoken to Sirris in the Firelink Shrine again. If you did it, before the entrance you will find a sign that allows summoning her. On the stairs leading to the arena you will also find a sign that allows summoning Black Hand Gotthard. If you do it you will also receive the By My Sword gesture.
Note 2: After defeating the Abyss Watchers Yoel will die no matter whether you used his services or not. If you want Yuria to replace him, don't kill the boss until you use Yoel's help five times. In addition to that, Orbeck will leave the Firelink Shrine after the battle unless you give him at least one magic scroll before the combat.
The Abyss Watchers are in fact a single boss that during the first phase of the battle is accompanied by a similar knight. Because of that, you should treat the opponent as all similar knights - watch out for series of attacks and pushes, especially while healing (long range of the boss). The shield can help you in defeating most attacks, but notice the energy bar. During the second phase of the battle you should mostly focus on dodges unless you have a shield with high fire resistance.
During the first phase of the battle at first only the boss will respawn. Fight him using the mentioned tactics until the second knight joins the combat. Hitting him doesn't count (it won't reduce the health bar of the boss), but despite that the second boss can hit as hard as the main opponent. Because of that, during this phase of the battle it is easier to avoid the opponents while waiting for a better time to attack.
That time will come after a short while - a third knight, this one with red glowing eyes, will join the battle. Don't attack him because he is your ally and he will attack one of the enemy knights. It is a perfect opportunity as enemies, or at least one of them, will focus on your temporary ally. In addition to that, he will deal damage to the boss. So don't watch idly but attack the closest knight, preferably the boss, so that the battle won't take too long. If you kill the second knight first, then together you and your ally will be able to attack the boss. In that case you must watch out not to hit your ally accidentally. In case of death of the knight with glowing eyes continue the battle in the regular way or, if troubled, run around the arena and wait for him to respawn.
Once you defeat the boss, the second part of the battle will start and the enemy will have a new, full health bar. He will act almost the same, the only difference is that he will gain new, fire-based attacks - leaving a fire mark on the ground or dropping flames while pushing the sword. In addition to that, it will be harder for you to escape as the Abyss Watcher will now have greater reach and he can quickly run through large part of the map.
The best time to counterattack is after rolling back just after the series of enemy attacks or dodging forward when the enemy is charging. This maneuver should allow you to get behind the enemy. If you are fighting with a magic class, then things should be easier as the enemy is vulnerable to this attack types (excluding the pyromancy). It will be even easier if you summoned someone before the battle to help you - wait for the enemy to focus on your ally and use that opportunity to hit boss' back. The whole battle in this phase can be fought by dodging and optionally blocking attacks with the shield.
Reward: Cinders of a Lord, Soul of the Blood of the Wolf, 15 000 souls
Location: Farron Keep