The question of who would win in a one-on-one duel between two legendary warriors is a staple of gaming lore. For *Dark Souls* fans, Artorias the Abysswalker has long been the gold standard—a boss so dominant that few could challenge him. Now, a new test pits him against *Elden Ring*’s roster, and the results are brutal for the Lands Between’s elite.
Using a remastered version of Artorias, transplanted into *Elden Ring*’s iteration of the FromSoftware engine, a recent boss-fight compilation video reveals a disturbing truth: nearly every major boss in the base game falls to his blade. Margit the Fell Omen, Godfrey the First, and even the fearsome Radagon & Elden Beast combo are reduced to mere obstacles. Only one fight stands out—not for its challenge, but for how easily it was won.
Artorias’ dominance isn’t absolute, but his record is nearly flawless. The video highlights four standout battles, each a masterclass in precision and aggression
- Maliketh the Black Blade—Artorias’ only loss in the base game, delivered in a spectacular second-phase comeback.
- Dragonlord Placidusax—A grueling duel where the blue knight’s adaptability secures victory.
- Radagon & Elden Beast—A marathon fight where Artorias, despite his AI’s limitations, outlasts the duo’s relentless assaults.
- Malenia, Blade of Miquella—A high-stakes duel where flinch mechanics and backstabs decide the outcome.
Yet for all his prowess, the fight against Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is a statistical aberration. A slow, methodical opponent with two health bars and an overpowered AoE fire attack, Rykard’s victory feels less like a defeat and more like a technicality. His lack of mobility and reliance on brute-force damage make the matchup uninteresting—a far cry from the tactical duels Artorias excels in.
The real test remains unanswered. While the base game bosses crumble, the *Shadow of the Erdtree* DLC introduces a new variable: Carian Knight Rellana. In a separate video, Artorias is outmatched, his strategies failing against her adaptive combat style. This suggests his reign as an undefeated fighter may be limited—especially if he faces the DLC’s other elite threats.
For now, Artorias’ record stands at 20-2-0, but his refusal to engage in fights he might lose risks tarnishing his legacy. The blue knight’s era may be drawing to a close—or at least, his dominance is no longer guaranteed.
