If I enter the fog to the Four Kings once, then die, then go back, do I have to equip the ring again? Or does it only count the very first time? I am having a lot of trouble on Four Kings on NG+ and that extra ring slot would come in handy if I found out that I don't have to wear it all the time. Yes, I'm using Iron Flesh and still having a hard time... I think it's just that they have so much health.

@xyzygy: Yup, you have to wear that ring everytime you enter the Abyss. Even when you're just visiting the bonfire down there.

@McFly said:

@xyzygy: Yup, you have to wear that ring everytime you enter the Abyss. Even when you're just visiting the bonfire down there.

Once you beat the 4kings you do not need the ring anymore. But until they are dead, you need it on.

In my experience whenever you warp to the bonfire you don't need the ring. I've warped there plenty of times without and double checked thinking the moment I closed my inventory I'd fall to my death. Nothing. Just the bonfire, Kaathe, and 'solid' ground.

I just beat them today at SL ~99: 30 Vit, 40 Dex/End. I found Iron Flesh to be a no-go thanks to the grab and purple explosion. I did just blitzkrieg them as if I had it on, though. 2H'd Quelaag's Fury Sword, drinking from my flask like crazy when I could. I had enough poise to not be staggered by most attacks. First guy died maybe 2-3 seconds after I saw the second, second guy died 3-4 seconds after I saw the third, but then when the third died I actually had to wait a couple seconds for the fourth to appear. Fifth (I thought there was only 4..) was almost in my face when I finished them off. Anyway, it wasn't pretty. Just a lot of circle strafing behind to try to heal or while waiting for stamina, hacking away whenever the health and stamina weren't low. General advice.. always roll from the forward thrust/grab. Otherwise go on the offensive (you have to take them down as they come or they'll overwhelm you). The purple explosion sucks and I've been hit from it behind and far away and all over. I think the safest place from it is behind the caster.

I'd also recommend a big weapon with a large sweep on it like the Sycthe, they have strange hitboxes and slide around a lot.

You can summon an NPC near the four kings. 

i just put some heavy armor on and two hand your best weapon. When they show up just attack them nonstop, this way you should only fight one on one with each of the four kings. You should not get hurt to much that a flask won't fix. The only worry is their grab move which if you are high level will not hurt too much but will steal humanity from you.

I did this earlier on NG++. I found that using all Havels gear and Iron Flesh took care of my defenses very well.

Then for the actual boss bit I had a few tries, but what worked for me, was getting the Dragon Greatsword (From the Infinite Dragon), whacking it up to +5, and wielding that with Crystal Ring Shield in the other hand. 4/5 Throws a king and it's down. Cheap, but a wins a win

Iron Flesh spell. Crystal Ring Shield.

That is all.