Can You Join All Covenants in Dark Souls 2? The Ultimate Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is yes, you can join all the covenants in Dark Souls 2 on a single character. However, doing so comes with certain caveats and requires careful planning. This article will delve into the specifics of each covenant, outlining their benefits, drawbacks, and how joining them affects your gameplay. We’ll also tackle frequently asked questions to ensure you have all the information you need to become a true covenant collector in Drangleic.
Understanding Covenants in Dark Souls 2
Covenants in Dark Souls 2 are factions that offer players unique gameplay experiences, rewards, and sometimes, altered game mechanics. Joining a covenant doesn’t necessarily lock you out of other covenants; instead, it provides a temporary allegiance that you can change at will. However, abandoning a covenant often comes with consequences, typically involving a decrease in your rank within that covenant. Understanding these nuances is crucial for maximizing your experience and avoiding unwanted repercussions.
The Dark Souls 2 Covenants: A Detailed Overview
Here’s a rundown of each covenant, including how to join them and their primary focus:
- Way of Blue: Joined by speaking to Blue Sentinel Targray at the Cathedral of Blue (requires having no sin). This covenant is focused on providing assistance to players who are invaded. Members receive assistance from Blue Sentinels when invaded.
- Blue Sentinels: Joined by speaking to Blue Sentinel Targray at the Cathedral of Blue (requires having no sin). Members of this covenant are summoned to protect members of the Way of Blue from invaders.
- Brotherhood of Blood: Joined by speaking to Titchy Gren in Undead Purgatory. This covenant focuses on PvP invasions and offers rewards for successfully invading and defeating other players.
- Bell Keepers: Joined by interacting with the Bell Keeper at either the Belfry Luna or Belfry Sol. This covenant is all about defending the Belfries from invaders, engaging in PvP within those specific areas.
- Heirs to the Sun: Joined by offering a Sunlight Medal at the Altar of Sunlight, located in Harvest Valley after defeating the Covetous Demon. This covenant promotes cooperative play; members are often summoned to assist other players in defeating bosses.
- Dragon Remnants: Joined by obtaining the Dragon Eye from Magerold of Lanafir at the Iron Keep. This covenant encourages duels; members can place their summon signs to challenge other players to a one-on-one fight.
- Company of Champions: Joined by interacting with the Victor’s Stone in Majula. This covenant significantly increases the game’s difficulty, making enemies stronger but also offering better rewards.
- Pilgrims of Dark: This covenant is obtained by completing all three encounters for Darkdiver Grandahl. This covenant opens access to the Dark Chasm of Old challenges.
- Rat King Covenant: Joined by speaking to the Rat King in Grave of Saints or Doors of Pharros. This covenant focuses on trapping other players in areas filled with traps and enemies.
Joining and Leaving Covenants: The Mechanics
Joining a covenant is usually a straightforward process, typically involving speaking to an NPC or interacting with a specific object. However, leaving a covenant has consequences. You can leave a covenant by speaking to Sweet Shalquoir in Majula and choosing the “Abandon Covenant” option. Leaving a covenant reduces your rank within that covenant by one stage. If you’ve earned significant progress in a covenant, this can set you back considerably.
Rank and Rewards
Each covenant has its own ranking system, typically based on the number of offerings you make (e.g., Sunlight Medals for Heirs to the Sun, Cracked Red Eye Orbs for Brotherhood of Blood). Higher ranks unlock unique rewards, such as weapons, armor, spells, and gestures. Therefore, strategic planning is essential to maximize your gains from each covenant.
Strategic Covenant Hopping: Tips and Tricks
While you can join all covenants, efficiently doing so requires a strategy:
- Plan Your Route: Decide which covenants are most important to you and in what order you want to join them. Prioritize covenants with rewards you need early on.
- Gather Offerings: Start collecting necessary items (e.g., Sunlight Medals, Dragon Scales) well in advance. This will save you time when you actually join the corresponding covenant.
- Minimize Covenant Abandonment: Try to complete your objectives within a covenant before leaving to minimize rank reduction.
- Backup Your Save (PC): If you’re playing on PC, consider backing up your save file before joining a covenant. This allows you to experiment without permanently affecting your progress.
- Online Play is Recommended: Many covenant-related activities, especially those involving PvP, are best experienced online.
- Consider Soul Memory: Your Soul Memory (the total number of souls you’ve acquired) impacts your matchmaking range. Keep this in mind when participating in PvP covenants.
The Impact on Gameplay
Joining a covenant can significantly alter your gameplay experience. For example, joining the Company of Champions dramatically increases the game’s difficulty, while joining the Heirs to the Sun promotes cooperative play. Be mindful of these changes and adapt your playstyle accordingly. PvP covenants, like the Brotherhood of Blood and Bell Keepers, can add an element of risk and excitement to your playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify covenant mechanics in Dark Souls 2:
1. What happens when I abandon a covenant?
When you abandon a covenant, your rank within that covenant is reduced by one level. You also lose any covenant-specific benefits or abilities until you rejoin the covenant.
2. Can I rejoin a covenant after abandoning it?
Yes, you can rejoin a covenant after abandoning it by speaking to the same NPC or interacting with the same object that you used to initially join.
3. Does leaving a covenant affect my sin level?
No, leaving a covenant does not directly affect your sin level. However, certain actions within specific covenants (like invading and killing innocent players in the Brotherhood of Blood) can increase your sin level.
4. What is the easiest covenant to rank up in?
The Heirs to the Sun is generally considered one of the easiest covenants to rank up in. Sunlight Medals can be obtained by successfully assisting other players in defeating bosses, making it a relatively straightforward process.
5. What is the most difficult covenant to rank up in?
The Brotherhood of Blood can be quite challenging to rank up in, as it requires successfully invading and defeating other players. Skill and luck play significant roles in your progress.
6. Can I be invaded by members of multiple covenants at the same time?
No, you can only be invaded by members of covenants that target players specifically (e.g., Brotherhood of Blood, Bell Keepers). You won’t be invaded by members of covenants focused on cooperative play (e.g., Heirs to the Sun).
7. How does Soul Memory affect covenant matchmaking?
Soul Memory is the primary factor determining who you are matched with in online play, including covenant-related activities like invasions and duels. Players with similar Soul Memories are more likely to be matched together.
8. Are covenant rewards tradeable?
Some covenant rewards, like weapons and armor, are tradeable with other players. However, covenant-specific items used for ranking up (e.g., Sunlight Medals) are not tradeable.
9. What are the benefits of joining the Way of Blue?
Joining the Way of Blue provides you with protection from invasions by summoning Blue Sentinels to assist you when you are invaded by a dark spirit.
10. What are the benefits of joining the Blue Sentinels?
Joining the Blue Sentinels allows you to be summoned to the world of a Way of Blue member who is being invaded, providing you with opportunities for PvP and rewards.
11. Does the Company of Champions covenant permanently increase the difficulty?
No, the Company of Champions covenant only increases the difficulty while you are a member. You can return the Victor’s Stone to remove the difficulty increase.
12. How do I access the Dark Chasm of Old areas?
You access the Dark Chasm of Old areas by joining the Pilgrims of Dark covenant and progressing through Darkdiver Grandahl’s questline, which involves locating and lighting three different chalices throughout Drangleic.
13. What is the purpose of the Rat King covenant?
The purpose of the Rat King covenant is to defend your designated areas (Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros) from other players by utilizing traps and enemies.
14. Are there any covenants that are missable?
No, none of the covenants are truly missable in the sense that the NPCs disappear permanently. Even if you accidentally kill an NPC, you can revive them using a Gravestone after a certain period.
15. Can I join a covenant in NG+?
Yes, you can join all covenants in New Game Plus (NG+) just as you can in your first playthrough. All covenant-related NPCs and objects are still accessible.
Conclusion
Joining all covenants in Dark Souls 2 is a feasible goal, though it requires dedication and strategic planning. By understanding the mechanics of each covenant, managing your Soul Memory, and prioritizing your objectives, you can successfully navigate the complex world of Drangleic’s factions and reap the rewards that each offers. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!