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Can You Keep Switching Covenants? The Ultimate Guide

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The short answer is yes, you can keep switching covenants in World of Warcraft, but it’s important to understand the implications and the associated systems. While Blizzard has loosened the restrictions on covenant swapping since their introduction in the Shadowlands expansion, there are still cooldowns and requirements to be aware of. Switching carelessly can set you back significantly, especially if you’re aiming for optimal performance in raids, Mythic+ dungeons, or PvP. This article delves into the mechanics of covenant switching, providing you with everything you need to know to make informed decisions.

Understanding Covenant Mechanics

Covenants represent powerful factions in the Shadowlands: Kyrian, Necrolord, Night Fae, and Venthyr. Each offers unique abilities, class-specific covenant abilities, soulbinds (talent trees), and cosmetic rewards. Choosing a covenant significantly impacts your character’s gameplay, especially in content where optimization is key.

Originally, the covenant system was more restrictive. Switching back and forth was penalized with lengthy cooldowns, making it a daunting task for players who wanted to experiment or adapt to different content. Thankfully, Blizzard listened to player feedback and implemented changes to make covenant swapping more accessible.

The Current System for Switching Covenants

The process for switching covenants now involves several key steps and considerations:

Joining a Covenant: The initial joining of a covenant is relatively straightforward. Upon reaching level 60 and completing the introductory Shadowlands questline, you can choose to pledge yourself to one of the four covenants. This begins your covenant campaign and unlocks access to its abilities, soulbinds, and rewards.
Renown: Renown is the primary progression system within each covenant. Earning renown unlocks new tiers of rewards, powers, and campaign chapters. When you switch covenants, you lose all earned renown with your previous covenant.
Switching to a New Covenant (For the First Time): When switching to a covenant you’ve never joined before, you’ll be able to join it immediately. However, you will start from Renown level 1. There are usually introductory quests to catch you up on the current state of the covenant.
Switching Back to a Previous Covenant: This is where the system becomes more nuanced. If you want to rejoin a covenant you were previously a member of, you’ll need to undertake two quests that involve proving your worth and loyalty: “Prove Your Worth” and “Rebuild Trust”.
“Prove Your Worth” and “Rebuild Trust”: These quests are designed to prevent players from constantly hopping between covenants without any commitment. “Prove Your Worth” requires you to complete specific tasks, usually involving dungeons, raids, or other challenging content. “Rebuild Trust” takes 7 real-world days to complete. You cannot proceed with rejoining the covenant until this time has passed.
Consequences of Switching: Remember that switching covenants entails losing access to your previous covenant’s abilities, soulbinds, and unlocked cosmetic rewards until you rejoin and regain renown. This can be particularly disruptive if you rely on a specific covenant ability for a particular role or encounter.

Maximizing Your Covenant Choices

Before committing to a covenant or switching, consider the following:

Class and Specialization: Research which covenants provide the most beneficial abilities and soulbinds for your class and chosen specialization. Websites like Wowhead and Icy Veins offer comprehensive guides and simulations to help you make informed decisions.
Content Focus: Different covenants excel in different types of content. For example, one covenant might be optimal for raiding while another is better suited for Mythic+ or PvP. Consider where you spend most of your time in the game.
Long-Term Goals: Think about your long-term goals for your character. Are you primarily focused on maximizing performance in a specific area, or are you more interested in exploring different playstyles and cosmetic rewards?
Renown Catch-Up Mechanics: Blizzard has implemented several renown catch-up mechanics to help players quickly level up their renown with a new or rejoined covenant. These mechanics include increased renown rewards from certain activities and the availability of renown tokens that can be purchased from vendors.
Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different covenants to find the one that you enjoy the most. The covenant system is designed to be flexible, allowing you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about switching covenants:

1. How do I actually switch covenants?

You switch covenants by visiting Oribos and speaking to the emissary for the covenant you want to join. The exact location of the emissary will be marked on your map.

2. What happens to my Covenant Sanctum progress when I switch?

When you switch, all your Sanctum upgrades (e.g., Anima Conductor, Transport Network) for the previous covenant are effectively deactivated and inaccessible until you rejoin that covenant.

3. Do I lose my cosmetic rewards from my previous Covenant?

Yes, you lose access to cosmetic rewards like transmogs and mounts from your previous covenant until you rejoin it and reach the necessary renown levels again.

4. Is there a cost to switching Covenants?

The primary cost is the time investment required to regain renown in a new or rejoined covenant. There are no gold costs associated with switching.

5. How long does it take to complete the “Rebuild Trust” quest?

The “Rebuild Trust” quest has a real-world time gate of 7 days.

6. Can I start the “Prove Your Worth” and “Rebuild Trust” quests simultaneously?

Yes, you can start both quests as soon as you decide to rejoin a previous covenant.

7. What happens to my soulbinds when I switch Covenants?

All your soulbinds and their associated conduits are deactivated when you switch. You’ll need to unlock and level up new soulbinds in your new covenant.

8. Are there any restrictions on who can switch Covenants?

There are no class or level restrictions on switching covenants as long as you have completed the initial Shadowlands questline and reached level 60.

9. Can I switch Covenants multiple times?

Yes, you can switch covenants as many times as you want, but remember the “Prove Your Worth” and “Rebuild Trust” quests for rejoining previous covenants.

10. Do Covenant abilities change after switching?

Yes, your covenant-specific class ability and signature ability will change to those of your new covenant.

11. How do I catch up on Renown with a new Covenant?

Look for World Quests, Callings, dungeon completions, and certain Campaign quests that award Renown. Specific items also drop to grant Renown to catch up.

12. Does the “Rebuild Trust” quest reset if I switch to another Covenant before completing it?

Yes, if you switch to another covenant before completing “Rebuild Trust”, the timer and progress reset.

13. What is the “Spark of Ingenuity” and how does it relate to Covenants?

Sparks of Ingenuity are used for crafting powerful gear, and certain covenant rewards can enhance or complement this gear, making your covenant choice more strategic based on your crafting needs.

14. How do I unlock all Soulbinds within a Covenant?

You unlock soulbinds by progressing through the covenant campaign and reaching specific Renown levels.

15. Where can I find more information about Covenant abilities and Soulbinds?

Websites like Wowhead, Icy Veins, and specialized class discords offer detailed guides and comparisons of covenant abilities and soulbinds.

Conclusion

Switching covenants in World of Warcraft is now more accessible than ever. While there are still mechanics to understand and considerations to make, the freedom to adapt your covenant choice to your playstyle and content preferences offers a significant advantage. By carefully planning your covenant switches and utilizing the available catch-up mechanics, you can optimize your character’s performance and enjoy the full range of experiences that the Shadowlands has to offer. Remember to research, experiment, and choose the covenants that best align with your goals and playstyle. Good luck, and may your covenant choices lead you to victory!