Can You Switch Covenants in Dark Souls 3? Your Definitive Guide
Yes, you can switch covenants in Dark Souls 3, and you can do so relatively easily. The game allows you to freely join different covenants whenever you wish, providing a flexible experience. However, there are some important caveats to consider, such as the consequences of leaving a covenant and the mechanics of rejoining. This guide dives into all the details, ensuring you understand how covenants work and how to manage your allegiance in Dark Souls 3.
Understanding Covenants in Dark Souls 3
Covenants in Dark Souls 3 are factions that offer unique gameplay experiences, rewards, and lore connections. Joining a covenant often influences multiplayer interactions, such as summoning allies or invading other players’ worlds. They also impact the items and spells you can acquire. Unlike some other RPGs, changing your covenant allegiance in Dark Souls 3 is not a permanent, irreversible decision.
How to Switch Covenants
The process of switching covenants is straightforward:
- Locate the Covenant Leader/Altar: Each covenant is associated with a specific NPC or location. You need to visit this character or interact with the altar to join or leave the covenant.
- Equip the Covenant Item: To officially join a covenant, you must equip the covenant item offered by the NPC or found at the altar. This item is usually placed in the covenant slot in your equipment menu. Equipping the item formally aligns you with the covenant.
- To Switch, Simply Equip a Different Covenant Item: If you’re already in a covenant and want to switch, simply equip the covenant item of the new covenant you wish to join. The game will automatically remove you from your previous covenant. There is no penalty or cooldown associated with doing so.
Consequences of Switching Covenants
While switching covenants is easy, there are some potential consequences to be aware of:
- Lost Progress: Switching covenants will reset your progress within the covenant you’re leaving. Any offerings you’ve made towards covenant rank will be lost.
- Loss of Covenant Rewards: You will no longer receive rewards associated with the covenant you’ve left until you rejoin and regain your rank (if applicable).
- NPC Interactions: In rare cases, certain NPC questlines or interactions may be affected by your covenant allegiance. It is always good to consult a guide if you are concerned about a specific quest.
Rejoining Covenants
You can rejoin a covenant you’ve previously left. The process is identical to joining it the first time: simply visit the covenant leader or altar and equip the covenant item. Keep in mind that you’ll start back at the beginning in terms of your rank and offerings.
Optimizing Your Covenant Choices
The flexibility of the covenant system in Dark Souls 3 allows you to tailor your experience to different situations. For example:
- Farming Covenant Items: You can join a covenant primarily for its item-farming benefits (e.g., Warrior of Sunlight for Sunlight Medals) and then switch to another covenant when you no longer need those items.
- Multiplayer Preferences: If you want to focus on cooperative play, you might join the Warrior of Sunlight or Blue Sentinels. If you prefer invading other players, you could join the Mound-Makers or Rosaria’s Fingers.
- Completing NPC Questlines: Some NPC questlines may require you to be a member of a specific covenant at certain points.
List of Covenants and Their Locations
- Way of Blue: Emma (High Priestess) – High Wall of Lothric
- Blue Sentinels: Horace the Hushed – Road of Sacrifices
- Blade of the Darkmoon: Yorshka – Anor Londo
- Warrior of Sunlight: Altar of Sunlight – Undead Settlement
- Rosaria’s Fingers: Rosaria – Cathedral of the Deep
- Mound-Makers: Sirris of the Sunless Realms (questline) or Holy Knight Hodrick (Undead Settlement pit)
- Watchdogs of Farron: Old Wolf of Farron – Farron Keep
- Aldrich Faithful: Archdeacon McDonnell – Anor Londo
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does switching covenants affect my character build or stats?
No, switching covenants does not affect your character build or stats in any way. Covenants are primarily related to multiplayer interactions and item acquisition.
2. Can I be in multiple covenants at the same time?
No, you can only be actively affiliated with one covenant at a time. Equipping a new covenant item will automatically remove you from your previous covenant.
3. What happens to covenant-specific rewards if I switch?
If you switch covenants, you will lose access to the covenant-specific rewards associated with the covenant you left until you rejoin and regain your rank (if applicable). You keep any items you’ve already acquired, but you won’t be able to earn new ones while in a different covenant.
4. Is there a limit to how many times I can switch covenants?
There is no limit to how many times you can switch covenants in Dark Souls 3. You can freely change your allegiance as often as you like.
5. Do I need to complete the game before switching covenants?
No, you do not need to complete the game to switch covenants. You can switch at any point in the game, provided you have access to the relevant covenant leaders or altars.
6. Will switching covenants affect my ability to summon or be summoned by other players?
Yes, your covenant allegiance can affect your ability to summon or be summoned. Certain covenants, such as the Warrior of Sunlight or Blue Sentinels, are specifically designed to enhance cooperative play. Others, like Rosaria’s Fingers or Mound-Makers, are focused on invasions.
7. Does joining a covenant lock me out of any areas or boss fights?
Generally, no, joining a covenant doesn’t directly lock you out of any areas or boss fights. However, your actions within a covenant (e.g., invading other players) could potentially influence NPC interactions and indirectly impact your access to certain content.
8. How do I know which covenant is right for me?
The best covenant for you depends on your preferred play style and goals. Consider whether you enjoy cooperative play, invasions, or simply want to collect specific items. Read the descriptions of each covenant and experiment to see which one suits you best.
9. Can I get back any offerings I made to a covenant if I switch?
No, offerings made to a covenant are not returned when you switch. All progress towards your covenant rank is lost when you leave.
10. Are there any covenants that are mutually exclusive?
While you can join and leave any covenant at will, some covenants are linked to conflicting NPC questlines. For example, siding with Rosaria’s Fingers can negatively impact Sirris of the Sunless Realms’ questline.
11. Does being in a certain covenant increase my chances of being invaded?
Yes, being in certain covenants can increase your chances of being invaded. Covenants like Rosaria’s Fingers and Mound-Makers are designed to encourage invasions. Other covenants, like the Way of Blue, are intended to summon friendly phantoms to help protect you from invaders.
12. What is the benefit of ranking up in a covenant?
Ranking up in a covenant typically grants you access to unique rewards, such as weapons, armor, spells, and gestures. The requirements for ranking up usually involve offering specific items to the covenant leader.
13. Do I lose my covenant rank if I go into New Game Plus (NG+)?
No, your covenant rank is not carried over into New Game Plus (NG+). You’ll need to rejoin the covenant and start the ranking process again.
14. Is it possible to complete all covenant-related achievements/trophies in a single playthrough?
It is possible but challenging to complete all covenant-related achievements/trophies in a single playthrough. It requires significant farming of covenant items and careful management of NPC questlines. Multiple playthroughs are often recommended for this purpose.
15. Can I switch covenants online only, or can I do it offline too?
You can switch covenants both online and offline. The process of equipping covenant items is independent of your online status. However, some covenant-related activities, such as invasions and cooperative play, obviously require an online connection.
By understanding these nuances, you can effectively manage your covenant allegiances and tailor your Dark Souls 3 experience to your preferences. Enjoy exploring the world of Lothric and experimenting with different covenants to discover the gameplay that suits you best!