Should I Join the Rat King Covenant in Dark Souls 2? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether to join the Rat King Covenant in Dark Souls 2 is a nuanced one, heavily dependent on your playstyle and goals. The short answer is: it depends. If you enjoy PvP focused on traps and environmental advantages while defending specific zones, and appreciate a unique covenant mechanic, then the Rat King Covenant is definitely worth considering. However, if you prefer direct combat or dislike being invaded, this covenant might not be the best fit.
Delving Deep into the Rat King Covenant
The Rat King Covenant is a unique faction in Dark Souls 2 that focuses on defending the Grave of Saints and the Doors of Pharros areas. Members gain the advantage of having enemies in these areas turn passive, becoming allies who will assist in defending against invaders. Let’s explore the benefits, drawbacks, and intricacies of this peculiar allegiance.
Benefits of Joining the Rat King Covenant
- Friendly Foes: The most significant benefit is the pacification of most enemies within the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros. This allows for much easier traversal of these areas, especially useful for farming or exploration.
- Invader Advantage: When a player enters these zones, wearing the Crest of the Rat automatically summons them as a Gray Phantom. The covenant member, aided by the formerly hostile enemies, gains a considerable edge in these player-versus-player (PvP) encounters.
- Unique Covenant Rewards: As you offer Rat Tails to the Rat King, you’ll rank up in the covenant, unlocking rewards like the “Small Smooth & Silky Stone,” “Petrified Something,” and “The full set of Royal Soldiers equipment.”
- Pharros’ Lockstone Utility: Members can strategically use Pharros’ Lockstones to activate traps and release additional enemies to further bolster their defenses against invaders. These traps can range from poison pools to rolling boulders, adding a layer of environmental hazard to the fight.
Drawbacks of Joining the Rat King Covenant
- Restricted Areas: The Rat King Covenant’s influence is limited to the Grave of Saints and the Doors of Pharros. Outside of these areas, there are no specific benefits conferred by the covenant.
- Invasion Vulnerability: While you gain the advantage when someone enters the area, you also become a target for invasions. If you prefer to play offline or avoid PvP, this can be a significant deterrent.
- SM Range Limitations: Summoning is based on Soul Memory (SM), meaning you’ll only encounter players within a specific SM range. If the player base in your SM tier is low, you may experience long wait times for invasions.
- Potential for Unfair Fights: Some players may find the advantage given to Rat King covenant members to be unfair. The combination of passive enemies and environmental traps can create very challenging situations for invaders.
Is the Rat King Covenant Right for You?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to join the Rat King Covenant hinges on your individual preferences. If you are interested in:
- Unique PvP experiences
- Utilizing environmental traps to your advantage
- Defending specific zones with the assistance of friendly enemies
- Strategic gameplay and covenant rewards
Then the Rat King Covenant could be a rewarding experience. However, if you primarily enjoy cooperative play, prefer to avoid invasions, or find the advantages given to covenant members to be unbalanced, you might consider joining a different faction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I join the Rat King Covenant?
To join the Rat King Covenant, you must first defeat the Royal Rat Authority in the Grave of Saints or the Royal Rat Vanguard in the Doors of Pharros. After defeating either boss, speak to the Rat King located nearby. He will offer you the chance to join his covenant.
2. Where can I find the Rat King?
You can find the Rat King in two locations:
- Grave of Saints: After defeating the Royal Rat Authority, he is located in a small room beyond the boss arena.
- Doors of Pharros: After defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard, he is located in a small room further ahead.
3. What is a Rat Tail and how do I get one?
Rat Tails are covenant items used to increase your rank within the Rat King Covenant. They can be obtained by:
- Defeating the Royal Rat Authority in the Grave of Saints.
- Defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard in the Doors of Pharros.
- Rare drop from standard rats in both the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros.
4. What are the benefits of ranking up in the Rat King Covenant?
Ranking up in the Rat King Covenant provides the following rewards:
- Rank 1: 10 Rat Tails – Small Smooth & Silky Stone
- Rank 2: 20 Rat Tails – Petrified Something
- Rank 3: 50 Rat Tails – Full set of Royal Soldiers Equipment
5. How does summoning work in the Rat King Covenant?
While wearing the Crest of the Rat in either the Grave of Saints or the Doors of Pharros, any player currently in the area within your Soul Memory (SM) range will be automatically summoned to your world as a Gray Phantom. They spawn at the beginning of the area and must either reach the boss fog wall or defeat you to escape.
6. Do I need to wear the Crest of the Rat to be summoned?
No, you only need to wear the Crest of the Rat to summon other players into your world. You do not need to wear it to be summoned by other Rat King Covenant members.
7. Can I be invaded outside of the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros while in the covenant?
No, the invasion mechanic is limited to the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros areas while wearing the Crest of the Rat.
8. What is Soul Memory and how does it affect summoning?
Soul Memory (SM) is the total number of souls you have acquired throughout the game. Summoning range is based on SM, meaning you will only be able to summon or be summoned by players within a certain SM bracket.
9. Are the enemies in the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros completely passive when I’m in the covenant?
Most regular enemies will become passive. However, some special enemies or bosses within these areas may still be hostile even while you are a member of the Rat King Covenant.
10. Can I use Pharros’ Lockstones outside of the Doors of Pharros?
Yes, Pharros’ Lockstones can be used in various locations throughout the game to reveal hidden passages, activate traps, or create shortcuts. However, the Doors of Pharros is the area where they are most prominently featured.
11. Is the Royal Rat Authority an optional boss?
Yes, the Royal Rat Authority is an optional boss. Defeating him only provides access to another location where you can interact with the Rat King and receive the benefits of the covenant.
12. What happens if I betray the Rat King Covenant?
Betraying the Rat King Covenant will result in you being kicked out of the covenant. You will lose access to its benefits and may incur the Rat King’s wrath. You can rejoin later by paying a fee to Cromwell the Pardoner.
13. Is the Rat King Covenant active in the current player base?
The activity level of the Rat King Covenant can vary depending on your Soul Memory (SM) and the current player base. Lower SM tiers tend to be more active for early-game covenants.
14. What are some effective strategies for defending against invaders in the Rat King Covenant?
Effective strategies include:
- Utilizing Pharros’ Lockstones: Activate traps and release additional enemies to create a challenging environment for invaders.
- Knowing the area: Familiarize yourself with the layout of the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros to anticipate invader movements.
- Using ranged attacks: Keep invaders at a distance and exploit environmental hazards.
- Coordinating with friendly enemies: Use the passive enemies to your advantage by luring invaders into ambushes.
15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Dark Souls 2?
You can find more information about the game mechanics of Dark Souls 2 and more information about the role of games in learning at the Games Learning Society, which is a professional society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of digital games and learning. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Joining the Rat King Covenant presents a unique and potentially rewarding experience for players who enjoy strategic PvP encounters and environmental manipulation. By carefully considering the benefits and drawbacks, you can make an informed decision about whether this peculiar covenant aligns with your playstyle and preferences in Dark Souls 2.