Should You Pledge Allegiance to the Rat King in Dark Souls 2?
The decision to join the Rat King Covenant in Dark Souls 2 depends entirely on your playstyle and goals. If you enjoy invading other players, defending specific areas, and gaining access to unique items, then yes, joining the Rat King Covenant is a viable and often rewarding choice. However, if you prefer cooperative gameplay, dislike PvP, or are seeking the absolute best rewards in the game, other covenants might be a better fit. Ultimately, it boils down to whether the covenant’s mechanics and objectives align with your personal preferences.
Understanding the Rat King Covenant
The Rat King Covenant is a faction in Dark Souls 2 centered around protecting the Grave of Saints and the Doors of Pharros. Joining this covenant drastically alters gameplay in these specific zones, creating unique opportunities and challenges for players who enjoy PvP invasions with a twist. Let’s delve into the specifics:
Benefits of Joining
- Passive Enemies: The most immediate benefit is that standard enemies within the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros become non-hostile. This allows covenant members to navigate these areas freely, setting up ambushes for unsuspecting invaders or simply traversing the zones without the usual constant threat.
- Pharros Lockstone Advantage: Covenant members can utilize Pharros Lockstones to activate traps and summon additional enemy phantoms to aid them in defending against invaders. This adds a strategic layer to invasions, allowing for intricate defense setups.
- Rat Tail Offerings: Offering Rat Tails to the Rat King increases your rank within the covenant, unlocking rewards such as the Illusory Ring of the Exalted and the Illusory Ring of a Conqueror, both of which grant you permanent invisibility in the left-hand and right-hand slots respectively, when equipped. This provides a unique stealth advantage.
- Guaranteed Invasions: Using the Crest of the Rat guarantees invasions as a Grey Phantom within the designated areas. This ensures consistent PvP action for players who enjoy invading others.
Drawbacks to Consider
- Limited Location: The benefits of the Rat King Covenant are primarily limited to the Grave of Saints and the Doors of Pharros. Outside these areas, the covenant provides no advantages.
- PvP Focus: If you dislike invading or being invaded, this covenant is not for you. The entire premise revolves around player-versus-player combat.
- Invader Disadvantage: Experienced players invading a Rat King covenant member will often be prepared for the traps and enemy phantoms, potentially turning the tide against the covenant member. The advantages can quickly become disadvantages against skilled opponents.
- Rat Tail Acquisition: Farming Rat Tails can be time-consuming, especially if you don’t enjoy fighting the Royal Rat Authority or Royal Rat Vanguard repeatedly. The rare drop rate from standard rats can also be frustrating.
Who Should Join?
The Rat King Covenant is ideal for players who:
- Enjoy invading other players.
- Like strategic PvP with environmental advantages.
- Want to defend specific areas from invaders.
- Are seeking unique rewards like the Illusory Rings.
- Don’t mind farming for covenant items.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where do I find the Rat King?
The Rat King is located in the Grave of Saints, accessible from the Pit in Majula. After defeating the Royal Rat Authority, continue through the area to find him. He is a non-hostile NPC you can speak with to join the covenant.
2. How do I leave the Rat King Covenant?
You can leave the Rat King Covenant by speaking to Cromwell the Pardoner in the Brightstone Cove Tseldora chapel after defeating the Duke’s Dear Freja. He will absolve you of your sins and allow you to join another covenant. However, any progress you’ve made within the Rat King Covenant will be lost.
3. What are Rat Tails used for?
Rat Tails are used to increase your rank within the Rat King Covenant. Offering them to the Rat King rewards you with covenant-specific items at certain rank milestones.
4. How do I obtain Rat Tails?
Rat Tails can be obtained as drops from the Royal Rat Authority in the Grave of Saints, the Royal Rat Vanguard in the Doors of Pharros, and rarely from standard rats throughout the game. Defeating the boss is the most reliable method.
5. What rewards do I get for ranking up in the Rat King Covenant?
The rewards for ranking up in the Rat King Covenant are:
- Rank 1 (1 Rat Tail): Fragrant Branch of Yore.
- Rank 2 (10 Rat Tails): Pharros’ Lockstone.
- Rank 3 (30 Rat Tails): Illusory Ring of the Exalted (left-hand weapon invisible).
- Rank 3 (50 Rat Tails): Illusory Ring of the Conqueror (right-hand weapon invisible).
6. What does the Crest of the Rat do?
The Crest of the Rat is an item that allows you to invade other players as a Grey Phantom within the Grave of Saints or the Doors of Pharros. You must be present in one of these areas for the crest to function.
7. Do enemies remain passive after I leave the covenant?
No, once you leave the Rat King Covenant, enemies in the Grave of Saints and the Doors of Pharros will revert to their hostile state.
8. Can I summon other players for help in the Grave of Saints or Doors of Pharros as a Rat King member?
Yes, you can summon other players for cooperative play, but be aware that they will be vulnerable to invasions by other Rat King covenant members. The area effectively becomes a PvP zone with enemy support.
9. What is the best strategy for invading as a Rat King member?
The best strategy is to utilize the environment to your advantage. Use Pharros Lockstones to activate traps and summon enemy phantoms. Position yourself strategically to ambush invaders, and be prepared to fight defensively if necessary.
10. Is it possible to be invaded by other Rat King members?
Yes, if you are not a member of the Rat King Covenant or are using an effigy, you can be invaded by other Rat King members while traversing through Grave of Saints or Doors of Pharros.
11. Does joining the Rat King Covenant affect my ability to join other covenants?
No, joining the Rat King Covenant does not prevent you from joining other covenants. You can freely switch between covenants as desired, although you will lose progress in any covenant you leave.
12. Is the Rat King Covenant considered a “good” or “bad” covenant?
There’s no objective “good” or “bad.” It depends on your play style. If you enjoy PvP and strategic invasions, it’s a great choice. If you prefer cooperative play or dislike invasions, it’s probably not the right fit. The GamesLearningSociety.org focuses on exploring the educational and social dimensions of games, highlighting how games can cater to diverse preferences and learning styles.
13. How does Soul Memory affect invasions in the Rat King Covenant?
Soul Memory still applies to invasions within the Rat King Covenant. You will only be able to invade players within a certain Soul Memory range, even in the designated areas.
14. Are there any glitches or exploits associated with the Rat King Covenant?
Like many aspects of Dark Souls 2, there may be glitches that get discovered and subsequently patched. Always check the latest community information on the specific platform you are playing on.
15. Is the Rat King Covenant worth joining for the Illusory Rings alone?
If your sole goal is to obtain the Illusory Rings, then joining the Rat King Covenant might be worth it. However, consider whether you enjoy the gameplay associated with the covenant. Farming the necessary Rat Tails can be tedious if you dislike PvP. There are other covenants and items that can change the appearance of the player character without requiring covenant membership.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to join the Rat King Covenant depends on your individual preferences and play style. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks, consider your goals, and make the choice that best suits your Dark Souls 2 experience.