Should I Offer Sunlight Medals? A Comprehensive Guide to the Warriors of Sunlight Covenant

Yes, absolutely! Offering Sunlight Medals in Dark Souls (primarily Dark Souls, Dark Souls II, and Dark Souls III) is almost always a worthwhile endeavor. These medals are the key to progressing within the Warriors of Sunlight covenant, a group dedicated to jolly cooperation and assisting other players. Offering them unlocks powerful miracles, unique rewards, and ultimately, a deeper sense of camaraderie within the often-grim world of the game. Whether you’re seeking powerful spells, cosmetic items, or simply the satisfaction of helping fellow players, the benefits of offering Sunlight Medals far outweigh any perceived drawbacks.

Understanding the Sunlight Covenant and Its Rewards

The Warriors of Sunlight is a covenant centered around cooperative gameplay. Joining this covenant signifies your dedication to aiding other players in their quest, primarily by assisting them in defeating bosses. In return for your service, and for displaying your faith in jolly cooperation, you are rewarded with Sunlight Medals.

These medals are then offered at a specific altar, typically the Altar of Sunlight, to increase your rank within the covenant. Reaching higher ranks unlocks various rewards, often including powerful miracles unique to the covenant, and sometimes unique equipment.

The Benefits of Ranking Up

The specific rewards vary slightly between Dark Souls games, but the core benefits remain consistent:

• Powerful Miracles: The most significant rewards are usually powerful miracles such as Lightning Spear, Great Lightning Spear, and Sacred Oath. These miracles can significantly enhance your character’s capabilities, especially for faith-based builds.
• Unique Equipment: Some ranks may grant you access to unique equipment, such as armor sets or weapons associated with the covenant.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Reaching the highest rank provides a sense of accomplishment and demonstrates your dedication to helping other players, further strengthening the community within the game.
• Improved Coop Experience: Knowing that you’re contributing to something larger and receiving tangible rewards for your cooperation makes the multiplayer experience more engaging and fulfilling.

How to Obtain Sunlight Medals

There are two primary methods for obtaining Sunlight Medals:

• Cooperative Play: The most common and intended method is to join the Warriors of Sunlight covenant and assist other players in defeating bosses. When summoned as a phantom (typically signified by a golden summon sign) and the boss is defeated, you will receive a Sunlight Medal. This requires you to successfully participate and contribute to the victory.
• Farming Enemies: In some Dark Souls games, specific enemies have a chance to drop Sunlight Medals. This method is less efficient than cooperative play, but it provides an alternative for players who prefer a solo experience or struggle to find cooperative opportunities. The Lothric Knights in Dark Souls III at the Lothric Castle bonfire are a common farming spot. Boosting your Luck stat and using items that increase item discovery can improve your chances.

Should You Join the Warriors of Sunlight Covenant?

Joining the Warriors of Sunlight covenant and offering Sunlight Medals is an excellent choice for several reasons:

• For Faith Builds: The miracles obtained through the covenant are incredibly powerful for faith-based characters. Lightning Spear and its upgraded forms provide powerful ranged attacks, while Sacred Oath boosts attack and defense.
• For Cooperative Players: If you enjoy playing cooperatively, the Warriors of Sunlight provides an excellent framework for your multiplayer experience. You’ll receive tangible rewards for helping other players, fostering a sense of community.
• For Completionists: If you aim to complete all aspects of the game, mastering covenants and obtaining their rewards is often a necessary step.
• For a Sense of Community: Displaying the covenant symbol signifies your willingness to help others, which creates a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Weighing the Alternatives

While offering Sunlight Medals is generally beneficial, there are a few factors to consider:

• Time Investment: Earning Sunlight Medals, especially through cooperative play, can require a significant time investment. Consider if you have the time and patience to engage in cooperative sessions or farm enemies.
• Build Suitability: The rewards are primarily geared towards faith-based builds. If you’re playing a character with low faith, the miracles may not be particularly useful.
• Offline Playstyle: If you primarily play offline, farming enemies is your only option, which can be tedious and time-consuming.

Final Verdict

Offering Sunlight Medals is highly recommended, particularly for faith-based characters and players who enjoy cooperative gameplay. The rewards are powerful, the process fosters a sense of community, and the sense of accomplishment is fulfilling. Even if you primarily play solo, the option to farm medals provides an accessible path to obtaining these valuable rewards. Embrace the jolly cooperation and become a true Warrior of Sunlight! Furthermore, understanding how games foster learning and collaboration can be significantly enhanced by exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sunlight Medals

1. What happens if I abandon the Warriors of Sunlight covenant?

You will lose your progress in the covenant. However, you can rejoin later, but your previously offered Sunlight Medals will not be restored. You’ll have to start from the beginning again.

2. Can I trade Sunlight Medals with other players?

No, Sunlight Medals cannot be traded with other players in any of the Dark Souls games.

3. How do I improve my chances of being summoned for cooperative play?

• Match Your Soul Level/Weapon Level: Ensure your character’s soul level and weapon level are appropriate for the area and boss you intend to help with.
• Place Your Summon Sign Strategically: Place your summon sign near bonfires or areas where players are likely to be struggling. Popular boss entrances are always a good choice.
• Be Patient: Sometimes it takes time for players to summon you, especially during off-peak hours.

4. Is it possible to get Sunlight Medals in offline mode?

Yes, it is possible, but it involves farming specific enemies that have a chance to drop them. The drop rate is generally low, so it can be a time-consuming process.

5. What is the best boss to help with to get Sunlight Medals quickly?

The best boss depends on your soul level and weapon level. Generally, bosses in the mid-to-late game areas are more likely to attract players seeking assistance. Refer to the list in the original context provided at the beginning of this document for possible bosses and their number of asterisks indicating relative difficulty..

6. Do Sunlight Medals carry over to New Game Plus (NG+)?

Yes, Sunlight Medals carry over to NG+. You can continue offering them to the covenant altar in NG+ to reach higher ranks.

7. Where is the Altar of Sunlight located?

The location varies between Dark Souls games. In Dark Souls, it’s in the Undead Parish. In Dark Souls III, it’s behind the wooden door before the Dragonslayer Armour boss.

8. What is the purpose of the Warriors of Sunlight covenant?

The purpose is to encourage cooperative play and help other players overcome challenging bosses. Members are rewarded for their assistance with Sunlight Medals, which can be offered to increase their rank and unlock powerful rewards.

9. Does item discovery affect the drop rate of Sunlight Medals?

Yes, increasing your item discovery stat can improve the drop rate of Sunlight Medals from enemies. Items like the Symbol of Avarice, Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, and using a Rusted Coin can boost your item discovery.

10. Are there any penalties for failing to help defeat a boss?

No, there are no penalties for failing to help defeat a boss. You simply won’t receive a Sunlight Medal for that attempt.

11. Can I get Sunlight Medals if I’m summoned by a player who is in a different covenant?

Yes, you can get Sunlight Medals regardless of the covenant affiliation of the player who summons you, as long as you are in the Warriors of Sunlight covenant.

12. What are the faith requirements for the miracles obtained from the Warriors of Sunlight covenant?

The faith requirements vary for each miracle. Lightning Spear typically requires 20 faith, while Great Lightning Spear requires 30-40 faith. Sacred Oath also has a faith requirement, usually around 25-30.

13. How do I show my covenant affiliation as a Warrior of Sunlight?

Equip the Warriors of Sunlight covenant symbol in your equipment menu. This will make your summon sign appear golden to other players, indicating your affiliation with the covenant.

14. Can I earn Sunlight Medals by invading other players?

No, Sunlight Medals are primarily earned through cooperative play, not invasion. While you can invade as a Warrior of Sunlight, you won’t receive medals for defeating other players.

15. Is there a limit to how many Sunlight Medals I can offer?

While there might not be a hard limit, you only need to offer enough to reach the highest rank in the covenant and obtain all available rewards. Once you’ve acquired all rewards, there’s no further benefit to offering more medals.