Abandoning Covenants in Dark Souls 1: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re thinking of ditching your current band of merry (or not-so-merry) folks in Dark Souls 1 and wondering what the consequences are? Let’s cut right to the chase: Abandoning a covenant in Dark Souls 1 can have several effects, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant setbacks, depending on how you leave and what you’ve invested. The most important thing to remember is that simply joining another covenant is treated as a betrayal by your previous one. This will result in a loss of rank and a halving of any offerings you’ve made to that covenant. However, if you speak to Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish and request absolution, you can abandon your covenant without incurring any sin.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of covenant abandonment in Lordran.

Understanding Covenant Mechanics

Covenants in Dark Souls 1 are essentially factions or clubs you can join. Each offers unique gameplay experiences, rewards, and sometimes, even changes to the storyline. Joining a covenant often grants you access to specific items, spells, or online interactions (like co-op or PvP). Increasing your rank within a covenant typically requires offering specific items (like Humanity, Souls, or covenant-specific tokens) to the covenant leader.

Leaving a covenant can impact your progress and relationships with other in-game entities. It’s crucial to understand the potential repercussions before making the leap. The Games Learning Society understands the complexity in games like Dark Souls, and supports research into how these games provide important learning opportunities. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Methods of Leaving a Covenant

There are primarily two ways to leave a covenant:

1. Joining Another Covenant: This is considered a betrayal by your current covenant.
2. Abandoning the Covenant through Oswald of Carim: This is the “cleanest” way to leave, minimizing negative consequences.

The “Betrayal” Route (Joining Another Covenant)

This is the more common method, especially for players unaware of Oswald. When you join a new covenant, you automatically leave your old one. However, this action is considered a betrayal, leading to the following:

• Rank Reduction: Your rank in the betrayed covenant will be reduced.
• Offering Halving: The number of items you’ve offered to the covenant will be halved. For example, if you offered 50 Humanity to the Chaos Servants and were at Rank +2, abandoning the covenant by joining another will reduce your Humanity offered to 25 and likely drop you back to Rank +1 or even Rank 0.
• NPC Hostility (Specific Covenants): Certain covenant leaders, like Alvina of the Forest Hunter covenant, will become permanently hostile and disappear if you betray their covenant. This prevents you from ever rejoining or accessing their services for the rest of the playthrough.

The “Clean” Break (Oswald of Carim)

Oswald of Carim, located in the bell tower of the Undead Parish, offers absolution for sins. This service allows you to “abandon” a covenant without being considered a traitor.

• No Betrayal Penalty: Abandoning through Oswald doesn’t trigger the rank reduction or offering halving.
• Cost of Absolution: Absolution costs souls, the amount depending on your level and the severity of your “sins.” Simply leaving a covenant does not incur sin.

Rejoining Covenants

The good news is that in most cases, you can rejoin a covenant you previously left. However, remember the following:

• Betrayal Impacts: If you betrayed the covenant by joining another, you’ll start at a lower rank and with fewer offerings. You’ll need to grind again to regain your previous status.
• NPC Availability: If you made a covenant leader permanently hostile (e.g., Alvina), you won’t be able to rejoin their covenant in that playthrough.
• Requirements: Some covenants have specific stat requirements or initiation quests that you’ll need to meet again when rejoining.

Covenant-Specific Consequences

It’s important to understand that some covenants have unique consequences for betrayal.

• Forest Hunter (Alvina): Betraying this covenant makes Alvina permanently hostile, preventing rejoining.
• Darkwraith: Betraying this covenant has no specific NPC consequences, but it sets you back in terms of rank and offerings.
• Chaos Servant: Betraying this covenant reduces your standing with Quelana of Izalith if you’ve met her, but it doesn’t prevent you from rejoining.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about abandoning covenants in Dark Souls 1, providing further clarification and insight:

1. Does abandoning a covenant count as a sin? No, simply abandoning a covenant (especially through Oswald) does not incur sin. Sins are typically related to hostile actions against other players or NPCs.

2. If I attack a covenant member, is that considered betrayal? Yes, attacking a covenant member is a clear act of betrayal and will likely have negative consequences, potentially including expulsion from the covenant and NPC hostility.

3. Can I rejoin the Darkwraiths if I leave? Yes, you can rejoin the Darkwraiths if you leave, but you will lose half of your covenant offerings and potentially your rank. You must still meet the initial requirement of acquiring the Dark Hand from Kaathe.

4. What is the best way to leave a covenant without penalty? The best way is to speak with Oswald of Carim and request absolution to abandon the covenant. This avoids the rank reduction and offering halving.

5. Does killing a covenant leader prevent me from rejoining their covenant? Yes, killing a covenant leader will permanently prevent you from rejoining their covenant in that playthrough.

6. If I’m in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant, do I lose my ability to summon or be summoned if I leave? Leaving the Warrior of Sunlight covenant removes the gold phantom appearance, but you can still summon and be summoned by other players.

7. What are the benefits of staying in a covenant? Staying in a covenant can provide access to unique items, spells, online interactions, and sometimes, even storyline variations.

8. Is there a limit to how many times I can switch covenants? No, there is no limit to how many times you can switch covenants. However, remember that each switch (without absolution) will result in rank reduction and offering halving.

9. Does my sin level affect my ability to join covenants? No, your sin level generally doesn’t affect your ability to join covenants, but it can affect interactions within certain covenants (e.g., Blade of the Darkmoon, where sinners are targeted).

10. Do I lose any items or spells I obtained from a covenant if I leave? No, you keep any items or spells you obtained from a covenant, even after you leave. You just can’t use covenant-specific items (like the Red Eye Orb for Darkwraiths) while not in that covenant.

11. Does abandoning a covenant reset my progress towards achievements? No, abandoning a covenant does not reset your progress towards achievements.

12. What happens to my White Soapstone if I leave the Warrior of Sunlight covenant? Your White Soapstone remains unchanged, but you no longer get the gold phantom effect.

13. Can I still access covenant-specific areas if I leave the covenant? Generally, no. Access to covenant-specific areas usually requires active membership in that covenant.

14. Does abandoning a covenant affect my ability to play online with friends? No, abandoning a covenant doesn’t directly affect your ability to play online with friends. However, it can affect the types of online interactions you have (e.g., co-op vs. PvP).

15. Is there a “best” covenant to join in Dark Souls 1? There’s no objectively “best” covenant. The ideal covenant depends on your playstyle, build, and goals. The Warrior of Sunlight is popular for co-op, Darkwraiths for PvP, and Chaos Servants for pyromancy.

Conclusion

Abandoning a covenant in Dark Souls 1 is a decision that requires careful consideration. Understanding the consequences, particularly the rank reduction, offering halving, and potential NPC hostility, is crucial. If you are unsure, always speak to Oswald of Carim before switching covenants. Remember, covenants offer unique experiences, and choosing the right one can significantly enhance your journey through Lordran. Consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society, which studies how complex game systems provide opportunities for learning and strategic decision-making. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!