Dark Souls 2: The Ultimate Covenant Tier List – Which One Reigns Supreme?
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The “best” covenant in Dark Souls 2 isn’t a straightforward answer. It depends entirely on your playstyle, what you’re looking to get out of the game, and whether you prioritize PvE benefits, PvP action, or simply unique lore and rewards. However, if forced to pick, the Heirs of the Sun stands out as arguably the most beneficial overall, especially for cooperative play and acquiring powerful miracles. It strongly boosts cooperative play with other players.
That said, let’s delve into a more comprehensive look at each covenant and what makes them tick, allowing you to decide which one truly earns the title of “best” for you.
Deep Dive into Dark Souls 2 Covenants
Here’s a breakdown of each covenant, ordered in a way that reflects their overall utility and popularity among players, incorporating both PvE and PvP aspects:
1. Heirs of the Sun: Praise the Sun!
This covenant is all about jolly cooperation! Joining the Heirs of the Sun and assisting other players in defeating bosses earns you Sunlight Medals. These medals are used to rank up in the covenant, unlocking powerful miracles like Sunlight Spear. This covenant is fantastic for players who enjoy helping others and want to obtain some of the game’s most potent offensive miracles. The sense of community surrounding this covenant is also a huge draw.
- Focus: Cooperative PvE
- Benefits: Powerful miracles, strong sense of community.
2. Blue Sentinels: Guardians of the Meek
The Blue Sentinels are dedicated to protecting members of the Way of Blue covenant from invaders. When a Way of Blue member is invaded, Blue Sentinels are automatically summoned to assist them. Ranking up in this covenant rewards you with helpful utility miracles, and is a great way to practice your PvP skills while doing good for the community.
- Focus: Cooperative PvP
- Benefits: Chance to help others in need, rewards PvP success.
3. Brotherhood of Blood: Embrace the Darkness
For those who crave intense PvP action, the Brotherhood of Blood is the way to go. Joining this covenant allows you to invade other players using Cracked Red Eye Orbs and participate in duels in the Blood Arena. Ranking up rewards you with powerful hexes and, ultimately, a darker version of the Chaos Blade Katana, with devastating effects.
- Focus: Aggressive PvP
- Benefits: Constant PvP opportunities, powerful hexes, unique katana.
4. Dragon Remnants: Honorable Dueling
The Dragon Remnants covenant focuses on honorable duels. Members place their summon signs using a Dragon Eye, allowing other players to summon them for a one-on-one fight. Ranking up rewards you with Dragon Scales, and eventually a full Dragon Armor Set, a highly sought-after cosmetic item.
- Focus: Honorable PvP duels.
- Benefits: Structured PvP, unique armor set.
5. Pilgrims of Dark: Delving into the Abyss
The Pilgrims of Dark covenant presents a unique challenge: traversing three dark chasms guarded by powerful bosses. This covenant is for players who enjoy difficult PvE content and lore exploration. Ranking up unlocks unique equipment and powerful hexes, and gives you a strong sense of accomplishment.
- Focus: Challenging PvE and lore.
- Benefits: Unique equipment, powerful hexes, rewarding exploration.
6. Bell Keepers: Protectors of the Bells
The Bell Keepers are tasked with protecting the Belfry Luna and Belfry Sol areas from invaders. When a player enters these areas, Bell Keepers are automatically summoned to defend them. This covenant offers consistent PvP action in specific locations, and is a good way to quickly level up.
- Focus: Location-based PvP
- Benefits: Frequent PvP engagements, rewards are useful for early-mid game.
7. Way of Blue: A Helping Hand
The Way of Blue is the easiest covenant to join. It’s designed for newer players who need assistance. When a member of this covenant is invaded, Blue Sentinels are automatically summoned to help them. While not offering direct rewards, it provides much-needed protection during the early stages of the game. This covenant is great for inexperienced Dark Souls 2 players.
- Focus: Passive PvE
- Benefits: Automatic summoning of Blue Sentinels when invaded.
8. Rat King Covenant: Master of Traps
The Rat King covenant allows players to become the master of the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros. Members can use Pharros Lockstones to activate traps and summon enemies to harass invaders. This covenant offers a unique style of PvP, focused on area control and manipulation. This covenant is great for players who want to play mind games.
- Focus: Trap-based PvP
- Benefits: Unique PvP style, control over environment.
9. Company of Champions: Embrace the Challenge
The Company of Champions significantly increases the difficulty of Dark Souls 2, making enemies stronger and removing the ability to summon phantoms. This covenant is strictly for experienced players who are looking for an extra challenge. While it doesn’t offer many tangible rewards, it provides a substantial boost to the game’s difficulty, testing your skills to the limit. It increases the difficulty of the game for seasoned Dark Souls 2 players.
- Focus: Increased Difficulty
- Benefits: Extra Challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Souls 2 Covenants
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the world of covenants in Dark Souls 2:
1. Can I join all the covenants in Dark Souls 2?
Yes, you can join all the covenants. There’s no limit to the number of covenants you can be a member of. However, when you join a new covenant, you will lose one rank in your previous one (if you’re ranked).
2. What happens if I leave a covenant?
Leaving a covenant used to incur a sin. Joining a new covenant used to incur a penalty. It would result in decreased rank in the covenant you left. Now, there’s no penalty.
3. Which covenant is the easiest to level up in?
The Way of Blue is the easiest to passively level up in, as you don’t actively participate. The Heirs of the Sun and Bell Keepers are relatively easy to level up through active play.
4. Which covenant is the hardest to level up in?
The Pilgrims of Dark requires completing challenging areas and defeating tough bosses, making it one of the more difficult covenants to level up in.
5. Does joining a covenant affect my character build?
No, joining a covenant doesn’t directly affect your stats or equipment. However, certain covenants offer rewards that complement specific builds, such as the Heirs of the Sun for faith builds or the Brotherhood of Blood for dark/hex builds.
6. What are the benefits of being in the Heirs of the Sun covenant?
The main benefit is access to powerful Sunlight Spear miracles. You also gain Sunlight Medals by assisting other players, fostering a strong sense of community.
7. How do I join the Blue Sentinels covenant?
You can join the Blue Sentinels by speaking to Targray in Heide’s Tower of Flame. He will only offer you membership if you have not sinned.
8. What is the purpose of the Brotherhood of Blood covenant?
The Brotherhood of Blood is for players who enjoy PvP. It allows you to invade other players and participate in duels in the Blood Arena, earning you valuable rewards.
9. What are the rewards for ranking up in the Dragon Remnants covenant?
Ranking up in the Dragon Remnants rewards you with Dragon Scales. These can get you Dragon Armor Set.
10. How do I access the areas for the Pilgrims of Dark covenant?
You access the areas for the Pilgrims of Dark covenant by finding Darkdiver Grandahl in three different locations and lighting the torches in each location.
11. What is the point of the Rat King covenant?
The Rat King covenant allows you to control the environment in the Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros.
12. What is the Company of Champions covenant and why would I join it?
The Company of Champions increases the game’s difficulty. You would join it if you’re an experienced player seeking a greater challenge.
13. Do covenants affect the game’s ending?
No, covenants do not affect the game’s ending. The ending is determined by your choices at the very end of the game.
14. Is there a “best” covenant for beginners?
The Way of Blue is generally considered the best covenant for beginners. It offers passive protection from invaders without requiring any specific actions on your part.
15. Can I switch covenants without any negative consequences?
Yes, you can switch covenants freely without any negative consequences. You no longer incur sin.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the “best” covenant in Dark Souls 2 is the one that aligns best with your individual playstyle and preferences. Whether you’re a cooperative player, a PvP enthusiast, or a lore seeker, there’s a covenant that offers something unique and valuable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore them all to find the one that truly resonates with you.
Remember, Dark Souls 2 is a game about choice and consequence, and the covenants are just another way to shape your experience.
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