Where to Find Sunlight Medals: A Comprehensive Guide
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The absolute best place to get Sunlight Medals in the Dark Souls series (primarily Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 2, and Dark Souls 3) is through co-operative play, specifically defeating bosses while summoned as a Gold Phantom. Alternatively, you can acquire them by invading and killing other players as a member of the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. However, co-op is generally faster and more reliable, especially against readily accessible bosses like the early-game ones.
Understanding Sunlight Medals
Sunlight Medals are covenant items associated with the Warriors of Sunlight covenant. Joining this covenant signifies your dedication to co-operative play and assisting other players in overcoming challenging encounters. By fulfilling your role as a helpful phantom, you are rewarded with these medals, which are essential for ranking up within the covenant and obtaining its unique rewards.
Why Sunlight Medals Matter
Collecting Sunlight Medals isn’t just about checking off a box. They are crucial for:
- Ranking up in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant: Higher ranks unlock exclusive miracles like Great Lightning Spear (in Dark Souls 1).
- Acquiring powerful miracles: As mentioned above, reaching a certain covenant rank grants access to potent lightning-based miracles, a staple for faith-based builds.
- Completionist runs: For players aiming to achieve 100% completion, collecting all covenant items, including Sunlight Medals, is a necessity.
The Best Farming Methods for Sunlight Medals
While both co-op and PvP offer paths to obtain Sunlight Medals, the most efficient method usually revolves around co-operative play. Here’s a breakdown:
Co-operative Play: The Ideal Approach
- Early-Game Bosses: The most reliable and often fastest method is to place your summon sign near early-game boss fog gates. Bosses like the Taurus Demon, Bell Gargoyles, Gaping Dragon, and Pinwheel (in Dark Souls 1) are popular choices because many players struggle with them, creating a high demand for summons. In Dark Souls 3, bosses like Iudex Gundyr, Vordt of the Boreal Valley, and Curse-rotted Greatwood are prime spots.
- Utilize Summon Sign Visibility: Ensure your level range is appropriate for the area. Players typically summon help within a few levels above or below their own. Being significantly over-leveled will prevent others from seeing your sign.
- Specific Locations: In Dark Souls 1, the area before the Ornstein and Smough boss fight is a highly active co-op zone for players of appropriate levels. In Dark Souls 3, areas before Pontiff Sulyvahn and Dancer of the Boreal Valley tend to attract many summons.
- Consider New Game Plus (NG+): In subsequent playthroughs, more players will be looking for help with tougher bosses, potentially making summon opportunities more frequent.
- Communication is Key: While not always necessary, using gestures to communicate with the host can improve your chances of success and earn you additional goodwill. A successful summon increases the likelihood of the host summoning you again.
PvP: A Less Consistent Option
- Warrior of Sunlight Covenant: While equipped with the Warrior of Sunlight covenant item, you can invade other players as a Gold Phantom. Successfully killing the host grants you a Sunlight Medal.
- Viability: This method is considerably less consistent than co-op. Success depends heavily on your PvP skills, the opponent’s skill and build, and the overall activity of the invaded area. Moreover, you might encounter ganks (groups of players teaming up against invaders), making it even more challenging.
- Consider Fight Clubs: Sometimes, players organize fight clubs in specific areas. Participating in and winning these fights while in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant can yield Sunlight Medals.
- Recommended for Skilled Players: PvP farming is primarily recommended for players confident in their combat abilities and willing to invest time in learning optimal strategies.
General Tips for Efficient Farming
- Check Your Level Range: Ensure your level is appropriate for the boss you’re trying to help with. Being significantly over- or under-leveled will prevent you from being summoned.
- Upgrade Your Equipment: Having well-upgraded weapons and armor will improve your performance in both co-op and PvP, making you more likely to succeed and earn Sunlight Medals.
- Patience is Key: Farming any covenant item can be time-consuming. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get summoned or win immediately. Keep trying, and you’ll eventually accumulate the medals you need.
- Optimize Your Build: Tailor your build to excel in co-op or PvP. For co-op, consider a support-oriented build that can heal and buff allies. For PvP, choose a build that maximizes your damage output and survivability.
- Pay Attention to Activity: Observe which areas have the most summon signs. This indicates a high level of player activity, increasing your chances of being summoned quickly.
- Use Online Communities: Join online communities dedicated to the Dark Souls series. These communities can help you find players to co-op with or provide tips on optimal farming locations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
The Warrior of Sunlight covenant is a group of players dedicated to co-operative play and helping others. Members are typically seen as jolly cooperators, assisting players in defeating bosses and overcoming challenging areas.
2. How do I join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
The method for joining varies slightly between games. Generally, you need to meet specific faith requirements (e.g., 25 Faith, which can be lowered by 5 for each time you help defeat a boss while summoned) and locate the covenant altar, often near a statue of Solaire of Astora.
3. What are the rewards for ranking up in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
The rewards differ depending on the game. Typically, higher ranks unlock access to powerful lightning-based miracles, such as Great Lightning Spear and Sunlight Spear.
4. Can I trade Sunlight Medals with other players?
No, Sunlight Medals cannot be traded between players. You must earn them through co-operative play or PvP.
5. What happens if I fail to defeat a boss while summoned?
If the host dies or you are killed during the boss fight, you do not receive a Sunlight Medal. The medal is only awarded upon successful completion of the boss fight.
6. Does the difficulty of the boss affect the drop rate of Sunlight Medals?
No, the difficulty of the boss does not affect the drop rate. Every successful co-op victory against a boss will reward you with one Sunlight Medal.
7. Is it possible to farm Sunlight Medals offline?
No, Sunlight Medals cannot be farmed offline. They require online interactions, either through co-operative play or PvP.
8. What is the best level range for co-op at Ornstein and Smough (Dark Souls 1)?
The ideal level range for co-op at Ornstein and Smough in Dark Souls 1 is typically between 50 and 70.
9. What is the best level range for co-op at Pontiff Sulyvahn (Dark Souls 3)?
The ideal level range for co-op at Pontiff Sulyvahn in Dark Souls 3 is typically between 60 and 80.
10. Does wearing item discovery boosting equipment affect the chance of getting a Sunlight Medal?
No, item discovery boosting equipment has no effect on the acquisition of Sunlight Medals. They are guaranteed rewards for successful co-op or PvP victories, not random drops.
11. Can I get Sunlight Medals from helping with optional bosses?
Yes, you can earn Sunlight Medals from helping with any boss, including optional ones, as long as you are successfully summoned and the boss is defeated.
12. Is it possible to get Sunlight Medals without being a member of the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
No, you must be a member of the Warrior of Sunlight covenant to receive Sunlight Medals when invading and killing other players. You do not need to be a member to acquire Sunlight Medals through co-op.
13. How many Sunlight Medals are required to max out the Warrior of Sunlight covenant in each game?
This varies across the series. Check specific game wikis for exact numbers. In Dark Souls 1, you need to offer 10 Sunlight Medals for the first rank and another 20 for the second.
14. What stats are best for a co-op build focused on earning Sunlight Medals?
A build with high Faith and a good balance of Vitality and Endurance is often ideal for co-op. Focus on healing miracles, supportive buffs, and decent survivability.
15. Are there any glitches or exploits to quickly farm Sunlight Medals?
While glitches and exploits may exist, using them is generally discouraged as they can potentially corrupt your save file or lead to penalties from the game developers. It’s best to stick to legitimate farming methods.