Stuck in Limbo? Decoding Why You Can’t Choose a Covenant in Shadowlands
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So, you’ve braved the Maw, explored the afterlife, and reached the point where you should be pledging allegiance to a Covenant in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. But something’s amiss. You’re staring blankly at the potential leaders, the quest isn’t triggering, or the whole process seems bugged. What gives?
The most common reason you can’t choose a Covenant is that you haven’t met the necessary prerequisites. Simply hitting level 60 isn’t enough. You must have completed the Shadowlands campaign storyline up to the point where you are directed to choose your Covenant. Think of it as needing to finish all the introductory chapters of a book before you can pick which faction to join.
Here’s a breakdown of the likely culprits:
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Incomplete Campaign: This is the most frequent offender. The Shadowlands leveling experience guides you through Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth. You must complete the main storyline quests in each zone before the quest “Choosing Your Purpose” becomes available. Check your quest log for any outstanding quests in these zones.
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Addon Interference: Believe it or not, those handy addons that enhance your gameplay can sometimes cause problems. If you’re experiencing dialogue issues or the Covenant NPCs aren’t responding, try disabling all your addons and relogging. This is particularly important when interacting with key quest givers.
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Skipped Intro Quests: If you’ve leveled an alt and chose to skip the intro quests, the game might not properly recognize your progression. Make sure you have completed all necessary introductory quests to set up your choice.
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Forgotten Breadcrumbs: Double-check that you’ve followed the initial quest line that leads you to Oribos, the central hub in the Shadowlands. Missing even one small “breadcrumb” quest can halt your progress.
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Quest Bug: Although rare, quest bugs can occur. If you’re certain you’ve met all the requirements and still can’t proceed, submit a ticket to Blizzard support. They can investigate your character and potentially resolve the issue.
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Wrong Location: To initiate the Covenant choice, head to the Shadowlands Covenant Map near Tal-Inara in Oribos. Clicking on the map will begin the quest line that allows you to pick your desired Covenant.
Once you’ve identified and addressed the cause, choosing a Covenant is straightforward. Click on the Covenant Map, select your preferred faction, and turn in the quest “Choosing Your Purpose”. Then, the leader of your chosen Covenant will have a new quest ready for you to continue the story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Covenant Selection
Here are some common questions players have about choosing and changing Covenants:
How do I choose a Covenant on an alt character?
The process depends on your leveling choice. If you chose the Threads of Fate option (skipping the main storyline), you can pick a Covenant as soon as you enter the Shadowlands. It’s the first thing you do. However, if you chose to replay the main storyline, you MUST complete it again before choosing a Covenant.
What level should I be to choose my Covenant?
While the quest to choose a Covenant becomes available upon reaching level 60, the real requirement is completing the Shadowlands campaign storyline. You’ll naturally hit level 60 during this process.
Which Covenant is best for my Warrior class?
Currently, the Kyrian Covenant is generally considered the top choice for Fury Warriors due to the alignment between its abilities and core specialization cooldowns. However, the best Covenant ultimately depends on your play style and preferences.
Can I join more than one Covenant simultaneously?
No, you can only be a member of one Covenant at a time. Joining a new Covenant will automatically overwrite your current allegiance.
Do I lose my progress if I switch Covenants?
Yes, switching Covenants results in a loss of all progress within your previous Covenant. This includes Renown, abilities, appearances, Soulbinds, mounts, titles, and Sanctum upgrades. There are no conversions between Covenants.
How do I switch my Covenant?
Changing Covenants is a simple process of speaking with an NPC. There are no quests involved, and the switch is instantaneous. Visit the leader of the Covenant you wish to join in Oribos, and they will ask if you’re certain about your decision.
How many times can I switch Covenants?
Initially, switching Covenants had restrictions. However, once you achieve Renown 80 on any character on your account and unlock the achievement Renowned, you can freely switch Covenants as many times as you want, with no restrictions. This includes rejoining Covenants you’ve been a member of before.
What are the benefits of joining a Covenant?
Joining a Covenant grants access to several benefits, including:
- Covenant-specific abilities: Each Covenant offers unique class and signature abilities.
- Soulbinds: These are powerful characters within each Covenant that you can bind with, granting access to unique talent trees and passive bonuses.
- Covenant Campaign: An exclusive storyline within each Covenant that grants rewards, including armor sets.
- Sanctum Upgrades: Each Covenant has a Sanctum that can be upgraded, unlocking new features and content.
- Cosmetic Rewards: Covenants offer a variety of cosmetic rewards, such as mounts, pets, and transmogrification options.
How do I unlock Covenant Assaults on alt characters?
Covenant Assaults are unlocked after completing Chapter 2 of the Chains of Domination questline, “Maw Walkers”. Once unlocked, they become available across your account.
How do I unlock Covenant armor sets?
Covenant armor sets are obtained as quest rewards throughout your Covenant Campaign. Starting at Chapter 3, you will earn different armor pieces as you progress through the storyline. Completing all nine chapters of your Covenant campaign is necessary to acquire the full set.
How long does it take to complete a Covenant Campaign?
Completing a Covenant Campaign typically takes around 6 hours.
How do I get Covenant-specific legendary powers?
Covenant-specific legendary powers are automatically granted upon reaching Renown 48 with that Covenant.
What happens if I break the rules of my Covenant?
Maintaining a good standing within your Covenant is important. If you disobey the rules or act against the interests of your Covenant, you may lose standing within the order, potentially impacting your access to rewards and benefits.
Is it possible to skip the Covenant Campaign?
While you can skip the first two chapters of a Covenant’s questline on an alt character (provided you have completed them on a main), it is not possible to skip entire Covenant campaigns.
Are Covenants a good or bad thing?
The concept of Covenants aligns with the broader themes of promise and commitment explored in other forms of media and culture, as further discussed at the GamesLearningSociety.org. In World of Warcraft, joining a Covenant is a central part of the Shadowlands narrative. It’s a sacred agreement that grants access to power and belonging within a specific order. Whether it’s “good” or “bad” depends on your individual perspective and playstyle. Each Covenant offers a unique experience with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best choice is the one that aligns with your personal preferences and goals.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you troubleshoot why you couldn’t choose a Covenant and provided some insight into the wider Covenant system. Good luck, champion, and may your chosen path lead you to glory!