Hey guys, let's talk Dark Souls 3! This game is legendary for its difficulty, deep lore, and awesome multiplayer elements. One of the coolest parts of the multiplayer? Covenants! They're basically factions you can join, each with its own goals, rewards, and impact on the game. So, what exactly is a covenant in Dark Souls 3? Think of it like a club or a guild. When you join, you pledge allegiance to a specific group, and you're bound by their rules and objectives. This opens up some sweet opportunities, from special items to unique multiplayer interactions. Each covenant has its own set of items you can earn, so you're not just getting cosmetic stuff, you're getting some strong gear. These rewards can seriously change how you approach the game, making your character stronger and giving you different ways to play. Furthermore, it adds a whole layer of replayability because you can try out different covenants on different playthroughs to get all the gear or just explore different playstyles.

The Core Concept of Covenants in Dark Souls 3

Alright, so at its core, a covenant is a group. A group with beliefs, goals, and a sense of shared identity. When you become a member, you're expected to uphold their ideals and help them achieve their objectives. This is typically done through specific actions that are rewarded within the game. Think of it like this: If you like PvP, then covenants like the Warriors of Sunlight and the Aldrich Faithful give you a great reason to jump into battles. Covenants often have a lore, which makes things much more interesting. You might find yourself drawn to one for its story and its relation to the world around you. This is also how you get the best and coolest gear!

• How to Join: Joining a covenant is pretty straightforward. You'll typically encounter NPCs (non-player characters) throughout the game who represent the different covenants. Talking to them and accepting their terms will initiate your membership. Once you've joined, you can start earning rewards by fulfilling the covenant's objectives, such as helping other players, invading worlds, or defeating specific enemies. Remember that you can only be a member of one covenant at a time. Switching covenants is possible, but it might come with consequences, such as losing progress or offending the previous covenant.
• Benefits of Joining: The perks of covenant membership are numerous! First off, you'll gain access to unique items, spells, and weapons. The most exciting thing is multiplayer interactions. Many covenants offer specific ways to interact with other players, from cooperative play to competitive invasions. Covenants also play a vital role in the game's overall narrative and world-building.
• Covenant Switching and Consequences: You are not locked into a covenant forever. You can switch, but there may be consequences. You will lose progress on the current covenant and you might offend the previous covenant. It's often better to plan ahead and choose a covenant that matches your playstyle to make the most of it. But if you have to switch, just know that you may lose some of the progress you made.

Exploring the Different Covenants in Dark Souls 3

Now, let's dive into the juicy stuff: the covenants themselves. Dark Souls 3 features several covenants, each catering to different playstyles and offering unique rewards. Let's break down some of the most popular ones:

Way of Blue

Purpose: The Way of Blue is all about helping out other players. If you're new to the game, this is a perfect starting point. When you are invaded by another player, you summon a Blue Sentinel to help you.

How to Join: You can join this covenant early in the game by talking to Emma, the High Priestess in the High Wall of Lothric.

Rewards: You'll receive the Blue Sentinels and Blade of the Darkmoon covenants for helping other players. These covenants offer a good way to earn rewards through cooperative play and PvP.

Blue Sentinels

Purpose: The Blue Sentinels are the protectors of the Way of Blue, and they help other players who have been invaded. If you are a member and a Way of Blue member gets invaded, you will be summoned to help.

How to Join: You can join this covenant by speaking to Horace the Hushed and Anri of Astora in the Road of Sacrifices.

Rewards: You can earn Pale Tongues for defeating invaders. You can also get other rewards, such as the Darkmoon Blade spell, for helping other players and participating in PvP.

Blades of the Darkmoon

Purpose: These guys are the ultimate protectors. They get summoned to the worlds of Way of Blue members to get rid of invaders. You're the cavalry!

How to Join: This covenant is a bit tricky to join. First, you will need to get the Way of Blue covenant. Then, you will need to level up your faith, and then you can join. You'll need to go to Anor Londo and find the covenant leader, who's not very easy to spot.

Rewards: Your main reward will be the Darkmoon Blade, which is a powerful enchantment for your weapons. You can also get other rewards for helping players and participating in PvP.

The Watchdogs of Farron

Purpose: These guys are all about protecting the Road of Sacrifices area from invaders. They automatically get summoned to the worlds of invaders to protect the area.

How to Join: You can join by speaking to the Wolf of Farron in the Road of Sacrifices.

Rewards: You'll get items like the Wolf Knight's Greatsword, which is a strong weapon. This is also a good covenant if you are just starting out and like PvP because you get summoned a lot.

Aldrich Faithful

Purpose: The Aldrich Faithful is dedicated to the god of the deep, who wants to protect Irithyll of the Boreal Valley and the surrounding areas. You will be summoned to invade players.

How to Join: To join the covenant, go to Anor Londo and find the covenant leader.

Rewards: This covenant offers you some unique rewards, such as the Great Deep Soul spell. If you're into invading and PvP, this is the covenant for you!

Warriors of Sunlight

Purpose: This covenant is all about cooperative play. If you like helping other players beat bosses, this is the covenant for you!

How to Join: You can find the covenant leader in the Undead Settlement. You will need to find a specific spot to get the covenant.

Rewards: If you help other players defeat bosses, you get Sunlight Medals. These medals can be used for some cool rewards, such as the Sunlight Straight Sword and the Great Lightning Spear spells.

Rosaria's Fingers

Purpose: This covenant is focused on PvP and invading other players. It's a great option if you are into invasions and fighting other players.

How to Join: You can join the covenant in the Cathedral of the Deep. You will need to find the covenant leader to join.

Rewards: You can get the Pale Tongues by invading other players. This covenant will give you the chance to get a lot of unique gear and some cool spells.

Strategies and Tips for Covenant Play

Alright, so you've joined a covenant. Now what? Here are some tips to get the most out of it:

• Choose Wisely: Pick a covenant that matches your playstyle. If you like helping others, join the Warriors of Sunlight or the Way of Blue. If you are a PvP player, go for the Aldrich Faithful or the Rosaria's Fingers. This will make the experience much more enjoyable.
• Understand the Objectives: Each covenant has its own specific goals. Make sure you understand what you need to do to earn rewards. Pay attention to the covenant's objectives! Some require you to invade others, while others will have you defeat specific bosses.
• Cooperate with Others: Covenants are often about community. Team up with other members to achieve your goals, whether it's helping each other invade or defend against invaders.
• Optimize Your Build: Some covenants have specific requirements for you to be successful. If you are focusing on a PvP build, you will need to focus on weapons, armor, and stats that enhance your PvP performance.
• Be Patient: Earning rewards takes time. Don't get discouraged if you don't get everything right away. Keep playing, and eventually, you'll reach your goals.
• Explore and Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different covenants and experiment with different builds. You might be surprised at what you enjoy. This is what the game is about!

Conclusion: Mastering the Covenant System

So there you have it, guys! Covenants in Dark Souls 3 are a super cool feature that adds depth and replayability. They allow you to define your role in the game's world, whether you want to protect others, invade their worlds, or engage in cooperative play. By joining a covenant, you can unlock unique items, spells, and multiplayer experiences. Remember to choose a covenant that suits your playstyle, understand the objectives, and team up with other members to achieve your goals. Keep experimenting, and most of all, have fun! Dark Souls 3 has tons of options for your builds, so you should test the ones that are fun. Now get out there, pledge your allegiance, and enjoy the awesome world of Dark Souls 3!