Dark Souls 3: how to join covenants and rank up

Engage in jolly co-operation, duel with honour or ruin other people's days: the key to Dark Souls multiplayer is its mysterious covenant systems.

Dark Souls 3: how to covenants and rank up

Dark Souls 3 simplifies and streamlines the covenant system found in previous titles, but it's still not entirely obvious what's going on. In this guide we'll outline what covenants are and how they work, and then provide details on how to join and rank up in each one.

Covenants are in-game factions that offer exclusive rewards for players who complete specific tasks. Joining a covenant is a simple matter of finding and equipping the appropriate item; you'll find the covenant sigil slot near the rings on your inventory screen.

Some of the covenants are antagonistic, and players from opposite factions are restricted from some matchmaking (see our complete guide to Dark Souls 3 co-op for more details). Luckily, and unlike previous Souls games, there are no consequences to changing covenants on the fly - but there are consequences to joining specific covenants and completing some covenant actions.

This all makes a lot more sense as you come to understand the details of each covenant. Read along for details; we'll present them in the order most players will discover them if they explore thoroughly.

Way of Blue

The Way of Blue is a passive faction protected by the Blue Sentinels covenant. When a Way of Blue member is invaded by a hostile phantom, a Blue Sentinel will be summoned to aid them in turning the invader away. This occurs automatically whenever an invasion occurs while the Way of Blue sigil is equipped and a Blue Sentinel is available, even if the Way of Blue member already has a co-op partner.

Equipping the Way of Blue sigil seems to increase the likelihood of invasion - but of course, it provides protectors, too. It's worthwhile keeping the sigil equipped whenever you're not ranking up in another covenant; Blue Sentinels players greatly appreciate the chance to help out.

• How to join
  Speak to High Priestess Emma in the cathedral at High Wall of Lothric, opposite the Vordt of the Boreal boss arena. You must exhaust her dialogue.
• How to rank up
  As a passive covenant, the Way of Blue does not have a ranking system.

Covenant rewards
• There are no know rewards for joining Way of Blue, besides the protection of the Blue Sentinels.

Warriors of Sunlight

A covenant focused on aiding other players, Warriors of Sunlight are generally focused on co-operative play. Joining this covenant colours your summon sign and phantom with a lovely golden glow; if a Warrior of Sunlight appears as an invading phantom, they are coloured orange.

Warrior of Sunlight summon signs appear slightly more frequently when a host has already been invaded.

• How to join
  Collect the Warrior of Sunlight Sigil from a locked room in Undead Settlement.
• How to rank up
  Warriors of Sunlight rank up by collecting Sunlight Medals. These are awarded to all players in a co-op session if a Warrior of Sunlight member is present when the host defeats a boss or reaches a milestone bonfire; they also drop as rare loot from Lothric Knights in Lothric Castle. The medals must be turned in at the Sunlight Altar in Lothric Castle.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Sunlight Medals
  Sacred Oath miracle. Costs 65 FP, requires 28 faith and two attunement slots. Increases attack and defence.
• Rank 2: 30 Sunlight Medals
  Great Lightning Spear miracle. Costs 45 FP, requires 30 faith and one attunement slot.

Mound-makers

Mound-makers are an unpredictable faction focused on killing other players. Whether they use a white (co-op) or red (invasion) summon sign, their sign and phantom glow a pinkish purple. They can attack both host and invading phantoms at their own discretion, and are matchmade into sessions with multiple players. They are also frequently matchmade against each other.

Summon a mound-maker at your own risk, but if you have already been invaded a "mad dark spirit" may give you a chance to escape in the ensuing chaos.

• How to join
  There are two paths to the Mound-makers. The first is via a hidden route in Undead Settlement, available only before the defeat of the area boss, Rotted Greatwood. If you miss this window, you can access the covenant by completing Sirris of the Sunless Realms' sidequest; see the NPC quest guide for more information.
• How to rank up
  Mound-makers collect Vertebra Shackles. These can be obtained by killing other players (hosts and invading phantoms) in both your own sessions and those of others. They also drop as rare loot from skeletal knights in the Catacombs of Carthus. Turn them in at the altar in the Pit of Hollows, accessible only after defeating the Rotted Greatwood boss in Undead Settlement.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Vertebra Shackles
  Bloodlust. Katana requiring 11 strength and 24 dexterity, with A grade dexterity scaling. Weapon art allows wielder to sacrifice own health, temporarily increasing attack.
• Rank 2: 30 Vertebra Shackles
  Warmth pyromancy. Costs 50 FP. Requires 25 faith and two attunement slots. Creates a healing flame that restores HP on touch.

Blue Sentinels

A guardian covenant, Blue Sentinels are automatically summoned when a member of the Way of Blue is invaded. This covenant shares ranks, rewards and faction items with the Blade of the Darkmoon; it mostly exists to allow players to begin helping each other before they reach the Blade of the Darkmoon proper.

• How to join
  Speak with Horace the Hushed at the Halfway Fortress on the Road of Sacrifices
• How to rank up
  Blue Sentinels rank up by collecting Proof of a Concord Kept items. These are awarded to Blue Sentinel members when they defeat an invading phantom after an automatic summon, or when their co-op host makes it to a boss battle. They drop, rarely, from Silver Knight enemies, found in Distant Manor in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, among other places. Turn them in to Company Captain Yorshka in Anor Londo; full walkthrough coming soon.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Proof of a Concord Kept
  Darkmoon Ring. Increases FP restored by Ashen Estus Flask.
• Rank 2: 30 Proof of a Concord Kept
  Darkmoon Blade miracle. Costs 50 FP. Requires 30 faith and one attunement slot. Similar to other magic weapon spells.

Watchdogs of Farron

A PvP covenant, the Watchdogs of Farron are automatically summoned when an appropriately-levelled player in human form wanders into the area around Farron Keep. Their phantoms are blue with a red tint; don't mistake them for a Blue Snetinel or Darkmoon Blade if you value your life.

• How to join
  Interact with the Old Wolf of Farron near Farron Keep.
• How to rank up
  Collect Wolf's Blood Swordgrass. This is awarded when a member defeats players in the Farron area after being automatically summoned to defend the Old Wolf's territory. They also drop, rarely, from the Ghru (satyr) enemies in the Farron area. Turn them in to the Old Wolf.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Wolf's Blood Swordgrass
  Old Wolf Curved Sword. Curved Greatsword requiring 19 strength and 25 dexterity with C grade dexterity scaling. Weapon art is a spinning slash followed by an evasive leap and strong attack.
• Rank 2 30 Wolf's Blood Swordgrass
  Wolf Knight's Greatshield. Requires 30 strength and provides sensational protection against bleeding.
  Wolf Ring. Increase poise.

Rosaria's Fingers

A PvP covenant with a twist: joining Rosaria's Fingers provides you with five appearance and attribute resets on each playthrough, for the low price of one Pale Tongue.

Joining this covenant will turn Sirris of the Sunless Realms Hostile and, if the conditions are met, grant you the opportunity to duel Leonhard. See our NPC guide for more information.

• How to join
  Speak to Rosaria at the Rosaria's Bedchamber bonfire in Cathedral of the Deep.
• How to rank up
  Collect Pale Tongues by defeating other players while the faction sigil is equipped; Blue Sentinel and Darkmoon Blade kills award Forked Pale Tongues for double reward. pale Tongues drop as rare loot from Darkwraiths. Turn them in to Rosaria to increase your standing.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Pale Tongues
  Obscuring Ring. Decreases enemy detection chance.
• Rank 2: 30 Pale Tongues
  Man-Grub's Staff. Requires 9 strength and 18 intelligence. Spell buff scales with luck attribute.

Aldrich Faithful

A PvP covenant standing guard over Irithyll Cathedral, similar to Watchdogs of Farron. Players in Ember form who wander into this area are at risk of great punishment. Aldrich Faithful are automatically summoned to repel those who trespass on Aldrich's turf.

Aldrich Faithful phantoms are blue with a red tint. Do not confuse them for Blue Sentinels and Darkmoon Blades.

• How to join
  Seek out this covenant after defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn, on the path to Anor Londo.
• How to rank up
  Collect Human Dregs. These are awarded upon successful defeat of players in and around Irithyll Cathedral. They also drop from Deacons in Cathedral of the Deep, but rarely. Turn them in to Archdeacon McDonnell.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Human Dregs
  Great Deep Soul sorcery. Costs 11 FP. Requires 20 intelligence and one attunment slot. Casts a dark projectile.
• Rank 2: 20 Human Dregs
  Archdeacon's Great Staff. Requires 12 intelligence and 12 faith. A sorcery catalyst that scales with Faith at A-grade, giving those who focus on miracles the option of using sorcery spells at appropriate strength.

Blades of the Darkmoon

Similarly to the Blue Sentinels, the Darkmoon Blades are automatically summoned to defeat invaders in protection of those of the Way of Blue. Darkmoon Blades are priority matchmade against the most sinful invaders.

Blades of the Darkmoon are a darker blue than their Blue Sentinel cousins.

• How to join
  Speak to Company Captain Yorshka in Anor Londo after defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn. You must have acquired the Darkmoon Loyalty emote from Sirris of the Sunless Realms to join this faction; see our NPC guide for more information.
• How to rank up
  Collect Proof of a Concord Kept items. These are awarded to Blade of the Darkmoon members when they defeat an invading phantom after an automatic summon, or when their co-op host makes it to a boss battle. They drop, rarely, from Silver Knight enemies, found in Distant Manor in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, among other places. Players can also earn Proof of a Concord Well kept by defeating Aldrich faithful members. Turn them in to Company Captain Yorshka in Anor Londo; full walkthrough coming soon.

Covenant rewards
• Rank 1: 10 Proof of a Concord Kept
  Darkmoon Ring. Increases FP restored by Ashen Estus Flask.
• Rank 2: 30 Proof of a Concord Kept
  Darkmoon Blade miracle. Costs 50 FP. Requires 30 faith and one attunement slot. Similar to other magic weapon spells.

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