In Dark Souls 2, players are introduced to a varied selection of nine unique covenants, each tailored to provide distinct gameplay experiences, whether in Player vs. Player (PvP) or Player vs. Environment (PvE) scenarios. Understanding these covenants and their respective benefits allows players to align with playstyles that suit their preferences, enhancing the game’s replayability and depth.

Overview of Covenants

| Covenant | Focus | Benefits and Rewards |
|—————————-|—————————-|———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–|
| Pilgrims of Dark | PvE | Access to the “Dark Chasm of Old” area with unique challenges; rewards include the Xanthous Set, the fastest casting Dragon Chime, the powerful Climax hex spell, and constant farming access for Bonfire Ascetics, appealing to PvE enthusiasts. |
| Blue Sentinels | PvP (Protection) | Functions to assist allies during invasions; rewards include the Spirit Tree Shield (beneficial against magical attacks), Wrath of the Gods miracle (area damage), and Bountiful Sunlight miracle (healing), ideal for Miracle-focused builds. |
| Bell Keepers | PvP (Area Defense) | Engage in offensive PvP by invading players in Belfry Luna and Belfry Sol as a Gray Spirit; emphasizes aggressive tactics and area control, rewarding those who excel in PvP dynamics. |
| Brotherhood of Blood | PvP (Invasion) | Specializes in invading other worlds as a Red Spirit; offers various PvP-related rewards, although they are less prominent compared to other covenants, making it suitable for general invaders. |
| Rat King Covenant | PvP (Territorial) | Engage trespassers in Grave of Saints and Doors of Pharros to protect territory; offers unique rewards such as Pharros Lockstones and Rat Tails that can be exchanged for Smooth & Silky Stones and the Slumbering Dragoncrest Ring, which avoids sleep effects. |
| Dragon Remnants | PvP (Dueling) | Focus on gaining ranks through defeating players in duels; players earn draconic abilities, making it appealing for those who enjoy competitive battling. |
| Way of Blue | PvP (Help Request) | Automatically summons Blue Sentinel members when invaded, beneficial for players seeking assistance without engaging directly in PvP, allowing a defensive approach to encountering invaders. |
| Company of Champions | PvE (Challenge) | Enhances game difficulty by removing co-op opportunities, along with boosting enemy and boss stats; rewards players who thrive on challenges without the benefits of cooperative play. |
| Heirs of the Sun | Co-op | Concentrates on cooperative gameplay by facilitating powerful summoning for boss encounters; players rank up successfully through co-op actions, favoring those who prefer teamwork in tough situations. |

Key Rewards Summary

– Pilgrims of Dark: Unique content and dark-themed spells and gear for dedicated PvE players.
– Blue Sentinels: PvP-focused spells and defensive shield ideal for magical engagements.
– Rat King Covenant: A territorial aspect with unique gear and upgrade components.
– Heirs of the Sun: Strongly favors cooperative gameplay, enhancing group play.
– Company of Champions: Designed for players wanting a tougher challenge with solo gameplay mechanics.

Progression and Ranking

Each covenant allows players to rank up by collecting specific items, such as Rat Tails or Red Orbs, which can be exchanged for increasingly powerful rewards, including rings, weapons, armor, spells, or unique abilities. A notable difference from the original Dark Souls is that players can switch covenants without losing their accumulated ranking, allowing for greater flexibility and exploration of different gameplay strategies as they progress through the game.

Conclusion

The diversity of covenants in Dark Souls 2 offers players a range of options tailored to their preferred playstyles, whether seeking cooperative experiences, PvP invasions, or challenging solo encounters. This rich variety not only encourages diverse gameplay strategies but also promotes a deeper engagement with the game world, making each playthrough uniquely rewarding.