Dark Souls 3 covenants are one of the games greatest highlights. While you can go about completing the game without aligning to a specific covenant, DS3 covenants provide you with more purpose; regardless of whether you enjoy online play or not.
Enabling players to align with certain factions in the game, DS3 covenants are bounded by specific insignias which can be discovered throughout Lothric. Once you have selected your DS3 covenant, special items, abilities and mechanics become available to you which enhances your experience. In particular, during online play, Dark Souls 3 covenants will either give you the upper hand against your opponent or be a thorn in your side.
And, we wouldn’t want that to happen now would we?
Choosing a DS3 covenant that blends well with your play style is critical to ensuring that you have the maximum advantage during DS3 PvP play online. Just like learning critical game mechanics such as how to backstab and when to jump in Dark Souls 3, selecting your covenant is equally as vital. But how do you choose the right Dark Souls 3 covenant without first knowing what each covenant has to offer?
Fear not friends, as we have spent hours playing with each covenant available in Dark Souls 3 to bring to you this master to all DS3 covenants for beginners.
Scroll down to find out more about each covenant available, how to join and what to expect once you join the faction.👇
All Dark Souls 3 Covenants Explained:
Dark Souls 3 is one of the best souls games by FromSoftware and the ability to align with new DS3 covenants is one reason why.
In Dark Souls 3, there are 9 covenants to choose from with each of them empowering your character with special and unique abilities. While not all covenants will give you the upper hand against your foe, depending on how you want to play the game, aligning yourself with one of these covenants will greatly enhance your experience.
Here are all the covenants available in Darks Souls 3:
- The Way Of Blue Covenant
- Aldrich Faithful Covenant
- Watchdogs of Farron Covenant
- Warrior of Sunlight Covenant
- Blue Sentinels Covenant
- Blades of the Darkmoon Covenant
- Spears of the Church Covenant
- Rosaria’s Fingers Covenant
- Mound Maker Covenant
With some covenants focussed on PvP action and others better suited to those who enjoy solo play more than online battles, keep scrolling to learn all there is to know about each covenant, why you should join and what to expect! 👇
The Way Of Blue Covenant
The Way of Blue covenant is perfect for players who do not wish to indulge in any action with other players online; particularly new players. The Way of Blue generates Blue Sentinels along with Blades of the Darkmoon which are summoned so that players get an automatic defence against regular invaders.
While good for new players, the Way of Blue covenant is one of the worst covenants for ranking/levelling as it does not tend to give a boost to the game in any meaningful way. The player may receive help, but as is popular in the best DS3 covenants, there aren’t any quests present, any rewards or any system of ranking in these.
As a co-operative covenant, the Way of Blue will summon Blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon whenever you are invaded to protect you. These will not be summoned when being invaded by Aldrich Faithful when defending Anor Londo or Watchdogs of Farron in the Farron Keep. However, for regular invaders, expect protection by Blades/Sentinels. If you are suffering from frequent invaders then this covenant is perfect for you.
An important note is that Blue Sentinels and Blade of the Darkmoon do not summon immediately and therefore during the time that you wait for help to arrive, you should hide or escape until one of these are summoned to protect you.
How to join The Way Of Blue covenant?
To join the ‘Way of Blue’ covenant in Dark Souls 3, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Locate Emma (Cathedral opposite the Vordt of the Boreal Valley).
- Step 2: Talk to Emma and acquire the item ‘Way Of The Blue’
- Step 3: Equip the ‘Way Of The Blue’ item to join the covenant.
The Way Of Blue Levelling & Rewards:
The Way of Blue has no levelling or rewards when used. This is a covenant for protection only and there are no other rewards besides your life.
Aldrich Faithful Covenant
The Aldrich Faithful covenant holds members responsible for the defence of the territories belonging to Aldrich. This is the courtyard area which lies in the exterior of the arena of Pontiff Sylyvahn. The arena leads to the stairway of Anor Londo and players must prevent trespassers from entering these territories. The Aldrich Faithful covenant helps members to effectively kill any trespassers that threaten entry into forbidden areas.
The area in question also happens to be a PVP activity hotbed. So, depending on the level of your soul, the covenant can help the game evolve into experiences that are packed with excitement and immense action. Nonetheless, due to the rewards being useful to simply faith-based character builds, this covenant is rated fairly low amongst Dark Souls 3 players. The Aldrich Faithful covenant is the only covenant which applies to a niche segment of players.
How to join Aldrich Faithful covenant?
To join the Aldrich Faithful covenant, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Head on over to Irithyll of the Boreal Valley
- Step 2: Locate the Pontiff Sulyvahn bonfire.
- Step 3: From the Pontiff Sulyvahn bonfire, proceed straight through the door.
- Step 4: Head left up the staircase.
- Step 5: Continue past the valley of dead giants.
- Step 6: Head through the door at the far end.
- Step 7: On your left you will see a wall that can be hit.
- Step 8: Hit the wall to reveal a ladder.
- Step 9: Go down the ladder and defeat two Sulyvahn’s Beasts
- Step 10: Locate and speak to Archdeacon McDonnell
The Archdeacon McDonnell who will be located in the north-west corner of the room. Here you can collect that Aldrich Faithful item and equip it to join the covenant.
Aldrich Faithful Levelling & Rewards:
When a member of the Aldrich Faithful, you can increase your rank in the covenant. To do this, offer Human Dregs to the Archdeacon McDonnell in the shrine behind the Illusory Wall. To acquire Human Dregs, invade players while wearing the covenant item.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Great Deep Soul at level 10
- Archdeacon’s Great Staff at level 30.
Watchdogs of Farron Covenant
The Watchdogs of Farron have the key role of defending the Crucifixion Woods in Dark Souls 3. Again, the defence is against trespassers. A embered player may step into the Halfway Fortress swamp. Then, members of the covenant will be compelled to attack them. Some Dark Souls 3 covenants are chiefly designed to harass other players.
This is one of them. Nonetheless, there is a condition – a player must be embered while entering the swamp. The rewards may be good, but several players have to swear by the Ring of the Wolf for PVP.
How to join Watchdogs of Farron covenant?
To join the Watchdogs of Farron covenant, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Head on over to the Farron Keep area.
- Step 2: Once there, locate a large door that opens by extinguishing the torches.
- Step 3: Near here, you will see a large square tower with a ladder on one side.
- Step 4: Climb up the ladder and then speak to the Old Wolf.
Watchdogs of Farron Levelling & Rewards:
To level up your covenant rank as a member of Watchdogs of Farron, you will need to defeat enemies you have been summoned to kill via the Covenant emblem. By doing so, you will earn ”Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass” which you can give to the Old Wolf to level up. Alternatively, you may find this item as drops from Ghru Grunts or Elders.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Old Wolf Curved Sword at level 10
- Wolf Knights Greatshield & Wolf Ring at level 30.
Warriors of Sunlight Covenant
The Warriors of Sunlight covenant is a mediocre covenant within Dark Souls 3. However, it’s a long-time fan favourite. The Warrior of Sunlight Dark Souls 3 covenant targets cooperative gameplay. Members who join the covenant will essentially partake in joining different worlds in an effort at conquering treacherous areas. In this way, the host is guarded against any possible invasions. Additionally, the covenant also aids in the defeat of bosses that prove difficult, and this is a way to use rewards.
In the realm of Dark Souls 3 covenants, this has ample rewards classified as “decent” enough, if not great. The rewards are most useful when more than a single player plays. In particular, the Sacred Oath Miracle is a reward that gives players advantages. Players may also partake in PVP to offer the host protection, but that isn’t the main purpose of Warrior of Sunlight. The key idea behind this covenant is to fight against bosses in activities of cooperative play. Furthermore, any Warrior of Sunlight is called via signs – “summon signals”. If players want to join, there’s a place called the Undead Settlement to visit.
How to join Warriors of Sunlight covenant?
To join the Warriors of Sunlight covenant, you must first meet the Faith requirement of 25. This level is decreased by 5 for each boss you killed as a white phantom. Once you reach level 25, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Find the Broken Altar to the right of the Sunlight Altar bonfire.
- Step 2: Pray to the altar to join the Warriors of Sunlight.
If you meet the requirements when praying at the altar, you will have the option to enter the Warriors of Sunlight covenant. If you do not meet the requirements, no popup window will appear to grant you access.
Warriors of Sunlight Levelling & Rewards:
To level up your Warriors of Sunlight covenant rank, you must offer a certain amount of Sunlight medals to the Altar located under the Parish. By doing so, you will be granted additional levels and will rank up your covenant status.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Miracle: Lightning Spear at level 0
- Miracle: Great Lightning Spear at level 10.
- Ability to offer Soul Gwyn at level 10
- Ability to offer Lord of Cinder at level 10
- Miracle: Sunlight Spear once those items have been offered at level 10.
Blue Sentinels Covenant
In a certain way, the Blue Sentinals covenant in DS3 resembles the Warrior of Sunlight. Visually, they are superior as they add more appeal while you play. The way in which this covenant differs from the Warrior of Sunlight is that it is characteristically targeted towards safeguarding members of the Way of Blue. While these members are on their way to a boss, the Blue Sentinels provide protection from any imminent invasion. Blue Sentinels are either given entry to kill invaders or to escort hosts in a safe manner.
In our list of Dark Souls 3 covenants, the Blue Sentinels covenant ranks near the top as it involves an important purpose – to escort any other player to a safe environment. Nonetheless, some players find that the act of escorting is devoid of any voice chatting. Additionally, players have to dredge up a lot of effort to get rewards. Most players would rate these rewards as “mediocre”. Nevertheless, there are those players who prefer a gaming experience in the category of “good guy”, and for them, the Blue Sentinels focus on PVP protection is perfect for players who enjoy the social aspects to gaming.
How to join Blue Sentinels covenant?
To join the Blue Sentinels covenant, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Locate the Halfway Fortress bonfire by the Road of Sacrifices
- Step 2: Speak to Anri of Astora and Horace the Hushed
- Step 3: Acquire the Blue Sentinels item and equip it.
Blue Sentinels Levelling & Rewards:
The Blue Sentinels covenant shares the same ranks as the Blades of the Darkmoon covenant. To rank or level up your Blue Sentinels status, you will need to acquire the “Proof of a Concord Kept” by defeating phantom invaders.
To acquire this item, players must be summoned while having their Blue Sentinel badge equipped. When equipped, you must sucessfully defeat an invading phantom.
If you defeat more than one invading phantom while summoned, you will acquire more Proof of a Concord Kept items. Additionally, you can acquire Proof of a Concord Kept as a dropped item from the Silver Knight in Anor Londo (Rare).
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Dark Moon Ring at level 10
- Dark Moon Blade at level 10
Blade of the Darkmoon Covenant
Players who begin to play Dark Souls and opt for membership of Dark Souls 3 covenants will discover similarities between them that cannot be ignored. The Blades of the Darkmoon covenant is called into action if any member of the Way of Blue faces an invasion just like the Blue Sentinels covenant. With this covenant, the rewards are regarded as the same as those in the Blue Sentinels.
Nevertheless, the Blades of the Darkmoon reminds players of the very first Dark Souls game with a lot of its originality maintained. As such, the Blade of the Darkmoon is one of the better Dark Souls 3 covenants. The journey is a secret which needs to be cracked open for players. This provides an additional level of excitement for players, as the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant is pretty much a game within a game. With such depth, the “uber cool factor” is relatable when you become a member.
How to join Blade of the Darkmoon covenant?
To join the Blade of the Darkmoon covenant, you must first have the Darkmoon Seance Ring. This can be found within the Catacombs. Then, once you have this ring, you must also have access to Anor Londo. With both of those checked off, follow this simple steps to join the Blade of the Darkmoon Covenant:
- Step 1: Go to the large rotating elevator in the middle of Anor Londo.
- Step 2: Move the lever so that it makes the elevator go all the way down
- Step 3: Continue down the stairs to reach the Darkmoon Tomb bonfire.
- Step 4: Equip the Darkmoon Seance Ring and the nearby statue will vanish.
- Step 5: Go through the opening and down the stairs towards the fog wall
- Step 6: Do not enter this wall, just wait.
- Step 7: As you approach the fog wall you will hear Gwyndolin speaking
- Step 8: When he is finished you will be able to kneel on the carpet
- Step 9: After kneeling, you will have access to the Darkmoon Blades convenant
- Step 10: Accept and join the covenant
- Step 11: You will receive 2 items to use against invading players.
Note: Don’t join the Rosaria’s Finger covenant until after you’ve joined the Blade of the Darkmoon. If you do, Sirris will turn hostile and you won’t be able to get the gesture.
Blade of the Darkmoon Levelling & Rewards:
The Blade of the Darkmoon covenant requires Souvenir of Reprisal to level your rank. This drops from people you kill that are listed in the Book of the Guilty, but however, it is not a guaranteed drop. Souvenirs of Reprisal will also drop rarely from Harpies in the Painted World of Ariamis.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Blue Eye Orb at level 0
- Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring at level 0
- Darkmoon Blade at level 10
- Darkmoon Talisman at level 10
Spears of the Church Covenant
The spears of the Church covenant is available as part of new DLC for Dark Souls 3. This covenant has its members taking on some unique responsibilities. Members act as bosses, standing in for the world’s of any other players participating in the game. This has a condition. The covenant can be used only during Hallfight, Spear of the Church fights. With such a covenant, players get the same abilities as the boss they represent. Players attain increased levels of stamina, health, resistance from damage, and more “super strength” functions.
Additionally, players get to use the Divine Spear Fragment and the Ritual Spear Fragment. Any bonuses are linked with the quantity of phantoms summoned by hosts. DS3 covenants like this are distinctive and get players to trigger the right boss fight. This takes a while and players must exert patience, which is a challenge in itself. Nonetheless, the patience is well worth the practice.
How to join Spears Of the Church covenant?
To join the Spears of the Church covenant, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Defeat “Darkeater Midir” under the Inner Ring Wall bonfire.
- Step 2: Collect the covenant item dropped after defeating Midir
- Step 3: Equip the item to join the Spears of the Church covenant
Spears of the Church Levelling & Rewards:
Successfully completing task earns you Filianore’s Spear Ornament which can be turned in to the altar to rank up in the covenant. The altar is located next to the Ringed Knight with the dual greatswords outside the church. The rank requirements are additive, meaning you only have to earn a total of 30, not 10 and then another 30, to obtain all covenant rewards.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Young Grass Dew at level 10
- Divine Spear Fragmant at level 30
Rosaria’s Fingers Covenant
Rosaria’s Fingers is one of the best Dark Souls 3 covenants.
Considered hostile, Rosaria’s Fingers covenant is a PVP-centric aid that permits any payer to realign attributes. The player can alter the physical appearances of their characters up to five times during play. The covenant is well-liked as it has other functions. It can also unlock more quests of Ringfinger Leonhard. Nonetheless, it does not unlock the quests of Sirris. This prevents players from obtaining useful items.
In multiplayer, when contrasting with all other Dark Souls covenants, here, members represent plainly hostile invaders. The aim? To terminate the Host of Embers. In the event of the presence of blue spirits, players receive rewards according to every blue spirit that gets killed. This is inclusive of death to enemies or the environment. Among most covenants, the Rosaria’s Finger covenant is quite simple to rank up, based on the assumption that players are well-versed in the arena of combat mechanisms.
How to join Rosaria’s Finger covenant?
To join the Rosaria’s Finger covenant, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Locate the Cathedral of the Deep
- Step 2: Find the ”Rosaria’s Fingers” item
- Step 3: Equip the “Rosaria’s Fingers” item to join the covenant
While a member of the Covenant, you will be allowed to be reborn. The rebirth option will enable the trading of the Pale Tongue item to reallocate your statistics and change your appearance.
Rosaria’s Finger Levelling & Rewards:
To level up your Rosaria’s Finger rank, you will need to offer “Pale Tongue” to Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth in the Cathedral of the Deep. To acquire Pale Tongue items, you must invade and successfully defeat a host whilst you have the covenant item equipped. Alternatively, you can kill Darkwraiths in Road of Sacrifices.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Obscuring Ring at level 10
- Man-Grub’s Staff at level 30
Mound Maker Covenant
The Mound Maker covenant in Dark Souls 3 covenants is easily the best DS3 covenant to explore. The reasons why fans of Dark Souls 3 enjoy this covenant the most is varied. First, any and all members of any chosen covenants are fair game for members who are in the Mound Maker covenant category. If members of another covenant attempt to invade worlds and areas, Mound Maker members can easily hit defensive phantoms, hosts and hostile phantoms.
The challenge of members lies in terminating a specific amount of phantoms who are in the process of attacking or defending hosts to get rewards. They can also choose to kill the Embers Host. The whole aura of this covenant spells chaos, translating into vast adventures for it’s members. If you are a player who likes to get into the thick of the action, the Mound Maker covenant is perfect for you.
The Mound Maker covenant is a phantom itself and its purple hue adds a mystic touch. With aesthetics that appeal to any player, this is a yearned-for covenant. The best part of the Mound Maker covenant is the borderline unpredictability. New variables are launched in the midst of invasions, and this can be amusing to Mound Maker members and non-members alike.
The rewards may fall short of being impressive, but no doubt you will enjoy the ride!
How to join Mound Maker’s Covenant?
There are two ways to join the Mound Maker’s covenant in Dark Souls 3 depending on whether you have or have not killed the Curse-Rotted Greatwood.
If you have not killed the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, follow these simple steps to join the Mound Makers covenant:
- Step 1: Start at the Undead Settlement.
- Step 2: Continue through the house until you reach the camp.
- Step 3: Take a right and cross the wooden bridge
- Step 4: Break the crates and barrels at the end of the bridge.
- Step 5: Walk behind the stables instead of entering.
- Step 6: Behind a small house with a ladder, speak to the Cage Spider NPC
- Step 7: The NPC will give you a hint about something fishy with the cage.
- Step 8: Climb up the ladder of the small house
- Step 9: Drop off the roof on the right hand side.
- Step 10: You will see another NPC with a cage on his back.
- Step 11: Approach the cage and use the button to examine.
- Step 12: Watch the cutscene and wait to be teleported
- Step 13: A holy knight hodrick will give you the covenant item.
- Step 14: Equip this item to join the Mound Makers covenant.
After joining the covenant this way, you cannot leave the area besides from using a Homeward Bone. To acquire this item, talk to Hodrick again and then use. If you don’t want to use this, use “Quit & Reload” to Respawn without reviving everything you have killed up until this stage.
If you have killed the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, follow these simple steps to join the Mound Maker’s covenant:
- Step 1: Go to the entrance of the boss room after defeating Aldrich
- Step 2: Activate the summon sign of Sirris of the Sunless Realms
- Step 3: Join this in cooperation.
- Step 4: If successful, you will acquire the covenant.
Mound Maker’s Levelling & Rewards:
To increase your rank in the Mound Maker’s covenant, you must offer Vertebra Shackle Items at the altar in the Pit of Hollows where you face Curse-Rotted Greatwood in the Undead Settlement. To acquire these items, players must defeat the world host. Alternatively, players must be present for the death of up to 3 phantoms or by defeating any Mound-Maker who invades you. If fighting is not your strong suit, there are also rare drops from red-eyed skeletons in Catacombs of Carthus but these are very rare.
Once you have a Vertebra Shackle, take this to the altar in the pit of hollows and offer the item to level up your rank within this covenant.
As a reward for levelling, you will receive the following:
- Bloodlust Katana at level 10
- Warmth Pyromancy at level 30
The Final Word
By now, you will hopefully have enough information to choose a covenant within DS3 wisely and be well prepared for the events at follow. There are all different types of covenants depending on your play style and we would recommend trying a few of them out as you explore the game.
Each of the covenants come with a variety of tasks (besides Way of The Blue) and your mission will be to complete these tasks whilst fending off the dangers that lie within.
As always, success is predominantly achieved through combat. Whether that be protected someone playing under the banner of the “Way of the Blue” or through being a pest and tearing up the realms of game hosts and other players within the same game. Whatever you choose, be sure to have a blast!
Love the Dark Souls series and action RPG games? Check out some of our other articles about Dark Souls, Elden Ring & Demon’s Souls:
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- Elden Ring Review (Xbox Series X)
- Monster Hunter Rise Review
- Best JRPG Games (Of All Time)
- Ghost of Tsushima Review
- How To Learn Magic In Demon’s Souls
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- Best Similar Games Like Dark Souls
Dark Souls 3 Covenants FAQs
Still have questions about dark souls 3 covenants and how to play under each banner? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about DS3 covenants:
