Dark Souls Covenant Guide

From the moment you first step into Lordran, it’s clear that Dark Souls has more to offer than challenging combat and haunting landscapes; the world is also shaped by its mysterious covenants. These unique factions offer more than just lore—they can change how you interact with both the single-player world and other players online. Whether you’re pledging loyalty to ancient dragons or serving the gods, joining a covenant affects everything from invasions to special gear. For those looking to understand what these allegiances actually mean, it’s worth taking a closer look at how each one fits into your journey and playstyle.

What Is the Way of White?

The Way of White is one of the earliest covenants you'll encounter in Dark Souls. If you’ve ever talked to Petrus of Thorolund at Firelink Shrine, you’ve stumbled across it. Out of all the covenants, this one is the most welcoming for new players and is rooted in the faith-based culture of Thorolund—a land that holds the gods in high regard. The covenant centers on loyal followers of Allfather Lloyd and his kin, focusing on cooperation and protection among its members, especially during early-game co-op play.

How to Join the Way of White

Step-by-Step Joining Guide

Find Petrus of Thorolund: Right after you unlock Firelink Shrine, look for Petrus. He’s the guy in bulky priest gear sitting near the pool in the area.
Talk to Petrus: He offers training in miracles and, early on, a chance to join his covenant. It’s as easy as selecting “Join Covenant” from the dialogue options.
Rite of Passage: No items or souls are required. Just say yes, and you’re in. Your character will kneel and receive the Way of White sigil.

Classes That Start in Way of White

If you picked Cleric as your starting class, you’re already in this covenant by default. The Knight and Warrior classes can join at any time since there are no stat or gear requirements.

Covenant Perks and Gameplay Effects

Co-op Made Easier

Way of White increases your odds of being matched with other members of the same group for cooperative play. This especially helps in the opening hours when you need a helping hand in tough areas. You’re less likely to run into hostile invaders, making early bosses a little less stressful.

Miracle Focus

Although the covenant revolves around faith and divine miracles in lore, joining doesn’t actually unlock any exclusive miracles or gear. Instead, it’s more about creating a safer, low-pressure online environment for people learning the ropes or using faith-based builds.

Protection From Invasions

While not a total safeguard, the matchmaking system tries to keep Way of White players away from aggressive PvP covenants like the Darkwraiths. The intention is to give newcomers a friendlier start so they can focus on figuring out the game’s mechanics before dealing with seasoned invaders.

How to Leave or Switch Covenants

Leaving the Way of White is painless. Walk up to another covenant leader (like Oswald at the Bell Tower or Laurentius for the Chaos Servant) and pledge yourself elsewhere. This automatically drops your Way of White membership—no penalties or consequences involved.

When you switch, the only thing you might lose is a little progress in that group (which is negligible here since there are no items or ranks to worry about).

Lore and World Connection

Way of White touches on a bigger story about the world’s battle against the undead curse. Members hail from Thorolund and serve gods like Allfather Lloyd and Gwyn. The group travels to Lordran looking for the Rite of Kindling and to defeat the curse. The clerics you find throughout the game (like Petrus, Reah, and her guards) reveal pieces of the Way of White’s purpose and struggles.

These clerics often meet tragic ends, showing that faith isn’t a guaranteed shield against the world’s dangers. The covenant’s focus on pilgrims and crusaders gives it a classic religious quest vibe, fitting with Dark Souls’ overall mood of faded glory and lost hope.

Should You Join the Way of White?

For most players, there’s no downside to joining Way of White early. It’s simple, hands-off, and perfect if you want to cooperate with others without worrying too much about online invasions. If you’re planning on a faith/miracle-based build, it simply fits the theme, even if there’s no gameplay boost.

After you’ve found your footing, you might want to swap covenants as you chase rare rewards, PvP action, or unique spells. But as a safe starting point, Way of White remains a smart, easy choice.

The Takeaway

Way of White serves as the gentle introduction to Dark Souls’ covenant system. It doesn’t overload you with requirements, nor does it bury cool rewards behind a grind. Instead, it quietly supports new adventurers and faith characters, making the first hours in Lordran a little more forgiving. When you’re ready to test braver covenants, you’re free to do so—no strings attached.

Warrior of Sunlight Guide

The Warrior of Sunlight is one of Dark Souls’ most iconic covenants, easily recognized by its mascot, Solaire of Astora, and its sunny catchphrase, “Praise the Sun!” If you’ve ever noticed glowing gold summon signs around Lordran, those are usually Warriors of Sunlight in action, ready to help others defeat tough bosses. This covenant is all about co-op play, jolly cooperation, and a shared goal to bring some light to a dark world.

How to Join the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant

Meeting the Stat Requirements

Joining isn’t as simple as just talking to an NPC. The most important requirement: you need 25 Faith, or just 5 Faith if you’ve helped others as a phantom before (for each successful co-op boss kill, the requirement drops by 5, down to a minimum of 5 Faith). This is a pretty high ask for early-game characters unless you started as a Cleric or have leveled up Faith deliberately.

Finding the Sunlight Altar

The covenant’s altar is hidden in the Undead Parish, just past the Hellkite Drake (the big red dragon) on the bridge. Head down the stairs near the bonfire under the bridge, run right underneath the dragon, and you’ll see a weird-looking statue in a little sunny courtyard. Interacting with the statue gives you the option to “Join Covenant” if you meet the Faith requirement.

Solaire of Astora

While Solaire himself doesn’t induct you, talking to him sets the theme for the covenant. You’ll often find his hints along the way, and he’ll even help you fight certain bosses as a summonable NPC if you’re in the covenant.

Covenant Benefits

Gold Summon Sign

Once you join, your summon sign turns gold (instead of the usual white), signaling to others that you’re a dedicated co-op partner. When summoned, you also appear as a glowing golden phantom.

Sunlight Medals: The Core Reward

Every time you defeat a boss while summoned as a golden phantom, you (and the host) net a Sunlight Medal. You can also get medals from playing solo if another Sunbro helps you with a boss. Collecting these medals lets you “offer” them at the Sunlight Altar to deepen your rank in the covenant.

Lightning Spear Miracles and Sunlight Gear

Lightning Spear Miracle: Right after you join, you get the Lightning Spear miracle—an early-game Faith spell that can really punch through tough enemies.
Great Lightning Spear / Sunlight Spear: By offering Sunlight Medals (10 for Great Lightning Spear, 10 more for Sunlight Spear if you beat the final boss and return to the altar), you unlock even more devastating miracles.
Sunlight Maggot (optional): While not covenant-specific, the Sunlight Maggot—found later—pairs thematically with this group.

Ranking Up

As you turn in more Sunlight Medals, you move up in the covenant’s ranks. Higher ranks grant new spells and let you further flash your Sunbro pride. Here’s the rundown:

0 Medals: Entry-level Sunbro (unlocks Lightning Spear).
10 Medals: Unlocks Great Lightning Spear.
+10 Medals after finishing the final boss: Unlocks Sunlight Spear.

Note: Offering medals and increasing your covenant level can only be done at the Sunlight Altar.

Co-Op and PvP Strategy

Being a Sunbro centers your gameplay around helping others tackle the game’s trickiest bosses. You’ll get summoned faster and more often as a gold phantom compared to white sign users. Hosting your own world as a Sunbro also lets you summon others for a solid backup squad.

If you want PvP action, Sunbros aren’t focused on invasions or dueling—but you’ll gain tons of practical experience with group fights and team tactics by helping hosts.

Roleplaying and Community

The “Praise the Sun!” gesture is unlocked as soon as you join. This has become a meme beyond Dark Souls itself—don’t be surprised to see scores of golden phantoms hopping around, arms raised to the sky. Playing as a Warrior of Sunlight invites friendly encounters, funny co-op moments, and a sense of camaraderie.

Covenant Downsides

There’s little penalty for leaving the covenant, but if you offer medals and switch before gaining the later rewards, you’ll lose access to them until you rejoin and re-offer the medals. Dropping out won’t anger NPCs or permanently cut off any options.

However, as a Sunbro, you might get targeted by invaders looking to break up happy co-op sessions. Expect some PvP interruptions—but with enough preparation, you and your team can often fend them off.

Should You Join the Warriors of Sunlight?

If helping others, earning medals, and getting powerful lightning miracles sounds fun, this is the covenant for you. It’s especially rewarding if you enjoy jolly cooperation and want to feel like a “good guy” in Lordran’s harsh world. You also don’t have to stick with it forever—switching covenants later is easy.

Whether you’re a miracle-slinging Faith main or just want to bask in some sun-themed co-op, the Warrior of Sunlight is an excellent choice. Praise the Sun!

Darkwraith Guide

The Darkwraiths represent the opposite end of the covenant spectrum from the Warriors of Sunlight. Where Sunbros aim to assist, Darkwraiths dedicate themselves to invading other players’ worlds, spreading chaos, and collecting precious Humanity. Joining this covenant gives players access to unique invasion tools and a direct line to PvP content in Dark Souls.

How to Join the Darkwraith Covenant

Meeting Kingseeker Frampt's Competition: Darkstalker Kaathe

You can join the Darkwraiths relatively early, but only by choosing a path that pretty much turns your back on “normal” Lordran diplomacy. Unlike most covenants, there’s no stat check—progression is all that matters. Here’s the step-by-step:

Do Not Place the Lordvessel with Frampt: Avoid talking to Kingseeker Frampt after acquiring the Lordvessel. Once you give him the Lordvessel, Kaathe becomes unavailable for this playthrough, locking you out of the Darkwraiths.
Clear the Four Kings Boss: Head into New Londo Ruins. You must acquire the Covenant of Artorias ring (from Sif in Darkroot Garden) to survive the abyss and reach the Four Kings. Defeat them.
Meet Darkstalker Kaathe: After the fight, Kaathe appears where the boss died, floating over a swirling abyssal pit. Talk to him, and he’ll tempt you to join the Darkwraiths.
Join the Covenant: Accept his invitation to receive the Darkwraith badge and the power to invade other players as a true harbinger of darkness.

Note

If you place the Lordvessel with Frampt before meeting Kaathe, this path closes—there's no going back until NG+.

Covenant Mechanics and Rewards

Invasion: The Red Eye Orb

When you join the Darkwraiths, Kaathe gives you the Red Eye Orb, granting you unlimited invasions into other players’ worlds. This is the central tool for all things Darkwraith. You’ll start to see a lot more red phantoms—and likely become the cause of some panic among hosts.

Humanity Farming: Dark Hand and Humanity Steal

Dark Hand: Upon entry, Kaathe hands you the Dark Hand, a weirdly effective shield/weapon. It absorbs damage and, when used to attack, can steal Humanity directly from online players or certain NPCs. It’s a unique part of Darkwraith “flavor,” encouraging predatory tactics.
Humanity Acquisition: As a Darkwraith, PvP wins are your bread and butter. Defeating hosts or co-op phantoms in invaded worlds often earns you Humanity, fueling both your builds and covenant rank.

Ranking Up: Cracked Red Eye Orbs, Dark Sword, and More

Climbing the covenant ranks revolves around offering Humanity to Kaathe:

Rank 0 (Entry): Dark Hand, Red Eye Orb.
Rank 1 (10 Humanity): 10 Cracked Red Eye Orbs—limited-use invasion items (mostly for non-covenant invaders, but handy in a pinch).
Rank 2 (30 Humanity): Dark Sword—a fast-striking straight sword with good scaling. Dark Set—the intimidating armor worn by Darkwraith NPCs.
Rank 3 (80 Humanity): Red Eye Orb (permanent, if somehow missed at lower levels).

How to Offer Humanity

Return to Kaathe in the Abyss and "offer Humanity" from your inventory. Your stored Humanity (top-left number on your HUD) is safe, but you’ll need to carry soft Humanity for offerings.

Invasion Tips and PvP Etiquette

Hunting in Lordran

Where to Invade: Crowded areas with frequent hosts—Anor Londo, Sens Fortress, and the Undead Burg are prime locations.
Invasion Style: Darkwraiths thrive on surprise and chaos. Ambushes, dividing groups, and picking off solo players are part of the playbook.
Tools of the Trade:
- The Dark Hand is great for Humanity leeching and blocking.
- Stock up on versatile weapons (katanas, spears) for adaptive PvP.
- Elemental builds and parrying shields also shine.

Community Etiquette (Or Lack Thereof...)

Dark Souls invasion culture is...lively. Some players bow and duel respectfully, while others backstab or use all items at their disposal. Both approaches fit the Darkwraith theme, but expect all sorts of reactions—trash talk, silly gestures, or even friendly cooperation with other invaders.

Risks of Invading

Every invasion carries danger. Entering another’s world means you’re always at a numbers disadvantage. Coping with hosts and their summoned phantoms demands patience and cunning. Death sends you back to your world, but there’s no lasting penalty.

Roleplaying as a Darkwraith

Darkwraiths are the antagonists in Lordran’s online landscape. Some roleplay as silent assassins, while others embrace their villainy. The Dark Set and Red Eye Orb mark you as a real threat, and the Dark Hand lets you steal Humanity in a way no other covenant can. Expect to be recognized, and sometimes hunted, by prepared hosts.

Downsides and Drawbacks

Locked Out by Lordvessel Placement: Accidentally give the Lordvessel to Frampt and you’ll lose your shot at joining.
Hostility: Some players specifically gear up to counter invaders, resulting in tough fights.
Limited PvE Perks: Darkwraith is purely PvP focused—if co-op or story rewards are your goal, look elsewhere.

Should You Join the Darkwraiths?

Choose the Darkwraiths if you want fast-paced PvP, enjoy the challenge of invading enemy territory, or like the idea of being “the bad guy.” With unique gear and a direct path to Lordran’s best duels, this covenant is tailor-made for those who crave competition and don’t mind earning a bit of infamy. Whether you’re after Humanity or thrilling online battles, the Darkwraith path offers a darker, but equally rewarding, way to experience Dark Souls.

Forest Hunter Covenant Guide

The Forest Hunter covenant is one of the more unconventional choices in Dark Souls, rooted firmly in PvP mayhem and Lordran's mystery. Led by the enigmatic cat Alvina, this group calls the tangled woods of Darkroot Garden home and thrives on defense, trickery, and unpredictability. Here’s everything you need to know to become a dedicated guardian of the forest—whether you want the rewards, the camaraderie, or just the infinite ambushes.

How to Join the Forest Hunter Covenant

Locating Alvina

Head to Darkroot Garden. You’ll need the Crest of Artorias (purchased for 20,000 souls from the blacksmith Andre of Astora) to open the sealed door, which leads to the covenant’s territory. Past the door, walk a bit up the path and keep right—watch for the talking cat perched in a stone alcove. This is Alvina of the Darkroot Wood.

The Invitation

Speak to Alvina and agree to her terms. She’ll immediately welcome you into the Forest Hunters, giving you the Cat Covenant Ring. This ring is your key to Forest Hunter PvP and marks you as one of the area’s defenders.

Warning

Attacking members of the forest’s NPC clan (Shiva of the East, Pharis, and their crew) or friendly blue phantoms will break your covenant and make rejoining trickier.

What Does the Forest Hunter Covenant Do?

Auto-Summoning: Defending the Forest

Wearing the Cat Covenant Ring will cause you to be summoned into other players' worlds whenever they trespass in the restricted area—mainly the forest between the Artorias door and the Sif boss gate. Summoning happens automatically; you don’t use invasion items or pick your targets.

This is different from other covenants since the focus is on defense. You’ll drop into another player’s game as a “Forest Spirit” with the goal of hunting them down and kicking them out—sometimes alongside other covenant members.

Rewards and Trading

Ring of Fog: For your first PvP kill as a Forest Hunter, Alvina rewards you with this ring, which shrouds you in mist and makes it harder for enemies to see you at range. It’s popular for stealthy builds.
Claw Weapon: Earned after three successful invasions.
Forgiveness: If you betray the covenant (by attacking Alvina or the NPCs), you’re out. You can beg for forgiveness at Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish bell tower.

Shiva of the East: Coveted Weapons Dealer

Joining the covenant unlocks Shiva of the East as a merchant just outside Alvina’s area. He sells some rare weapons—such as the Washing Pole katana and the nifty Claw. If you talk to him in the forest, then find him later in Blighttown (with his bodyguard), his inventory expands.

Forest Hunter PvP: What to Expect

The Hunter’s Playground

This covenant brings frenetic, often chaotic player-versus-player action to the forest. You and up to one or two other hunters might drop in on a trespasser—sometimes just as they’re struggling with NPC knights or even mid-fight with another invader. You’re not aligned with the red invaders; hunters and reds can attack each other, but the main quarry is the “trespasser” (the host).

Winning a Hunt

Defeat the invading player (the host), and you’ll be returned to your world with a PvP victory under your belt, potentially more souls, and progress toward various covenant rewards. You don’t have to collect items or farm enemies—just success in hunts is enough.

Teamwork (Or Not)

You’ll sometimes be summoned alongside other human hunters, but friendly fire is always on—either accidentally or purposefully, hunters will hit each other. Chaos is common, and anything goes. Some hunters like to cooperate, others relish betraying teammates for fun or loot.

Prime Ambush Spots

Knowledge of the forest is your main advantage. The area near the bridge, the winding paths hidden by foliage, and the elevator by the butterfly garden all serve as ambush locations. Watch for hosts trying to run through or sneak by. Knowing every root and boulder is a huge edge.

Tips for New Forest Hunters

Gear Up for Anything

Weapons: Choose something with fast attacks—curved swords, spears, and katanas all work well. Ambushes favor speed over brute force.
Armor: Lightweight rolls can help you dodge in the uneven terrain. Some hunters wear the Ring of Fog for stealth.
Consumables: Stock up on moss, resins, and repair powder. PvP in the forest is brutal, and you might be summoned over and over.

Playing Smart

Hide, attack from unexpected angles, or pick off distracted hosts.
Use the environment to break up ganks; running up the stairs, hiding behind trees, and luring enemies into enemy NPCs can be life-saving.
Don’t stress about dying—resummons are frequent, and sometimes just causing chaos is enough.

Etiquette and Expectations

Forest Hunter culture is unpredictable. Some prefer “honor duels,” but most lean into surprise attacks, backstabs, and environmental kills. Expect little mercy and lots of laughter. If you want structured duels, this isn't your scene.

Drawbacks and Risks

Covenant Breaking: Killing your teammates or the NPCs can boot you from the covenant. Fixing this costs souls and time.
Hostile Meta: Lots of seasoned PvP players farm here for kills; expect tough matchups, gank squads, and everything in between.
PvP Focus: There’s no cooperative play here; if you dislike invading or “unfair” fights, consider another covenant.

Should You Join the Forest Hunters?

Forest Hunters thrive on chaos and quick thinking. Join if you love PvP, surprises, and a non-stop parade of unpredictable situations. The rewards are unique, the fights never boring, and you might make a few friends (or rivals) along the way. Just remember: the woods take no sides, and every hunter is prey.

Blade of the Darkmoon Guide

The Blade of the Darkmoon covenant offers a unique experience for those looking to bring justice to the guilty in Lordran. This group focuses on punishing players who have wronged others through PvP aggression, all while earning special rewards for their dedication.

How to Join the Blade of the Darkmoon

To become a Blade of the Darkmoon, you’ll need to first pick up the Darkmoon Seance Ring from the Catacombs. The ring sits on a corpse in a hidden room near the second bonfire (after the first major switch). Once you have the ring, head to Anor Londo’s main cathedral. At the giant statue in the room with the spiral staircase, equip the ring—this reveals a hidden path and elevator that leads to Dark Sun Gwyndolin’s chamber.

Kneel at the fog door and speak with Gwyndolin. He offers you a spot in the covenant immediately. You’ll receive the Blue Eye Orb (for invading) and the Blue Sentinels Badge.

Covenant Mechanics

The Role of the Darkmoon Blade

As a Blade of the Darkmoon, your task is to invade the worlds of “guilty” players (usually those marked through PvP misdeeds) and deliver swift retribution. You’ll use the Blue Eye Orb to start invasions or wear the Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring to auto-summon yourself when a sinner is present in Anor Londo.

Guilty players are tracked by the game’s Sin system—people who have invaded, killed NPCs, or broken other covenants. The more guilty a player, the higher chance they have to get invaded by a Darkmoon.

Summoning and Hunting

Auto-summon: If you wear the Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring, you may be summoned straight into a sinner’s world while waiting in Anor Londo (sometimes other areas, but this is the main hotspot).
Manual invasion: The Blue Eye Orb lets you search for guilty players to invade. Just use it from your inventory in Anor Londo or select other areas that allow PvP.
PvP Focus: Your main goal is to defeat the host (the sinner), not red or blue phantoms. Beating the host awards you with a Souvenir of Reprisal.

Ranking Up in the Covenant

Progress through the Blade of the Darkmoon ranks is based on collecting Souvenirs of Reprisal:

Rank 1: Join the covenant.
Rank 2: Hand over 10 Souvenirs (reward: Blue Tearstone Ring).
Rank 3: Hand over 30 Souvenirs (reward: Darkmoon Blade Miracle and advanced magic buffs).

Souvenirs drop from guilty players and from Crow Demons in the Painted World of Ariamis, but PvP is the main source.

Blade of the Darkmoon Rewards

Participating actively leads to a few notable rewards:

Darkmoon Blade Miracle: A powerful weapon buff that rivals the famed Sunlight Blade, but scales with your covenant rank.
Darkmoon Talisman: For Faith builds, it provides a solid Magic Adjustment stat and is only available here.
Blue Eye Orb / Darkmoon Blade Covenant Ring: Tools to fulfill your covenant duties and invade sinners wherever they hide.

PvP and Playstyle Tips

Preparing for Darkmoon Invasions

Equipment: Opt for gear that gives you solid mobility and adaptability, since you’re invading alone. Fast weapons, reliable shields, and healing reduction items (like Lloyd’s Talismans) can swing fights.
Buffs: Stack your miracles or weapon buffs before you invade. The fight’s on the sinner's turf.
Spells: Darkmoon is friendly to Faith builds. Miracles like Wrath of the Gods or healing spells can give you an advantage.

Strategy

Study Anor Londo’s layout—it’s the most common battleground. Watch out for enemy NPCs and environmental hazards.
Since you spawn far from the host, learn the shortcuts or expect to chase your quarry across rooftops and trap-filled hallways.
Expect tough showdowns. “Guilty” players are often prepared for a fight, and you may face gank squads.

How Sin Works

Sin accumulates from certain actions: killing NPCs, invading other players, or betraying covenants. Book of the Guilty (purchased from Oswald of Carim) lists sinners you can hunt. Players can absolve their sins for a fee, but if they don’t, they’re valid targets for the Blades.

Leaving or Betraying the Covenant

Breaking the covenant—by attacking Gwyndolin or simply switching to another group—means losing progress and rewards. If you want to atone, visit Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish bell tower to absolve your sins, but you’ll have to start from the bottom again.

Should You Join the Blade of the Darkmoon?

Join if:

You want to play “the good guy” in PvP, hunting down griefers.
You’re into blue-themed miracles and exclusive spells.
You’re comfortable with challenging duels and sometimes no easy targets.

This covenant isn’t for players looking for quick PvP—finding guilty hosts takes time, and many sinners play offline to avoid invasion. Still, the thrill of catching someone in the act and delivering justice is deeply rewarding for the patient.

The Blades of the Darkmoon add a satisfying twist to Dark Souls PvP. If you’re into honorable revenge and exclusive rewards, there’s nothing quite like answering Gwyndolin’s call to punish the wicked.