Covenants in the Dark Souls series are a multiplayer mechanic through which players can get unique items otherwise unavailable in the game. In Dark Souls 2, players have the option to choose from 9 different covenants, each suited for different play styles and builds. Each covenant has 3 ranks in which players need to level up by performing certain tasks and turning in the required items.

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Players will then be given rewards corresponding to their rank within the covenant. Some covenants are easy to level up in while some require some clever thinking and hard work.

9 Rat King Covenant

Image showing player standing next to the Rat King

The Rat King Covenant is a PvP-focused covenant better suited for players who prefer to use clever tricks to defeat their opponents. Players need to summon other players to their world and defeat them to advance in rank with the covenant. After each victory, players will be given a Rat Tail and need to get 35 Rat Tails to reach rank 3. However, summoned players can use Estus to heal and use crystals to return back to their world. Players can use the various traps in the area but they require planning and timing to pull off and summoned players can easily dodge them. While the requirement looks easy on paper, in implementation players will need to put in some work to advance in this covenant.

8 Company Of Champions

The Company Of Champions is a PvE-based covenant available to the players early on in the game. Despite its early availability, the covenant is geared toward experienced players. Being a member of the covenant substantially boosts the game's difficulty making enemies harder to kill. Players can rank by defeating invading red phantoms, both players and NPCs. Players will be given an Awestone for each successful invasion repelled and need 50 Awestones to progress to Rank 3. While being part of the covenant, players cannot be summoned or summon other players to help. Defeating invading players is not necessary as defeating invading red phantom NPCs will also yield Awestones. However, players will have a challenge on their hands because of the boost to enemy health and damage.

7 Pilgrims Of The Dark

Player About to Join Pilgrims of the Dark

The Pilgrims Of The Dark is a PvE-focused covenant that has straight-forward but difficult leveling criteria. Instead of defeating invaders or invading themselves, players will need to clear 3 dungeons to proceed. To reach rank 3, players need to clear all 3 Abyssal Dungeons and defeat the boss Darklurker. The boss is known as one of the most difficult in the game and will test players' patience thoroughly. They will face some of the most difficult enemies the game has to offer and will need to prepare accordingly.

6 Brotherhood Of Blood

Close up Shot of Brotherhood of Blood Leader

The Brotherhood of Blood covenant is a dueling-centric covenant where players achieve ranks by winning duels. The covenant is better suited for high leveled players and requires hard work to advance. Players will need to fight in three arenas accessed by activating the three statues near Titchy Gren, the covenant leader. Players get rank points for each victory in the arena and need to accumulate 500 points to reach Rank 3.

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If the players lose an arena battle, they will lose rank points. The high leveling requirement and the penalty for losing an arena match make reaching Rank 3 in this covenant.

5 The Dragon Remnants

Player in conversation with Dragon Remnants Covenant Leader

The Dragon Remnants is a PvP-focused covenant that is difficult to join, but easier to level up in. Players will need to turn in 30 Dragon Scales to reach Rank 3. They can acquire Dragon Scales by successfully completing invasions or be summoned themselves. Alternatively, they can farm Dragon Scales by defeating the Dragon Knights in the Dragon Shrine. Players have a few options through which they can advance ranks in the covenant as well. Either they can complete invasions and summonings or defeat enemies to gather the required items.

4 The Blue Sentinels

Blue Sentinels Leader inducting the player into the covenant

The Blue Sentinels is a PvP-focused covenant that is based around the theme of protecting the weak. The covenant has a high leveling requirement but gives players multiple ways with which they can level up. To reach Rank 3, players need to achieve 500 victories. They can do so by either defeating dark phantoms when they're summoned by Way Of Blue hosts or winning duels in the Cathedral of Blue. Alternatively, invading using the Cracked Blue Eye Orb and defeating a sinner also contributes to a victory. With multiple ways to achieve victories, the Blue Sentinels are an easier covenant to rank up in.

3 The Bell Keepers

The leader of the Bell Keepers talks to the player

The Bell Keepers is a PvP and invasion-themed covenant that has players defeating invaders from completing certain tasks. Players will need to defeat all invaders that set foot in the bell tower, even members of the covenant. To reach Rank 3, players will need to defeat 100 invaders. They will receive a titanite chunk for every invasion repelled.

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Members from the covenant and NPC invaders will come to aid as they fight invading players. Once the requirements are met, players advance in the covenant. Other than the difficulty of facing the invaders, the Bell Keepers are a relatively easy covenant to advance in.

2 Heirs Of The Sun

Menu for the Heirs to the Sun Covenant

The Heirs Of The Sun is a Co-Op-focused covenant with a very straightforward leveling system. Players are given Sunlight Medals in exchange for helping out other members in defeating bosses. Alternatively, players can also get the Sunlight Medals by defeating bosses themselves as hosts with a covenant member present. Players will need to turn in 30 Sunlight Medals to reach Rank 3. The requirements are easy to fulfill and players will level up to Rank 3 with little difficulty.

1 Way Of The Blue

Covenant Leader for Way of the Blue talking to Player

The Way Of The Blue is a Co-Op-centric covenant that revolves around helping others out. This is the easiest covenant that players will level up in, and they can join it very early on in the game. Ranking up in the covenant is done by defeating invading phantoms. Players will need to defeat just 10 invading phantoms to reach 3. Defeating invading players and NPCs both count towards the requirement for leveling up.

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