Choosing a Covenant in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands may be a player’s most important decision. Each Covenant has exclusive rewards and benefits.
Covenants are a large part of the story of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. Covenants are powerful groups who rule each of the four different regions of the Shadowlands. While in the lore of World of Warcraft, souls are assigned to a Covenant upon death, the player character has an opportunity to join any one of the Covenants that best aligns with their personality and values. Players will need to have reached the max level cap, which now sits at Level 60 since the pre-patch level squish, before they will be able to join a Covenant. Covenants provide players new quests and adventures, new cosmetics and rewards, signature abilities exclusive to the Covenant, and unique characters with whom to Soulbind.
Choosing a Covenant will be largely a matter of preference for players, and different alts may align with different Covenants. Theoretically, this means players can try out all four Covenants. There is also an option for players to change Covenants if their initial choice isn’t suiting them. Some players may wish to make their Covenant decision based on character class. Others may be interested in one Covenant over the other regardless of class. For players struggling to figure out what each Covenant does in the afterlife of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands and which they should choose, this guide will explain each one.
The Four Covenants In World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands
The four Covenants who rule the different zones of the Shadowlands are the Kyrians, Necrolords, Night Fae, and Venthyr. Each group comes with their own perks and campaigns for players to experience.
To choose a Covenant, players will need to follow the Choosing Your Purpose quest in Oribos. They will need to speak with the four NPC leaders of the Covenants, all concentrated around the coordinates 36, 69. Once players have spoken to each of the leaders and made a decision, they will need to go to the Shadowlands Covenant Map near Tal-Inara to officially select their Covenant. Then, before traveling to their new home realm and starting the process of opening their Covenant’s Sanctum, they should speak to the leader of their chosen Covenant again to pick up a starting quest.
Every Covenant member, regardless of class, will receive a Signature ability. Characters will also receive a class combat ability based on their class.
Ultimately, players should not always go with class aesthetics when choosing a Covenant. Instead, it can be beneficial to choose a Covenant that will provide useful bonuses and class combat abilities for the character. For example, while it might seem like Paladins would make good Kyrians based on general characteristics, Protection and Retribution Paladins may be better suited for the Night Fae or Venthyr based on bonuses and combat abilities. And, while Rogues with their checkered pasts might seem best suited for the Venthyr, they are stronger as Night Fae or Kyrians. Players will need to choose what makes the most sense for their character rather than relying on archetypes.
Kyrians
The Kyrians occupy the city of Bastion and are considered Soul Guides. Like angels, they shuttle souls between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
Key characteristics of the Kyrians include:
- Ordered and purposeful
- Dedicated to the service of others
- Humble, righteous, and virtuous
The Kyrian Signature ability is Summon Steward. They will receive a Phial of Serenity that will restore 20% of health and remove all Curse, Disease, Poison, and Bleed Effects. The Steward will also provide a few other useful goodies for four minutes once the ability is used.
Kyrian players will earn angelic-looking Kyrian Armor and Weapon Transmog, the exclusive Phalynx and Eternal Phalynx of Purity mounts, a mini-steward owl-like pet named Ruffle, special Soulbinds, and access to the Eternal Gateway transportation network, among other rewards. These can be accessed by climbing Renown ranks.
Necrolords
The Necrolords command Maldraxxus and are considered Military Guardians. They are militaristic and protect the Shadowlands from external threats.
Key characteristics of the Necrolords include:
– Ruthless and unyielding
– Value strength and power
– Belief in “survival of the fittest”
The Necrolord Signature ability is Fleshcraft. Necrolords can create a shield of flesh over four seconds that prevents damage equal to 20-50% of their maximum health, dependent upon whether or not they are near a corpse.
Necrolord players will earn Necrolord Armor and Weapon Transmog, the exclusive Plaguerot Tauralus and Armored Plaguerot Tauralus mounts and a squishy kitten pet named Jiggles, special Soulbinds, and access to the Bone Deathgates transportation network, among other rewards. Many of these can be accessed by climbing Renown ranks.
Night Fae
The Night Fae command Ardenweald and are considered Guardians of Nature and Shepherds of the Cycle of Life and Death. They are similar to the Kyrian and guide nature souls from life into death for rest and possible rebirth.
Key characteristics of the Night Fae include:
– Strong ties to nature, elements, and natural cycles
– Desire to defend nature
– Protective spirit
The Night Fae Signature ability is Soul Shape. Night Fae can use this ability to transform into a creature, a Vulpin by default, teleport 15 yards forward, and increase their movement speed by 50%. They can earn and collect different cosmetics to change what their Soulshape will be. Options include Moth, Unicorn, Lion, Tiger, Cobra, Raptor, Wolf, and Wyvern, among many others.
Night Fae players will earn nature-inspired Night Fae Armor and Weapon Transmog, the exclusive Shadeleaf Runestag and Enchanted Shadeleaf Runestag mounts and a pet root called Trootie, special Soulbinds, and access to the Fae Circles transportation network, among other rewards. Many of these can be accessed by climbing Renown ranks.
Venthyr
The Venthyr command Revendreth and are considered Punishers of the Unworthy. They seek out souls burdened with flaws and vices and purge them of these burdens. They prepare souls to either become a Punisher or move to a more suitable Covenant once they have been redeemed.
