World of Warcraft: Shadowlands - A Complete Guide to Covenant Choices
In "World of Warcraft: Shadowlands," choosing a Covenant is one of the most pivotal decisions that every player faces. This choice not only influences your gameplay by offering unique abilities, but it also affects your character's storyline, endgame content accessibility, and how you interact with the world. There are four distinct covenants to choose from—Kyrian, Necrolord, Night Fae, and Venthyr—each offers a unique set of rewards, abilities, and lore. This guide dives deep into each Covenant, helping you make an informed decision aligned with your playstyle, aesthetic preferences, and narrative interests.
Kyrian: The Ascended Protectors
The Kyrian Covenant, residing in Bastion, represents discipline, virtue, and service. Known for their angelic qualities, they are the guides of souls to the afterlife. Players who align with the Kyrian value honor and duty, and are rewarded with abilities that reflect their protective and healing nature.
Signature Ability
Every member of the Kyrian Covenant gains access to the Summon Steward ability. This summon calls your Steward to bring you a Phial of Serenity, healing a percentage of your health over time, and removing all curse, disease, poison, and bleed effects. It's a versatile tool both in and out of combat.
Class-Specific Abilities
Additionally, depending on your class, you will receive a unique ability. For example, Paladins receive Divine Toll, which instantly casts Holy Shock, Avenger's Shield, or Judgment on all targets within range, depending on your specialization. This makes the Kyrian an attractive option for players seeking utility and burst potential.
Soulbinds and Renown Rewards
Aligning with a Covenant also grants you access to their Soulbinds, individuals you bond with to unlock traits improving your abilities. Kyrian Soulbinds like Pelagos and Kleia offer enhancements that increase your survivability and damage output. As your Renown grows, additional rewards such as mounts, armor sets, and back attachments become available, reflecting your deepening bond with the Kyrian.
Necrolord: Masters of the Undying Army
In the realm of Maldraxxus, the Necrolord Covenant thrives. Esteemed as the defenders of the Shadowlands, they cultivate power and might, ensuring the cycle of death continues unimpeded. Players joining the Necrolords seek strength and resilience, obtaining abilities that enhance their combat prowess and fortitude.
Signature Ability
All Necrolord members receive the Fleshcraft ability, which creates a shield around you equal to a percentage of maximum health. This powerful defensive tool can make a significant difference in the heat of battle.
Class-Specific Abilities
For example, a Mage aligned with the Necrolords gains the Deathborne ability, Transforming into a powerful skeletal mage for a brief period, significantly increasing your spell damage and affecting your spells to cleave to nearby targets. Necrolords offer abilities that cater to those who prefer a relentless, aggressive approach.
Soulbinds and Renown Rewards
Soulbinds within the Necrolord Covenant, such as Emeni and Bonesmith Heirmir, offer traits that bolster your offensive capabilities and durability. Rewards for increasing your Renown include unique mounts, cosmetic sets, and powerful, visually striking weapon illusions that embody the might of Maldraxxus.
Night Fae: Guardians of the Natural Cycle
Residing in the ethereal forests of Ardenweald, the Night Fae Covenant safeguards the cycle of rebirth and the spirits of nature. Those who choose the Night Fae are enchanted by the mysteries of nature, gaining abilities that emphasize mobility, healing, and the transformative powers of the natural world.
Signature Ability
The Night Fae's signature ability, Soulshape, turns you into a Vulpin, increasing your movement speed and enabling you to blink forward. This ability is ideal for navigating the battlefield, escaping danger, or closing in on an enemy.
Class-Specific Abilities
Druids, for example, receive the Convoke the Spirits ability, channeling a rapid flurry of 16 druid spells and abilities over 4 seconds, targeting friendly or enemy targets as needed. This surge of power can turn the tide of any battle, highlighting the Night Fae's connection to the natural world.
Soulbinds and Renown Rewards
Night Fae Soulbinds, such as Niya and Dreamweaver, provide enhancements that increase the efficacy of your abilities, further connecting you to the ebb and flow of life and death. Renown rewards within the Night Fae Covenant include unique Faerie mounts; transmogrification sets that embrace the essence of Ardenweald, and enchanting back attachments symbolizing your bond with nature.
Venthyr: The Elegance of Revendreth
The Venthyr Covenant, ruling over the gothic realm of Revendreth, stands as the purifier of souls burdened by pride and sin. Alignment with the Venthyr is sought by players who revel in mystery, manipulation, and the redemption of the wicked, receiving abilities that sap the vitality of their foes while empowering themselves.
Signature Ability
Venthyr members are granted the Door of Shadows ability, weaving through the shadows to appear at a target location. This maneuverability tool is invaluable for positioning, whether to initiate an attack or retreat from threats.
Class-Specific Abilities
Rogues allied with the Venthyr gain Slaughter, which teleports you behind your target, inflicting significant damage over time. The damage is increased if you strike from stealth, showcasing the Venthyr's affinity for sudden, decisive strikes against their adversaries.
Soulbinds and Renown Rewards
Engaging with Venthyr Soulbinds like Nadjia the Mistblade and Theotar the Mad Duke unlocks traits that amplify your damage and provide unique combat advantages, mirroring the cunning and resilience of Revendreth's rulers. Renown rewards include sinister-looking mounts, Venthyr-inspired armor sets, and captivating back pieces, each designed to proclaim your allegiance to the Venthyr Covenant.
Conclusion
Choosing a Covenant in "World of Warcraft: Shadowlands" is a decision that reverberates throughout your gameplay experience. Each Covenant offers a unique blend of narrative exploration, distinctive abilities, and aesthetic rewards that cater to different playstyles and preferences. Whether you value the honor of the Kyrian, the might of the Necrolord, the harmony of the Night Fae, or the refinement of the Venthyr, your choice will define your path in the Shadowlands. Consider your character's role, desired gameplay experience, and personal aesthetic as you pledge your allegiance to a Covenant, embarking on a journey that will shape the destiny of the Shadowlands.
