The Way of Blue is a covenant in the Dark Souls series designed to offer protection to players who are new to the game or struggling against invaders. When a Way of Blue member is invaded, they automatically summon friendly phantoms from the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon covenants to assist them. Understanding how to join and benefit from this covenant is crucial for a smoother and less frustrating experience, especially for those unfamiliar with the game’s unique online multiplayer mechanics. This guide provides a deep dive into the Way of Blue, explaining its purpose, how to join, and what to expect when seeking or providing assistance.
Understanding The Way Of Blue Covenant
The Way of Blue is fundamentally a defensive covenant. Its core function is to provide a safety net for players who are invaded by hostile phantoms. In the Dark Souls world, invasions are a frequent occurrence, especially when playing online as a human (or Embered in Dark Souls 3). While some players relish the challenge of player-versus-player (PvP) combat, others find it disruptive and overwhelming, particularly when they are trying to navigate difficult areas or boss fights. The Way of Blue caters to this latter group by automatically calling for help when they are in danger.
When a Way of Blue member is invaded, the game searches for online players who are members of the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon covenants. These covenants are dedicated to protecting Way of Blue members. Eligible players from these covenants are then automatically summoned to the Way of Blue member’s world as blue phantoms, with the goal of defeating the invading red phantom.
It is important to understand that the Way of Blue does not guarantee immediate or continuous assistance. The availability of Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon players depends on their online activity and their level range relative to the Way of Blue member. However, joining the covenant significantly increases the chances of receiving help during an invasion.
The covenant’s mechanics encourage a symbiotic relationship between different types of players. New or less experienced players can rely on the protection of more seasoned players, while those dedicated to protecting the innocent have a clear purpose and a way to engage in PvP combat with a sense of justice.
Joining The Way Of Blue
Joining the Way of Blue is generally one of the first things new players should consider in any Dark Souls game where it’s available. The process is straightforward and provides immediate benefits.
Finding The Covenant Leader
The location of the Way of Blue covenant leader varies depending on the Dark Souls game. In Dark Souls 1, you can find Crestfallen Warrior in the Firelink Shrine. In Dark Souls 2, you join the covenant by speaking to Blue Sentinel Targray in Heide’s Tower of Flame, after defeating the Dragonrider boss. In Dark Souls 3, you must speak with Emma, High Priestess in the High Wall of Lothric.
Requirements For Joining
In most cases, joining the Way of Blue is as simple as speaking to the covenant leader and accepting their offer. There are generally no specific stat requirements or pre-requisite quests that need to be completed. The covenant is designed to be accessible to all players, regardless of their level or experience.
The Covenant Item
Upon joining the Way of Blue, you will receive a covenant item. This item, usually a ring, must be equipped to activate the covenant’s effects. When the ring is equipped, you are considered an active member of the Way of Blue, and the game will automatically attempt to summon help from Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon players if you are invaded.
Benefits Of Being A Way Of Blue Member
The primary benefit of being a Way of Blue member is the increased chance of receiving assistance during invasions. This can be a lifesaver, especially when facing a skilled or aggressive invader.
Increased Survivability
Invasions can be incredibly disruptive, particularly when you are trying to progress through a challenging area or face a difficult boss. Having blue phantoms summoned to your aid can significantly increase your chances of survival. Even if the blue phantoms are not successful in defeating the invader, they can provide a distraction, allowing you to escape or regroup.
Learning From More Experienced Players
When a Blue Sentinel or Blade of the Darkmoon is summoned to your world, you have the opportunity to observe their combat tactics and strategies. This can be a valuable learning experience, especially for new players who are still developing their skills. You can watch how they approach different enemies, how they use their weapons and spells, and how they cooperate with other players.
Reduced Frustration
Invasions can be a major source of frustration for some players. The Way of Blue can help to alleviate this frustration by providing a sense of security and the knowledge that help is available if needed. This can make the game more enjoyable and less stressful, particularly for those who are not comfortable with PvP combat.
A Sense Of Community
The Way of Blue fosters a sense of community between players. It connects those who need help with those who are willing to provide it. This can lead to positive interactions and a feeling of belonging within the Dark Souls community. Knowing that there are other players out there who are willing to assist you can make the game feel less isolating and more collaborative.
The Role Of Blue Sentinels And Blades Of The Darkmoon
The Blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon are the protectors of the Way of Blue. These covenants are dedicated to assisting Way of Blue members who are invaded.
Automatic Summons
When a Way of Blue member is invaded, the game automatically searches for eligible Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon players to summon. This process is seamless and requires no action on the part of the Way of Blue member. The game will prioritize summoning players who are within a similar level range and who are currently online and available.
Rewards For Assisting
Blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon players receive rewards for successfully assisting Way of Blue members. These rewards typically include covenant-specific items, such as Proofs of a Concord Kept (in Dark Souls 3), which can be used to rank up within their respective covenants. These rewards incentivize players to actively participate in protecting Way of Blue members.
The Significance Of Vengeance
The Blades of the Darkmoon, in particular, have a strong emphasis on vengeance. They seek to punish those who have wronged the Way of Blue. This adds a layer of moral justification to their actions and reinforces the idea that they are protectors of the innocent.
Tips For Maximizing The Way Of Blue’s Effectiveness
While the Way of Blue is a valuable covenant, there are some things you can do to maximize its effectiveness.
Play Online
The Way of Blue relies on the presence of other online players to function. If you are playing offline, you will not be able to summon help from Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon players. Therefore, it is essential to play online to take full advantage of the covenant’s benefits.
Maintain A Reasonable Level Range
The game prioritizes summoning players who are within a similar level range. If you are significantly over-leveled or under-leveled, you may have difficulty finding Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon players to assist you. Try to maintain a reasonable level range for the area you are in to increase your chances of being summoned.
Be Patient
Even if you are playing online and within a reasonable level range, it may still take some time for a Blue Sentinel or Blade of the Darkmoon to be summoned. This is because the availability of these players depends on their online activity and their willingness to respond to summons. Be patient and continue playing, and eventually, help will arrive.
Consider Other Covenants
While the Way of Blue is a great covenant for new players, it is not the only option available. As you become more experienced, you may want to consider joining other covenants that offer different benefits. For example, the Warriors of Sunlight covenant focuses on cooperative play, while the Mound-Makers covenant offers a more unpredictable and chaotic experience.
Why The Way Of Blue Matters
The Way of Blue plays a vital role in the overall Dark Souls experience. It helps to balance the game’s challenging PvP mechanics, making it more accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of players.
Accessibility For New Players
The Way of Blue is particularly important for new players who may be overwhelmed by the game’s difficulty and the constant threat of invasions. It provides a sense of security and reassurance, allowing them to focus on learning the game’s mechanics and exploring the world.
Encouraging Cooperation
The Way of Blue encourages cooperation between players. It connects those who need help with those who are willing to provide it. This fosters a sense of community and makes the game feel more collaborative.
Maintaining Balance
The Way of Blue helps to maintain balance in the game’s PvP environment. It prevents invasions from becoming too oppressive and ensures that players have a reasonable chance of defending themselves.
Enhancing The Overall Experience
Ultimately, the Way of Blue enhances the overall Dark Souls experience. It makes the game more accessible, more cooperative, and more balanced. It is a valuable covenant that benefits both new and experienced players alike.
Conclusion: Embracing The Way Of Blue
The Way of Blue is more than just a covenant; it’s a lifeline for many players venturing into the often unforgiving world of Dark Souls. It offers a much-needed safety net, fostering a sense of community and ensuring that help is often just a summon away. By understanding how to join and utilize the Way of Blue, players can navigate the challenges of the game with greater confidence and enjoy a richer, more rewarding experience. Whether you’re a newcomer seeking protection or a seasoned veteran looking to defend the vulnerable, the Way of Blue offers a valuable role to play in the intricate tapestry of the Dark Souls universe. So, embrace the blue, and may your path be guided by the unwavering support of your fellow protectors.
What Exactly Is The Way Of Blue Covenant, And What Purpose Does It Serve In Dark Souls?
The Way of Blue is a covenant in the Dark Souls series designed to provide assistance to players who are frequently invaded by hostile players. By joining the covenant, you essentially signal to other players who are members of the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon covenants that you are in need of help. These helpful players are automatically summoned to your world to defend you against the invader, offering protection and potentially turning the tide of a difficult encounter.
The purpose of the Way of Blue is primarily to assist newer or less experienced players who might be struggling with constant invasions. It provides a safety net, allowing them to learn the game without being repeatedly harassed by more skilled or aggressive players. It also serves as a mechanism to encourage cooperative gameplay by connecting players who need help with those who are willing to provide it, fostering a sense of community and support within the game.
Where And How Do I Join The Way Of Blue Covenant In Dark Souls?
In Dark Souls, joining the Way of Blue covenant is a relatively straightforward process. You need to speak with a specific NPC, usually an early-game character, who will offer you the covenant. Typically, this NPC is a cleric or character associated with divine protection. Interacting with them and agreeing to their terms will initiate your membership in the Way of Blue.
The exact location and NPC vary depending on the specific Dark Souls game you are playing. In Dark Souls 1, you join by speaking with Petrus of Thorolund at the Firelink Shrine. In Dark Souls 2, you can join by speaking with Crestfallen Saulden in Majula. Look for similarly themed characters in the starting areas of the other Dark Souls games. Once you join, you will receive the Way of Blue covenant ring, which should be equipped to activate the covenant’s effects.
What Are The Benefits Of Being In The Way Of Blue Covenant? Are There Any Rewards?
The primary benefit of being in the Way of Blue is the assurance that you will receive assistance from other players when you are invaded. When you are invaded while wearing the Way of Blue covenant ring, members of the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon will automatically be summoned to your world as friendly phantoms to protect you. This greatly increases your chances of surviving the invasion.
While the Way of Blue doesn’t offer significant material rewards or ranking system compared to other covenants, the real reward is the protection and support provided by fellow players. It’s more of a passive covenant focused on receiving aid. In some games, protecting members of the Way of Blue as a Blue Sentinel or Blade of the Darkmoon will yield rewards for the protectors, further incentivizing their participation and support for the covenant’s members.
If I’m In The Way Of Blue, How Does Summoning A Blue Sentinel Actually Work? Is It Automatic?
The summoning of a Blue Sentinel when you’re in the Way of Blue is an automatic process triggered when you are invaded by another player. As long as you are wearing the Way of Blue covenant ring, the game’s matchmaking system will search for players who are members of the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon and who are available to assist. These players will then be automatically summoned to your world as friendly phantoms to fight alongside you against the invader.
It’s important to note that the success of summoning a Blue Sentinel depends on several factors, including the availability of eligible players, the level ranges of the players involved, and the network connectivity. There’s no guarantee that a Blue Sentinel will be summoned every time you’re invaded, but wearing the Way of Blue ring significantly increases the likelihood of receiving assistance.
What If I’m A Skilled Player? Is There Any Reason For Me To Join The Way Of Blue?
While the Way of Blue is primarily designed to assist newer or less experienced players, there can be situations where even skilled players might find it beneficial to join. For instance, if you are attempting a low-level run or a specific challenge run where invasions can be particularly disruptive, the Way of Blue can provide a safety net against unexpected or overwhelming invasions.
Even skilled players can sometimes be caught off guard by invasions, especially in areas known for frequent PvP activity. The Way of Blue can act as an extra layer of protection, ensuring that you have a higher chance of surviving an invasion and continuing your gameplay. Furthermore, even experienced players might enjoy the feeling of contributing to a community of support and protection for less experienced players by being a member who could potentially be summoned as a Blue Sentinel or Blade of the Darkmoon in another playthrough.
Can I Be A Member Of Multiple Covenants Simultaneously? What Happens If I Switch Covenants?
In the Dark Souls series, you can generally only be actively aligned with one covenant at a time. While you might be able to technically “join” multiple covenants, the benefits and effects of only one covenant will be active at any given moment. This is determined by the covenant item or ring that you have equipped, or by other specific conditions outlined by the game.
Switching covenants is usually a straightforward process, often involving equipping a new covenant item or speaking with the leader of the new covenant. When you switch covenants, you will typically lose any progress or rank you had achieved in the previous covenant. The effects of your current covenant will cease, and the effects of the new covenant will become active. Therefore, it’s important to consider the consequences before switching covenants, especially if you have invested time and effort into progressing within a specific covenant.
Are There Any Drawbacks Or Disadvantages To Being In The Way Of Blue Covenant?
The Way of Blue covenant is mostly beneficial, but there are a few potential minor drawbacks to consider. The primary “disadvantage” is that it relies on the availability of players in the Blue Sentinels or Blades of the Darkmoon covenants to be effective. If there are few players actively participating in those covenants, or if their level ranges don’t match yours, you might not always receive assistance when invaded.
Another potential drawback is that relying on the Way of Blue might hinder your own skill development in PvP combat. By constantly relying on others to protect you, you might miss opportunities to learn and improve your own fighting skills. However, this is more of a potential side effect rather than a significant disadvantage, and it ultimately depends on your personal goals and playstyle. The Way of Blue remains a valuable option for players who prioritize safety and support over direct confrontation.