Of all the systems that define the Zombies experience in Call of Duty: Vanguard, the Covenant system is arguably the most impactful. Replacing the classic Perk Cola machines with a roguelike upgrade path, Covenants offer a dynamic and deeply customizable way to build your character for survival against the hordes of the Dark Aether. Choosing the right combination can mean the difference between a swift demise and becoming an unstoppable force of nature. This tier list breaks down the best Covenant Perks available, evaluating them based on their raw power, synergy with other systems, and overall impact on your high-round or objective-based runs.
Understanding the Covenant System
Before we dive into the rankings, it's crucial to understand how Covenants work. Unlike traditional perks, you don't purchase them from a machine. Instead, you earn them by completing objectives, opening Sacrificial Hearts, or purchasing them from the Altar of Covenants. You can equip up to five simultaneously, and their effects can range from simple stat boosts to completely altering how your weapons and abilities function. This creates a build-crafting meta-game that is central to Vanguard Zombies.
S-Tier: The Essential Game-Changers
These are the non-negotiable, supremely powerful Covenants that should form the core of almost any successful build. If you see these, you should strongly consider taking them immediately.
Aether Shroud (Temporal Guard): This is, without a doubt, the single most important Covenant in Vanguard Zombies. The base Aether Shroud ability provides a crucial few seconds of invincibility and panic relief. The Temporal Guard upgrade takes it to another level by freezing all zombies in place when you activate it. This isn’t just an "oh crap" button; it's a strategic tool for reviving teammates, completing objectives under pressure, escaping a corner, or simply setting up a devastating attack on a frozen horde. Its utility and power are unmatched.
Deadshot (Cranial Incisor): A classic perk that remains absolutely dominant. While the aim-assist is helpful for controllers, the real reason this is S-Tier is the guaranteed critical damage on the first shot when aiming down sights. This Covenant dramatically increases your damage output against all enemies, especially heavy bosses like the Sturmkrieger. It conserves ammo, speeds up kills, and is a massive DPS increase for any weapon, making it a must-have for any serious loadout.
Death Blow: This covenant turns you into a execution machine. After sprinting for a short time, your next melee attack becomes a lethal insta-kill on regular zombies, regardless of round. In the early and mid-rounds, this allows for incredibly efficient point farming and ammo conservation. Even in high rounds, it provides a reliable way to quickly clear a path or handle a zombie that gets too close without wasting precious bullets. Its synergy with melee-focused builds is obvious, but its value is universal.
A-Tier: Powerful and Synergistic
These Covenants are exceptionally strong and will greatly enhance your effectiveness. They often form fantastic combinations with S-Tier picks or specific playstyles.
Splatterfest: If you use shotguns or other high-damage, high-spread weapons, this Covenant is S-Tier for you. For everyone else, it's a fantastic A-Tier choice. It causes enemies to explode on death from critical kills, dealing significant damage to surrounding zombies. This creates a powerful chain reaction effect that can clear entire clusters of zombies, making it invaluable for managing crowds and speeding up rounds.
Bloodlust: Health regeneration is a constant concern in Zombies. Bloodlust not only speeds up this process but also rewards aggressive play. Killing zombies rapidly fills a meter that, upon completion, instantly fully regenerates your health. This creates a fantastic feedback loop: you stay in the fight to kill zombies, which in turn keeps you alive to kill more zombies. It’s the ultimate sustainability tool for players who are confident in their ability to maintain a high kill pace.
Frost Blast (Frozen Soul): While not as universally vital as Aether Shroud, an upgraded Frost Blast is a phenomenal crowd-control tool. The Frozen Soul upgrade leaves behind a damaging field of frost that slows and hurts zombies. This is perfect for controlling choke points, protecting an objective, or creating a safe zone for a revive. Its cooldown is reasonable, and its area denial utility is top-notch.
B-Tier: Solid and Situational
These are good perks that can be very effective but are either outclassed by higher-tier options or require a specific build to truly shine.
Energy Mine (Seismic Mine): A strong offensive ability that can get you out of tight spots. The Seismic Mine upgrade creates a larger explosion, improving its crowd control potential. It's reliable and deals good damage, but it often doesn't offer the same strategic utility as the top-tier support abilities.
Ring of Fire (Infernal Circle): A classic damage-boosting field. It's excellent for burning down bosses or holding a position against a train. However, its stationary nature is a drawback in Vanguard's more objective-based gameplay, where mobility is often key. It's great for specific strategies but less of an all-rounder.
Toughness: Flat damage reduction is always welcome. It’s a simple, no-frills perk that will definitely help you survive more hits. The reason it's not higher is that it's a passive defense in a meta where active, crowd-control defenses (like Aether Shroud) often prevent you from taking damage altogether.
C-Tier: Niche and Underwhelming
These Covenants have their uses but are generally too situational or weak to recommend over the options above.
Elemental Pop: In other Zombies modes, this was a fun perk. Here, its effects are too random and inconsistent to rely on. The elemental effects can be helpful, but you’re almost always better off taking a Covenant that provides a guaranteed, powerful benefit.
Quick Revive (Altruist): Faster revives and a speed boost after reviving a teammate is helpful, but it's a reactive perk. It only benefits you when a teammate is down, which is a scenario you should be trying to avoid through better builds and strategy. The base speed revive is often sufficient.
Juggernog (Unholy Armor): It is almost blasphemous to put Juggernog this low. The extra health is fundamental, but the issue is opportunity cost. Equipping this Covenant means you are not equipping something like Death Blow or Splatterfest that offers both offensive and defensive utility. The flat health boost is valuable but ultimately less impactful than the game-changing abilities in higher tiers.
Building Your Loadout
The ideal Covenant loadout typically follows a balanced formula:
- One "Oh Crap" Button: Aether Shroud (Temporal Guard) is the premier choice.
- One Major DPS Boost: Deadshot (Cranial Incisor) is unparalleled.
- One Sustainability Tool: Bloodlust for health or Death Blow for ammo/points.
- Two Flex Picks: This is where you tailor your build. Add crowd control like Splatterfest or Frost Blast, or double down on damage with Ring of Fire.
Experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun. Whether you want to be a critical-hit sniper, an explosive shotgunner, or an unkillable melee tank, the Covenant system provides the tools. Prioritize the S-Tier choices, and build out from there to create the ultimate Dark Aether survivor.
