Sacred Covenant – How to Win the RPS Minigame & Vampire Guide

Sacred Covenant marks a dramatic shift in The Blood of Dawnwalker. This quest introduces the game’s signature mechanic — vampire transformation — and transitions gameplay from day to night. It also features a surprising minigame that many players find challenging: Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) against a vampire opponent.

This guide focuses on winning the RPS minigame and mastering the new night-time mechanics.

Quest Overview

Quest Name: Sacred Covenant
Type: Main Quest (Prologue)
Location: Laslea Glen (Night)
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Key Mechanics: Vampire transformation, RPS minigame
Prerequisites: Complete Withering Away

The Vampire Transformation

What Changes at Night

When night falls in Laslea Glen, Coen undergoes his first transformation:

New Abilities:

• Vampiric Vision: See clearly in darkness, highlight blood sources
• Enhanced Senses: Detect heartbeats through walls, smell blood trails
• Night Powers: Access abilities unavailable during day

Gameplay Changes:

• Merchants closed, some NPCs unavailable
• Different enemies spawn at night
• Stealth becomes more viable
• Certain areas only accessible in darkness

Mastering Vampiric Senses

The game teaches you to use these new tools through the blood trail section. Key techniques:

Tracking Blood:

1. Activate vampiric vision (default: V key or controller button)
2. Look for red highlighted trails
3. Follow scent intensity — stronger smell means closer target

Detecting Enemies:

• Heartbeat sounds indicate nearby NPCs
• Through-wall vision shows enemy positions
• Use this to avoid or ambush threats

The RPS Minigame: How to Win

Where It Happens

During Sacred Covenant, you encounter a vampire who challenges you to Rock Paper Scissors. This isn’t just flavor — winning affects the quest outcome and rewards.

Understanding the Mechanics

The RPS minigame in The Blood of Dawnwalker isn’t pure random chance. The opponent has patterns you can learn and exploit.

Basic Rules:

• Rock beats Scissors
• Scissors beats Paper
• Paper beats Rock
• First to win 2 rounds wins the match

Winning Strategies

Strategy 1: Pattern Recognition (Most Reliable)

The vampire opponent follows predictable patterns:

• After losing, they often switch to the choice that would have beaten their previous pick
• After winning, they frequently repeat their winning choice
• After a tie, they tend to choose the option that beats their previous tie choice

Example Pattern:

• Round 1: They play Rock → You play Paper (Win)
• Round 2: They likely play Scissors (would’ve beaten your Paper) → You play Rock (Win)
• Round 3: They likely play Paper (would’ve beaten your Rock) → You play Scissors (Win)

Strategy 2: Psychological Play

The opponent reacts to your behavior:

• If you play the same choice twice, they often counter it the third time
• Randomizing your choices can confuse the AI
• Delaying your selection sometimes causes them to “telegraph” their choice through animations

Strategy 3: Observation

Watch for subtle tells:

• Hand positioning before reveal
• Audio cues (soft sounds indicate certain choices)
• Eye movement patterns

What Happens If You Lose

Losing the RPS minigame isn’t game-over, but it affects:

• Rewards: Reduced XP and items
• Story variations: Different dialogue and reactions
• Achievement: “Rock, Paper, Winner” requires victory

Tip: If you’re struggling, save before the minigame and reload until you win. The achievement and better rewards are worth it.

Walkthrough: Key Sections

Section 1: Night Falls

The transformation sequence is story-driven. Pay attention to the visual and audio changes — they teach you what to look for when navigating at night.

Section 2: Blood Trail Tracking

Use your vampiric senses to follow the blood trail:

1. Activate vampiric vision
2. Look for the red trail leading through Laslea Glen
3. The trail ends at a hidden location where you encounter the vampire

Don’t rush — this section teaches essential tracking skills used throughout the game.

Section 3: The Encounter

Meeting the vampire triggers story dialogue explaining:

• The nature of the sacred covenant
• Why Coen became a Dawnwalker
• The 30-day limit to save his family

Listen carefully. This information is crucial for understanding the main quest structure.

Section 4: RPS Challenge

When challenged to RPS:

1. Save your game (if possible)
2. Observe patterns in the first round
3. Apply strategies from this guide
4. Win 2 rounds to claim victory

Section 5: Dawn Approaches

The quest concludes as morning nears. Coen returns to human form, and you regain control during daylight.

Rewards for Winning RPS

Victory in the minigame provides:

• Rock, Paper, Winner achievement
• Increased XP (approximately 50 additional points)
• Better items from the vampire
• Respect dialogue that affects future interactions

Night Gameplay Tips for Sacred Covenant

Combat at Night

Vampire abilities change combat:

• Enhanced speed: Move faster, dodge more effectively
• Blood vision: See enemy weaknesses highlighted
• Fear aura: Some weaker enemies flee from you

Stealth Opportunities

Night opens stealth options:

• Use shadows to remain unseen
• Disable enemies silently with vampiric strength
• Access locked areas through small openings

Resource Management

Remember:

• Merchants are closed at night
• Plan purchases before day ends
• Some quests only trigger during specific times

Common Mistakes in Sacred Covenant

Ignoring Tutorial Prompts

The vampire senses introduction seems optional, but these mechanics are essential for later quests. Skipping practice here makes future night sections frustrating.

Rushing the RPS Minigame

Players who treat RPS as pure random chance often lose. Take time to observe patterns and apply strategy.

Not Exploring at Night

After completing the main objectives, Laslea Glen at night contains:

• Unique enemies with special drops
• Hidden lore items
• Secret areas only accessible with vampiric vision

Forgetting Day/Night Cycle

The game continues after this quest. Remember:

• Some quests require specific times
• NPC schedules change between day and night
• Plan your time segment usage carefully

Related Quests and Guides

• Withering Away — Previous quest (critical choice)
• Bad Blood — Next quest (first combat challenge)
• Court Activities Guide — Learn about vampire politics
• Beginner Guide — General gameplay tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RPS minigame rigged?

No, but the opponent has patterns. Learning these patterns makes winning consistent.

Can I skip the RPS minigame?

No, it’s mandatory for quest completion. However, you can lose and still progress — you just miss rewards.

Do vampire powers persist after this quest?

Yes, night-time vampire form is available throughout the game after this point.

What’s the best RPS strategy?

Observe the opponent’s first choice, then counter their likely follow-up based on win/loss patterns.

Does winning RPS affect the ending?

Not directly, but the achievement and items make future sections easier.

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This guide is based on the official IGN walkthrough and community playtesting. Last updated: September 2026