The Spears of the Church is a unique covenant found in The Ringed City DLC, offering a distinct PvP experience. To join, you must first defeat the Ringed City's final boss, the Halflight, Spear of the Church. After his defeat, interact with the altar behind him to pledge your allegiance. As a Spear of the Church, you will be summoned into other players' worlds as an NPC boss to defend the Ringed City. Your objective is to prevent the invading player (the Ashen One) from reaching the altar. This covenant offers a thrilling, high-stakes PvP encounter where you embody the role of a powerful guardian.
Upon being summoned, you'll find yourself in the Ringed City arena, with the Ashen One invading your world. The arena is designed to give you a slight advantage, with pillars for cover and a generally more favorable layout. Your primary goal is to defeat the invading player. However, the fight is not always a one-on-one affair. The game may summon additional NPC phantoms to aid you, or the invading player might summon their own allies. Successfully defending the altar rewards you with a unique item, the Ringed Knight Spear, and progresses your standing within the covenant. The covenant also offers other rewards, such as the Spear of the Church Greatshield and the Ringed Knight Armor set, obtainable through continued service and the use of covenant items.
The Spears of the Church covenant is a testament to Dark Souls III's commitment to varied multiplayer interactions. It shifts the power dynamic, placing you in the role of the defender and offering a fresh challenge for both PvE and PvP enthusiasts. Mastering the arena, understanding your role as a guardian, and adapting to the unpredictable nature of invasions are key to success within this covenant.