Who is Halflight, Spear of the Church?

Halflight, Spear of the Church, is a mandatory boss encounter in the Ringed City DLC for Dark Souls 3. He is a unique and fascinating character, primarily because he is not a pre-defined NPC but instead a player character summoned to fulfill the role of guardian for Filianore, the Sleeping Princess. This makes each encounter with Halflight a potentially different and unpredictable experience, determined by the build, skills, and strategies of the invading player.

The Role and Significance of Halflight

Halflight’s existence is intrinsically tied to the Church of Filianore and its purpose within the Ringed City. The Church, seemingly dedicated to maintaining the illusion of peace surrounding the sleeping Filianore, requires a powerful protector. This role falls upon the Spear of the Church, an individual chosen to defend the Princess and her slumber from any who might disrupt it. In the absence of a suitable NPC guardian, the game ingeniously pulls in a live player, creating a truly unique and dynamic boss fight that challenges the traditional expectations of Soulsborne combat.

The significance of Halflight lies not just in the challenge he presents but also in the lore he subtly reveals. His very existence hints at the desperation of the Church and the decaying nature of the Ringed City. The reliance on a player character for such a crucial role implies that the traditional mechanisms for maintaining order have failed, and the Church is forced to rely on unpredictable external forces.

Understanding the Halflight Encounter

The fight against Halflight is divided into two phases, with increasing difficulty as the encounter progresses.

Phase One: Halflight Alone

Initially, you’ll face the summoned player as Halflight, armed with his chosen weapon, armor, and spells. The player’s build can vary greatly, leading to a diverse range of combat styles. You might encounter a heavy-armor wielding strength build focused on powerful melee attacks, a nimble dexterity build emphasizing quick strikes and dodges, or a sorcerer relying on ranged magic. The key to success in this phase is adaptability and observation. Pay close attention to the player’s moveset, identify their weaknesses, and exploit them.

Phase Two: The Painting Guardians

Once Halflight’s health is reduced to a certain threshold, the encounter becomes more complex. Painting Guardians will be summoned to aid Halflight. These guardians, armed with their own weapons and abilities, add another layer of challenge. They can be surprisingly aggressive and can easily overwhelm the player if they are not careful. Prioritizing the elimination of the Painting Guardians can significantly ease the pressure and allow you to focus on Halflight. However, if Halflight is a competent player, they will likely be actively protecting their summoned allies.

Strategies for Defeating Halflight

Defeating Halflight requires a combination of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck, especially given the unpredictable nature of fighting another player.

• Adaptability is Key: Be prepared to adjust your tactics based on the player’s build and playstyle.
• Observe and Exploit: Watch for patterns in their attacks and capitalize on openings.
• Manage the Painting Guardians: Decide whether to focus on eliminating them or to ignore them and concentrate on Halflight.
• Use the Environment: Utilize the pillars and other features of the arena to your advantage.
• Patience and Persistence: Don’t get discouraged if you fail on your first attempt. Learn from your mistakes and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Halflight

1. Is Halflight always a player character?

Yes, Halflight is always a player character summoned into the boss fight. This is what makes the encounter unique and unpredictable.

2. Can I summon help to fight Halflight?

Yes, you can summon other players to assist you in the Halflight boss fight. This can significantly increase your chances of success.

3. What happens if I am summoned as Halflight?

If you are summoned as Halflight, you will be transported to the boss arena and tasked with defending Filianore. You will be fighting against another player who is trying to defeat you and progress through the game.

4. What rewards do I get for defeating Halflight?

Defeating Halflight rewards you with the Filianore’s Spear Ornament and unlocks access to the next area of the Ringed City.

5. What happens if I die as Halflight?

If you die as Halflight, you will return to your own world as if you had died normally. You will lose any souls you were carrying and will have to retrieve them from your bloodstain.

6. Can I choose my build when summoned as Halflight?

Yes, you will be summoned with your current equipped gear and stats. This allows you to use your preferred build and playstyle when defending Filianore.

7. How does the game choose which player to summon as Halflight?

The game prioritizes players who are within a certain level range and who have the Spear of the Church covenant equipped. However, other factors may also influence the selection process.

8. Is there an AI version of Halflight if no players are available?

No, if the game cannot find a suitable player to summon as Halflight, the encounter will not begin. You will have to wait until a player becomes available. This makes it one of the few truly online-dependent boss fights in the Souls series.

9. What is the Spear of the Church covenant?

The Spear of the Church covenant is a covenant that allows players to be summoned as Halflight to defend Filianore. Joining the covenant increases your chances of being summoned.

10. How do I join the Spear of the Church covenant?

The Spear of the Church covenant is automatically joined after defeating the boss Midir, the Darkeater, which is also located in the Ringed City DLC.

11. Can I use Estus Flasks in the Halflight boss fight?

Yes, both you and the player summoned as Halflight can use Estus Flasks to heal during the fight.

12. Are there any specific items that are particularly effective against Halflight?

There is no single item that is guaranteed to be effective against Halflight, as the player’s build can vary greatly. However, weapons and spells with high damage output, such as Lightning Spear or Greatsword are generally useful.

13. Can Halflight use the environment to their advantage?

Yes, a skilled player summoned as Halflight will use the environment to their advantage, utilizing the pillars and other features to create distance, block attacks, or set up ambushes.

14. Is it possible to cheese the Halflight boss fight?

While some strategies can make the fight easier, there is no foolproof method to completely cheese the Halflight boss fight due to the unpredictable nature of fighting a human player. However, some players have reported success using highly specialized builds or exploiting specific glitches.

15. What level should I be to fight Halflight?

It’s generally recommended to be around level 80-100 when attempting the Ringed City DLC, including the Halflight boss fight. This will give you a reasonable chance of success. However, skill and strategy are ultimately more important than level.

Conclusion

Halflight, Spear of the Church, is a truly unique and memorable boss encounter in Dark Souls 3. His existence challenges the traditional conventions of Soulsborne boss fights and adds a layer of unpredictable excitement to the Ringed City DLC. By understanding his role, his significance, and the strategies for defeating him, you can overcome this challenge and progress deeper into the mysteries of the Ringed City. Whether you’re the Ashen One or the summoned guardian, the Halflight encounter is a testament to the creative and innovative spirit of the Dark Souls series.