How Much Health Do You Need for PvP in Elden Ring?

So, you’re diving into the thrilling, and often brutal, world of Elden Ring PvP? A wise choice, Tarnished! But before you go swinging your colossal sword, let’s talk about the stat that’ll keep you alive long enough to actually land a hit: Vigor, and by extension, HP (Health Points). The short answer to “How much health do you need for PvP in Elden Ring?” is this: aim for at least 50 Vigor, ideally 60, at the meta level (125-150). This translates to roughly 1900-2100 HP. However, like most things in the Lands Between, it’s not quite that simple. Let’s break down why, and explore the nuances that will help you optimize your build for glorious combat.

The Importance of Vigor in Elden Ring PvP

Vigor is the attribute in Elden Ring that directly governs your maximum HP. In PvP, this is your lifeline. Unlike PvE, where you can often cheese enemies or learn their patterns to avoid damage entirely, PvP is unpredictable. You’re facing another human being, capable of adapting, exploiting weaknesses, and unleashing devastating combos.

Why 50-60 Vigor?

• One-Shot Protection: Elden Ring PvP is notorious for its potential to deliver one-shot kills. Certain builds, particularly those focusing on high damage output with specific weapons or spells, can obliterate opponents in a single, well-placed attack. 50-60 Vigor, providing around 2000 HP, gives you a buffer against these devastating blows, increasing your survivability significantly.
• Room for Error: No one is perfect. You will get hit. A higher health pool provides more room for mistakes. Whether you mistime a dodge roll, get caught in a combo, or simply make a bad read, having more HP allows you to recover and continue the fight.
• Trading Potential: Sometimes, the best strategy is to trade hits. This means intentionally taking damage to land your own attack. Builds with strong poise and high damage often rely on trading to overwhelm their opponents. A larger health pool allows you to survive these trades and emerge victorious.

Beyond the Numbers: Context Matters

While 50-60 Vigor is a solid baseline, the “right” amount of health depends on several factors:

• Build Style: Are you a nimble dex build relying on dodging and quick attacks, or a heavily armored strength build designed to tank hits? Dex builds might be able to get away with slightly less Vigor (though it’s still not recommended to dip below 50) as their playstyle emphasizes avoidance. Strength builds, on the other hand, benefit greatly from the extra survivability.
• Armor: The armor you wear significantly impacts your damage negation. Heavier armor provides better physical defense, reducing the damage you take from each hit. If you’re running a high-defense build, you might be able to slightly reduce your Vigor investment.
• Talismans: Several talismans in Elden Ring can boost your HP or provide other defensive benefits. The Crimson Amber Medallion increases your maximum HP, while the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman boosts your physical damage negation. Experiment with different talismans to fine-tune your survivability.
• Level Range: The “meta” level range for Elden Ring PvP is generally considered to be between 125 and 150. At these levels, you have enough points to invest in Vigor, damage stats, and other essential attributes. If you’re playing at a higher level, you may have more flexibility in your build and can afford to invest even more in Vigor.

The Importance of Understanding Damage Types

Knowing the damage types you are likely to encounter in PvP is very helpful in determining the best stats for your health. If opponents prefer the raw damage types you may want to increase vigor as opposed to physical damage negation.

Optimizing Your Health in Elden Ring PvP

Now that we’ve established the importance of Vigor and the factors that influence your health requirements, let’s look at some practical tips for optimizing your HP in Elden Ring PvP:

1. Prioritize Vigor Early: Don’t wait until late game to invest in Vigor. Start leveling it up early on, aiming for at least 40 by the time you reach the mid-game areas. This will give you a significant advantage in both PvE and PvP.
2. Experiment with Talismans: Try different talismans that boost your HP or damage negation. The Crimson Amber Medallion, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, and Erdtree’s Favor are all excellent choices.
3. Choose Armor Wisely: Select armor that provides a good balance between defense and weight. You want to be able to roll effectively while still mitigating damage.
4. Learn to Dodge: No amount of HP can save you from repeated hits. Mastering the art of dodging is crucial for survival in Elden Ring PvP.
5. Understand Your Opponent’s Build: Pay attention to the weapons, spells, and armor your opponent is using. This will give you clues about their damage output and allow you to adjust your strategy accordingly.

The Mental Game of Health

Finally, remember that health is not just a number; it’s also a mental game. Knowing that you have a healthy HP pool can boost your confidence and allow you to play more aggressively. Conversely, being constantly worried about getting one-shot can make you hesitant and less effective.

So, level up your Vigor, experiment with different builds, and learn to dodge. With the right amount of health and a solid strategy, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the Elden Ring PvP arena. And remember, even the best builds can fall prey to a well-timed R1 spam!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I have too little Vigor in PvP?

If you have significantly less than 50 Vigor (around 1900 HP), you’ll be extremely vulnerable to one-shot builds and combos. You’ll likely die very quickly in most fights, making it difficult to learn and improve.

2. Is it possible to win in PvP with very low Vigor (e.g., 30 or less)?

While theoretically possible with exceptional skill and a highly optimized build, it’s extremely difficult and not recommended. You’ll need to perfectly dodge every attack and rely on outplaying your opponent in every possible way. It’s a significant handicap.

3. Does leveling Vigor past 60 provide much benefit?

The benefits of leveling Vigor drop off significantly after 60. You’ll gain less HP per level, making the investment less worthwhile compared to other stats that could boost your damage output or utility.

4. How does armor affect the amount of Vigor I need?

Heavier armor with higher physical defense can reduce the amount of damage you take, potentially allowing you to get away with slightly less Vigor. However, don’t rely solely on armor. Vigor is still the primary defense against burst damage.

5. What are some good talismans for increasing survivability in PvP?

The Crimson Amber Medallion (increases maximum HP), Erdtree’s Favor (increases HP, stamina, and equip load), and Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman (greatly increases physical damage negation) are all excellent choices.

6. Does the Red-Feathered Branchsword talisman help in PvP?

The Red-Feathered Branchsword increases your attack power when your HP is low. While potentially useful for desperate comebacks, it’s risky and not generally recommended. It encourages a low-health playstyle, which is dangerous in PvP.

7. How does poise affect my survivability in PvP?

Poise determines your ability to withstand attacks without being staggered. Higher poise allows you to trade hits more effectively and continue your attacks even when taking damage. This can be a valuable asset for strength builds.

8. What level should I stop at for PvP in Elden Ring?

The generally accepted “meta” level range for PvP is 125-150. This allows for a good balance between stats and build diversity.

9. What is the average health at level 150 in Elden Ring?

If you invest heavily in Vigor (around 60), you can expect to have approximately 2100 HP at level 150.

10. Does PvP scaling affect the amount of health I need?

Yes. Patch 1.07 introduced PvP scaling, which affects weapon damage, skills and magic. This scaling influences how much damage you are likely to be taking during battles.

11. Is strength viable in PvP Elden Ring?

Yes, strength is viable for PvP in Elden Ring. As such, almost every weapon type and build is equally viable in Elden Ring for PvE and PvP. However, like in Dark Souls, strength remains the best option for those who prefer raw DPS over anything else.

12. What class has the most health in Elden Ring?

Out of all the Elden Ring classes, the Vagabond is our top recommendation for beginners to Elden Ring. It has the biggest health bar out of all of the other classes, and also has high attributes for Strength and Dexterity to ensure it’s a great at melee combat.

13. What are the unspoken PvP rules in Elden Ring?

There a few unspoken rules when playing against other players in the Colosseum. The players greet each other with a gesture, no attacks until both players a buffed to their extent (Turn your back towards the enemy if you want to clarify your intent to buff) and if you win, show respect to your adversary with a gesture.

14. Does light level matter for PvP in Elden Ring?

In normal PvP, no. But in Iron Banner, yes. It matters in gambit too.

15. Why is 150 Elden Ring the meta?

The recommended 150 level allows for hitting the soft caps of Vigor, Endurance, and an additional damage stat.