Guaranteeing Invasions in Elden Ring: A Tarnished’s Guide to PvP Mayhem
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There’s no surefire way to guarantee an invasion in Elden Ring every single time you use a Bloody Finger. The invasion system is designed to prioritize hosts currently engaged in co-op and factor in considerations of player level and weapon level. However, you can significantly improve your chances and reduce wait times by optimizing your character’s stats, knowing the most active locations, and understanding the game’s matchmaking mechanics. This guide breaks down the key factors that influence invasion success and offers practical strategies to maximize your PvP encounters in the Lands Between.
Understanding Elden Ring’s Invasion Mechanics
Elden Ring’s invasion system is a core element of its unique online experience. Unlike some other games, invasions aren’t simply random occurrences. They are governed by a set of rules and conditions that determine when and where you can invade another player’s world. Understanding these mechanics is crucial to improving your chances of finding invasions.
- Co-op is Key: Invasions primarily target players who are engaged in cooperative play. This means that the host must have summoned at least one other player for assistance. If a player is alone, they typically cannot be invaded, unless they use a specific item like the Taunter’s Tongue.
- Level and Weapon Matching: The game uses a matchmaking system that considers both your rune level (character level) and your weapon level (the highest upgrade level of any weapon you’ve obtained, even if you don’t currently have it equipped). If your level or weapon level is significantly different from other players in a given area, you may have difficulty finding invasions.
- Location Matters: Certain areas in the game are more popular for co-op, making them prime spots for invasions. Areas near major bosses or dungeons are often hotspots.
- Item Usage: The Bloody Finger and Festering Bloody Finger items are the primary tools for initiating invasions. The Bloody Finger is a reusable item obtained through completing White Mask Varre’s questline, while the Festering Bloody Finger is a consumable item found throughout the world.
- “Near and Far” Search: When you use a Bloody Finger, you have the option to search for players “near” your location or “near and far.” Choosing “near and far” expands the search radius, potentially increasing your chances of finding a match, but it may also result in a less optimal connection.
Optimizing Your Character for Invasions
Creating an invasion-focused character is essential for consistent PvP activity. Here’s what to consider:
- Rune Level Sweet Spots: Certain rune levels are known for their high PvP activity. Levels 60-80 for mid-game areas and 125-150 for late-game areas are generally considered good choices.
- Weapon Level Synchronization: Match your weapon level to your rune level. Avoid having a high rune level with low weapon upgrades, or vice-versa. This is one of the key reasons why people can’t find invasions. For the 60-80 rune level range, weapon upgrades of +6 to +8 are often ideal for normal weapons, and +3 to +4 for special weapons (somber stone upgrades). For the 125-150 range, aim for +9 or +10 on normal weapons and +9 or +10 on somber weapons.
- Build Diversity: While powerful builds can give you an edge, don’t feel limited to “meta” builds. Experiment with different weapon types, spells, and incantations to create a unique playstyle.
- Stats for Invasions: Focus on stats that improve your survivability and damage output. Vigor (health), Endurance (stamina), and relevant damage stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane) are all crucial.
- Optimize Talismans: Equip talismans that enhance your preferred playstyle. Talismans like Erdtree’s Favor, Green Turtle Talisman, and Crimson Amber Medallion can provide significant benefits.
Location, Location, Location: The Best Invasion Spots
Choosing the right location can dramatically impact your invasion success rate. Here are some of the most active invasion hotspots in Elden Ring:
- Limgrave (Early Game): The First Step and surrounding areas are popular for new players and co-op.
- Liurnia of the Lakes (Mid Game): This region has numerous dungeons and boss fights, making it a prime location for invasions.
- Raya Lucaria Academy (Mid Game): A legacy dungeon known for its intricate layout and challenging enemies, attracting many co-op groups.
- Altus Plateau (Mid-Late Game): This open area has several key locations that hosts are likely to explore with summons.
- Leyndell, Royal Capital (Late Game): A sprawling city filled with difficult enemies, making it a popular co-op destination.
- Mountaintops of the Giants (Late Game): This late-game area is challenging and often requires co-op assistance.
- Crumbling Farum Azula (Late Game): The very late game area, which is known for being a difficult location with a lot of traffic.
- Haligtree (End Game): One of the last areas, hosts are usually in co-op.
Experiment with different locations and pay attention to which areas yield the most consistent invasion activity for your character’s level and weapon level.
Tips and Tricks for Faster Invasions
Beyond the core mechanics, here are some additional tips to help you find invasions more quickly:
- Spam the Bloody Finger: Don’t be afraid to repeatedly use the Bloody Finger if you don’t find a match immediately.
- Vary Your Location: If you’re stuck in one area, try moving to a different Site of Grace and attempting to invade from there.
- Check Your Network Connection: A stable and reliable internet connection is essential for online play.
- Experiment with “Near” vs. “Near and Far”: Try using both search options to see which yields better results for you.
- Consider Time of Day: Player activity can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
- Restart Your Game: Sometimes, simply restarting your game can help resolve connectivity issues.
Ethical Invasions: Being a Good (or Bad) Tarnished
While the goal of invading is to defeat the host, remember that it’s still a game. Consider these points:
- Be Respectful (or Not): Some players prefer honorable duels, while others embrace the chaotic nature of invasions. Choose your approach based on your own preferences and the situation.
- Avoid Exploits: Don’t use glitches or exploits to gain an unfair advantage.
- Have Fun: Invasions should be a challenging and engaging experience for both the invader and the host.
- Learn from Defeats: Don’t get discouraged if you lose. Analyze your mistakes and use them to improve your skills.
FAQs: Mastering Elden Ring Invasions
1. Why can’t I find any invasions in Elden Ring?
This is the most common problem. Likely causes include having a mismatched rune level and weapon level, attempting to invade in an inactive area, or experiencing network connectivity issues. If your Weapon Level and Rune Level are considered “odd”, this might also be a factor for your waiting times. For example if you happened to have grinded Runes early and leveled high but still haven’t upgraded your weapon you’ll be a little mismatched for finding invasions.
2. What rune level is best for invasions in Elden Ring?
Popular rune level ranges are 60-80 for mid-game and 125-150 for late-game.
3. What weapon level should I have for my rune level?
For the 60-80 range, aim for +6 to +8 on regular weapons and +3 to +4 on somber weapons. For the 125-150 range, aim for +9 or +10 on both.
4. How do I get the Bloody Finger item?
Complete White Mask Varre’s questline, which starts at the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes.
5. What’s the difference between the Bloody Finger and the Festering Bloody Finger?
The Bloody Finger is a reusable item, while the Festering Bloody Finger is a consumable item. Completing White Mask Varre’s questline grants the Bloody Finger, a reusable item that allows for unlimited invasions attempts. You can hold up to 99 Festering Bloody Fingers.
6. Where is the best place to invade early in Elden Ring?
The First Step Site of Grace in Limgrave is a good starting point. Known by fans of Elden Ring as one of the easiest areas to invade, The First Step Site of Grace is a convenient invasion location that almost every player has, since it is the very first Site of Grace encountered within the game.
7. How long does it take to find an invasion in Elden Ring?
5 minutes is the average time to get summoned, but pretty sure we will get invaded in every area / dungeon. I guess there are just not enough hosts for too many invaders. The player base is around 20-30 k nowadays, seems to be normal to wait 5 minutes. Try to spam your bloody finger item.
8. What does it mean to invade as a Recusant?
Invading as a Recusant is tied to the Volcano Manor questline. It’s functionally the same as invading as a Bloody Finger, but with cosmetic differences. The only differences are purely cosmetic, such as the invader’s title being “Recusant” instead of “Bloody Finger”, the afformentioned Recusant variant of the Phantom Finger, as well as a unique background song playing when the Recusant engages the Host.
9. Can I invade players who are playing solo?
Generally, no. Invasions primarily target players engaged in co-op. Players who are not in co-op can only be invaded if they use the Taunter’s Tongue item.
10. What happens if I successfully invade and kill the host?
You receive runes and may receive other rewards depending on the circumstances.
11. How does invasion scaling work in Elden Ring?
Multiplayer matchmaking is based off of your level and highest weapon upgrade you have on that character. The invasion matchmaking goes 0.1x your level down, and 0.1x your level +20 up, so people you fight will usually be a little bit higher than you.
12. Can NPCs invade me in Elden Ring?
Yes, certain NPCs will invade you at specific locations as part of quests or world events.
13. What is the point of invading other players?
Invading is a way to test your skills against other players, earn runes, and experience the thrill of unpredictable PvP combat.
14. What is meta level Elden Ring?
It’s between 125-150.
15. Does Elden Ring have a permanent invasion item?
Yes, the Bloody Finger is a reusable item that allows for unlimited invasion attempts after completing White Mask Varre’s questline.
The End of the Invasion
Mastering invasions in Elden Ring requires a combination of understanding the game’s mechanics, optimizing your character, and choosing the right locations. While you can never guarantee an invasion every single time, following these tips will significantly increase your chances of engaging in thrilling PvP combat and claiming victory in the Lands Between. Now go forth, Tarnished, and become a terror to hosts everywhere! If you want to learn more about the game and game design in general, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.