The Ultimate Elden Ring PvP Weapon Guide: Dominate the Lands Between

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Alright, Tarnished, let’s cut right to the chase. You want to know the best PvP weapon in Elden Ring. The truth? There’s no single, definitive “best.” PvP in Elden Ring is a complex dance of build optimization, player skill, and situational awareness. What shreds one opponent might be utterly useless against another. However, some weapons consistently rise to the top, offering a blend of damage, speed, range, and strategic potential.

If I absolutely had to pick one that balances all these aspects, I’d lean towards the Nagakiba.

But wait! Don’t go running off to grab it just yet. The Nagakiba’s effectiveness isn’t solely based on its inherent stats. It’s its versatility and potential for customization that make it a top contender. Its long reach, coupled with its ability to be infused with various Ashes of War, allows for a wide range of playstyles. You can opt for a bleed build with Bloodflame Blade, a frostbite build with Chilling Mist, or even a poison build for a more insidious approach.

The beauty of the Nagakiba is that it lets you adapt to your opponent. Are they aggressive and like to roll into you? Use a longer Ash of War like Unsheathe to punish their approach. Are they passive and like to keep their distance? Use a ranged Ash of War like Glintstone Pebble to keep them on their toes.

However, to be truly effective, you need to understand the nuances of other top-tier PvP weapons, their strengths, weaknesses, and how they fit into specific builds. So, let’s dive deeper into the world of Elden Ring PvP weaponry.

Top Contenders for PvP Supremacy

While the Nagakiba is my personal pick, other weapons are undeniably powerful and deserve your attention. Here are some of the most popular and effective options:

• Rivers of Blood: Still a force to be reckoned with, even after numerous nerfs. The Corpse Piler weapon art is incredibly strong, applying rapid bleed buildup. However, predictable players are easily countered.

• Moonveil: Another katana that excels in PvP. Its weapon art, Transient Moonlight, provides fast-casting magic projectiles with deceptively high damage.

• Vyke’s War Spear: Madness buildup is a devastating status effect in PvP. Vyke’s War Spear inflicts madness quickly, disrupting opponents and potentially stunning them. Be mindful of its shorter reach compared to other spears.

• Eleonora’s Poleblade: A strong contender that is not mentioned often. With Bloodblade Dance, it deals a substantial amount of damage.

• Great Spears (Lance, Treespear, etc.): Offers excellent range and the ability to poke from behind shields. Also strong when riding Torrent. Can be countered by aggressive play and parrying.

• Halberds (Glaive, Nightrider Glaive, etc.): Another excellent weapon with very good reach and damage. Strong when riding Torrent as well.

• Twinblades (Godskin Peeler, Eleonora’s Poleblade, etc.): The Godskin Peeler’s Black Flame Tornado can cause major damage and its ability to be infused with other ashes of war makes it a formidable weapon.

• Colossal Swords (Greatsword, Zweihander, etc.): High damage and poise damage, making them effective against players who rely on light armor and rapid attacks. Slow attack speed can be a disadvantage.

• Uchigatana: A solid and reliable katana that can be obtained early. With the right buffs, it can deal a lot of damage with a high-bleed build.

Understanding Weapon Scaling and Build Optimization

Choosing a weapon is only half the battle. You need to optimize your build to maximize its potential. This means understanding weapon scaling and investing stats accordingly.

• Strength: Colossal weapons and heavy weapons benefit greatly from high strength.

• Dexterity: Katanas, spears, and other faster weapons scale well with dexterity.

• Intelligence: Moonveil and other magic-infused weapons require intelligence.

• Faith: Vyke’s War Spear and other faith-based weapons need faith.

• Arcane: Rivers of Blood and other bleed-focused weapons benefit from arcane.

Don’t neglect Vigor. Having enough health (typically 50-60) is crucial for surviving in PvP. Also, make sure you have enough Endurance to wear decent armor and still be able to roll and attack effectively.

The Importance of Ashes of War

Ashes of War are what truly make Elden Ring’s PvP combat unique. They allow you to customize your weapon with special attacks and status effects, tailoring it to your preferred playstyle and countering specific threats.

Experiment with different Ashes of War to find what works best for you. Some popular choices include:

• Unsheathe: A classic katana skill that provides a fast and powerful attack.

• Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup to your weapon.

• Chilling Mist: Inflicts frostbite on enemies.

• Seppuku: Sacrifices health to increase attack power and bleed buildup. Use with caution!

• Quickstep/Bloodhound Step: Provides quick evasion and repositioning.

PvP Etiquette and Where to Duel

While invasions are often chaotic and anything goes, duels typically follow a loose set of etiquette rules. These rules vary from player to player, but here are some common guidelines:

• No healing (unless both players agree to it).

• No using Spirit Ashes.

• Bow or gesture before the fight to show respect.

The Main Academy Gate in Liurnia of the Lakes is a popular dueling spot. The Colosseums, especially the Leyndell Royal Colosseum, provide structured 1v1 duels.

Adapting and Learning from Your Mistakes

The key to becoming a successful Elden Ring PvP player is to adapt and learn from your mistakes. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, and adjust your build and playstyle accordingly. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.

PvP in Elden Ring can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. With the right weapon, build, and mindset, you can dominate the Lands Between and become a true Elden Lord of the arena.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about PvP in Elden Ring to further enhance your understanding and gameplay:

1. What is the ideal level for PvP in Elden Ring?

The most popular level range for PvP is between 125 and 150. This range allows for diverse builds while keeping stat investment meaningful.

2. Is dual-wielding effective in PvP?

Yes, dual-wielding can be very effective. Powerstancing two weapons of the same type allows for unique attack combos and increased damage output. It can be hard to master, but is extremely powerful once you do.

3. What are some good weapon combinations for dual-wielding?

Some popular combinations include:

• Dual Rivers of Blood
• Rivers of Blood and Uchigatana
• Dual Godskin Peelers
• Dual Nagakiba

4. Which shield is best for PvP?

There’s no single “best” shield, but some top contenders include:

• Erdtree Greatshield: Excellent for blocking and parrying.
• Brass Shield: A reliable medium shield with good stats.
• Carian Knight’s Shield: Offers magic damage negation.

5. How important is Vigor for PvP?

Extremely important. Aim for 50-60 Vigor to have a decent health pool and avoid being one-shot by powerful attacks.

6. Is healing allowed in duels?

Generally, no. Healing is considered bad etiquette in duels, unless both players explicitly agree to allow it.

7. Are Spirit Ashes allowed in PvP?

Not usually in duels. However, they are allowed in certain Colosseum modes and invasions.

8. What are some effective strategies for dealing with Rivers of Blood users?

• Parrying the Corpse Piler weapon art.
• Maintaining distance and using ranged attacks.
• Using status effects like frostbite or sleep to interrupt their attacks.

9. How does weapon scaling work in PvP?

Weapon scaling is identical to PvE. The letter grade on a weapon (S, A, B, C, D, E) indicates how well it scales with a particular stat. Also, there’s a new Damage Scaling that only applies when playing vs another player. This new feature affects some Weapons, Skills and Magic Spells.

10. What are some of the best Ashes of War for PvP?

• Unsheathe: Quick and powerful katana skill.
• Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup.
• Chilling Mist: Inflicts frostbite.
• Quickstep/Bloodhound Step: Provides evasion.
• Parry: Allows you to party attacks.
• Endure: Allows you to withstand attacks from opponents.

11. How do I counter madness buildup?

Use the Clarity Talisman or consume Stanching Boluses to reduce or cure madness buildup.

12. What is poise and how does it affect PvP?

Poise determines your ability to withstand attacks without being staggered. Higher poise allows you to tank more hits and continue your attacks.

13. Where are the best places to duel in Elden Ring?

• Main Academy Gate (Liurnia of the Lakes).
• Leyndell Royal Colosseum.
• Limgrave Colosseum.
• Caelid Colosseum.

14. Are there any rewards for winning in the Colosseum?

No, currently there are no direct rewards for winning Colosseum matches. The primary reward is the satisfaction of victory.

15. How can I improve my PvP skills?

• Practice: The more you fight, the better you’ll become.
• Watch videos: Learn from experienced players.
• Experiment: Try different builds and strategies.
• Analyze your mistakes: Figure out what went wrong and how to improve.

Remember, Tarnished, the journey to PvP mastery is a long and challenging one. But with dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn, you can become a force to be reckoned with in the Lands Between. Good luck, and may your duels be ever victorious.

Lastly, if you’re interested in diving deeper into the science and theory behind game-based learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. It is a valuable resource for understanding how games can be used for education and training.