The Thrill of the Hunt: Understanding the Point of Invading in Dark Souls
The point of invading in Dark Souls is multifaceted, a swirling vortex of motives that range from the purely malicious to the surprisingly altruistic (at least, from the invader’s twisted perspective). At its core, invasion is about disruption. It’s about forcing an unpredictable element into another player’s carefully curated experience. It’s about the thrill of the hunt, the challenge of overcoming a prepared host and potentially their summoned allies, and the unique rewards that come with victory. It is also about testing the mettle of fellow players, seeing how they react and handle the unexpected. It’s a high-stakes dance of death where only one can emerge victorious.
The Many Shades of Red: Motivations for Invasion
While the game mechanics define what invasion is, the players define why they do it. Here are some common motivations:
The Soul Farmer
For some, invasion is purely about the rewards. The prospect of acquiring souls (experience points and currency in Dark Souls) is a powerful draw. While the article mentioned that invaders earn a percentage of the host’s soul level, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Certain covenants, or factions, offer unique rewards for successful invasions. For example, the Mound-Makers in Dark Souls 3 gain covenant items by killing anything – hosts, phantoms, even enemy NPCs. These items are crucial for ranking up within the covenant and unlocking exclusive equipment and spells. This makes invasion a potentially faster and more engaging way to farm resources than simply grinding against PvE enemies.
The Griefing Goblin (and Why They’re Important)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: some invaders are simply out to grief other players. They delight in ruining another player’s progress, especially if that player is struggling. While this behavior can be frustrating, it’s an integral part of the Dark Souls experience. The threat of invasion creates tension and forces players to be more cautious, to learn the environment, and to improve their skills. The possibility of encountering a skilled invader adds a layer of vulnerability that makes victory all the more satisfying. This is the “malicious side” that the article mentions. Without the griefers, the world would feel less dangerous, less real.
The Honor Duelist (In Disguise)
Believe it or not, some invaders are looking for a fair fight. They see invasion as a way to test their skills against another player in a more unpredictable environment than a dedicated PvP arena. While they may not always “bow” before engaging (a common courtesy in duels), they often adhere to unspoken rules of engagement, such as avoiding cheap tactics or waiting for a host to finish dealing with a challenging enemy. These invaders appreciate a good, challenging fight, regardless of the outcome.
The Level Designer
Some invaders treat their invasions like a level of the game. They use the environment, the enemies, and their own knowledge of the game to create a challenging and memorable encounter for the host. They might lure the host into a trap, use specific items to their advantage, or simply try to outsmart the host with clever tactics. For these invaders, the victory is less important than the experience they create.
The Covenant Enforcer
Certain covenants require invasion. The Watchdogs of Farron and the Aldritch Faithful in Dark Souls 3, for example, automatically invade players who enter specific areas of the game world. Their purpose is to protect those areas from trespassers. These invasions aren’t necessarily about griefing or farming souls; they’re about fulfilling a specific role within the game’s lore and world-building.
The Rewards of Risk: What You Gain From Invading
The rewards for invading are not just limited to souls and covenant items. There is also an increase in gaming skills, such as understanding of PvP combat, adaptability to various playstyles, and ability to think strategically. These are skills that can be applied to other areas of the game and even to other games entirely. Here are some more benefits to invading:
- Increased PvP Skill: Invading forces you to adapt to different playstyles, weapon choices, and strategies. This is invaluable for improving your overall PvP skills.
- Knowledge of the Game World: To be a successful invader, you need to know the levels inside and out. This knowledge can be helpful even when playing through the game normally.
- Unique Equipment and Spells: As mentioned earlier, many covenants offer exclusive rewards for successful invasions. These rewards can significantly enhance your character’s build and playstyle.
- The Satisfaction of Victory: There’s a unique sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating a host and their phantoms in a challenging invasion. It’s a testament to your skill, your knowledge, and your cunning.
Ultimately, the point of invading in Dark Souls is to add another layer of complexity and challenge to an already demanding game. It’s a high-risk, high-reward activity that can be both frustrating and incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that the world of Dark Souls is not just filled with monsters and traps, but also with other players, each with their own agenda and their own motivations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Invading in Dark Souls
Here are some frequently asked questions about invasions in Dark Souls.
1. Can I be invaded even when I’m playing offline?
No, invasions are an online-only mechanic. If you’re playing offline, you won’t be invaded by other players.
2. How do I invade in Dark Souls?
You typically need specific items, such as Cracked Red Eye Orbs (Dark Souls 1), Red Eye Orbs (Dark Souls 3), or specific covenant items, to initiate an invasion. These items allow you to search for a world to invade.
3. What are covenants, and how do they relate to invasions?
Covenants are factions you can join in the Dark Souls games. Some covenants encourage or even require you to invade other players. Joining a covenant can grant you access to unique invasion items, rewards, and objectives.
4. What happens if I die while invading?
If you die while invading, you’ll lose any souls and humanity (or equivalent currency) that you were carrying. Your bloodstain, containing your lost souls, will appear in the area where you died, but you’ll need to retrieve it while still in your own world.
5. How can I protect myself from invasions?
Playing in hollow form (or equivalent) in some Dark Souls games can prevent invasions. Additionally, some areas are invasion-free zones.
6. Can I invade my friends?
Yes, you can invade your friends, but it typically requires using specific passwords or items to narrow down the search and ensure you find each other.
7. What are the level restrictions for invasions?
There are level restrictions for invasions to prevent high-level players from dominating low-level players. The exact level range varies depending on the game and the area you’re invading in. The Dark Souls Wiki pages will have specific level ranges for each game.
8. Is it considered “cheap” to use certain tactics when invading?
This is a subjective question. Some players consider certain tactics, such as using overpowered weapons or exploiting glitches, to be “cheap.” However, others argue that anything is fair game when invading. It really depends on the player.
9. Can I be invaded while fighting a boss?
No, you generally cannot be invaded while you are actively engaged in a boss fight. However, you can be invaded right before entering the boss room.
10. Are there any items that can help me defend against invaders?
Yes, there are items like the Dried Finger (Dark Souls 3) that can increase your chances of being invaded. There are also items like the Way of White Circlet (Dark Souls 1) that can summon friendly phantoms to help you defend against invaders.
11. What is “twinking,” and why is it frowned upon?
Twinking refers to the practice of using high-level gear on a low-level character. This gives the twinker a significant advantage over other players in the same level range, and is often frowned upon because it creates an unfair playing field.
12. How does multiplayer co-op affect invasions?
The presence of co-op phantoms often makes a world more susceptible to invasions. Many Dark Souls games prioritize worlds with multiple players for invasion targets.
13. Can NPCs invade me?
Yes, certain NPCs can invade you in specific areas of the game, regardless of whether you’re playing online or offline.
14. Does my behavior as a host affect the type of invaders I encounter?
Not directly, but your activity in the game world and your character’s build may influence the types of invaders you attract. For example, players who frequently engage in PvP are more likely to attract skilled invaders.
15. What is the deal with blue phantoms and how do they play into Invasions?
Blue phantoms are allies summoned to help a host defend against invaders. They are summoned automatically through covenants such as the Blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon when a player is invaded. They are essentially police officers summoned to help protect the innocent.
The thrill of invasion has many different factors that contribute to the motivation of the player. To discover more about the gaming community and the science behind games, be sure to visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.