Lure of the Tarnished: Mastering Invasions with the Taunter’s Tongue in Elden Ring
The item that primarily attracts invaders in Elden Ring is the Taunter’s Tongue. This crucial multiplayer item allows players to be invaded even without a Furled Finger cooperator present, effectively turning your solo journey into a tense, unpredictable battle against other Tarnished seeking to test their skills.
The Allure of the Taunter’s Tongue
For those craving the thrill of unpredictable encounters and the challenge of facing other players, the Taunter’s Tongue is your key to unlocking a world of invasions. Unlike relying on summoning cooperators, which naturally opens you up to invasions, the Taunter’s Tongue lets you solo the Lands Between while still beckoning in hostile challengers.
How it Works
The mechanics behind the Taunter’s Tongue are quite straightforward but pack a serious punch.
- Activation: Using the Taunter’s Tongue while online opens your world to invasions.
- Solo Invasions: It allows you to be invaded even if you aren’t playing with friends or random cooperators summoned via Furled Finger.
- Reduced Re-invasion Timer: Once an invader is defeated (or defeats you), the Taunter’s Tongue reduces the waiting time before another invasion can occur, increasing the frequency of invasions.
Why Use the Taunter’s Tongue?
The reasons for embracing the chaos of the Taunter’s Tongue are plentiful:
- Challenge: Face off against other players, testing your build and skills against unpredictable human opponents rather than AI.
- Practice: Hone your PvP abilities and learn to adapt to different playstyles.
- Variety: Break up the monotony of PvE with unexpected encounters.
- Runes: Defeating invaders grants you runes, adding a potential reward for successfully defending your world.
- Fun: For some players, the sheer unpredictable nature of invasions is a source of immense enjoyment. Exploring game dynamics such as these offers insightful understanding in player engagement. You can learn more about similar topics at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Acquiring the Taunter’s Tongue
Finding the Taunter’s Tongue is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to progress through White Mask Varre’s questline. This questline begins at the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes. By following Varre’s instructions, which involve invading other players (even just a few attempts will suffice) and soaking a cloth in the blood of a maiden, you will eventually be rewarded with the Taunter’s Tongue.
Mastering the Art of Baiting Invaders
Simply using the Taunter’s Tongue isn’t enough. To truly maximize the experience, you’ll need to refine your “baiting” techniques:
- Strategic Location: Choose invasion locations carefully. Areas with narrow corridors, open arenas, or strategic high ground can offer advantages.
- Environmental Awareness: Use the environment to your advantage. Ambush invaders from hidden locations, use traps, or exploit terrain features.
- Build Optimization: Ensure your build is viable for PvP. Consider weapon choices, armor sets, talismans, and spells that are effective against other players.
- Mind Games: Don’t be predictable. Vary your tactics and try to anticipate the invader’s moves.
- Patience: Sometimes, the best strategy is to wait for the invader to make a mistake. Don’t be afraid to play defensively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Invaders in Elden Ring
Here are some frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of invasions and related mechanics:
1. What is the Tarnished’s Furled Finger used for?
The Tarnished’s Furled Finger is used to place down a summon sign, allowing other players to summon you into their world for cooperative play. It’s essentially the opposite of inviting invaders; you’re offering assistance.
2. How do I summon random players for co-op?
You can use the Tarnished’s Furled Finger to place a summon sign in a specific location. Alternatively, you can use the Small Golden Effigy to send a cooperative summon sign to any nearby summoning pools.
3. What’s the difference between gold and red summon signs?
Gold summon signs represent players who want to help you (cooperators). Red summon signs represent players who want to fight you (duelists).
4. What is the purpose of the Bloody Finger?
The Bloody Finger, obtained from completing White Mask Varre’s questline, is a reusable item that allows you to attempt to invade other players’ worlds. It’s the primary tool for becoming an invader.
5. Where can I find infinite Festering Bloody Fingers?
You can purchase infinite Festering Bloody Fingers from a merchant in the Altus Plateau, specifically in the north-eastern part near the Capital. They cost 3000 Runes each.
6. Which area is considered the easiest for invasions?
The First Step Site of Grace is often considered one of the easiest areas to invade, as it’s the first Site of Grace most players encounter.
7. What is a good level for PvP in Elden Ring?
The community generally considers levels 125-150 to be the “meta” for PvP duels, allowing for optimized builds without being excessively over-leveled.
8. What happens when an invader kills the host?
The invader receives a significant number of runes as a reward for defeating the host.
9. Is Mad Tongue Alberich a real player?
No, Mad Tongue Alberich is an NPC invader, a computer-controlled enemy designed to invade your world at a specific location.
10. What causes my character’s eyes to turn red?
Pursuing White Mask Varre’s questline, specifically the part where you soak a cloth in the blood of a maiden, will permanently redden your character’s eyes.
11. What are Recusants, and how do they differ from Bloody Fingers?
Recusants are invaders associated with Volcano Manor. The differences are primarily cosmetic, such as the invader’s title and a unique background song during invasions. They function similarly to Bloody Fingers.
12. How many times can I use the Bloody Finger?
The Bloody Finger is reusable and can be used an unlimited number of times.
13. How long does an invasion typically last?
Invasions are usually over in a few minutes, though some can last much longer depending on the circumstances.
14. Can I revive NPCs I’ve killed?
Yes, you can revive killed NPCs by offering Celestial Dew at the statue of Lady Rennala in the Raya Lucarian Grand Library.
15. Does using the Taunter’s Tongue guarantee an immediate invasion?
No, using the Taunter’s Tongue opens your world to invasions, but it doesn’t guarantee an immediate invasion. The timing depends on network activity and matchmaking parameters. However, it does increase the likelihood and frequency of invasions compared to not using it.
By mastering the Taunter’s Tongue and understanding the nuances of invasions, you can transform your Elden Ring experience into a thrilling, unpredictable gauntlet that will test your skills and reward your courage. So, embrace the chaos, Tarnished, and let the invasions begin!