Unfortunately, ER as a game has a much higher "knowledge check" compared to previous titles when it comes to pvp, which leads to a lot of frustration. This should cover everything that might catch you out.

There are also a stupid amount of far too strong setups that won't hold up to a "honest" player with minimal experience. Thankfully, a player advantage is still a large enough boost that you can still easily beat them without resorting to the same tactics yourself.

This guide will have minor spoilers, but I highly recommend looking at the stats and essentials sections if you're intending to pvp.

Keep in mind spirit summons are not available in pvp in the basegame, but are still available in the mod as of 31/10/2024. I recommend not using them if your opponent isn't.

You can currently disconnect from invaders in the mod - keep in mind this isn't an option in the basegame, though force closing the game has been a notorious tactic as long as invasions have existed.

Even compared to previous titles, ER's most important stat by far for pvp is vigor - you simply are going to have to be able to tank some hits. Vigor softcaps[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] (further levels become less effective) at 40 and 60 respectively. As a general rule, don't use items that either make you take more damage or reduce your max hp.

Vigor should be your absolute priority before reaching 35 vigor (30 in seamless to account for Godrick's Rune[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]). There are various ways to reach item requirements despite this:

• Radagons scarseal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] or soreseal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] can be used to supplement your stats, but their damage penalty becomes inefficient around when you can reach the required vigor through levels. The marika seals are much more difficult to effectively use the full benefits of, and should almost always be avoided.
  
• Certain armour (typically helms[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]) will increase your stats when worn.
  
• The various stat boosting talismans[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] are also quite good even at mid levels.
  
• Two handing effectively increases your strength by 50%, bypassing stat requirements.
  
• Certain crystal tears[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] can be used to increase your stats and satisfy requirements, albeit temporarily.

The allocation of your other stats is far less important, but if you want to use a variety of weapons while maintaining damage you're typically looking to level one stat to augment your damage, with roughly half as many points into endurance (fashion can be supplemented with the Arsenal Charm[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Erdtree's Favor[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]). The major exception is arcane, which should almost always be 45 supplemented with another stat.

If you are on a strength or strength hybrid build, there are two things to consider to maximize your effectiveness - Cold/Blood infusions(Ashes of War), and weapon buffs. Cold and Blood often maintain a good deal of strength scaling, but if a weapon is more effective on a Heavy infusion it will be able to be buffed for extra damage.

Lightning is usually preferable to Keen, and players have high resistance to fire damage making it rarely choice.

Mind is only really worth levelling at high level, FP can be supplemented with a variety of items.[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]

A typical playthrough might look something like 50/45 vigor at rl60 and 60/55 at rl80.

How to respec[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]

Contrary to the common understanding that half of souls players are nudists, any missing armour slots will make you take considerably more damage. If you want to keep your pretty face out, look for a Commoner's Headband[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and alter as needed at a site of grace. You also never want to be above 70% equip load unless you're doing something very specific, good rolls are massively important.

While light rolling (under 30% load) is incredibly strong in the current state of the game, a seasoned invader will pick up on your lack of armour and pull out status and range to kill you quickly. It's up to preference here, but I recommend mid rolling (under 70% load).

As a rule, aggression is your friend as a cooperator. Invaders win by waiting until you slip up and they can find an opening, so keep the pressure on them when they're blocking your progress. If you're low on health, you can't really make distance and heal safely on your own - either you or your teammate needs to deal enough damage to get an opponent off you.

A lot of mobs (usually larger ones and bosses) will damage invaders even if they can only target you, so having some form of range will be very helpful, but investing too much into spam will cut into your ability to actually finish people off - no more than one dedicated caster per 2 people is ideal.

The main thing to prepare yourself for is the various status effects players are able to inflict on you - especially poison and rot, which are both cured by Flame, Cleanse Me,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] which can be cast without meeting the requirements by using the Two Fingers Heirloom.[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]
Frostbite can be cured using Bestial Constitution,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] which also removes any blood loss buildup.

Boiled Crab[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Is essentially a free 15% physical damage negation, but mind it does not stack with other body buffs.[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]

If you find yourself needing to pass an area with a ledge, you can be assured that the invader will have something to send you flying into the void. The catch-all solution to this is Endure,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] even if you just have it on an unupgraded lightweight weapon to swap to.

When it comes to the Flask of Wondrous Physick, lots of options are viable but in general you're looking at the persistent buff effects rather than the short buffs or one-time abilities (the bubble is bad, sorry).

If you're playing seamless coop, Godrick's Rune[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] is your default choice. It takes some experience to determine if who you're fighting is rune arced, so don't be afraid to apply it in all situations, and modify your enemy scaling accordingly. Rune arcs can be acquired through the Rune Decanter generated by the mod, and runes can be farmed after aquiring Godrick's Rune with this method after following Varre's questline.[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Alternatively, invading yourself will quickly amass you a stolen supply!

Going into this section, its worth noting that passive effects from weapons persist even when 2 handing a different weapon.
Also, all of these effects will stack with others, including in the same category.

It's very important to keep yourself topped up to avoid being caught out in the middle of a fight. To that end, various items are particularly valuable:

• Health can be regenerated efficiently by using Bestial Vitality[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] which can be cast on any character using the Two Fingers Heirloom[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] (On a faith build stronger regeneration spells[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]are available, but do not stack with each other.) The Blessed Dew Talisman[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Icon Shield[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] also provide regeneration.
  
  
• In descending order of efficacy, the Serpent God's Curved Sword,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Greathorn Hammer,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Taker's Cameo[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Blasphemous Blade[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] all provide health upon defeating an enemy.
  
  
• The Crimson Seed Talisman,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Crimson Tear Scarab[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Guardian Garb[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] all increase the amount of health restored by the flask. Keep in mind that the scarab has negative resistances and should only be swapped to, and only the "Full Bloom" version of the garb buffs the flask.

The Green Turtle Talisman,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Great Turtle Shell[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Flame, Grant me Strength[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] (a body buff) Increase stamina regeneration, your best option for catching up to people. Maximum stamina effects are not worthwhile, though the other effects of the Erdtree's Favor make it viable.

In the same vein I highly recommend a poison or rot weapon with good ability to chase people down. Players on higher ping will be affected by "ghost hits" which apply no damage but increase the status meter.

Shields are very strong in ER, and their counters fairly specific. Determination[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] or Royal Knight's Resolve[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] buff both damage and the ability to break guard, and are highly versatile in what they can be applied to. Status effects are an alternative solution, but are shut down if you run into the admittedly extremely rare Immutable Shield (if it's glowing yellow, you can't build status through the shield.) The kick is far from your worst option here after the recent buffs, but is more of a surprise mixup than a reliable solution.

Against players running parry items, it's extremely helpful to know that jump attacks and Colossal Swords/Weapons cannot be parried. The Raptor's Black Feathers[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] and Claw Talisman[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] give large buffs to jump attacks.

The various damage negation talismans are nerfed for pvp - they aren't useless by any means, but other options are typically more effective. Buffs in general also tend to be weaker or practically useless in some cases, there's little rhyme or reason.

If your teammates are killed and you have to hold out on your own the Royal Remains Set[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] is your best friend. Used with Blue Feathered Branchsword,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] Red Feathered Branchsword[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]and the Twinbird Kite Shield,[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] you're given massively increased survivability. Just be careful you don't use any other restorative items that will take you over the 20% threshold without putting you far enough to be safe!

If you're a fellow moron using keyboard, rebinding the inventory key using a third party program is pretty essential, sadly. Most mechanical keyboards will have software for this, but there are other solutions.

Thanks for reading

Guide icon by Centurii