Summary
Elden Ringhas continued FromSoftware’s long-running tradition of invasions, where players can enter the world of a host player and try to defeat them in combat for useful items and runes. The potential rewards from invasions aren’t its main source of popularity, but instead, the exciting and unpredictable experience ofengaging in PvPagainst other Tarnished.
Invasions usually pit the lone invader against two or three opponents, and both beginner and veteran invaders can quickly become overwhelmed bygank squads, over-leveled summons, and highly effective builds. But hope isn’t completely lost. Players can even the odds with powerful armaments and spells, quick thinking, and useful defensive and offensive items.
1Albinauric Pot
No More Healing
Nothing is more annoying than getting an opponent down to a slither of HP, for them to recover by drinking from their flask. Hosts can access all of their flasks, while invaders only have access to a fraction of them, making encounters riskier if both sides are dealing damage.
This is where the Albinauric Pot comes in. A successful hit with this item will prevent the target from using their flask of tears for 30 seconds, giving the invader a chance to take them out. This is also useful against magic users, as it prevents FP flask recovery too.
2Boluses
Prevent And Cure Status Effects
There are manydifferent status effectsinElden Ring, all dangerous if not avoided or managed quickly. When fighting multiple enemies in invasions, the likelihood of coming into contact with varying status effect weapons grows, which can be very punishing for an unprepared player.
Using Bolusus to combat things like Scarlet Rot and Frostbite can keep invaders in the fight for longer, preventing constant chip damage, boosts to damage taken, and more. Some spells likeFlame and Cleanse Mealso achieve this, but they take longer to cast than using the consumable, which can be important in fast-paced PvP.
3Boiled Crab
Impressive Defensive Buff
Getting a defensive buff from Boggart’s Boiled Crabs can be the difference between life and death in the Lands Between. This useful consumable temporarily gives the user a 20% boost to all physical damage negation, making it worth bringing into PvP.
This increase is perfect for invaders who are likely to take damage quickly from multiple foes with upgraded weapons. They only cost 600 runes each, so players can easily stock up and gain an extra layer of protection for both online and offline play.
4Exalted Flesh
Solid Attack Boost
Exalted flesh requires quite a few ingredients to craft, but the farming is worth it for the damage boost. This consumable gives a 15% increase to physical attack power in PvP (and 20% in PvE) for 30 seconds. This may not seem like much, but it can make a huge difference in combat situations.
This boost will make opponents regret damage trades, giving the user an edge that’s necessary to overcome the odds of invasions. Each hit doing this extra damage will go a long way in melee fights, where both sides are likely to tack on damage quickly.
5Uplifting Aromatic
Boosts Attack And Defense
The Uplifting Aromatic is a perfumer consumable that boosts PvP attack by 7.5% (or 10% in PvE) and defense by 90% for one hit, rendering the first attack almost useless. It can be activated very quickly and boost all allies in the immediate area.
This is great when teaming up with other invaders when hosts use the Taunter’s Tongue item, but it’s also useful for lone invaders, as the host’s standard PvE enemies are considered their allies. Invaders should buff a strong foe in a host’s world when the opportunity arises.
6Flask Of Wondrous Physick
Complement One’s Build
The effects of the Wondrous Physick can vary wildly depending on the user’s chosen Crystal Tears. There are many possible options, such as faster stamina recovery, health recovery, stat increases, and more. Some have parallel effects to other consumables, like the Opaline Bubbletear, which works similarly to the Uplifting Aromatic.
There are two Physick slots and players often use them to complement their build by improving their damage type or by strengthening defenses where they may be weak. Well-chosen Physick buffs can vastly improve an invader’s chances of success.
7Fan Daggers
A Necessary Countermeasure
The Fan Daggers are a necessary tool in PvP. Several buffs in the game give players a major defensive boost for one hit, or increased attack and defense when health is full. This is seen on several items andtalismans.
One way to counter this is by carrying Fan Daggers. This bundle of five daggers doesn’t do a lot of damage, but it’s quick to release and much harder to dodge than other throwable items. It’s a good way to keep pressure on opponents and helps chip away at the stance of shield users who won’t let their guard down.
8Mimic’s Veil
The Perfect Ambush Disguise
Invaders looking to take a stealthier approach may want to use the Mimic’s Veil, an item that lets the user take the form of a common object and hide in plain sight. This can lead to interesting interactions and comedic moments in both PvP and PvE.
It’s a solid way to catch a host off guard if they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, giving the invader a chance to deal some damage while putting their opponents on the back foot. Players who like to strike without warning may want thisitem in their pouch.
9Freezing Pot
Inflict Frostbite Quickly
One solid way for an invader to increase their damage output is by weakening the opponent’s defense, and a great way to do this is by inflicting Frostbite. The Frostbite status effect increases all damage taken by 20% (apart from Fire damage, which neutralizes this effect).
Carrying Freezing Pots into battle is a great way to inflict this effect without needing a dedicated frost weapon. Frost also doesn’t improve with any particular stats, so it’s a perfect all-around offensive item forany build or setup.
10Drawstring Lightning Grease
Quick Boost To Weapon Damage
Having access to a variety of buffs and power-up items is great, but ultimately useless if there’s not enough time to activate them without being crushed by a host and their summons. This is why it’s handy to keep an item that boosts damage without giving rivals the time to rush in.
The Drawstring Lightning Grease is one of many quick-activating greases, and they are all valid for different situations, but no damage is quite as versatile as lightning. This grease adds 110 points of lightning damage, which increases further in the rain or when standing in water, making it especially deadly in Liurnia.
