Here's how to get started with Elden Ring PvP invasions, duels

Steven Rondina Published 16/05/2022

FromSoftware takes a unique approach to PvP and its latest game is no different. Here’s how to do PvP in Elden Ring.

Though complaining about Dark Souls not having an easy mode is as old as the series itself, there actually is a built-in mechanic to reduce difficulty. Players have the ability to summon allies using consumable items, being Humanity in Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2, and Ember in Dark Souls 3. The tradeoff is that if players summon help, they run the risk of a hostile player invading their co-op session with the intent of killing them.

Though Ember and Humanity had other wrinkles including health or resistance bonuses, the core concept was the risk of invasion against the reward of helpful allies. That idea still holds true in Elden Ring.

Once an Elden Ring player uses a Furlcalling Finger Remedy and uses a summon sign, the door to PvP is officially open. There are a few ways to go about this after getting your build ready.

How to do PvP invasions in Elden Ring

Players can initiate PvP in Elden Ring by using either a Recusant Finger, Bloody Finger, or Festering Bloody Finger.

The most common form of Elden Ring PvP is an invasion. Invasions are when a hostile player is spawned into the world in one of several locations. This allows the invader to try and surprise the session host and kill them at an opportune moment. The downside to this is that the invader will almost certainly be outnumbered.

Players can invade another player’s world using one of three “finger” items. The first one players will come across is the Festering Bloody Finger, a consumable item that disappears after use. These fingers can be found in a variety of shops in limited quantities.

There are two different non-consumable alternatives.

Varre gives you the fastest path to PvP.

The Bloody Finger is obtained from White-Faced Varre, the NPC players meet right at the start of the game. It can be found early on by speaking with Varre, defeating a shardbearer such as Godrick the Grafted, then meeting Varre at the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes. He gives the player five Festering Bloody Fingers and will then give the player the permanent Bloody Finger item.

The Recusant Finger is found later but isn’t gated behind a questline. It can be found on a table in Volcano Manor in the westernmost area of the Altus Plateau.

Best dueling spots in Elden Ring

The other common form of PvP in Elden Ring is dueling. Dueling differs from invasions as players deliberately summon a hostile player into their world. This is done via summon sign, with the host inviting in duelists.

These summon signs can hypothetically be found anywhere, but they will most often be found near summoning pools. There are also a few areas that dedicated Elden Ring PvP players have tacitly agreed to use as duel locations.

The best dueling spot in Elden Ring is at the Main Academy Gate Site of Grace directly outside Raya Lucaria Academy. This is a circular, elevated area with no nearby enemy NPCs, making it a fair arena for PvP.

There are also multiple areas within Leyndell, Royal Capital that are dueling spots including the open area near the East Capital Rampart and the Avenue Balcony. The Main Academy Gate is still preferred as some areas of Leyndell become inaccessible over time. Unfortunately, there isn’t yet an arena mode like those found in past FromSoftware games.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

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