Elden Ring PvP Guide: Tactical Combat, Weapon Arts, and Positioning in Catacombs

In Elden Ring, PvP combat can be a mix of high-level strategy, quick reflexes, and making the most out of your build’s strengths. In this guide, we’ll dive into the key aspects of a PvP fight that involves high-stakes combat, quick thinking, and some surprising weapon choices. Based on a recent catacomb PvP encounter, one important lesson learned is that preparation is crucial; ensuring you have the right gear and items can make all the difference. Players might even consider the option to buy Elden Ring Runes to enhance their builds further and gain an edge in intense battles. Remember, using your environment to your advantage and reacting swiftly to your opponent's moves can be just as important as having the best gear.

1. Understanding Weapon Choices

Choosing the right weapon for PvP can make or break your chances. For example, in this catacomb fight, the players wielded various weapons such as the Sword of Night and Flame, Rivers of Blood, and Blasphemous Blade. These weapons each have different strengths:

· Sword of Night and Flame: This sword is infamous for its powerful weapon art that can be a real game-changer in the right hands. The player uses it to deal heavy ranged damage or perform devastating melee attacks. If you're facing this weapon, be sure to anticipate long-range, fiery attacks, and prepare for counter-strategies.

· Rivers of Blood: Known for its bleed effects, this weapon is great for wearing down an opponent’s health over time. Its weapon art is also extremely fast and can catch opponents off guard. A solid strategy to deal with this weapon is to remain mobile and avoid getting hit by the "Crouch Poke" or weapon art spam.

· Blasphemous Blade: A powerful Faith weapon that allows you to heal on kills. This weapon can be a challenge in PvP since it’s often paired with high mobility and health regen. When fighting against it, focus on interrupting the attacks before the player has a chance to heal.

2. Weapon Art Trading & Hyper Armor

A central theme in PvP combat, especially when using heavy weapons, is understanding Weapon Art Trading. The concept is straightforward: each weapon has specific weapon arts that have unique timing and power. For instance, Rivers of Blood can quickly stagger opponents with its weapon art, while Blasphemous Blade can disrupt combat with a quick, healing strike.

However, not every weapon art has Hyper Armor (the ability to withstand stagger during an attack). For instance, many Greatswords, such as the Sword of Night and Flame, will leave you open to staggering if you’re not careful. Always be mindful of your timing when using weapon arts against opponents, especially when they have fast-hitting weapons like Rivers of Blood.

3. The Importance of Positioning

Positioning plays a vital role in the outcome of a PvP battle, as seen in this catacomb fight. Let’s break down some key positioning tips:

· Stay Mobile: The catacombs, with their narrow corridors and obstacles, require you to be mobile to avoid getting cornered. A good roll and repositioning can make all the difference, as demonstrated when one player used their evasive abilities to avoid the oncoming Rivers of Blood.

· Control the Environment: Take advantage of obstacles like walls and pillars to block or evade attacks. In the fight, players use the environment to avoid certain attacks and outplay their opponents. For example, getting behind a pillar can give you just enough time to heal or buff without being interrupted.

· Be Aware of Range: Understanding the effective range of your weapon is crucial. For instance, the Blasphemous Blade may not have long-range options, but it makes up for it with powerful close-range abilities and healing. On the other hand, ranged mages or those wielding Sword of Night and Flame can hit from a distance, meaning you need to keep them at a distance if you're using melee weapons.

4. Healing & Flask Management

Managing your Flasks and Healing Items is essential in extended PvP encounters. The players in this battle showed excellent flask management, using heals and buffs when necessary to maintain momentum.

· Strategic Healing: If you’re low on health, make sure to take advantage of your healing items at the right time. However, don’t rely too heavily on heals, as it can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Also, don’t be afraid to force your opponent to commit to their healing – bait them into healing when you have the upper hand.

· Flask Usage: In PvP, it’s important to know when to use your flask charges. If you're facing a Rivers of Blood or Blasphemous Blade, having a flask or two left in reserve can help you heal or buff in the middle of the fight.

5. Reading Opponents and Adaptability

One of the most critical skills in Elden Ring’s PvP is the ability to read your opponent's moves and adapt. In the example, players constantly read the opponent's weapon art timings, predicted attack patterns, and made decisions accordingly. For example:

· Reacting to Weapon Art Spam: If you’re facing someone who’s spamming their weapon arts, like a Rivers of Blood player, try to punish them with a roll-catch or a quick attack when their stamina is drained or after they miss their weapon art.

· Adapting to Opponent Builds: Players using bleed builds or faith weapons like Blasphemous Blade require different tactics. If you see a Blasphemous Blade user, don’t let them get too close, as their healing can turn the tide of the fight. Instead, keep them at range and use hit-and-run tactics.

6. Dealing with Multiple Opponents

In larger PvP fights, such as those where multiple players are involved, teamwork and target prioritization become even more important. For instance, in the Rivers of Blood vs. Blasphemous Blade fight, one player needed to deal with multiple enemies while also keeping track of their position and their health. Here’s what you can do:

· Focus on One Target at a Time: If you’re facing multiple opponents, try to focus on one at a time. In the fight, the player successfully eliminated a few foes by focusing on one opponent until they were out of the fight.

· Use the Environment: Environmental cover can be crucial when dealing with multiple enemies. In this scenario, a player used the catacomb’s environment to block incoming attacks, reduce the risk of being overwhelmed, and gain time for healing.

7. Dealing with Lag & Connection Issues

Finally, a recurring theme in many PvP encounters in Elden Ring is dealing with lag and desync. In this fight, players encountered issues where they could not hit certain targets, or attacks didn’t seem to land. If you’re facing connection issues, it’s important to:

· Be Prepared for Delayed Attacks: Sometimes, your opponent might appear to be performing an action that doesn’t match up with the outcome of the attack. In such cases, it’s best to rely on basic tactics and your own timing, rather than waiting for the game to correct the lag.

· Repositioning: Since lag can cause movement desync, repositioning frequently is key. If you're up against a laggy opponent, it’s a good idea to stay mobile, avoid direct confrontations, and try to outplay them with faster attacks or dodges.

Conclusion: Mastering PvP in Elden Ring

PvP in Elden Ring is a dynamic and tactical experience, requiring a keen understanding of weapon arts, positioning, and your own build. Whether you’re facing a Rivers of Blood user or a Blasphemous Blade wielder, the key to victory lies in adapting to the situation at hand. By focusing on positioning, healing management, and quick decision-making, you can improve your chances of coming out on top in PvP encounters. In order to further enhance your build and strategies, you might consider investing in cheap Elden Ring Items from reputable sources like MMOEXP. And remember: it’s not just about having the right build, but also the right mindset and adaptability to each fight. Good luck, Tarnished.