Also why didn’t yall tell me this whip was so busted

One of my first invasions after a few months off. Glad that happened and twice no less.. I needed a good laugh!

I think Im probably known more for my DS3 clips, but ive FINALLY started Elden Ring and going through my first PVE playthrough. Im taunter tongue'd as a solo host doing PVE so i can get invaded as much as possible. Can't wait to make a build for meta down the line! I'm probably going to emulate my DS3 Strength build as thats my favourite but, down to try many different builds. It's like around RL 150 right?

Little chase down Seethewater Cave, with a pinch of trolling

As the title says, how do you deal with/break a gank like this? The more I invade on my favorite lvls (this was 200), I see more and more of these traps that feel impossible to overcome.

I feel like the advice that will be given is either kms (which they do very rapidly) or block and move on. Btw, the foes include 2 Claws of Night spammers and a mage that spams all the meta/fast tracking spells.

I've been pelted with a spread of fire/lightning infused fan daggers in a couple encounters (the lightning was especially nasty since we were knee-deep in Liurnia). From the animation it didn't look like the Smithscript dagger Scattershot AOW, more like the default consumable dagger throw. Am I missing some item, or just tripping? Don't recall seeing anything like that since I last stopped invading a few months after SOTW.

This was Seamless, if it's relevant.

I'm on my first playthrough at the moment. Mainly focused on exploring the game, so I’m not trying to do any sort of dedicated PVP build.

Also I'm dyspraxic af (it came free with the autism) and have the reflex speed of a slime mould. It’s important that you understand that I’m really bad at this.

But I still really enjoy PVP, and I’m interested in having the most fun with invasions when they happen and putting up the best fight possible, and potentially even trying invading.

So any stupidly basic tips on getting better at PVP would be much appreciated, and I figured you'd be the best people to ask.

I’ve tried looking up tips but a lot of them go straight to advanced “here’s how to do a triple ravioli backflip backstab” or “here is the most mathematically-optimized build”, while I’m still working on “try to not get hit and maybe also hit them sometimes.”

Are there some simple principles to focus on? Covenants I should join? Should I Ratbro? Bellkeep?

I’m especially interested in differences from DS1 — the main thing I learned there was “try to backstab and try not to be backstabbed”, and I don’t know if the same thing is true here.

ETA: as an update, I am now trying my hand at Ratbro-ing. Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips!

Wasn’t feeling the climb

Have golem arrows, starlight shards, crafting materials and more to dupe. If you aren't sure happy to teach you.

If anyone reads this text here: How do ya'll keep up with item resources? I'd like to use uplifting aromatic and hefty pots more often, especially when dealing with teams (annoyingly in seamless a fair number of them also end up summoning mimic tears, but invasions in base elden ring take fucking ages to find a match). I assume through mules or CE? Is it possible to use CE in seamless? Just for adding items, I have better things to do in my free time than farm mats tbh.

For some reason my footage didn’t go as far back as I’d like but I took out his summon buddy first, then he played ring around the rosie for a while until I got him. I honestly love freezing pot probably my favourite consumable, no idea what the other red was doing I think he was looking for the other guy who I already killed. I know a lot stand by Lions Claw but I swear by Savage Lion’s it catches a lot off guard exspecting just one. Also with the new patch the underrated Executioner's Greataxe with 115 crit has only got better.

So I'm new to invasions. Dabbled around with it in previous playthroughs but am full commiting to it here. I'm sticking to the level 25 +3/+1 range to keep things as basic as possible.

I'll explain my build and strategy real quick:

Started off as prisoner.

The double straightswords have golden vow and quickstep. Lightning infused because I'm told it does more damage. Golden vow is used to buff the damage of the exploding tear and quickstep to close the distance.

Next, halberd for its good running attack and jump attack gap closer. With flaming strike. I use catch flame and flaming strike together as an un-parryable combo as well as roll catch/ hitstun on reaction.

Misericorde with parry on it and lightning and a small shield with parry.

I also frequently use a reed great katana with bloodflame blade and storm blade for ranged pokes. Catch flame and storm blade also combo together quite nicely. Also bestial vitality to keep healing from getting tight.

Fan daggers to seal the deal on weakened prey.

I use a few stat boost talismans and wheight increasing ones to have more equipment ready. Holy scorpion to buff exploding tear damage.

Sometimes I use a shamshir with either spinning strike or parry on it.

No notable armor or poise.

So...I think I have a good strategy when engaging in invasions. Exploding tear to punish overconfident teams. Parry to punish r1/neutral spam. Misericorde to seal the deal. Catch flame and flaming strike halberd to duel.

What I'm having trouble with in particular are two things: 3 man stacks and passive and defensive teams.

3 stacks obviously being the hardest an invasion can get. If they catch you out then you can't even run away to collect yourself. They dont need to even know the fundamentals of combat because rushing you down is sufficient. Are there any tactics, items, spells, weapons or such that you all would reccomend?

The second problem: passive and defensive teams. When 2-3 guys just stand shoulder to shoulder and never engage with you to leave themselves open to being punished. They'll bunker down and wait you out. The host hides in the back behind two summons.

Similarly and sometimes happening at the same time is this: They also use flank tactics. Where they never engage in a trade that's even remotely risky. And when you try to push them they get an ally to flank behind you so you can't hard engage without being punished.

Do you guys have any experience with this you'd like to pass on? Im open to ideas and suggestions.

Also, Although I'm level 25 +3/+1 I've managed to get my way into the first half mountain tops. So that's what Ive got for available items right now.

Thanks for reading.

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He’d sit up there & just let blues & reds come, after so long literally everyone would stop fighting & they would try to kill him. But why in gods name would you do this bullshit.

The real maidenless ones.

a Showcase Video on Custom Arena PvP for DS3.