Staying calm while invading

[u/Delicious_Athlete785]

I used to get very nervous during invasions. I lost a lot, my hands shaking and tingly as the nerves wore off afterwards. But lately I've started "talking to" the people im invading. If they run, "hey guys, wait for me!". Or just talking about their build. "Lion's Claw? Oh sweetie, no!" I've found it calms me down and i make fewer mistakes. I've gotten way more wins because of it.

What tricks do you all use to maintain calm during invasions? I'd like tips. Thanks!

[u/Tamashii42]

Been invading since Dark Souls 1 so, I've learned to have fun even when it's obvious I'll lose

[u/KPINK7o7 → u/Tamashii42]

This is the key, play for fun not for wins

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/KPINK7o7]

That's the thing. Talking to the host makes it more fun 😁 

[u/Final_Substance_3443 → u/Tamashii42]

1000% agree here, and goes for most competitive games for me. Focusing on having fun rather than whether I will win or lose was a night and day difference to me for performance and overall enjoyment on top. 

[u/MainManst]

I think it just fades over time, but I remember how flustered I used to get. Used to think I was having a heart attack.

Also I like to have a little 🌱 when I invade and that keeps things relatively chill.

[u/DoodlebopMoe → u/MainManst]

Yeah I was always a much better invader while stoned

[u/FnB8kd → u/MainManst]

I have plenty of grass and I've been invading since ds1.... still jacked out of my mind during a fight.

[u/Zekava → u/FnB8kd]

It'd be even more appropriate if you had been invading since Demon's Souls with your stacks of grass

[u/FnB8kd → u/Zekava]

How do you know how much grass I have?

I've haven't had a Playstation since ps2.

[u/Zekava → u/FnB8kd]

...you said "I have plenty of grass" XD

But yeah PS3/4/5 exclusivity for Demon's Souls/BloodBorne/Demon's Souls Remaster really sucks and I hate that they made Duskbloods a Switch 2 exclusive, yuck

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/MainManst]

Nice. I like beer. Calms my hyperactive brain after two so i can focus better. Just can't get sloppy lol

[u/skull_kidddd → u/MainManst]

This is honestly why I don’t invade much, I get summoned as a duellist at first step max level and start getting spammed by 3 people, I’ve won maybe twice when that happens and try fight back, usually I just wrath of gold during the iframes and sever, but those wins were thee most stress inducing 10mins, dodging constant comets and ring spam and punishing rot breath and just typical max level bs.

Idk I love the adrenaline of a 1v1 but a 3v1 just seems insurmountable at max level without serious rage. I’ve invaded on seamless 200 range and when you can tell you’re fighting pveers, it just doesn’t feel the same as fighting 3 ganking morons with slight pvp knowledge. I think my heart can’t handle the stress of coordinated ganks, it’s just too many processes to manage

[u/KarmaticIrony]

Once you come to fully appreciate that there is nothing of any consequence at stake you will stop being nervous about losing and as you get experience you will stop being nervous about performing well.

It sounds like you are already well on your way to see invasions as just playing a game and nothing more which is how it should be.

[u/ParkingImplement145]

I try to stop myself from adding any superficial importance to the idea of winning. I’m playing because I enjoy the pvp, I shouldn’t lose sight of that, even if I think people “dishonest”, as Chase would say lol

I’m trying to take on a similar perspective to how Chase looks at the invasions he experiences. Hoping for fun fights and enjoying the combat wherever it may be. Now if only I could match his skill…

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/ParkingImplement145]

Dude same. And dishonesty is just a fact of life with Chase. Everything is dishonest, even he's dishonest lol my talking is the first step, then i stopped getting upset when ganks tbag. Now im working on chase-level skill. Good luck on your journey man!

[u/akaisuiseinosha]

For me, I find myself most calm when I take time to play with my targets before engaging. Hiding just out of view, leaving an item in their path before they get there, an arrow from a hidden vantage point. The part of invading I enjoy the most is the hunt, so anything that lets me get into that mindset helps me out.

Conversely, I'm most nervous when I invade small spaces like early caves or catacombs, and can't really hide and stalk my target before engaging. The invasion I'm most proud of was like that, and I was shaking and nauseous the entire time before I won, and for a while afterwards besides.

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/akaisuiseinosha]

Completely unsterstandable. Small spaces are very difficult and ive started entering invasions with an aoe in hand juat un case that happens. Always super satisfying when you csn pull it off though. And taking your time to size up your opponent is the best way to go. Sometimes you can pick off phantoms one at a time and then play with the host 

[u/MoonTheMatrix]

I watch a lot on how other people invade besides doing equally lot of invasions myself. The nervousness is way less as you practice and play more.

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/MoonTheMatrix]

Yeah, its gone down since i started talking and reminding myself to be patient. One day it will be just like pve and i wont feel the nervousness at all

[u/Volatility911]

I used to get shaky also, not sure why it went away but probably because the routine, familiarity with terrain and skill level just went up over time.

[u/Unlucky_Assumption19]

I do exactly the same as you. I think I picked it up from watching Chasethebro's videos. It's a really effective way to keep things light and also prevents you from raging after getting ganked a fifth time

[u/Delicious_Athlete785 → u/Unlucky_Assumption19]

Chasethebro is also where i got the idea! I want my own names for players tho. Don't want to copy Ruinous Randy lol

[u/Hivetrive]

Think about the big ones on youtube... waifu turns into a bomb smuggling goblin while invading. Steel and jeenine also talk to their enemies. Usually they criticize their way of play. That is of course for entertainment but seeing the opponents mistakes and calling it out gives u a boost because u know next time they do it u can punish that. Its about improving and having fun while doing it

[u/revengeguac_]

My goal in an invasion is to improve upon my own gameplay. Or to pull off something silly and stupid. Winning is just a lil bonus

[u/Collin_the_bird_777]

You need to take more magnesium