Everything you need to outsmart, outdamage, and outlast your opponents in the Lands Between
PvP in Elden Ring is like a violent, slightly toxic chess match where everyone’s armed with glowing swords and questionable fashion choices. Whether you’re invading random strangers or holding court at the First Step, success isn’t just about gear, it’s about adaptability, timing, and knowing when to roll away instead of flexing your Rivers of Blood.
Here’s a deep dive into the strongest and most enjoyable PvP builds right now, along with the strategies that separate the duelists from the flail-spammers.
Best PvP Builds Right Now
Below are some tried and tested builds that hold up in both duels and invasions, whether you like to snipe from a distance or bleed your enemies into regret.
| Build Name | Main Stat | Key Weapon(s) | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers of Blood Samurai | Arcane / Dexterity | Rivers of Blood Katana | Aggressive bleed build-up with pressure combos |
| Faith Blaster | Faith | Blasphemous Blade / Lightning Spear | Burst damage and zoning with powerful incantations |
| Colossal Strength Chad | Strength | Great Club / Giant-Crusher | Tanky brawler that thrives on trade hits |
| Frost & Fire Hybrid | Intelligence / Faith | Death’s Poker / Blasphemous Blade | Elemental burst combos and crowd control |
| Pure Dex Duelist | Dexterity | Nagakiba / Cross-Naginata | Speed-focused, relies on spacing and punishes |
| Moonveil Sorcerer | Intelligence | Moonveil Katana / Lusat’s Glintstone Staff | Mix of ranged spells and devastating weapon arts |
Key PvP Strategies
1. Learn to Trade Wisely
Trading damage is inevitable, but the winner is whoever understands poise and hyper armour. Strength builds excel here, especially if you learn to eat a hit while swinging a colossal weapon into your opponent’s face.
2. Don’t Roll Spam
The temptation to mash dodge rolls after a hit is real, but experienced duelists will punish your panic. Instead, delay rolls, vary timing, and sometimes, yes, just walk. Nothing confuses people like confident, deliberate movement.
3. Punish Weapon Skills
If someone whips out Rivers of Blood or Moonveil, don’t panic roll. Bait the first attack, then roll into them on the follow-up and counter. It’s like dancing, if dancing came with 50% bleed build-up.
4. Space and Stamina Management
Your stamina bar is your real lifeline. Always leave enough for at least one roll or guard break punish. Running out mid-fight is the PvP equivalent of tripping in front of your crush.
5. Buff Smart, Not Long
Don’t spend 40 seconds coating yourself in spells while your opponent watches. Quick buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow are perfect. Long rituals are for PvE.
Best Weapons for PvP
These weapons currently dominate the PvP meta or remain timeless due to their move sets and speed.
- Cross-Naginata: Excellent reach and speed, especially when paired with bleed.
- Rivers of Blood: Still brutal if used with timing and restraint (don’t spam).
- Blasphemous Blade: Faith build classic, high burst healing and power.
- Nagakiba: Ridiculous range for a katana; great for spacing duels.
- Claymore: Reliable, fast, and honest. A classic duelist’s weapon.
- Great Épée: Perfect for hit-and-run pokes. Annoying in the right hands.
Best PvP Talismans
Equip these to gain an edge in almost every duel type:
- Erdtree’s Favour +2: More HP, stamina, and equip load, always worth it.
- Bull-Goat’s Talisman: Keeps you from staggering during trades.
- Shard of Alexander: Buffs Ashes of War for high burst.
- Ritual Shield Talisman: Extra defence at full health for opening trades.
PvP Hotspots
If you’re looking for duels or chaos:
- First Step (Limgrave): For invasions and early-level PvP.
- Main Academy Gate (Liurnia): Classic 1v1 duel spot.
- Colosseum Arenas: Structured fights and team battles.
- Moghwyn Palace: Invade at your own peril, bleed and madness everywhere.
Tips for Different PvP Modes
Duels
Honourable combat (most of the time). Bow, buff, and fight fair… until they spam Moonveil. Then all bets are off.
Invasions
Expect chaos. Play like a trickster, not a tank. Split groups, use terrain, and always carry ranged options for punishing healers or runners.
Team Battles
Stick to your role. If you’re a caster, support and zone. If you’re a strength build, be the wall. And if you’re dual wielding katanas, please stop roll-catching your own team.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
PvP in Elden Ring isn’t about finding the “perfect” build. It’s about experimenting, adapting, and occasionally realising that your favourite weapon is also your biggest weakness. The meta shifts, sure, but good instincts, spacing, and confidence will always win more fights than stats alone.
So go out there, sharpen your blade, and maybe, just maybe, don’t roll straight into a Lightning Spear next time.
