Elden Ring PVP is a branch of multiplayer that, unlike co-op, is designed only to harass other players and test their mettle. You invade someone else’s game and force them into a fight to the death, though they aren’t without recourse to special aid of their own. PVP is a bit more complicated than regular co-op, but we’ve broken down how it works and what items you need to get started.
How to Start Elden Ring PVP
You’ll have to wait a little before you can start issuing challenges to other players and even longer if you want to do a spot of invading. However, you can invite other players to a duel in your game almost as soon as you leave the Stranded Graveyard, the tutorial dungeon (just make sure to pick up the Finger Severer before getting on the elevator in the Graveyard, since it lets you end multiplayer matches).
Head to the Church of Elleh, following the floating gold dust from the Site of Grace north and giving the Tree Sentinel a wide berth since you’re probably not quite ready for that fight yet. Speak with Kale the Merchant in the church to obtain a Crafting Kit, then use some Erdleaf to make a Furlcalling Finger Remedy.
This unveils summoning signs other players left on the ground. Red summoning signs indicate players who wish to challenge a Host of Fingers (you, in other words). Interacting with them places you in the Host role, but unlike hosting in real life, your task is to murder your guest, not welcome them with small talk and party food.
Does Elden Ring Have PVP Matchmaking?
Sort of. PVP matchmaking is the same as co-op matchmaking, a vague system that places players together based on their current progress and gear level. For example, if you’re a level 30 Tarnished with a +10 greatsword, you can’t invade and demolish a level 12 player.
How to Invade in Elden Ring
If you want to invade another player, you have a few options built around some slightly confusing systems and a hand’s worth of bloody fingers.
How to Leave a PVP Summoning Sign
The Stormhill Coliseum has two items you need to leave a red summoning sign. From there, other players can activate it and bring you into their world as a challenger. One is the Duelist’s Furled Finger found on a corpse outside the building. This is essentially a PVP version of the Tarnished’s Furled Finger and lets you drop a red sign onto the ground. Another player can then use the Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal it.
The same corpse has the Small Red Effigy. Use this at an active Martyr’s Effigy – located outside dungeons and boss fights, usually near a Site of Grace – to add your sign to the Effigy’s summoning pool.
How to Invade Another Player’s Game
To invade another player’s world without being summoned, you need either a Bloody Finger or a Festering Bloody Finger. The Bloody Finger is a permanent item obtained from the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes. Festering Bloody Fingers are consumable. You can purchase these from Varre, also at Rose Church, and you’ll receive six if you attack and defeat the NPC outside Stranded Graveyard in Limgrave.
Both have the same function. Using either lets you invade another player’s world, where you and potentially another Bloody Finger face off against the Host and an ally or two if the Host has a White Cipher Ring active. Your goal is defeating the Host. You can fell the allies to make the process easier, but it’s not required.
After completing Volcano Manor, you’ll obtain the Recusant’s Finger. This works essentially the same as the Bloody Finger, except your goal is killing the host before they reach the boss arena. If they do reach the boss room, then you fail your mission and return to your game.
And, of course, players can do all this to you as well. Elden Ring PVP is entirely optional, though. If you don’t want to be summoned for a duel or even be invaded yourself, turn online mode off so you can play in peace.
