U4GM - 8 Tips to 10 Elden Ring PvP Tips for Beginners
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 1:07 am
Player versus Player (PvP) combat in Elden Ring is one of the most thrilling aspects of the game. Unlike PvE, where the AI can be predictable, PvP pits you against real players with unpredictable strategies, wild builds, and often punishing experience. As someone who’s spent hundreds of hours dueling, invading, and defending in the Lands Between, I’ve put together these essential tips to help beginners find their footing. Whether you’re just curious or diving headfirst into PvP, these insights will give you a competitive edge.
1. Learn the PvP Meta—but Play Your Own Way
PvP in Elden Ring has its own evolving meta. Weapons like the Rivers of Blood, Moonveil, and certain Ashes of War are incredibly popular for good reason. However, don’t feel pressured to copy everyone else. While it helps to understand what’s effective, the most dangerous players are those who learn the system and adapt it to their unique playstyle. I’ve won fights with off-meta Elden Ring Items like whips and flails—what matters most is knowing your toolset.
2. Prioritize Fast Weapons for Learning
For newcomers, faster weapons like katanas, straight swords, or thrusting swords offer easier openings. Their speed helps you punish mistakes, pressure opponents, and disengage when needed. Heavy weapons have their place, but their slower animations require more experience and precise timing. In my early PvP days, switching to a faster weapon made a massive difference in my survivability.
3. Master Roll Catching
One of the most critical PvP mechanics is “roll catching”—the act of timing your attacks to catch an opponent as they exit a dodge roll. Practicing this is vital, especially against seasoned players who rely on rolls to avoid damage. I suggest entering the Colosseum or hosting duels to get a feel for the rhythm. Once I understood this concept, my win rate in invasions improved dramatically.
4. Use Buffs and Consumables Wisely
Don’t underestimate the power of buffs and throwable Elden Ring Items. Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, and even a well-timed Wondrous Physick can tilt a fight in your favor. Firebombs, Sleep Pots, and even Kukris can pressure or zone out opponents. I once won a 2v1 fight simply by keeping enemies at bay with firebombs while healing strategically.
5. PvP Is About Mind Games
You’ll quickly realize PvP isn’t just about stats and weapons—it’s mental. Faking attacks, baiting rolls, and switching weapons mid-fight can create unpredictable patterns. A trick I like is to run away, making my opponent chase, then turn and unleash a charged heavy attack just as they approach. Surprise is often stronger than raw power.
6. Mind Your Runes – Bank Them Regularly
Dying in PvP can mean losing your hard-earned runes if you're carrying too many. Always make sure to bank them or spend them before heading into combat. For those who don’t want the grind, many players choose to buy Elden Ring runes to save time and stay competitive. Services like U4GM have become a reliable option for this, especially when prepping new builds.
7. Respect Every Opponent, Learn from Every Fight
Some of my greatest growth came from losing. After each duel or invasion, reflect on what went wrong. Did you roll too early? Overextend? Miss a parry? You’ll learn more from defeat than victory. And always respect your opponents—you might be on the receiving end of their highlight reel.
8. Equip for PvP, Not PvE
PvP requires a different approach than fighting bosses or mobs. Equip talismans that boost stamina regen, poise, or resistances rather than pure damage. Swap your Wondrous Physick mix and optimize armor for fast rolls or specific resistances. My PvP build differs greatly from my PvE one, especially when it comes to mobility and burst damage.
Final Thoughts
Jumping into PvP can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of Elden Ring. From the thrill of invading an unsuspecting player to the respect of a hard-fought duel, PvP creates unforgettable stories. Equip yourself wisely, study your mistakes, and never stop experimenting.
And if you’re low on resources or just eager to try new builds faster, many players turn to platforms like U4GM to buy Elden Ring runes and Elden Ring Items safely. It’s a shortcut that helps you focus on the fun part—fighting and improving.
1. Learn the PvP Meta—but Play Your Own Way
PvP in Elden Ring has its own evolving meta. Weapons like the Rivers of Blood, Moonveil, and certain Ashes of War are incredibly popular for good reason. However, don’t feel pressured to copy everyone else. While it helps to understand what’s effective, the most dangerous players are those who learn the system and adapt it to their unique playstyle. I’ve won fights with off-meta Elden Ring Items like whips and flails—what matters most is knowing your toolset.
2. Prioritize Fast Weapons for Learning
For newcomers, faster weapons like katanas, straight swords, or thrusting swords offer easier openings. Their speed helps you punish mistakes, pressure opponents, and disengage when needed. Heavy weapons have their place, but their slower animations require more experience and precise timing. In my early PvP days, switching to a faster weapon made a massive difference in my survivability.
3. Master Roll Catching
One of the most critical PvP mechanics is “roll catching”—the act of timing your attacks to catch an opponent as they exit a dodge roll. Practicing this is vital, especially against seasoned players who rely on rolls to avoid damage. I suggest entering the Colosseum or hosting duels to get a feel for the rhythm. Once I understood this concept, my win rate in invasions improved dramatically.
4. Use Buffs and Consumables Wisely
Don’t underestimate the power of buffs and throwable Elden Ring Items. Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, and even a well-timed Wondrous Physick can tilt a fight in your favor. Firebombs, Sleep Pots, and even Kukris can pressure or zone out opponents. I once won a 2v1 fight simply by keeping enemies at bay with firebombs while healing strategically.
5. PvP Is About Mind Games
You’ll quickly realize PvP isn’t just about stats and weapons—it’s mental. Faking attacks, baiting rolls, and switching weapons mid-fight can create unpredictable patterns. A trick I like is to run away, making my opponent chase, then turn and unleash a charged heavy attack just as they approach. Surprise is often stronger than raw power.
6. Mind Your Runes – Bank Them Regularly
Dying in PvP can mean losing your hard-earned runes if you're carrying too many. Always make sure to bank them or spend them before heading into combat. For those who don’t want the grind, many players choose to buy Elden Ring runes to save time and stay competitive. Services like U4GM have become a reliable option for this, especially when prepping new builds.
7. Respect Every Opponent, Learn from Every Fight
Some of my greatest growth came from losing. After each duel or invasion, reflect on what went wrong. Did you roll too early? Overextend? Miss a parry? You’ll learn more from defeat than victory. And always respect your opponents—you might be on the receiving end of their highlight reel.
8. Equip for PvP, Not PvE
PvP requires a different approach than fighting bosses or mobs. Equip talismans that boost stamina regen, poise, or resistances rather than pure damage. Swap your Wondrous Physick mix and optimize armor for fast rolls or specific resistances. My PvP build differs greatly from my PvE one, especially when it comes to mobility and burst damage.
Final Thoughts
Jumping into PvP can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of Elden Ring. From the thrill of invading an unsuspecting player to the respect of a hard-fought duel, PvP creates unforgettable stories. Equip yourself wisely, study your mistakes, and never stop experimenting.
And if you’re low on resources or just eager to try new builds faster, many players turn to platforms like U4GM to buy Elden Ring runes and Elden Ring Items safely. It’s a shortcut that helps you focus on the fun part—fighting and improving.