Online functionality in the Dark Souls franchise is rather strange. Instead of using a matchmaking system through a menu, players mark their phantom into the ground using a Soapstone to be summoned by others. Alternately, players can fight others by either using a Red Eye Orb or fighting in an arena.
PvP in Dark Souls 3 can be especially tough since, more often than not, the game pits invaders against groups. Red phantoms also have to deal with reduced health and Estus Flask charges. All of that said, it isn't impossible to take down groups of other players. Here are ten tips for winning PvP engagements in Dark Souls 3.
10 Bring Multiple Weapons
Veteran Dark Souls invaders will likely find this tip to be an unspoken rule yet so few newer players do this. Players should always bring multiple weapons to a PvP fight. While it is a good idea to have a main weapon to get better with, some weapons are much better at dealing with certain builds.
Bleed daggers, for example, are a must for countering greatshield players that play conservatively. Whips are also a solid choice for mid-range attacks since few players know how to counter it. Players by no means need to master every weapon archetype in the game, but they should adapt to engagements and use the right tool for the job.
9 Break Up Groups
In group-based arenas and most invasions, players are going to need to split their attention amongst two or three targets at once. This can be a death sentence for someone trying to improve at Dark Souls 3 PvP. In these cases, it is best to bait members of the group away from each other.
A great way to break up groups in invasions is to use a bow or greatbow for long-range attacks. Landing a few arrows is enough to infuriate a player and cause a pursuit. Get them isolated and take them down before the rest of the group converges. If they're close to death but the group is quickly approaching, it's better to retreat and fight another day. PvP is a battle of attrition, not a DPS check.
8 Focus On The Host Or Invader
This tip mostly applies to invasions. Whenever a player invades a host, they will almost always enter a world that has a host accompanied by one or two phantoms. Whenever this occurs, the player should focus on killing the boss and not the phantoms. Hosts can summon phantoms all-day long if they wish, so it's important to shut them down instead of their summons.
From a host's perspective, they should focus on taking down the invader instead of stalling. Summoning phantoms ad nauseam is only delaying the inevitable confrontation with a phantom. Invaders are unlikely to leave since killing phantoms provides Covenant rewards. Find an advantageous position and take the invader down. Hosts have the Estus and health advantage in nearly every fight. Take advantage of that!
7 Use Consumables
Credit to USgamer for the image.
Disregard community sentiment about consumables or tactics. Dark Souls is a brutal franchise that does not hold the player's hand. Use any advantage that presents itself to defeat the opponent, even if that means using frowned-upon items.
Invaders should bring Alluring Skulls, Rope Firebombs, Duel Charms, and Undead Hunter Charms to help even the odds. Alluring Skulls allow invaders to control NPC movement while Rope Firebombs offer solid chip damage while retreating. Hosts should use the same tools except replace Alluring Skulls for a Seed of a Giant, turning the invader's environment against them by making the NPCs hostile. Of course, Undead Hunter Charms and Duel Charms are great for disabling Estus and buffs respectively.
6 Don't Overcommit
Overcommitting, otherwise known as "being greedy" by the community, refers to focusing too much on killing a target when it is disadvantageous to do so. As an example, attacking a phantom right as a few of its allies arrive is a bad idea if the player is in a rough spot.
Spamming attacks at a target will quickly drain a player's stamina bar and leave them vulnerable to counterattacks. Don't get tunnel vision on a player's health bar.
5 Use The Environment
Every location in Dark Souls 3 can be used to a player's advantage. Take advantage of any choke points or tight corridors that present themselves to limit an opponent's options. If there is a cliff the player can easily shove an opponent into, do it.
This also extends to NPCs in the area. Invaders should use Alluring Skulls to direct a host's enemies to better positions. Hosts can turn the tables by using a Seed of the Giant, making these enemies friendly. Use every element of the map to get a better position than the opposition.
4 Bring A Ranged Weapon Or Spell
Whether it's an arena match or invasion, players should always have some ranged option ready. This can be in the form of a bow or a spell.
Ranged weapons and spells are great for applying pressure to targets that are being passive. It can also be used to kill a fleeing opponent who has a sliver of health left. Lacking a ranged option just gives the opponent one less thing to worry about.
3 Avoid Rolling Twice Constantly
While this might sound specific, nearly every player in Dark Souls 3 tends to roll twice whenever they begin to roll. This can give enough time to devise a plan against less-skilled opponents, but this strategy doesn't work against skilled foes.
They will just wind up an attack and punish right as the second roll's invulnerability frames run out. Use the spacing from the first roll as an opportunity to punish the opponent.
2 Apply Pressure At All Times
Credit to はぐれAffinity for the image.
In Dark Souls 3, pressure is what determines who wins and who dies. Players that are rapidly punished for their mistakes will panic and play much worse. Being able to stress an opponent out by exploiting their weakness is key.
The best way to learn how to exploit weaknesses is through practice. Use a variety of weapons such as whips and curved swords to learn an enemy's tells.
1 Be Unpredictable
Being unpredictable is easier said than done. Most players fall into a predictable rhythm when they fight other players. This can be easily countered by veteran Dark Souls players. Introduce new tactics by mixing up attack combos, swapping to different weapons, and not relying on the same mechanic in every fight.
Unpredictability is a pressure mechanic itself that, when done correctly, will keep skilled Dark Souls 3 invaders reactive instead of staying on the offensive.