The Enduring Challenge of PvP Balance in Elden Ring

Introduction

Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, has captivated players with its sprawling open world, deep lore, and challenging gameplay. However, one of its most persistent issues is PvP (player versus player) balance. FromSoftware's previous titles, such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, faced similar concerns, but Elden Ring’s larger scale and expanded combat mechanics have exacerbated these issues. This article delves into the key balance problems affecting Elden Ring’s PvP scene, analyzing their impact and possible solutions.

The Evolution of PvP in FromSoftware Games

FromSoftware’s PvP mechanics have evolved significantly since the early days of Demon’s Souls. Elden Ring introduces new mechanics, such as Ashes of War and a broader variety of weapons and spells, adding layers of complexity to PvP combat. However, this increased complexity also leads to significant balance concerns.

The Impact of Ashes of War

Ashes of War, a new customization system, allows players to apply unique abilities to weapons, drastically altering combat strategies. While this system adds depth, it also introduces overpowered combinations that dominate PvP encounters.

Weapon Variety and Meta Issues

With hundreds of weapons available, certain weapon classes emerge as dominant due to superior speed, range, or damage output. Weapons like Colossal Swords and Katanas frequently overshadow other options, limiting build diversity.

The Overpowering Nature of Status Effects

Status effects play a significant role in Elden Ring’s PvP, with mechanics like Bleed and Frostbite becoming central to many builds.

The Bleed Meta

Bleed builds are notoriously powerful due to their ability to deal burst damage quickly. Weapons like the Rivers of Blood katana have become infamous for their devastating impact, making them nearly mandatory for competitive PvP.

Other Status Effects and Their Viability

While Bleed dominates, other effects such as Poison and Madness struggle to find their place in the meta due to lower effectiveness or slower buildup times.

Magic in PvP: A Double-Edged Sword

Magic has long been a contentious aspect of FromSoftware’s PvP balance, and Elden Ring is no exception.

The Strength of Sorceries

Sorceries like Comet Azur offer overwhelming damage, allowing some players to eliminate opponents before they can react. The ability to chain powerful spells can make PvP encounters frustratingly one-sided.

The Underutilization of Incantations

Unlike sorceries, many incantations suffer from long casting times or limited practical use in PvP, leading to an imbalance between spellcasting disciplines.

Poise and Hyper Armor: A Flawed System?

The Poise system, dictating how much damage a player can take before staggering, remains one of the most controversial mechanics in PvP.

The Effectiveness of High-Poise Builds

Heavy armor builds leveraging high Poise can ignore multiple hits, leading to situations where aggression is rewarded over skillful play.

The Struggles of Low-Poise Builds

On the other hand, light armor users can be easily interrupted, making fast and reactive playstyles less viable compared to tanky, hyper armor-focused builds.

The Role of Network Issues in PvP Balance

Elden Ring’s online infrastructure has long been criticized for its instability, further complicating PvP balance.

Lag and Hit Registration Problems

Latency issues frequently result in attacks landing incorrectly, leading to frustrating deaths and inconsistencies in combat.

The Problem with Phantom Range

Some weapons appear to hit opponents from unrealistic distances due to network desynchronization, further exacerbating balance concerns.

Overpowered Builds and the Lack of Counters

Some PvP builds feel nearly unbeatable due to limited counterplay options.

The Rise of One-Shot Builds

Certain combinations of buffs, spells, and weapons allow players to defeat opponents in a single attack, reducing combat to a game of "who hits first."

Lack of Viable Defensive Options

While aggression is often rewarded, defensive playstyles struggle due to weak counter mechanics and the high damage output of some weapons and abilities.

Community Feedback and FromSoftware’s Response

Despite these issues, FromSoftware has made attempts to address balance concerns through patches and updates.

Nerfs to Overpowered Weapons

Weapons like Rivers of Blood and Starscourge Greatswords have seen damage reductions, but these changes often come months after their dominance in the meta.

The Need for More Frequent Balancing

While updates help, Elden Ring’s PvP scene would benefit from more consistent balance patches to keep the meta fresh and diverse.

Potential Solutions for a More Balanced PvP Experience

To improve Elden Ring’s PvP experience, several changes could be considered.

Adjusting Scaling and Damage Output

Reducing the damage output of certain weapons and spells could create a more balanced combat environment where skill takes precedence over raw power.

Reworking Poise and Hyper Armor Mechanics

A refined Poise system that rewards skillful play rather than sheer tankiness could make combat more engaging and strategic.

Enhancing Network Stability

Improvements to the game’s netcode would address many frustrations players face in PvP, making battles feel fairer and more responsive.

Conclusion

Elden Ring’s PvP offers thrilling combat but remains plagued by balance issues. Overpowered builds, status effect dominance, network instability, and infrequent updates contribute to a frustrating experience for many players. Addressing these concerns through systematic balance patches, network improvements, and gameplay tweaks would go a long way in refining the game’s competitive scene. While FromSoftware has taken steps to improve PvP balance, a more proactive approach is needed to ensure long-term sustainability.