Struggling to invade other players’ worlds in Elden Ring can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re eager to test your skills in PvP combat. Let’s break down why this might be happening and how to fix it.
Common Reasons for Invasion Issues
The most frequent reason for invasion problems is actually quite simple – level matching. Elden Ring uses a specific formula that matches you with players within a certain level range of your character. If you’re either too high or too low level for a particular area, you might find yourself unable to connect with other players.
Network Settings and NAT Type
Your network setup plays a crucial role in successful invasions. I’ve seen countless players struggle with this without realizing their NAT type is set to strict. You’ll want to ensure you have a moderate or open NAT type – this single change can dramatically improve your invasion success rate.
Location and Time Matters
Just like a real-world marketplace, timing is everything. Trying to invade at 3 AM in a less popular area might leave you waiting for quite a while. Instead, focus on popular PvP hotspots like:
– Limgrave First Step
– Main Academy Gate
– First Step
– Raya Lucaria Academy
Quick Fixes to Try
Here’s what I recommend doing first:
1. Check your multiplayer password – make sure it’s cleared if you’re trying to invade random players
2. Verify you’re using Festering Bloody Fingers or Recusant Fingers correctly
3. Ensure you’re in an area where the area boss is still alive
4. Check your internet connection stability
Level Range Considerations
As a general rule, your invasion level should be appropriate for the area you’re in. For example, if you’re level 150 trying to invade in Limgrave, you might have trouble finding matches since most players there are typically between levels 1-40.
Technical Solutions
Still having issues? Try these more technical fixes:
– Restart your game completely
– Verify your game files through Steam
– Check if you’ve been soft-banned (you’ll see a message in-game if you have)
– Test your internet connection speed and stability
Remember, sometimes the simplest solution works best – if you’re still having trouble, try moving to a different area or restarting your console/PC. The game’s matchmaking system can occasionally get stuck, and a fresh start often resolves these issues.
Being patient with invasion mechanics can be challenging, but understanding these fundamentals will help you spend less time waiting and more time engaging in exciting PvP combat. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be successfully invading other Tarnished in no time!
