Introduction
Since its release, Elden Ring has captivated players with its vast open world, deep lore, and complex combat mechanics. However, its PvP (Player vs. Player) mode has been a point of contention due to balancing issues. Players frequently express frustration over certain weapons, spells, and mechanics that create an unfair playing field. This article will explore these imbalances in detail, examining their causes, effects, and potential solutions.
The Rise of Unbalanced Weapons
One of the biggest complaints in Elden Ring PvP is the dominance of specific weapons.
Colossal Weapons and Overpowered Attack Chains
- Colossal weapons deal immense damage, but their stagger potential often makes them overwhelming in PvP.
- Players using ultra greatswords and colossal weapons can chain attacks that stun-lock opponents, leaving them with no chance to counter.
- These weapons often benefit disproportionately from buffs, making them even deadlier.
The Problem with Dual-Wielding Builds
- Dual-wielding certain weapons, particularly katanas and thrusting swords, allows for quick, unavoidable damage.
- The infamous “Power Stance” often forces players into passive playstyles, waiting for an opportunity rather than engaging strategically.
- Some weapon combinations create overly aggressive metas, eliminating the need for diverse tactics.
Broken Ashes of War
Ashes of War are supposed to offer variety, but some dominate PvP.
The Bleed Meta
- Seppuku and Rivers of Blood have been notorious for their overwhelming power.
- Bleed builds can deplete an opponent’s health in seconds, even through defense.
- This forces many players into using similar builds just to compete.
The Overuse of “Flaming Strike” and “Lion’s Claw”
- These Ashes of War provide excessive range, speed, and power.
- They can be spammed repeatedly with little counterplay, frustrating those on the receiving end.
- Certain builds become mandatory for PvP effectiveness.
Spellcasting Discrepancies
Magic builds in Elden Ring face their own set of balance issues.
Unfair Tracking and High Damage
- Stars of Ruin and Comet Azur are prime examples of spells with unreasonably high tracking and excessive damage.
- Many spells are difficult to avoid without using specific countermeasures, making them feel overpowered.
The Limited Viability of Faith Builds
- Incantations, while visually impressive, often lack the speed and utility needed in PvP.
- Many Faith spells have long cast times, making them impractical in fast-paced combat.
- Players are often forced to use only a few viable spells, reducing build diversity.
Poise and Hyper Armor Problems
The mechanics of Poise and Hyper Armor significantly impact PvP balance.
Poise Mechanics Favor Heavy Armor Users
- High Poise values make it nearly impossible to stagger certain builds.
- Some enemies can tank through hits while outputting excessive damage, discouraging fast weapon playstyles.
Light Armor and Dexterity Builds Suffer
- Despite being designed for agility, dexterity builds lack defensive advantages.
- Without reliable ways to counter Poise-heavy opponents, light-armored players struggle to compete.
Overuse of Status Effects
Status effects are meant to add variety, but they dominate certain metas.
The Frostbite and Bleed Combination
- Bleed reduces HP rapidly, while Frostbite further reduces stamina regeneration and resistance.
- Combining the two results in a devastating build with little counterplay.
Madness: An Unbalanced Mechanic
- Madness inflicts extreme damage while also stunning opponents.
- It has limited counters, making it feel unfair in competitive play.
Phantom Hitboxes and Lag Issues
Netcode problems further exacerbate PvP balance issues.
Desynced Hitboxes
- Many PvP encounters suffer from hitboxes not aligning with animations.
- Players often get hit by attacks that visually miss them.
Lag Exploits
- Some players manipulate lag to gain unfair advantages.
- Techniques like “phantom range” and teleporting attacks create frustration.
The Problem with PvP Arenas
The introduction of dedicated PvP arenas was meant to help, but problems persist.
Limited Matchmaking Variety
- Many arenas feature repetitive matchups against the same builds.
- Certain weapons and strategies dominate, reducing variety.
Unfair Spawn Locations
- Players sometimes spawn into disadvantaged positions.
- Some arenas favor ranged or defensive playstyles, making fights one-sided.
Community Reactions and Proposed Fixes
Players have suggested several ways to improve PvP balancing.
Nerfing Overpowered Builds
- Reducing Bleed buildup and modifying certain Ashes of War could improve fairness.
- Adjusting Colossal weapon recovery frames would balance stagger potential.
Improving Netcode and Hit Registration
- Fixing lag-related issues would make PvP encounters feel fairer.
- Server stability improvements could reduce hitbox inconsistencies.
Expanding Build Variety
- Buffing underused weapons and spells could diversify PvP combat.
- Encouraging multiple viable strategies would keep fights interesting.
Conclusion
While Elden Ring PvP offers exciting combat mechanics, significant balancing issues hinder fair competition. Overpowered weapons, status effects, netcode issues, and limited viable builds make certain playstyles mandatory, reducing the game’s strategic depth. However, with future patches and community feedback, Elden Ring can still refine its PvP experience and create a more balanced battlefield.
