If a player is willing to brave an Elden Ring invasion, these spots may be worth the trouble. The exciting announcement that Steamforged Games is adapting FromSoftware's Elden Ring into a board game means that the invasion strategies from the video game may have yet another use in real life. As a player's level rises in Elden Ring's PvP Invasion zones, so does the level of their opponents. At a certain point, usually after reaching a certain level, the invader will face up against not just one, but two enemies. Those who are already at the top of their game and looking to step up their game will embrace the challenge, while others will choose to stay where they are. Risk and profit must be considered while deciding where to invade, and some spots offer too much potential gain to be ignored. Each area has its own unique set of environmental factors, from the loud stomping of the Giants on the Mountaintops Of The Giants to the cramped hallways of Raya Lucaria Academy, and taking these into account and employing them to one's advantage can quickly lead to victory.
Siofra River
While not ideal for harvesting, lower-level invasion zones like Siofra River do provide some amusement. The player can rest easy while they slaughter their enemies, secure in the knowledge that nothing ridiculously powerful is lurking around the corner to spring a surprise attack. The Ancestral Archers strewn over the region provide a potent offensive advantage, providing for a fight that can be finished in reasonable time. The host is left severely defenseless as the spirit animals fire upon them because the area is a wide-open spot with little obstacles.
The First Step Site Of Grace
The First Step Site of Grace is the first Site of Grace most players will come across in the game, making it one of the most accessible invasion locations. The map has its advantages, such as putting players in close enough proximity to offer each other support, but it also has its drawbacks. Since there aren't many many enemies close by, the player shouldn't have to worry about getting overwhelmed. However, there won't be any friendly foes around to lend a hand, increasing the player's likelihood of being assaulted by a group of players working together.
Stormveil Castle
Stormveil Castle is another early-game invasion location, and one where home field advantage matters; guiding the hosts into a trap of dangerous creatures can offer an easy win, therefore it's important to completely explore the area before launching an attack. The zone is most useful when both players are low level, although being a few levels above or below the host might make or break your chances. The good news is that most invaders and hosts in this region are rookies, thus reducing the threat.
Volcano Manor
Once the player has a firm grasp on the neighborhood, taking use of Volcano Manor's immense infiltration potential is child's play. This is especially true because the manor is home to Recusants, whom the player may use to recruit Man-Serpents. While many different types of enemies might be useful allies during invasions, the Man-Serpent stands out due to the fact that it carries a weapon and shield. Even if the Volcano Manor is a dangerous place to explore, the fact that you may summon foes and use them to your advantage gives it a particular allure.
Liurnia Of The Lakes
When facing hosts with the most potent magic constructs in Elden Ring, it can be useful to retreat to the Liurnia of the Lakes, a big body of water where not many opponents inhabit. Magic users will be at a significant disadvantage due to the abundance of defenses available to ranged attackers and spellcasters. In addition, the territory is suitable for both low- and high-level invasions, so don't be scared off by the host's superior strength. The sole drawback is lower damage and lower stats, but due of this, the player is less likely to perish early.
Crumbling Farum Azula
The Crumbling Farum Azula is a great choice for adventurers seeking a tense, action-packed experience against formidable enemies, with the potential for even greater rewards if they are willing to take advantage of the location's weaknesses to the detriment of the host. As the host nation fights off local threats like dragons, the invading force can sneak up behind them and help bring the host nation to its knees. Due to the great difficulty of both the environment and the enemies, battles tend to be over almost as soon as they begin.
Mountaintops Of The Giants
True to their moniker, the Mountaintops of the Giants are home to a large population of giants that can serve as a convenient diversion for invading armies. When using certain constructs, the region also becomes a lot simpler to invade. Because there aren't any impediments to help the host reinforce their defenses, they're pretty much at the mercy of the invader and anything they call for. To succeed in the Mountaintops of The Giants, the player must have a build that places a premium on damage in order to have any hope of surviving the onslaught of the game's monstrous foes.
Miquella's Haligtree
Miquella's Haligtree is famed for trapping even the most adept invaders, and not even the greatest antidotes in Elden Ring can save the player from its sneaky and fatally tight areas. However, the benefits of the invader are somewhat mitigated by the abundance of formidable adversaries roaming the area, as they might be of great use in advancing the assault. The Miquella haligtree is more simpler to find in its lower locations than at higher ones, although extreme caution and vigilance are still advised.
Raya Lucaria Academy
Several useful advantages come along with attacking the Raya Lucaria Academy, such as the presence of a formidable NPC enemy close by who may be paired up with to defeat the host. When it comes to invasion sites, the Raya Lucaria Academy features one particularly amazing trap: a boulder that the invader can lure the host under to instantly destroy them. In fact, instead of deploying the strongest weaponry in Elden Ring, flattening your opponent may be the funniest option available.
Leyndell Royal Capital
Players will appreciate the respite provided by Lyndell Royal Capital, the invasion site with the least post-apocalyptic visuals. It looks like something out of a fairy tale, what with all the golden-roofed houses and friendly critters, but the snowmen are waiting to pop the bubbles of the intruder while he is too busy gawking to notice that they have murdered him. Here, you'll find a wide variety of enemies to fight, as well as spaces ideal for invading with any kind of structure. As long as the player doesn't become distracted by the amazing horns, Lyndell Royal Capital's many open or cut-off zones are highly addictive to explore and conquer.