Elden Ring’s PvP system adds layers of excitement to co-op sessions, especially when invasions come into play. Whether you’re the one crashing a friendly gathering or a summoned hunter responding to a call for help, having a well-rounded invasion build makes a huge difference. Co-op invasions are chaotic by nature—fights often involve 2v1 or 3v1 situations—so smart planning, proper item use, and build efficiency become essential.

Here are 13 builds that thrive in co-op invasions, offering crowd control, burst damage, survivability, and tactical edge when you’re outnumbered.

1. Strength-Bleed Hybrid (Greatsword + Seppuku Katana)

This build combines raw stagger potential with fast bleed procs. The Greatsword can break guards and posture, while the offhand Katana stacked with Seppuku punishes distracted hosts or phantoms with rapid blood loss.

2. Frostbite Trap Mage

Using Frostbite sorceries like Adula’s Moonblade and Zamor Ice Storm, this build lays down zones of control. It's highly effective at funneling enemies into tight areas where your spells hit hardest.

3. Faith Lightning Burst (Giant’s Seal + Ancient Lightning Spear)

This setup allows you to throw massive lightning bolts from a distance, keeping pressure on players trying to heal or stay grouped. Faith builds also benefit from strong healing, making you harder to finish off.

4. Dual Whip Bleed Build

Whips ignore shields and offer sweeping attacks—perfect for hitting multiple enemies at once. When infused with bleed, they become deadly over time, especially when circling or flanking groups.

5. Pure Dexterity Quickstep Dual Daggers

Using Quickstep lets you move unpredictably, while dual daggers apply consistent pressure. This build is great for hit-and-run tactics and targeting isolated phantoms before disappearing back into cover.

6. Rot and Poison Status Overload

Pair Rotten Breath and Poison Mists with weapons like the Antspur Rapier or Scorpion’s Stinger. This loadout overwhelms teams who lack ways to cleanse status effects, forcing them to play defensively.

7. Greatbow Sniper Build

While your allies engage, you sit at a distance with a Greatbow and Rain of Arrows. Perfect for pressuring flasks, staggering casters, or finishing fleeing players. High strength and dexterity are key.

8. Mad Flame Prophet (Frenzied Burst + Flame of Frenzy)

Chaos incarnate in co-op invasions. Frenzy incantations deal AoE damage and cause disorientation, giving your team space to push or escape. Stack mind and faith to sustain casting output.

9. Shield Crash Tank + Counter (Greatshield + Spear)

This build is all about holding the front line. Charge with Shield Crash to break formations, then follow up with spear thrusts or swap to a Greatsword for burst finishers. Very effective when invading alongside allies.

10. Arcane Hexcaster (Swarm of Flies + Bloodflame Blade)

Arcane allows for scaling with bleed and debuff spells. With Swarm of Flies to distract and obscure vision, you can rush in with buffed melee weapons for quick eliminations.

11. Intelligence Artillery Mage

Glinstone Pebble and Stars of Ruin offer great tracking and chip damage, while spells like Cannon of Haima or Comet Azur punish tight-knit groups. Best used from elevated positions or surprise angles.

12. Dual Curved Sword Acrobat

Agile and evasive, this dexterity-based build uses curved swords and jumping attacks to disorient groups. When equipped with a light armor set, it becomes hard to pin down in chaotic skirmishes.

13. Flask of Wondrous Physick Burst Build

Combine a Physick that boosts poise or casting speed with a short-term damage buff, then rush in with a spell or heavy weapon to eliminate one player instantly. This is a “one-shot or retreat” style but can shift momentum fast.

Co-op invasions require builds that are as strategic as they are lethal. Whether you rely on burst damage, status effects, mobility, or pure chaos, having a plan makes all the difference when facing coordinated enemies. Many of these builds require optimized gear and high-level tuning—if you're looking to test them quickly, grabbing cheap elden ring runes or checking Elden Ring Items for sale can help streamline your setup.

Experiment with each build’s timing, spacing, and combos to find what fits your invasion playstyle best. And remember: in the Lands Between, disruption is just as powerful as destruction.