Best Matchmaking Range & "Fair" Load-out Advice?

[Oleander]

Enjoying Lv25(+3/+1) but it's a bit sparse. I've heard a lot that Lv125 is the main target for higher level pvp, but are any other ranges very active? And will bumping my current Lv125(+25/+10) to 150 hurt my results?

I've been beating the game at Lv25 while I wait for matches and now I won my 4th Talisman Pouch, but I'm not really sure if I should equip one or not because depending on the invasion it feels like overkill. I might just use it for Arsenal and bring more toys to my invasions, or perma slot veil .

How much is overkill for Lv25? I try not to do anything tooo crazy, depending on my opponents loadout. I've been passed some later game stuff but mostly just run BH Fang +Leather Set. Talismans vary, but I'm very curious how much of an impact they make. and I want to experiment with gear.

I kinda feel like Millicent's Prosthesis is a fair tradeoff for cosplay+low vig but worry it's overkill. I don't tend to get all that aggro, especially for players that aren't as comfortable with the game yet. I love giving them some time to see and react to the different moves. I had SO much fun helping a person get their parry timing down~

Tl;Dr- What Matchmaking ranges are actually active? is late game equipment overkill if you balance it out with a weakness and try to play at an opponent's skill level? Anything to avoid because it's flagrant overkill?

[Mr.America]

Last I played MP, coop was active at 80 +15 in at around Gelmir/Altus/Leyndell. I suppose as invader you'll most likely invade in Leyndell then. Maybe +18 would be better, but I'm not entirely sure.

[MULTIPASS]

Yeah, I'm also a big fan of the 80-90 range and keeping weapons at +18/+7.

[Señor Brown]

If you mean invasions, anything below RL100 would likely be best for activity. Like Mr. America stated, RL80 is a good one, as is RL40 (+10/+4), RL60 (+15/+6), etc.

Haven't tried it, but heard that RL300+ is active because the upper limit for level range is removed. That is, you can invade a max level character (RL713) as an RL300 character, and everything in between.

Lastly, RL125-RL150 are more of the "meta" levels. If you are interested in this bracket, then RL138 would allow you to invade everything within this range. This one has decent activity.

There's also RL166, which would allow you to invade hosts between RL150 to RL200. While some people swear that there is lots of activity, always found it to be hit the hardest whenever the game's player count drops too low. But it can be fun when there is activity.

If you meant duels, then head straight for meta levels (RL125-RL150).

And most importantly, backup your save before raising your level. That way, you aren't forced to lose your low-level character while you experiment with higher rune levels.

EDIT: As for late game equipment, it'll be more frowned upon the lower level you go (i.e. using current patch Rivers of Blood in Stormveil Castle). Still handy to have those tools in case you run into overleveled phantoms. Otherwise, it really depends on whether you care what others will think of you.

[Oleander]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice- and definitely backing up my save after having messed up matchmaking level previously

[Oleander]

Shame but feels like 80's is dead water for pvp. I'll have to try again another time I guess, but so far it's just some people with the best in slot weapons, armors, and talismans waiting for invaders in a group. Proceed to be stun locked. That's when I actually get summoned or get to invade, the wait takes ages.

I might get around to trying 125 but tbh I'm tired of going so far out of my way just to find active players, and I really don't wanna level all the way up to 125 again just for the matchmaking. I can't imagine it's much better in terms of what I'd be dealing with. Just the most broken stuff you can slot...

I was really hoping there would be some lower level duels but seems brown was right, as there aren't any at level 80 either...

Magic in particular feels horrible( I guess if you're just griefling it'd be really useful). Any melee weapon does better. even with radagons not a single spell can seem to get off by the time I am halberded in the face and stunned out of my cast.