Elden Ring Player Attempts to Use Metal Gear Solid Tactics Goes Wrong

An Elden Ring player employs tactical espionage action inspired by Metal Gear Solid to get the drop on an enemy, but with unfortunate results.

With Elden Ring‘s release, players are finding creative and interesting ways to take down the game’s many foes. One player in particular tries to take the stealthy approach with unfortunate results.

The Mimic’s Veil, for those who don’t know or have it, is a reusable key item in Elden Ring that can camouflage the user by turning them into a random environmental object. This hides them from enemy NPCs and reduces their detection radius but most importantly, it hides the host (the player of the game) from would-be player invaders.

Stealth in From Software games isn’t new. The Chameleon spell and Young White Branch from the Dark Souls series, the Messenger’s Gift in Bloodborne, and crouching in foliage in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are just a few instances wherein From Software has allowed stealth game aficionados a chance to showcase their sneaking skills. It’s only fitting that u/_mrgreenthumb_ was disguised as a box as it made him look like he was channeling his inner Solid Snake.

Unfortunately, Mimic’s Veil isn’t a very practical key item to use in Elden Ring‘s PvE component. Players can’t attack, use items, or run and sprint while camouflaged, as doing any of these things nullifies the effects of the Veil. Apart from a small stealth boost, players would be better off spending the 6 Focus Points required of the item elsewhere.

PvP is a different story, as invading players are usually directed towards a host’s location. By using the Mimic’s Veil, a host can effectively hide themselves (as well as their health bar and character name), from the invaders. They can then wait until the invader gives up the search and leaves or they can prepare a surprise sneak attack. Inversely, invading players can use the Mimic’s Veil to hide their character’s red silhouette and get the jump on the host instead.

Elden Ring is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.