These encounters will not occur while in Hollowed form, and will no longer trigger once the area boss is killed. These Black Phantoms will drop some combination of souls, humanity, and items, if applicable. While exploring in human form, there are certain areas of the game that will trigger an invasion by a character Black Phantom, otherwise known as Red Phantoms.

Once the process of invading another world is initiated, as signalled by the message 'Invading another world,' it cannot be cancelled with the exception of dying or exiting the game. If using an Eye Orb to invade, the player may use the eye orb again to cancel their invasion. Also, Invaders are not immune to the lava in Lost Izalith or the poison swamps in Blighttown and players can lure Invaders into these hazards to kill them slowly. Invaders are still mortal to environmental hazards and it is possible to bait a Player Invader towards the Hellkite Bridge and have the Drake incinerate the Invader with its initial fly-by attack. While invaded by characters or other players, Fog Doors appear in the general area and it becomes impossible to exit the game through the in-game menu.

When playing the game, the player may be invaded if certain parameters are met.