FromSoftware's Elden Ring offers players a vast, intricate world to explore, and while adventuring solo can be rewarding, there’s a certain magic in experiencing the game with friends. Whether you're looking to tackle tough bosses or explore the Lands Between together, the multiplayer experience can add layers of fun and strategy to the game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to play with friends in Elden Ring, ensuring you make the most of your time in co-op.
To start playing with friends in Elden Ring, you’ll need to set up multiplayer functionality, which requires a few specific steps. First, make sure your game is connected to the internet and that you’re able to summon and be summoned in the world of Elden Ring.
Before you can start playing with others, you'll need to unlock the ability to summon help. This is done early in the game, as you progress through the story and reach the first Sites of Grace. The Furlcalling Finger Remedy, a key item for multiplayer summoning, can be crafted once you reach the appropriate stage in the game.
Once you have access to multiplayer, you’ll be able to use the Tarnished's Furled Finger to create a summon sign. By placing your summon sign on the ground, friends (or strangers) can use it to bring you into their world. You can set the sign anywhere, but it’s typically best to place it near a Site of Grace where your friends can quickly access it.
If you prefer to take a more aggressive approach, you can also invade other players' worlds as a hostile force using the Red Summon Sign. This turns the game into a PvP experience, with you hunting down other players.
Once your friends have their summon signs down, it’s time to join their world. If you want to summon them into your world, the process is just as straightforward.
To join your friend's game, you’ll need to have their Tarnished's Furled Finger sign down and interact with it. Once summoned, you can freely explore the world together, fight bosses, and tackle dungeons. However, there are some restrictions on how much of the game you can progress together:
World Progression: If you’re summoned into another player’s world, you won’t advance your own game’s storyline. However, you will receive rewards like runes and items for your efforts.
Host and Summon: In co-op, the player who is hosting (the "Host of Fingers") is the one who controls the world and all major decisions, like which bosses to fight or which areas to explore.
Multiplayer in Elden Ring isn’t without its limits. One major restriction is that players need to be within a certain level range to join each other’s games. The exact level range varies but typically allows for up to 10 levels of difference between the host and their summon.
Another key consideration is the use of Furlcalling Finger Remedy. This consumable item allows players to see the summon signs of others, which is crucial for connecting with friends.
While playing with friends can be a blast, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth multiplayer experience.
When playing with friends, you’ll need to manage your resources wisely. While your friends may help you deal damage to enemies, you’ll need to watch your own health and healing items, as it’s easy to get caught up in the action and run low on supplies.
Keep in mind that the difficulty scales with the number of players in your game. Bosses will become harder when there are multiple players involved, so don’t be afraid to adjust your strategy or play cautiously if you find yourself struggling. In general, however, having friends around can make fights easier and more enjoyable.
A common issue in Elden Ring’s multiplayer is the inability to summon friends due to network problems or game bugs. Make sure that both players are connected to the internet, and try re-placing your summon signs if you encounter issues.
Playing Elden Ring with friends opens up a whole new layer of fun in this already complex and vast game. Whether you’re tackling tough enemies or just enjoying the freedom of exploring the world together, multiplayer offers a dynamic way to experience Elden Ring. With a little preparation, your co-op adventures in the Lands Between will be a memorable journey for you and your friends.
So gather your party, get ready to fight, and explore the ever-dangerous, ever-beautiful world of Elden Ring with your closest allies!
