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Multiplayer has been an important part of every game in the Souls franchise, starting from the original Demon’s Souls days and so it’s normal for it to pass on that torch to Elden Ring.
The multiplayer features in Souls games have remained consistently specific compared to other online games, and so are the hard and soft caps in the game.
However, FromSoftware has quietly improved the co-op and PvP functions in all of their games over time and it has been cemented as something that fans greatly enjoy. Whether it’s playing with their friends or random people, it’s always fun to run into other players.
Elden Ring is no exception and it comes with all of the co-op and PvP multiplayer features that you’d expect to see from a Souls game. And as always, the question of how to play Elden Ring online has a bit more of a specific answer than a simple ‘click on the Multiplayer’ mode.
So, how do you play co-op multiplayer in Elden Ring? It can take a while to figure that out by yourself since the game requires specific things for it to be done. So, here’s a detailed guide that will get you started in no time!
How to play Elden Ring Multiplayer in Co-op and PvP Modes
There are multiple ways in which PvP and co-op work in Elden Ring. We’re going to list each of those methods for you so you can play the game exactly in the way that you prefer.
Don’t worry, the game has anti-cheat so you won’t be running into any hacking invaders!
If you’re new to Elden Ring, keep in mind that these online features are entirely optional and the game is a very satisfying experience in single-player as well. There’s even an option to turn these features off.
If you’re curious as to whether Elden Ring has cross-play or not, you can head over to our article that answers that question.
How to play Co-op in Elden Ring (for randoms to join you)
The first thing that everyone wants to know is how to play Elden Ring Co-op. The method for doing that is to use summons, which lets other players join your world and aid you in the battle against the endless threats that exist within the world.
The game does not have drop-in, drop-out type of multiplayer, so here are the steps that you need to follow:
Find and Collect the Erdleaf Flower
You need to find the Erdleaf Flower as your first step because this item is used to craft the Furlcalling Finger Remedy, which is very important for multiplayer in the game.
You can find the Erdleaf Flower by entering Limgrave. It’s located on the slightly right side of the first Site of Grace that you see in the area.
And the second Erdleaf Flower that you can easily find is close to the Church of Elleh. It’s located in the undergrowth to the west of the road. Once you have at least two Erdleaf Flowers, move on to the next step.
Craft the Furlcalling Finger Remedy
Once you have played the game enough that you are introduced to Merchant Kalé, purchase a Crafting Kit from them. You will now be able to craft Furlcalling Finger Remedies by using two Erdleaf Flowers each, which you collected in the previous step.
Alternatively, you can also get the Furlcalling Finger Remedy by finding them on certain corpses and by defeating player and NPC invaders too.
Find Summon Signs (and pay attention to their color)
Once you have the Furlcalling Finger Remedy item, all that you need to do now is to use it. Once used, Summon Signs will start to show up for you which are left by other players.
Whenever you find the Summon Signs, make sure to look at the color. Gold Summon Signs in Elden Ring are left by cooperative players, so this is the method of playing the game in co-op multiplayer.
Whereas Red Summon Signs are left by hostile players, so if you use those, you will be challenging that player to a duel.
More on the PvP bits of the game later in the article.
How to Make Summon Signs (to join randoms)
If you want to join other players in Elden Ring for cooperative multiplayer, use the Tarnished Furled Finger to create a gold Summon Sign which they can find in their game.
You can find Tarnished Furled Fingers around the Stranded Graveyard Site of Grace at first, and then you can find them as loot around the floor in different areas. For example, the floor right before the room that has the elevator to Limgrave.
If you want to challenge other players to a duel as soon as you enter their world, then use the Duelist’s Furled Finger to create a red Summon Sign.
You can find Duelist’s Furled Finger in the Northernmost zone of Limgrave in a burnt pillage corpse that is next to the Frustrated Spirit. And as you play the game, you will find it in loot in other places too.
How to fight other players in Elden Ring
As mentioned briefly above, it has the same method as playing Co-op but with minor differences. If you want other players to invade your world, you can access red Summon Signs by using the Furlcalling Finger Remedies.
If you want to invade other worlds as a hostile, then you can craft a red Summon Sign by using the Duelist’s Furled Finger.
The Summon Pools Multiplayer Method
There’s another way to play multiplayer in Elden Ring and that is by using the Summon Pools. They are located next to statues with their arms outstretched called the ‘Martyr Effigies’.
You can find them throughout many different places in the game, mainly close to bosses and dungeon entrances. The statues are placed to tell you that you can summon bosses in that area, and all that you need to do is to interact with it to see a list of players who submitted their Summon Signs to that area and can be brought over to your game.
If you want to submit your name to the Summon Pools, you don’t need to use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy.
But you’ll need a small Golden Effigy item to send your Summon Sign into the pool and you can find them in several places such as the first Martyr Effigy that is located right outside the entrance of the Stranded Graveyard.
How to play Elden Ring multiplayer with friends
Elden Ring lets you set up multiplayer only for your friends so that you don’t end up running into any random people.
The method is pretty simple, but you and your friends need to coordinate a lot in terms of setting the password and where the Summon Signs are dropped.
Hosting multiplayer in Elden Ring (for friends)
Head over to the Multiplayer section of the game’s menu. Inside, you can set up a Multiplayer password that you will share with your friends. It’s important that all of you know the password, which then throws you all in the same world.
They will need to leave a summon sign in their world for you to find it. So, make sure that you both are in the exact place on the map too.
Then, you can easily summon them over in the same way that you would for a random player.
Joining multiplayer in Elden Ring (with friends)
Joining a friend’s game in Elden Ring is not too different from how you join a random person’s game. After you set up the same password as the host, simply use a Tarnished’s Furled Finger, which we explained how you can get above.
Once you have the finger, simply lay down a gold Summon Sign and then the other player has to be told where it is. Once they find it, they can summon you to their world and you guys can play multiplayer together.
How to turn Multiplayer on and off in Elden Ring
Knowing how to turn multiplayer on and off in Elden Ring is useful for a number of reasons.
If you wish to play the game in a single-player mode without being interrupted by any online players, you can simply turn it off. After you do this, no players will be able to drop into your game, whether they are cooperative players or invaders.
Unless you just enjoy being left alone, we don’t recommend this option since the game has a pretty decent anti-cheat system.
On the other hand, if you wish to play the game online but the methods that we explained in this guide don’t work for you – it’s possible that your online features are turned off in the game’s settings.
So, whichever reason you need to know this, you just need to follow these simple steps to turn online functionalities on or off in Elden Ring.
1. Access Elden Ring’s options and go to ‘System’
2. Open the ‘Network’ option and take a look at the settings
3. Here you’ll see an option called ‘Launch Setting’. You can turn it on and off based on your preferences.
If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, simply press the Default Settings button which will automatically put Launch Setting to ‘Play Online’ and it will ensure that you are able to use Elden Ring’s multiplayer features.
How to leave messages for other players
To leave messages for other players (which you will see a lot of in your game), you will need to use the ‘Tarnished’s Wizened Finger’ which you can find pretty early on in the game.
Once you have the finger, equip it to your quick menu through the inventory. And then, you can use the item by pressing the item-use button, which is Square on the PlayStation and X on the Xbox versions, while it differs for PC users.
Then, you can use the game’s template to type out messages and other players will find them.
If players liked your message, they can rate it as Good and it will refill your HP. And you will be able to see how many likes you got on your message with ‘Appraisals’ as the word too in the Discovered messages tab.
That’s everything that you need to know about Elden Ring’s multiplayer system. Whether it’s PvP and cooperative multiplayer, we’ve explained everything from joining others, having others join you, and playing exclusively with your friends.
Now you’re ready to have friends by your side as you face off against the harsh world of Elden Ring, or just fight other players and make life harder for them!
And of course, you can leave messages that may help others, give them a quick giggle, or troll them entirely and waste their time.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to check out some of our other helpful guides on the site too.
And if you want more Elden Ring goodness, wait for our future articles about the game that will help you get familiar with the world and provide you with the necessary information that will make your experience amazing.
