Figuring out elden ring how to play with friends is the single biggest hurdle for new Tarnished, because the game never explains its multiplayer systems directly. Unlike traditional drop-in co-op, ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition uses a summon-sign system that requires specific items, passwords, and an understanding of area restrictions. Getting this right transforms the experience from a lonely slog into a shared adventure, so mastering the basics before you start matters more than any weapon choice. That requires specific items, passwords, and an understanding of area restrictions. Getting this right transforms the experience from a lonely slog into a shared adventure, so mastering the basics before you start matters more than any weapon choice, and knowing exactly which early-game gear and stat priorities to lock in before you summon your first cooperator can save you hours of trial and error—see our Elden Ring Tarnished Edition beginner guide for the precise loadout and progression steps that make that cooperative transition seamless. For more detail, see how spirit summons work alongside co-op, covered in our related guide.
Understanding the Co-op System and Multiplayer Items
The foundation of playing with friends rests on two key items: the Furlcalling Finger Remedy and the Tarnished's Furled Finger. The host consumes a Remedy to reveal golden summon signs on the ground, while the friend uses the Furled Finger to place their sign down. According to the official Bandai Namco page for the Tarnished Edition, password matching ignores level differences entirely, which means a level 20 player can join a level 150 friend without any scaling penalties.
Before you can use these items, you need to meet a few prerequisites that many players miss on their first run: you must first acquire the Furlcalling Finger Remedy (crafted from two Erdleaf Flowers) to see summon signs, and you need to have the Tarnished's Furled Finger equipped to place your own sign down. Additionally, the host must not have defeated the area's boss yet—if the demigod or legacy dungeon boss is dead, the co-op session instantly ends, so plan your multiplayer windows before clearing key bosses like Godrick the Grafted or Rennala.
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Unlock the multiplayer items by visiting the Church of Elleh in Limgrave and talking to Renna (the witch who appears at night) to receive the Spirit Calling Bell and the Furlcalling Finger Remedy recipe.
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Craft more Remedies using Erdleaf Flowers, which you can find scattered across Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula — two flowers create one Remedy.
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Set a multiplayer password in the Multiplayer menu so you only see your friend's sign instead of random players' signs.
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Stay within the same region — co-op is limited to areas where the area boss is still alive, so if you've already cleared a boss, you cannot summon there anymore.
The Small Golden Effigy offers a more automated approach, letting you place your sign at multiple summoning pools across the world simultaneously. This is particularly useful when you want to help random players while waiting for your friend to catch up, because it keeps you engaged with the game instead of idling at a Site of Grace.
How Password Matching Changes the Experience
Password matching is the single most important mechanic for elden ring how to play with friends, because it bypasses the normal level and weapon upgrade matchmaking restrictions. When you set the same password, the game prioritizes showing your friend's sign over any random player's sign, and it also scales down higher-level characters to fit the host's world. This means a high-level friend can carry you through early areas, although their damage and health will be reduced to keep the challenge reasonable.
One critical detail that catches many players off guard: defeating the area boss dismisses all summoned phantoms immediately. This means you cannot explore a legacy dungeon together, beat the boss, and then continue exploring the same area afterward. You'll need to re-summon your friend after each boss kill, which is why most co-op sessions focus on clearing one dungeon or boss at a time rather than marathon exploration runs.
Setting Up a Seamless Co-op Session Step by Step
Getting your first co-op session running smoothly requires following a specific sequence, because missing any single step can leave you staring at an empty ground where your friend's sign should be. Here's the exact process that works reliably across all platforms, based on community reports and official documentation:
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Both players set the same multiplayer password in the Multiplayer menu — use something unique like "RanniFan42" to avoid accidental matches with strangers.
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The host uses a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal summon signs — you'll see golden symbols on the ground near Sites of Grace and boss fog walls.
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The friend places their sign using the Tarnished's Furled Finger at a location you agree on beforehand.
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The host interacts with the golden sign to summon the friend into their world.
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Repeat the process after each boss kill or whenever the friend gets disconnected.
If you're having trouble seeing the sign, check whether you're in the same region and confirm that the area boss is still alive. The game also requires you to be online (obviously) and connected to the same server region, which you can verify in the System menu under Network settings.
Common Co-op Connection Issues and Fixes
Even when you follow every step correctly, connection issues can still disrupt your session. The most common problem is the "Unable to summon cooperator" error, which typically happens when the host's network is too restrictive or when multiple players are trying to summon the same sign simultaneously. Community reports suggest that restarting the game and checking your NAT type resolves this issue in most cases.
Another frequent frustration is the sign not appearing at all, even with the correct password. This usually means one player hasn't used a Remedy, or the friend placed their sign in a different area than where the host is standing. Since signs only appear within a certain radius of your position, both players should stand in the exact same spot when placing and looking for signs.
Elden Ring PvP Guide: Invasions and Duels Explained
While co-op focuses on cooperation, the elden ring pvp guide side of multiplayer offers a completely different experience through invasions and duels. Invasions happen when you use the Bloody Finger or Recusant Finger items to forcibly enter another player's world as a hostile red phantom. Your goal is to kill the host, while the host and any summoned cooperators work together to eliminate you.
The invasion system has specific rules that shape how encounters play out: when you use the Taunter's Tongue in Elden Ring, you open your world to up to two invaders simultaneously, even while playing with a friend in co-op, but the moment your summoned ally dies, the invasion window shifts and the invader gains priority targeting on you. Unlike the 1v1 duels arranged via red summon signs at locations like the Main Academy Gate, invasions allow the host to heal using Crimson Flasks, while the invader is limited to half their flask allotment—a critical resource imbalance that rewards aggressive pressure and makes coordinated gank setups with your co-op partner far more viable than solo play.
| Invasion Type | Item Used | Target | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostile Invasion | Bloody Finger | Random player's world | Cannot invade solo players (unless they use Taunter's Tongue) |
| Hostile Invasion | Recusant Finger | Random player's world | Same as Bloody Finger, different faction lore |
| Duel | Duelist's Furled Finger | Red summon sign | Voluntary, consensual PvP |
| Taunter's Tongue | Invigorating item | Invites invaders | Allows solo players to be invaded |
The Duelist's Furled Finger places a red sign that other players can voluntarily summon, creating a fair one-on-one duel without the chaos of a full invasion. This is the preferred method for testing builds and practicing combat skills, because both players enter with full flasks and no environmental interference.
How to Invade and Win Your First PvP Encounters
Learning elden ring how to invade effectively requires understanding both the mechanics and the etiquette of invasions. When you invade, you're at a numerical disadvantage — the host likely has one or two cooperators helping them. Your advantage comes from surprise, positioning, and the environment, since you can hide among enemies and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Before you even think about winning an invasion, you need to understand the fundamental rule of Elden Ring PvP: the host has a 30% HP advantage from the Rune Arc effect, plus access to a cooperative ally and a full supply of Flask of Crimson Tears. This means your goal is never a fair trade—it's to create a 2v1 or 3v1 scenario in your favor. Experienced invaders recommend equipping the Dagger Talisman for critical hits and baiting the host into a mob of enemies like the Banished Knights in Castle Sol, then punishing their panic rolls with a Lance's running R2. Always keep Law of Regression on your quick-item bar to strip away the host's Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength buffs, instantly swinging the damage math back in your favor before you commit to a lethal strike.
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Use the environment to your advantage — lure hosts into enemy groups or narrow corridors where their numbers don't help them.
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Target the host, not the phantoms — killing cooperators is satisfying, but the invasion only ends when the host dies.
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Manage your flasks carefully — you have half the healing flasks of a host, so every sip matters.
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Equip the Taunter's Tongue if you want to be invaded while playing solo, which creates more organic PvP encounters.
For duels, the community has established unwritten rules that most players follow: bow before fighting, don't heal with flasks (use incantations or physick instead), and wait for both players to buff before engaging. Breaking these rules will get you pointed at and teabagged, which is the game's universal sign of disrespect.
Avoiding Elden Ring Beginner Mistakes in Multiplayer
The elden ring beginner mistakes in multiplayer are often the same ones that plague new players in single-player, but they carry extra weight when you're playing with friends. The most damaging mistake is neglecting your Vigor stat, because multiplayer content scales enemy damage to the host's world, and a low-health host gets one-shot by even basic enemies in later areas.
Another critical error is wasting your Remedy consumables by using them in areas where you can't summon, or by dying immediately after summoning a friend. Since Remedies require Erdleaf Flowers to craft, running out mid-session means a trip back to Limgrave to farm more, which breaks the flow of your co-op run completely.
| Beginner Mistake | Why It Hurts | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Low Vigor in co-op | Enemies hit harder in multiplayer | Invest in Vigor to at least 30 before late-game areas |
| Ignoring password settings | Can't find friend's sign | Always set a password before attempting co-op |
| Summoning in cleared areas | Sign won't appear | Only summon where the area boss is still alive |
| Using all flasks before boss | No healing during the fight | Save at least 3 flasks for the boss encounter |
| Not communicating with friends | Disorganized boss fights | Use voice chat or quick messages to coordinate |
The Most Overlooked Multiplayer Mechanics
Beyond the obvious mistakes, several subtle mechanics can derail your multiplayer experience if you don't understand them. The co-op scaling system reduces the damage and health of summoned phantoms to match the host's world, which means a high-level friend won't completely trivialize early-game content. This scaling is automatic, but it's worth knowing so you don't expect your level 200 friend to one-shot Margit in your level 20 world.
Another overlooked detail is the inability to use Torrent while co-op is active. When you summon a friend, the horse becomes unavailable, which means long overland treks become walking expeditions. This is why most co-op sessions focus on dungeons and boss fights rather than open-world exploration, because the lack of Torrent makes traveling tedious.
Advanced Multiplayer Strategies and Build Synergies
Once you've mastered the basics of elden ring how to play with friends, you can start optimizing your co-op experience with advanced strategies. The most effective approach is build synergy, where each player fills a specific role in the party. A classic combination is one player running a tank build with high Vigor and a greatshield, while the other focuses on dealing damage with magic or dual-wielded weapons.
| Role | Recommended Build | Key Equipment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank | High Vigor, heavy armor | Greatshield, spear | Drawing boss aggro |
| Damage Dealer | Strength or Dexterity focus | Two-hand weapon, bleed | Maximizing DPS |
| Support | Faith or Intelligence focus | Healing incantations, buffs | Keeping the party alive |
| Hybrid | Balanced stats | Sword and staff | Flexibility in any situation |
The tank and spank strategy works particularly well against most bosses, because the tank can hold aggro while the damage dealer attacks from behind. Bosses in ELDEN RING typically target the last player who dealt significant damage, so the tank needs to consistently hit the boss to maintain aggro. This requires coordination, which is why voice chat or a consistent attack rhythm matters.
Optimizing Your Session for Late-Game Content
As you progress into the late game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, co-op becomes significantly more challenging because enemy damage scales dramatically. The Scadutree Blessing system from the DLC adds another layer of complexity, since it affects both solo and co-op play. If you're planning to tackle DLC content with friends, make sure everyone has collected enough Scadutree Fragments to survive the increased difficulty.
For the hardest content, consider using spirit ashes alongside co-op partners. While you can't summon both a spirit ash and a cooperative phantom in the same area, you can use spirit ashes when playing solo and switch to co-op for specific boss fights. This flexibility lets you progress through areas solo while saving co-op for the toughest encounters, which is the most efficient use of your multiplayer sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to learn elden ring how to play with friends?
The fastest way is to set a multiplayer password with your friend, both travel to the Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave, and practice summoning there. This area has a low-level boss (the Tibia Mariner is nearby) and plenty of Erdleaf Flowers for crafting Remedies, making it ideal for learning the basics without pressure.
Can I play co-op with friends across different platforms?
No, ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition does not support cross-platform multiplayer. PlayStation players can only play with other PlayStation players, Xbox with Xbox, and PC with PC. The Switch 2 version also has its own separate player pool, so make sure you and your friends are on the same platform before planning a session.
How do I invade my friends specifically in elden ring pvp guide terms?
To invade a specific friend, both of you need to set the same multiplayer password, then the friend uses the Taunter's Tongue to allow invasions in their world. After that, you use the Bloody Finger to invade, and the password system will prioritize sending you to your friend's world over random players.
What happens to my runes if I die during co-op?
If you die as a summoned phantom, you lose nothing and return to your own world with all your runes intact. If you die as the host, you drop your runes at the death location just like in solo play, and your summoned friend gets sent back to their world immediately.
Why can't I summon my friend in certain areas?
Summoning is disabled in areas where the area boss has already been defeated, in most dungeon interiors that lack a boss, and in certain legacy dungeon sections that restrict multiplayer. You can check whether an area allows co-op by looking for the multiplayer icon next to the area name on your map screen.