
Elden Ring, the highly anticipated action RPG from FromSoftware, has captivated players with its vast open world, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay. One of the most exciting aspects of Elden Ring is its multiplayer component, which allows players to team up with friends or strangers to tackle the game’s many challenges. In this article, we will explore the various ways to play multiplayer in Elden Ring, discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each method, and provide tips for making the most of your multiplayer experience.
Understanding the Basics of Multiplayer in Elden Ring
Before diving into the specifics of multiplayer gameplay, it’s important to understand the basic mechanics of how multiplayer works in Elden Ring. The game offers several different modes of multiplayer, each with its own unique features and requirements.
Co-op Mode: Team Up with Friends
Co-op mode is perhaps the most straightforward way to play multiplayer in Elden Ring. In this mode, you can summon other players to join your game and help you take on the game’s many bosses and dungeons. To summon a player, you’ll need to use a specific item called the “Furlcalling Finger Remedy.” This item can be crafted using materials found throughout the game world, or purchased from certain merchants.
Once you’ve used the Furlcalling Finger Remedy, you’ll be able to see summon signs on the ground. These signs indicate that another player is available to join your game. Simply interact with the sign to summon the player to your world. Keep in mind that you can only summon players who are within a certain level range, so you may need to coordinate with friends to ensure that you’re all at similar levels.
PvP Mode: Test Your Skills Against Other Players
For those who enjoy a more competitive experience, Elden Ring also offers a Player versus Player (PvP) mode. In this mode, you can invade another player’s world and engage in combat with them. To invade another player’s world, you’ll need to use an item called the “Bloody Finger.” This item can be obtained by defeating certain enemies or purchased from specific merchants.
Once you’ve used the Bloody Finger, you’ll be transported to another player’s world, where you’ll need to hunt them down and defeat them. Be warned, however, that the host player may have summoned other players to help them, so you may find yourself outnumbered. PvP can be a thrilling and challenging experience, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
Asynchronous Multiplayer: Leave Messages and Ghosts
In addition to the more direct forms of multiplayer, Elden Ring also features an asynchronous multiplayer mode. In this mode, players can leave messages for each other, which can be seen by other players in their own games. These messages can provide hints, warnings, or just humorous commentary on the game world.
Players can also see the ghosts of other players who are currently playing the game. These ghosts appear as translucent figures and can give you a sense of what other players are doing in the world. While this mode doesn’t involve direct interaction with other players, it can still add a sense of community and shared experience to the game.
The Benefits of Multiplayer in Elden Ring
Playing Elden Ring in multiplayer mode offers several benefits that can enhance your overall experience. Here are some of the key advantages:
Easier Boss Fights
One of the most obvious benefits of multiplayer is that it can make boss fights significantly easier. Many of the bosses in Elden Ring are designed to be challenging, and having an extra player or two to help you can make a big difference. With more players, you can divide the boss’s attention, making it easier to avoid attacks and deal damage.
Shared Exploration
Exploring the vast world of Elden Ring can be a daunting task, but doing it with friends can make it much more enjoyable. In co-op mode, you and your friends can explore the world together, uncovering secrets, defeating enemies, and progressing through the story as a team. This shared experience can make the game feel more immersive and rewarding.
Learning from Others
Multiplayer also provides an opportunity to learn from other players. Whether you’re watching how they approach a difficult enemy or picking up tips from their messages, playing with others can help you improve your own skills and strategies. This is especially true in PvP mode, where you can learn a lot by observing how other players fight.
Social Interaction
Finally, multiplayer adds a social element to Elden Ring that can make the game more enjoyable. Whether you’re teaming up with friends or meeting new people online, playing with others can create a sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment. This social interaction can make the game feel less isolating and more like a shared adventure.
The Drawbacks of Multiplayer in Elden Ring
While multiplayer offers many benefits, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some of the potential downsides to consider:
Increased Difficulty
While co-op mode can make boss fights easier, it can also increase the overall difficulty of the game. When you summon other players, the game scales the difficulty to account for the additional players. This means that enemies will have more health and deal more damage, which can make the game more challenging, especially if your teammates aren’t as skilled as you are.
Connection Issues
As with any online game, Elden Ring’s multiplayer mode is subject to connection issues. Lag, disconnections, and other technical problems can disrupt your gameplay and make it difficult to enjoy the multiplayer experience. These issues can be particularly frustrating during boss fights or PvP matches, where timing and precision are crucial.
Spoilers
Playing with others can also expose you to spoilers, especially if you’re playing with someone who has already progressed further in the game. This can diminish the sense of discovery and surprise that makes Elden Ring so compelling. If you’re concerned about spoilers, you may want to limit your multiplayer interactions to players who are at a similar point in the game.
Loss of Immersion
Finally, multiplayer can sometimes break the immersion of the game. Seeing other players’ ghosts, messages, and summon signs can remind you that you’re playing a game, rather than being fully immersed in the world of Elden Ring. This can be a minor issue for some players, but for others, it can detract from the overall experience.
Tips for Making the Most of Multiplayer in Elden Ring
To get the most out of Elden Ring’s multiplayer mode, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Communicate with Your Teammates
Communication is key when playing multiplayer. Whether you’re coordinating strategies during a boss fight or discussing where to go next, talking with your teammates can make the experience more enjoyable and effective. If you’re playing with friends, consider using a voice chat app like Discord to make communication easier.
Be Mindful of Your Level
As mentioned earlier, you can only summon players who are within a certain level range. This means that if you’re significantly higher or lower level than your friends, you may not be able to play together. To avoid this issue, try to coordinate with your friends to ensure that you’re all at similar levels.
Use the Right Items
Elden Ring offers a variety of items that can enhance your multiplayer experience. For example, the “Furlcalling Finger Remedy” allows you to see summon signs, while the “Bloody Finger” lets you invade other players’ worlds. Make sure you have these items on hand when you want to engage in multiplayer.
Be Prepared for PvP
If you’re planning to engage in PvP, make sure you’re prepared. This means having the right equipment, spells, and strategies to take on other players. PvP can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be flexible and adapt to your opponent’s tactics.
Respect Other Players
Finally, remember to respect other players. Whether you’re leaving messages, summoning allies, or engaging in PvP, always be considerate of others. Elden Ring’s multiplayer mode is meant to be a fun and collaborative experience, so do your part to make it enjoyable for everyone.
Conclusion
Elden Ring’s multiplayer mode offers a rich and varied experience that can enhance your enjoyment of the game. Whether you’re teaming up with friends to take on challenging bosses, testing your skills against other players in PvP, or leaving messages for others to find, multiplayer adds a new dimension to the game that can make it even more engaging and rewarding. By understanding the different modes of multiplayer, weighing the benefits and drawbacks, and following the tips outlined in this article, you can make the most of your multiplayer experience in Elden Ring.
Related Q&A
Q: Can I play Elden Ring multiplayer with friends on different platforms?
A: Unfortunately, Elden Ring does not support cross-platform play. This means that if you’re playing on a PC, you can only play with other PC players, and the same goes for consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
Q: How many players can join a co-op session in Elden Ring?
A: In Elden Ring, you can have up to three players in a co-op session, including yourself. This means you can summon two other players to help you in your game.
Q: Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold to play multiplayer in Elden Ring?
A: Yes, if you’re playing on a PlayStation or Xbox console, you will need an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription to access the multiplayer features in Elden Ring. PC players do not need a subscription.
Q: Can I use multiplayer to bypass difficult areas in Elden Ring?
A: While multiplayer can make certain areas and bosses easier, it’s not a guaranteed way to bypass difficult content. The game’s difficulty scales with the number of players, and you’ll still need to work together with your teammates to succeed.
Q: Are there any restrictions on where I can summon players in Elden Ring?
A: Yes, there are certain areas in Elden Ring where you cannot summon players, such as in the game’s tutorial area or in specific story-related locations. Additionally, you can only summon players in areas where you haven’t already defeated the boss.
Q: Can I play the entire game in co-op mode?
A: While you can play a significant portion of Elden Ring in co-op mode, there are some limitations. For example, you cannot summon players in certain areas, and you’ll need to re-summon your allies after defeating a boss or entering a new area. Additionally, some story elements and cutscenes may be experienced individually rather than as a group.