How Many Can Play Elden Ring at Once? Unraveling Elden Ring’s Multiplayer Mysteries

The magic of Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed open-world RPG, lies not only in its intricate world and challenging combat but also in its unique multiplayer experience. The short answer to the question “How many can play Elden Ring at once?” is that up to four players can participate in a single game session. This includes one Host of Fingers (the host player) and up to three summoned cooperators (Golden Phantoms) or invaders. Now, let’s dig deeper into the nuances of Elden Ring’s multiplayer system, because like the Lands Between itself, it’s more complex than it first appears.

Understanding Elden Ring’s Asynchronous Multiplayer

Elden Ring utilizes a blend of synchronous and asynchronous multiplayer features. Asynchronous elements include messages left by other players and bloodstains showing the final moments of fallen Tarnished. These are subtle but vital to the overall experience, offering hints, warnings, and a sense of shared struggle in the dangerous world. However, the core of Elden Ring’s multiplayer lies in its cooperative and competitive aspects.

Cooperative Play: Summoning Allies

Cooperative play in Elden Ring is facilitated through the use of items. The Furlcalling Finger Remedy allows a player to see summoning signs left by other players willing to assist. Upon activating a sign, the host player summons the assisting player as a Golden Phantom.

• Limitations: The Host of Fingers can summon up to two Golden Phantoms to help them overcome challenging areas or bosses. If an invader enters the world, a third cooperator can be summoned through the use of the White Cipher Ring, but this relies on an invader being present.
• Progression: Keep in mind that while cooperators help the host progress through their world, the cooperators themselves do not advance their own story in the process. They gain runes and rune arcs (if the area boss is defeated while they’re present) that can be used to level up in their own world.

Competitive Play: Invading Other Worlds

For those with a taste for chaos, Elden Ring allows players to invade other players’ worlds as a Red Phantom. Using items like the Bloody Finger or the Recusant Finger, you can enter another player’s game with the intent of defeating them.

• Restrictions: Invaders cannot enter a host’s world if the host is playing solo. The host must have at least one summoned cooperator present for an invasion to be possible.
• Consequences: Defeating the host as an invader grants rewards, including runes and, sometimes, items. The host, of course, loses runes upon death.

Seamless Co-op Mods: Breaking the Boundaries

While the standard Elden Ring multiplayer experience is limited to four players, the modding community has created solutions to circumvent these restrictions. Notably, the “Seamless Co-op” mod by LukeYui allows players to play the entire game together with up to three friends, from the very beginning to the end credits, without the limitations of the standard summoning system.

• Complete Co-op Experience: Unlike the standard system, the Seamless Co-op mod lets players explore the world, tackle bosses, and complete quests together in a truly shared experience. Any progress made is shared between all players involved, eliminating the need to repeatedly defeat bosses or complete areas for each individual player.
• Mod Installation Required: This type of multiplayer requires installing the mod on all participating players’ PCs.

Multiplayer and Game Difficulty

The addition of cooperators can significantly impact the difficulty of Elden Ring. While having extra players can make encounters easier, it also increases the health and attack power of enemies, particularly bosses. It’s a balancing act, and the best approach to combat, exploration, and learning more about games is understanding the mechanics. Resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org offer valuable insights.

Balancing Act: Difficulty Scaling

The game dynamically scales the difficulty based on the number of players present. This includes increasing the boss’s health pool. Because the players are working together, the benefits usually outweight the drawbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elden Ring Multiplayer

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Elden Ring multiplayer, designed to clarify common points of confusion and offer deeper insights into the game’s online functionalities:

1. Can you play 4 player on Elden Ring?

Yes, you can assemble teams of up to four players in Elden Ring. This typically involves one host player (Host of Fingers) and three summoned cooperators (Golden Phantoms). It’s also possible to have a host, two cooperators, and an invader, effectively creating a four-player scenario.

2. Is Elden Ring cross-platform?

No, Elden Ring does not support cross-platform play. Players can only play with others on the same platform (e.g., PlayStation players can only play with other PlayStation players, PC players with PC players, etc.). This limitation extends to both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

3. Can two people play Elden Ring at the same time?

Yes, two people can play Elden Ring together by using the standard summoning mechanic, with one player acting as the Host of Fingers and the other as a summoned Golden Phantom. The Seamless Co-op mod takes this further, allowing two players to experience the entire game together without traditional summoning restrictions.

4. Can 5 players play Elden Ring?

No, the standard multiplayer system in Elden Ring does not support five players. The maximum number of concurrent players is four. However, the Seamless Co-op mod allows for playing the game with up to three other players, therefore, with four players total.

5. How many players can invade Elden Ring?

Typically, one player can invade another player’s world at a time. However, if the host already has two summoned cooperators, the invader will face three opponents. There is an exception to the rule. If an invader uses the Taunter’s Tongue, the host will then be able to summon an additional cooperator, which would then pit 2 invaders against a team of 4 cooperators!

6. Can you play the entire Elden Ring co-op?

Yes, using the Seamless Co-op mod, you can play the entirety of Elden Ring in co-op with up to three other players. This includes all areas, bosses, and quests, offering a complete shared experience. Without the mod, the standard summoning system requires repeated summoning, and players don’t necessarily experience progress in their own world.

7. Do you get less runes in co-op in Elden Ring?

No, Elden Ring’s Co-op does not provide less Runes. Whether you use the Tarnished’s Furled Finger or the Small Golden Effigy, you’ll receive Runes when killing enemies.

8. Is Elden Ring harder with co-op?

Elden Ring can be more challenging with co-op due to the increased health and damage of enemies, particularly bosses, to compensate for the additional player(s). Despite this, most players find that the advantages of having allies – such as divided aggro and combined offensive power – make the game easier overall. Your mileage may vary.

9. What is a summoning pool in Elden Ring?

A summoning pool is a location marked by an Effigy of the Martyr in Elden Ring. These pools streamline the multiplayer experience by allowing players to send their summoning signs to a wider range of players. They also enable players to quickly find and summon other players for co-op.

10. What is the best PVP level in Elden Ring?

The most popular PvP level ranges for Elden Ring are between 125 and 150. These levels allow for a good balance of character build variety and active player populations. Level 138 is a good compromise.

11. Is there DLC for Elden Ring?

Yes, there is DLC for Elden Ring called Shadow of the Erdtree. It greatly expands the world, lore, and gameplay.

12. What is the highest level in Elden Ring?

The theoretical maximum level in Elden Ring is 713. Reaching this level requires an enormous amount of runes, making it a significant undertaking even for dedicated players.

13. What is the hardest Elden Ring ending to achieve?

The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is widely considered the most challenging to unlock due to the obscure and specific steps required to complete its associated questline.

14. What is the best platform to play Elden Ring?

The “best” platform is subjective and depends on individual preferences. PC offers graphical customization and mod support, while consoles provide a more stable and optimized experience, especially on PlayStation 5. It really depends on your own computer and preferred settings.

15. How long does it usually take to invade in Elden Ring?

Invasion times in Elden Ring can vary significantly depending on the player’s level, location, and current online activity. Generally, wait times can range from a few seconds to several minutes. Players can improve their chances of finding a match by using the Bloody Finger item frequently.

Conclusion

Elden Ring offers a compelling and customizable multiplayer experience, allowing players to team up with friends to conquer the Lands Between or test their skills against others in thrilling invasions. While the standard game is limited to four players, the modding community continues to push the boundaries, providing new ways to experience the game with even larger groups. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Elden Ring’s multiplayer has something to offer everyone. The game’s cooperative and competitive elements add layers of depth and engagement, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience.