Why Do I Keep Seeing Ghosts in Elden Ring?
The ethereal figures you encounter while traversing the Lands Between in Elden Ring are more than just spooky aesthetics; they’re a core component of the game’s unique multiplayer experience and world-building. You see these “ghosts” for a few key reasons: they represent other players exploring the same world as you, the lingering spirits of past inhabitants, or echoes of past battles, depending on the type of ghost you’re seeing. Understanding which is which can significantly enrich your Elden Ring journey. Let’s break down each type:
Phantoms of Fellow Tarnished
The most common “ghosts” you’ll encounter are the translucent, white phantoms that mimic the actions of other players currently in the game. These are not scripted NPCs or echoes of the past. Instead, they are real people, like yourself, simultaneously exploring their version of the Lands Between. These phantoms are a real-time glimpse into the activities of others and offer a unique asynchronous multiplayer experience.
- Real-Time Actions: You’ll see these phantoms running, jumping, fighting, or even falling to their deaths. Their actions are immediate and reflect what other players are doing in that very moment.
- Lack of Context: Importantly, you cannot directly interact with these phantoms, and they do not provide any information about their ongoing battles. You might see one fighting, but you won’t see the foe they’re engaged with. This adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to these spectral sightings.
- How They Appear: These player-phantoms appear automatically when you are connected to the internet and have the game’s online features enabled.
The Spirits of the Dead
Beyond the player-phantoms, you’ll also encounter less transparent, ghostly figures that are rooted in the game’s lore. These are the spirits of the deceased inhabitants of the Lands Between, and they provide narrative and atmosphere through small interactions or scenes.
- Narrative Storytelling: These ghosts often hover near the spot where they died and sometimes recount their last thoughts and actions. They provide contextual clues about the history and lore of specific areas.
- Static Encounters: Unlike player phantoms, these spirits are static. They don’t move from their location, and their actions are pre-scripted. This makes them feel more like part of the environmental storytelling.
- Lore Implications: These spirits add to the melancholic and often grim atmosphere of the game. They remind you of the world’s fallen state and the countless lives that have been lost.
Red Ghosts and Bloodstains
While technically different, red ghosts are also an important element contributing to the game’s ghostly atmosphere. These aren’t typically referred to as “ghosts” in the game, but are commonly called ‘bloodstains’. Bloodstains offer a very unique experience, showing you a brief replay of another player’s death at a specific location.
- Learning Tool: These are interactive. By touching them, you can witness the cause of another player’s demise. It serves as a warning or a way to learn from others’ mistakes.
- Real Player Deaths: These red phantoms represent real deaths of other players and highlight dangerous areas or tricky enemy placements.
- Short Replays: The replay shows just a few seconds of the player’s last moments. This ensures that you quickly understand what happened, without interrupting your own gameplay too much.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the presence of ghosts in Elden Ring, to further clarify and deepen your understanding of the game’s spectral inhabitants:
1. Can I interact with the white player-ghosts I see?
No, you cannot directly interact with the white phantoms of other players. They’re merely a visual representation of what those players are doing in their own game. They exist to provide a sense of shared experience, but there is no player interaction such as trading, summoning or combat.
2. Why are there so many ghosts in some areas?
The density of white player-ghosts depends on the number of players currently exploring that specific area. Popular locations tend to have more phantoms, whereas less explored regions will be more sparsely populated. The other spirits, or ‘story ghosts’, are fixed to particular locations and their density is related to narrative reasons.
3. How do I disable these ghosts if I find them distracting?
To disable the white player-ghosts and all other online elements, you must disable the game’s online features entirely. This can be done within the game settings; you don’t need to disconnect your console or PC from the internet.
4. What are the souls running around in Elden Ring that look like ghosts?
These are indeed the white phantoms of other players, playing in real-time. Their actions mirror what they are doing in their own world.
5. Are the zombie-like enemies I encounter considered “ghosts?”
No, those are the Putrid Corpses, a type of humanoid enemy. They are reanimated dead, not spectral figures. They are not directly related to player interactions or the lore-based spirits.
6. What’s the purpose of the deathroot I collect in the game?
Deathroot is a key item that can be traded to the Bestial Clergyman Gurranq at the Bestial Sanctum for special rewards, including incantations and weapons. It’s not directly related to the ghosts themselves but is part of the dark themes within the game.
7. What are spirit ashes and how are they related to ghosts?
Spirit ashes allow you to summon various spectral allies to fight alongside you in combat. These spirits are not ghosts of other players, but pre-defined NPCs that you can summon for support. You activate spirit ashes from your inventory, and your character will automatically ring the Spirit Calling Bell.
8. Why are there messages everywhere in Elden Ring?
The messages are left by players, using a template to create short notes. They can serve as warnings, tips, or simply jokes. They are a unique way for players to communicate indirectly within the world. They form an important part of the unique asynchronous gameplay.
9. Are the messages I see always trustworthy?
Absolutely not. While many messages are helpful, some players intentionally write misleading messages to trick others. It’s best to approach all messages with caution. This is part of the “From Software” game experience – learning to trust, but verify.
10. How long do messages stay in the game?
A message remains active as long as it receives positive ratings from other players. There isn’t a specific timeframe; highly rated messages can last for a significant amount of time.
11. Who is the first boss most players encounter in Elden Ring?
Margit, the Fell Omen, is often the first major boss most players will face. He is a formidable early-game challenge and helps set the tone for the difficulty of the game. He is not related to the ghost phenomenon, but is a key part of the game experience.
12. Why did game developers react in certain ways to Elden Ring’s success?
Some developers critiqued aspects of the game, like its UX design and graphics. These varied opinions did not prevent the game’s overall critical and commercial success.
13. What happens when someone likes my message?
If another player praises your message, your character receives a small health boost, a unique benefit that helps with survivability, especially when facing bosses.
14. What is a Summoning Pool in the game?
Summoning Pools help players find both cooperative and competitive summoning signs. This allows for both co-op play and player versus player engagements. They are not directly related to ghost-like phantoms.
15. Why did Gurranq attack me?
After receiving a certain number of deathroots, Gurranq becomes hostile. You need to reduce his health to stop the attack, after which you can continue his questline. It’s a narrative twist and not related to the general ghost mechanic.
By understanding the different types of “ghosts” in Elden Ring, you’ll be able to appreciate their importance in the game’s lore, atmosphere, and multiplayer experience. These spectral figures are not just random visual effects but integral to the world FromSoftware has created.