This guide is intended for newcoming players. It covers basic principles of multiplayer in vanilla Elden Ring, player roles, multiplayer items, and nuances.

I hope this guide would be helpful. If I missed something or if you have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

It's worth mentioning that the multiplayer in Elden Ring is peer-to-peer, meaning players connect directly to each other through Steam, PSN, or Xbox.
Therefore, if connected players are located far apart, for example, in America and Europe, there will be high latency between them.
If you didn't like someone's behavior, you can block their profile on Steam, and you will no longer be able to connect to each other. You can view the list of players through the Steam Overlay - Game Info - Player List.

If you want to see players' ping in session, I advise you to download application SteamP2PInfo[github.com].
It allows you to see information about all players in session: their steam name, id and latency between you two.
There are instructions how to install, but I will provide it here also in SteamP2PInfo section.

A character in their own world (save file) is called Host of Fingers.



If Host dies, the game session ends, and they return to the last Site of Grace bonfire.

When invited to another world to assist, a character becomes a Cooperator (Furled Finger), distinguished by a golden color.



The Cooperator's task is to help the Host to defeat area boss. Upon completing the task, each Cooperator receives a Rune arc, which can be used to activate Great Rune in their own world.
If, for any reason, Host dies, Cooperator's task fails, they receive nothing, and return to their world. There can be up to two Cooperators in a session.

For detailed information on cooperation, refer to the "Coop" section.

Invading another world, a character becomes... an Invader, distinguished by a red color.



Invader's task is to kill Host, for which they receive a Rune arc. When killing players, Invaders also receive runes, depending on the level of the slain player. Mobs do not react to Invaders, and Invaders cannot damage mobs. Typically, there is only one Invader in a session.
If Host passes through the fog to the boss arena, Invader's task fails, and they return to their world.

Invasion is only possible in worlds where a coop session is currently active and there is at least one Cooperator, or if Host has used the Taunter's Tongue item.



If Host has used this item, even if there are no Cooperators in the session, Invaders can invade their world. And if there is at least one Cooperator in session, up to 2 Invaders can join. Keep in mind that Invaders can damage each other, while other roles do not harm each other.

Also normally invasions can't occur one after another, there is some cooldown. But if Tongue is used, this cooldown is shortened.

Taunter's Tongue can be obtained at the Round Table Hold by defeating Mad Tongue Alberich - you need to jump to the first floor from the balcony in the central hall.

If an Invader appears in your world while playing solo and you have not activated Taunter's Tongue, then this Invader is an NPC. Upon your death, they will reappear in that location until you defeat them.

For killing an Invader, Host and Cooperators receive runes, Furlcalling Finger Remedy item (more about this item in the "Coop" section) and restore their HP and FP flasks (even other Invaders restore flasks).

For detailed information on invasions, refer to the "Invasions" section.

A Hunter can be summoned by Host when an Invader connects to their world. Hunters are distinguished by a blue color.



Hunter's task is to kill Invader, after which they return to their world. There can be up to two Hunters in a session.

For detailed information on Hunters, refer to the "Coop" section.

While in a multiplayer session, players cannot use their Torrent horse or Spirit ashes.



It is important to remember that Great Rune can only be active for the Host. It is always stays inactive for all other roles. (Except for the Mohg's Great Rune for Invaders, more details in the "Invasions" section).



Additionally, for everyone except Host, only half of the equipped HP and FP flasks available for use in multiplayer, and quantity of flasks is rounded down. For example, if your character has 6 HP flasks and 5 FP flasks equipped, you would have 3 HP flasks and 2 FP flasks in multiplayer.



Effigies of the Martyr, also known as Summoning Pools, are placed throughout the map (near bosses and mini-bosses).



By activating these effigies, you add your character to the Summoning Pool (more details in the "Coop" section).

Multiplayer occurs within the area covered by these effigies. During a multiplayer session, no one can leave the area, although it covers almost the entire map.

Also note that if local mini-boss or boss was defeated by Host within the effigy area, the Host will no longer see Cooperator's summon signs in that area for the current playthrough.

When a Cooperator connects via a password, their character can be on any level. (More on this in the "Coop with Password" section).

You may have heard some streamers or youtubers say: "I invade at level 90 +20". What does this mean? 90+20 is equal to 110 and then what?

When matching players, game consideres not only character levels but also the highest weapon level in their inventory.

Through experimentation, players have compiled a table of correspondence between character level and weapon level. In my playthroughs, I refer to it, resulting in a fairly even progression of character and weapon levels, but I do not follow it strictly.

You may find a different table or even a calculator[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com].


For example, if a character is level 30 but has acquired Roger's Rapier +8 from Sorcerer Rogier's questline, it is likely that players will be matched at higher levels from now on.

Based on experience, the highest activity in multiplayer occurs at lower levels, then gradually decreases as fewer people progress to higher levels. And then activity increases towards levels 125-150, as most high-level PVP takes place at this levels. If your character is level >300, you are unlikely to find many matches or may have to search for a long time.

Right now there are more high level players online thanks to DLC, but before DLC with 40k-80k online the most active were levels 125-150 and lower. If you are having troubles finding players on high level then better make a new character

Also if you want to invade at specific regions of the game aim for corresponding levels.
Some user from reddit collected interesting data, link is here, all credits to him.

On the graph you can see some rough correlation between players' level and location on which they are playing.

The Host initiates a multiplayer session by using the Furlcalling Finger Remedy item. This is a consumable item that can be found in the world, purchased, or crafted.



After using this item, Host will start seeing golden and red summon signs on the ground, most commonly appearing around Effigies of the Martyr. For now, let's focus on the golden signs, the red signs will be described in the "Invasions" section.



If Host hasn't used the item but still sees several signs near the boss entrance, those are NPC signs.

By stepping on a sign, the silhouette of a Cooperator can be seen, and the sign can be activated. Upon activation, a summoned Cooperator will join the world after a short time.

Any player of any role can use the Finger Severer item at any time. When used, player disconnects from the multiplayer session (Host can disconnect any Cooperator by choice, while others disconnect from the Host).



By using the Tarnished's Furled Finger item, a Cooperator leaves their golden sign on the ground, which can be seen by random Hosts in the same location in their world, having used Furlcalling Finger Remedy.



By using the Small Golden Effigy item, a Cooperator leaves their golden sign near all (or the nearest, selectable in the menu) Effigy of the Martyr statues they have visited in their world.
All effigies are reset on NG+, so you have to visit them again if you want your coop sign to appear there.


With the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, all activated pools are transferred to NG+, and all summoning pools are displayed on the map and can be selectively disabled.



Most Cooperators tend to use this particular item.

Host can activate White Cipher Ring, which automatically summons Hunters to the session if an invasion occurs.



If a player activates Blue Cipher Ring, they will automatically connect to the Host as a Hunter when needed.



Both rings are sold at the Round Table Hold by Twin Maiden Husks.

Invasions can be started as duels or as regular ones.

During dueling invasions, Host must allow the Invader to connect to their world by activating a red sign on the ground.



To leave a red sign on the ground, invader can use the Duelist's Furled Finger item.



To leave a red sign near all or the nearest Effigy of the Martyr statues, invader can use the Small Red Effigy item.



The Duelist's Furled Finger and Small Red Effigy items can be found north-east of the Stormhill Shack location. Items are located near closed gates of the Coliseum (more about Coliseums in the corresponding section).

For a regular invasion without permission, the consumable item Festering Bloody Finger can be used. It can be found in the world or purchased.



Upon usage, the item is consumed, and the player is connected to Host. After connection, the Invader's inventory will contain the Phantom Festering Bloody Finger item, which has three uses.



This item allows to respawn in different place. This is useful if the Host has escaped to an unreachable place or if you are cornered. Respawn also helps if Host or Cooperator are invisible due to poor connection, although this occurs rarely.

There are infinite-use items for invasions: Bloody Finger and Recusant Finger.



The Bloody Finger can be obtained from White Mask Varre questline.
The Recusant Finger can be obtained in the Volcano Manor location.

Invaders often use these items. A small tip - you can alternately activate the Bloody and Recusant Fingers to reset search for invasion and start a new search. This way, connection to the Host can happen immediately after using one of the items.

After activating Mohg's Great Rune in their world, an Invader, upon connecting to the Host, receives Phantom Great Rune item with 3 uses.



When used, Invader gains an aura that boosts nearby mobs. This can be useful considering that any other Great Rune in multiplayer is only accessible to the Host.

You can leave messages in the world that will randomly appear to players in their world at the same location. This can be done by using Tarnished's Wizened Finger item. A maximum of 10 messages can be written.



Players typically leave helpful, provocative, or humorous messages. You can like or dislike other players' messages. Liking a message grants the author a 50% HP heal.

Since joining via password allows Cooperator to have any level, their stats and weapon strength will be reduced to approximately Host's level for the sake of balance.

In "Multiplayer" menu, find "Settings" button where you can set multiplayer and group passwords. If players specify the same multiplayer password, the Host will see summoning signs only from that Cooperator/Invader. However, note that regular invasions will still occur, and random Hunters will be invited as well.



Group passwords add random summon signs and messages to the world from players in the group with the same password. Screenshot shows some popular groups.

In addition, if one of the group members kills one of the Shardbearer boss or becomes Elden Lord, then all group members receive temporary buff that boosts amount of receiving runes.

Players of any role can equip Furled Finger's Trick-Mirror or Host's Trick-Mirror talismans.



Equipping Furled Finger's Trick-Mirror makes the player appear as the Host, without a golden/red/blue hue.



Equipping Host's Trick-Mirror makes the player appear as a Cooperator, with a golden hue.

Yes, that's right, maybe they got swapped in the game? I don't know, but currently it works this way.

Both mirrors are sold at the Round Table Hold by Twin Maiden Husks.

Using Mimic's Veil item, player takes the form of one of the nearest environmental objects (similar to prop-hunting).



This item is useful for ambushes and can be found in Stormveil Castle in a chest in one of the buildings south of Rampart Tower site of grace.

There are 3 Coliseums in the game: Limgrave Colosseum, Caelid Colosseum, and Leyndell Colosseum.
I would like to remind you that most PvP matches take place at level 125, so finding opponents at this level will be the quickest.

To access them, you need to open their doors, enter inside, and activate the altar within. After their initial activation, players can access coliseums from Round Table Hold. Next to the main fireplace, there is a statue that allows access to the Coliseums.


- Duel: Two players without respawn.
- Team Battle: Players divided into two teams with respawn capability. Each death gives points to the opponents, the team with the higher score wins.
- Free-for-All: Players in this mode can respawn until the timer reaches zero, and the victory goes to the player with the most points.

When entering 1v1 arena, don't rush to attack your opponent, but greet them with a gesture, such as bowing or waving.

After the battle, if you emerge victorious, thank your opponent for the duel with bowing or another friendly gesture.

It is considered poor manners to teabag or to use pointing down gesture. And showing complete disrespect is throwing a Roped Fetid Pot, as if defecating on a corpse.

Next, for general information, I will provide examples of some playstyles and the community's opinions regarding them. I will also add my own opinion. Of course, you may have a different opinion, so please feel free to leave comments.

A common opinion among Cooperators about Invaders: "I want to play with my friend, and these darn Invaders keep interfering. They come with their op weapons and full upgraded flasks and disrupt our game.."

Souls-like games have unique multiplayer, and invasions are part of the game. Naturally, Invaders are indeed villains, but they are merely an additional obstacle to balance against cooperation. Playing without invasions would be too easy, it makes game more dynamic and interesting to play.
All the more, Invaders are always in the minority, even with mobs on their side - count Host, 2 Cooperators and Hunters vs 1 Invader.

To acquire necessary weapons, build, and flasks upgrades, an Invader, like any player, needs to progress through the game and obtain the required items in their world. Yes, Invaders are more experienced, but again, they are always in the minority.

Technique:
Cooperators clear a specific area of mobs, stand in an open space, activate the Taunter's Tongue to lure the Invader, and soon after Invader joins they deactivate it. By deactivating the Tongue, a second Invader will not come to aid first. If Invader doesn't disconnect, there is a high chance of them being killed in a 3v1 fight.

As Cooperators point to the ground and proudly squat on the Invader's corpse, they may say, "Well, it's part of the game, that's what those Invaders deserve. They bothered us while we were playing, now they must suffer."

Decide for yourself how this is entertaining.

In response to such behavior, Invaders make strong AoE damage builds.
Examples:
- Stormhawk Axe - has a powerful AoE skill involving lightning;
- Dark Waves - a fairly strong AoE skill;
- Dragon Cult incantations, and more.

Such situation creates a sort of arms race evolving into a meta. This results into decreasing variety of player builds.

Remember the first rule of Fight Club?

The technique is similar to ganking, but it is assumed that Invader and Cooperator will engage in a 1v1 battle without healing. Typically, such intentions are demonstrated by a bow or other greeting from Cooperator to Invader.

In most cases, as soon as the Cooperator starts losing, friends come to their aid, leading to standard ganking. Perhaps you'll have better luck.
Moreover, fighting the Host 1v1 in a "fair duel" is debatable. Keep in mind that they have an active Great Rune plus twice the healing flasks.

Want a 1v1 PVP? Go to the Coliseums.

Even Hunters hate these players.

Technique:
Host hides or, using bugs, gets to an unreachable spot, activates Taunter's Tongue and White Cipher Ring, and then goes AFK.
An Invader connects to the world and searches for Host (but usually never finds them). Meanwhile, a Hunter connects to the world, and a fight begins. If Invader is killed, Host receives runes and Furlcalling Finger Remedy. If Invader isn't killed, they disconnect out of boredom.

Counteraction:
As an Invader, you can try to find and eliminate Host or simply disconnect immediately.
As a Hunter, you can locate Host and throw a Frenzyflame Stone under their feet - this radioactive piece of soil induces madness even on allies, leading to the AFK Host's death.

Technique:
A high-level player in coop drops powerful end-game items to a low-level newcomer or a new character.

This style of play is generally frowned upon, especially if twink engages in PVP at low levels.

If I had a dollar for every time I encountered a character named Guts wielding a Greatsword, I'd be a millionaire.

If I had a dollar for every time I encountered a player with two spears/halberds, I'd be a billionaire.
These setups got nerfed with the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. New weapons from DLC are quite strong so everything is going to change.

If your PvP opponent buffs for 5 minutes, cast this incantation and observe their reaction :)

1. Download archive from last release and unzip it: SteamP2PInfo[github.com]
2. Launch game
3. Launch SteamP2PInfo.exe
4. In Config tab check path to ipc_SteamClient.log file. By default path is pointing at catalog C, and there will be an error after attaching game, if your Steam is installed at another catalog: "Steam IPC log file directory does not exist. Please modify the config accordingly"

5. Click ATTACH GAME and pick Elden Ring.
6. Steam Console will open as well as this window:

7. Click "Copy Command", paste contents to Steam Console and press Enter.


Now after session start you will see players' information in top right corner.

Additionaly you can set position and appearance of this information in Config tab: