The Co-op in Elden Ring opens up the harsh yet beautiful Lands Between for shared exploration, epic boss battles, and unforgettable adventures with friends. While FromSoftware has made multiplayer more accessible than ever before, it still comes with limitations-unless you choose to play with the Seamless Co-op mod.

This guide covers both co-op systems: traditional multiplayer and the Seamless Co-op mod, including how they work, their limitations, and what to expect in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Traditional Co-op in Elden Ring

How to Summon a Friend

To initiate regular co-op, you need:

Furlcalling Finger Remedy - Lets you see summon signs.

Tarnished's Furled Finger - Places your summon sign to be summoned by others.

Password system - Ensures you and your friend can quickly find each other.

Set a Multiplayer Password in the multiplayer menu to connect only with players who use the same password.

The Co-op Rules

While straightforward, traditional co-op has restrictions:

Area Boss Rule: Once a boss in a given area is defeated, your summoned ally is sent back to their world.

No Mounts: Players cannot use Torrent, the spectral steed, during co-op.

One Host World: Progress only counts in the host's world-summoned players must redo content in their own game.

Death Ends Session: If a player dies, they're returned to their world.

Limited Map Access: Fog barriers restrict access to certain areas during a session.

This system is ideal for brief team-ups, like tackling a tough dungeon or boss, but it's not built for full co-op playthroughs.

Seamless Co-op Mod: A Better Way to Play Together

Created by modder LukeYui, the Seamless Co-op mod is a game-changer. It removes nearly all the frustrating co-op barriers, allowing you and up to four players to journey through Elden Ring together, start to finish, with shared progression and no disconnections.

Key Features of Seamless Co-op

Persistent World: No disconnects after boss fights or player deaths.

Shared Progress: All players share world progress (boss kills, quest completions, etc.).

Mount Support: Everyone can ride Torrent simultaneously.

Open World Freedom: No fog walls or area restrictions.

PvP Optional: Invasions are disabled unless enabled manually.

It transforms Elden Ring into a true co-op RPG, enabling a full campaign with friends, bosses, dungeons, exploration, and even quests.

Installing the Seamless Co-op Mod

Download the mod from NexusMods.

Extract it to your game folder.

Use the provided launch_mod_eldenring.bat file to start the game.

You and your friends need to set the same co-op password and load into the game using the mod.

Use Tiny Great Pot and Effigies of Melina (new items provided by the mod) to connect.

Seamless Co-op in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

The Seamless Co-op mod is compatible with Shadow of the Erdtree, though it's still in beta. Some bugs may persist, particularly with new areas and mechanics introduced in the DLC.

Modder LukeYui continues to update the mod to ensure stability and compatibility. Regular updates are mandatory, as they keep all players on the same version and prevent desync or crashes.

Despite being in beta, most users report stable performance in the DLC-just make sure all players are updated and follow installation steps precisely.

Best Practices for Co-op Play

Traditional Co-op Tips:

Use Finger Remedies near Sites of Grace to find allies quickly.

Fight optional bosses together to help each other earn Runes.

Use voice chat or external tools for coordination.

Make use of summoning pools to access wider summon ranges.

Seamless Co-op Tips:

Coordinate leveling and building to complement each other.

Explore thoroughly together-splitting up can cause weird behavior.

Beware of quest-triggering issues: some NPC events may desync.

Keep backups of your save in case the mod encounters a critical bug.

Final Thoughts: Which Co-op System Should You Use?

If you're looking for a quick, casual co-op session, like defeating a tricky boss or exploring a dungeon, traditional multiplayer works fine. But for a true co-op campaign, the Seamless Co-op mod is the clear winner. It removes the barriers, boosts immersion, and makes Elden Ring feel like a fully cooperative RPG.

Just remember: Seamless Co-op is still under development, especially with Shadow of the Erdtree content being added. Expect the occasional hiccup, but it's well worth it for the enriched multiplayer experience.

Regardless of which multiplayer system you choose, co-op in Elden Ring offers unforgettable moments-from conquering brutal bosses to unearthing hidden secrets alongside your Tarnished allies. And don't forget, playing together also helps you gather valuable Elden Ring runes and Elden Ring items more efficiently. Summoned players share in rune rewards when bosses are defeated, and exploring together can lead to better loot and more chances to find rare weapons and upgrade materials. This shared growth can make your journey through the Lands Between not only more fun but also more rewarding.