Multiplayer Beginner 1 min read

How to Co-op / Summon Friends in Elden Ring

Bring a friend into your world for bosses and exploration. This guide covers passwords, Furled Finger Remedies, gold summon signs, Effigies, and the most common "I can't see signs" fixes.

Elden Ring co-op and friend summon multiplayer guide cover

Co-op vs Spirit Ashes

Spirit ashes = AI summons in your own world (see the spirit ashes guide).
Co-op = real players (or NPC helpers) joining as gold phantoms.
Both are allowed. Co-op scales some bosses harder; spirit ashes do not need online play.

What You Need First

Online play enabled (PlayStation / Xbox / Steam network requirements met).
Furled Finger Remedy for the host (craft, buy, or loot — lets you see summon signs).
Helper uses a Tarnished's Furled Finger (gold sign) to place a summon sign.
Optional but best for friends: the same Multiplayer Password on both accounts.

Summon a Friend (Password Method)

Both players open the menu → Multiplayer → set the same password (case-sensitive).
Meet near the same grace / fog gate (same area of the map).
Helper uses Tarnished's Furled Finger to place a gold sign on the ground.
Host uses a Furled Finger Remedy, then looks for the gold sign and interacts to summon.
When the phantom appears, enter the boss fog together.

Password matching overrides normal level matching for friends, which is why this is the reliable method.

Get Help from Random Players

Clear your multiplayer password (or leave it blank).
Use a Furled Finger Remedy near popular boss fogs (Margit, Godrick, etc.).
Activate a Summoning Pool Effigy in the area so more signs appear.
Tap the small stone Effigy statues to send/receive pool activity for that zone.

Be Summoned to Help Others

Use Tarnished's Furled Finger near a boss fog or Effigy.
Or use the small Effigy to be placed into that area's summoning pool.
Successful assists often reward runes and can help with multiplayer-related progress.

Settings That Matter

Setting	What to do
Multiplayer Password	Same string for friends; blank for public signs
Cross-Region Play	Turn on if friends are far apart / signs never appear
Launch Settings / NAT	Open NAT / avoid strict firewall blocks on console & PC
Same platform	PS / Xbox / PC do not cross-play with each other

Can't See Signs? Quick Fixes

Host forgot Furled Finger Remedy — use one.
Passwords do not match exactly (spaces / caps).
You are already invaded / in another multiplayer state — return to single-player first.
Boss is already dead in the host world — many signs vanish after the area boss dies.
Wrong place: helper must stand in the same legacy dungeon / zone as the host.
Enable Cross-Region Play and retry after 30–60 seconds.
Restart the game / check platform online status.

NPC Helpers (No Friend Needed)

Some bosses offer gold NPC signs near the fog (for example Nepheli for Godrick). These work like player summons but do not need passwords. For AI-only help anytime a pool is available, use spirit ashes instead.

Co-op Checklist

Confirm you are online on the same platform
Set matching multiplayer passwords (friends)
Host has Furled Finger Remedy ready
Helper placed a gold Furled Finger sign
Area Summoning Pool / Effigy activated if using public help
Host still has the boss alive in that area

Next Steps

Practice co-op on Margit or Godrick. Solo tools: spirit ashes and Mimic Tear. Route: progression hub.