Dark Souls 3: Co-op and Multiplayer Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive Dark Souls 3: Co-op and Multiplayer Guide! Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned veteran of the dark and challenging world of Lothric, this guide is your ultimate resource for mastering the game's engaging multiplayer elements. Dive into the rich, interconnected experience with our in-depth breakdown of Multiplayer Basics, explore the unique Multiplayer Features, get essential Co-op Play Tips, learn how to effectively Deal with PvP encounters, and discover the best ways for Talking to Players. Gear up, summon your allies, and let's conquer the darkness together!

Dark Souls 3: Co-op and Multiplayer Guide

Multiplayer Basics

Dark Souls 3 isn't just a test of your solo skills--it’s also about how you interact with other players. Whether you're summoning friends to help you or trying to invade someone else's game, understanding the basics of multiplayer is crucial. Let's break it down.

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1. Connectivity: Online vs. Offline

First things first: make sure your game is online. Head to the main menu and check the network settings to confirm you're connected. Playing offline is great if you want a peaceful experience, but being online opens up a whole new layer of gameplay.

• Online: Full multiplayer experience including co-op, invasions, and messages.
• Offline: No invasions, no player messages, and no summon signs from other players.

2. Summoning and Being Summoned

Summoning is the heart of co-op in Dark Souls 3. You’ll either summon other players to your world or get summoned to theirs.

• White Sign Soapstone: This item lets you place your summon sign on the ground. Other players can then see it and summon you for co-op.
• Summon Signs: These appear on the ground as glowing symbols. Interact with one to invite a player to join your game and help you battle bosses or explore.

3. Estus Sharing

When you’re playing co-op, remember that your Estus Flask (healing item) is shared. So, if you use one, it affects everyone in your co-op session. Make sure to communicate and plan your healing carefully!

4. Password System

If you want to co-op specifically with friends, you can set up a password. Here’s how:

• Go to the Network settings in the menu.
• Choose a unique password and share it with your friends.
• Only players with the same password can see each other’s summon signs.

5. Invasion Mechanics

Sometimes, you'll want to spice things up by invading another player’s game, or you might get invaded while you're exploring. Here’s what you need to know:

• Red Eye Orb: Use this item to invade another player's world. Once there, your goal is to hunt them down.
• Blue Sentinels and Darkmoon Blades: If you join these covenants, you can get automatically summoned to help players who are invaded. It’s a way to turn the tables on those pesky invaders.

6. Messages and Appraisals

One of the coolest features in Dark Souls 3’s multiplayer is leaving messages for other players. You can offer tips, warnings, or just funny notes.

• Soapstone Messages: Use the orange soapstone to leave a message. Be creative but helpful. Your message can be rated by other players--appraised messages can even heal you!
• Common phrases include "Praise the Sun,", "Try finger but hole," and many more set phrases you can choose from.

7. Phantom Forms

When you’re summoned into another player’s world or someone is summoned into yours, you’ll notice they appear as different-colored phantoms.

• White Phantoms: Friendly co-op partners.
• Red Phantoms: Invaders.
• Blue Phantoms: Allies from Blue Sentinels or Darkmoon Blade covenants, summoned to aid against invaders.
• Purple Phantoms: Mound-Makers, who can be friend or foe.

8. Covenant System

Covenants are groups you can join to get special multiplayer advantages. Equip their insignia to signal your allegiance.

• Warrior of Sunlight: For jolly cooperation; known for their golden summon signs.
• Blades of the Darkmoon: Protects players from invaders.
• Rosaria's Fingers: Focuses on invading other players.

Joining a covenant can earn you special rewards and alter your multiplayer experience, so choose wisely.

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Understanding these basics will help you navigate the ups and downs of Dark Souls 3's multiplayer world. Whether you're teaming up for epic battles or invading to ruin someone’s day, knowing the rules of the game will make your experience more fun and strategic. Happy co-oping or invading!

Multiplayer Features

Dark Souls 3 offers a rich and complex multiplayer experience that allows players to either team up or compete against each other. Whether you're looking to summon friends for some jolly cooperation or want to put your skills to the test against others, here's everything you need to know.

Co-op Gameplay

Summoning Friends

Co-op in Dark Souls 3 is all about summoning other players to help you in your world. To do this, you'll need a White Sign Soapstone, which becomes available once you talk to the Shrine Handmaid in Firelink Shrine for 500 souls. Once you have it:

1. Place a White Sign Summon: Use the White Sign Soapstone to place your sign on the ground. Other players can see this and summon you to their world.
2. Summoning: If you need help, look for white summon signs on the ground. Interact with the sign to bring someone into your game.

Note: You need to be in Embered form to summon other players. You get this form by either consuming an Ember or defeating a boss.

Getting Help

• Sunlight Warriors: These are helpful players who belong to the Warriors of Sunlight covenant. Their signs look golden and they earn Sunlight Medals for successful co-op. You can join this covenant in Lothric Castle.

• Phantoms: Regular white summon signs often belong to players ready to assist. These phantoms stay until you defeat the area boss or one of you dies.

Phantom Lifespan

Phantoms can’t stay in your world indefinitely. They have a time limit, especially in certain areas. But usually, they can stay long enough to help you defeat a tough boss or clear a tricky part of the map.

PvP Combat

Invading Other Worlds

Want to challenge your skills? You can invade others' worlds to engage in PvP combat. You'll need a Red Eye Orb for unlimited invasions. Here's a quick step-by-step:

1. Equip the Red Eye Orb: You get the Red Eye Orb by joining the Rosaria’s Fingers covenant in the Cathedral of the Deep and offering a Pale Tongue.
2. Invade: Use the Red Eye Orb to invade another player's world. Your goal is simple: defeat the host.

Host of Embers

When you're in Embered form, you can be invaded by other players. This means you must always be on your toes, as other players can pop into your game and try to take you down.

• Aldrich Faithful: These covenant members automatically get summoned to defend Anor Londo and seek to defeat any intruders.
• Watchdogs of Farron: This group defends the Crucifixion Woods area, aiming to ward off players who venture there.

Password Matching

If you want to play specifically with friends, Dark Souls 3 has a password system. Both you and your friends should:

1. Set a Password: Go to the network settings and create a unique password.
2. Place Summon Sign: Your friend should put down their summon sign or you can place yours. Using the same password will ensure you to see each other’s signs instantly.

Covenants

Covenants are factions in Dark Souls 3, and joining them can shape your multiplayer experience. Completing tasks for your covenant can give you unique rewards like special gestures, weapons, and items. Here are a few you’ll encounter:

• Warriors of Sunlight: Focused on co-op, earning Sunlight Medals.
• Rosaria’s Fingers: Invasion-centric, collecting Pale Tongues.
• Mound-Makers: Known for both co-op and PvP, earning Vertebra Shackles.

Etiquette and Strategy

• Be Polite: Bow or gesture to show respect, whether you’re starting a co-op session or a duel.
• Stay Alert: Invaders can be tricky; use environmental traps to your advantage.
• Know Your Role: If you're a phantom, understand your role as a helper. In invasions, use every tool in your arsenal to win.

Dark Souls 3's multiplayer features add an exciting layer to the game, whether you're seeking help or looking for a challenge. Embrace the chaos and fun, and remember to git gud!

Co-op Play Tips

Co-op play in Dark Souls 3 can turn even the bleakest journeys into exhilarating group adventures. But navigating the co-op system isn't always straightforward. Here are some tips to help you and your friends conquer Lothric together.

How to Set Up Co-op

First things first, you need to make sure you and your friends are on the same page, quite literally. Dark Souls 3 uses a password system that makes matching up with friends easier.

Here's how to do it:

1. Set a Password: Open the menu and navigate to the 'Network' settings. There, you can set a multiplayer password. Make sure you and your friends use the same one.
2. Use a White Sign Soapstone: This item lets you leave a summon sign for your friends to find. You can buy it from the Shrine Handmaid in Firelink Shrine if you don't already have it.
3. Summoning and Being Summoned: The person who is hosting the game (the "summoner") should look for summon signs on the ground near bonfires, while the person being summoned (the "phantom") should place their sign in the designated spot.

Basic Rules and Etiquette

Co-op in Dark Souls 3 isn't just about smashing enemies together. There are some rules and unspoken etiquette you should follow to keep things smooth.

• Be Respectful: If you're summoning a friend, make sure you're ready. Don't keep them waiting while you organize your inventory or read item descriptions.
• Stay Close, but Not Too Close: Stick together, but don't crowd each other. This helps avoid getting caught in area attacks.
• Heal Wisely: The host can heal the group using Estus Flasks, but phantoms have a limited amount of healing items called Divine Blessings. Coordinate heals to make sure you don't run out at a crucial moment.

Balancing Difficulty

Remember, Dark Souls 3 adjusts its difficulty when playing co-op. Enemies become tougher to balance the advantage of having extra players, so communication and strategy become even more important.

• Dividing Roles: Decide who will lure enemies, who will deal damage, and who's on standby to heal or buff.
• Communication: Use a voice chat if possible. It’s much easier to say “Watch out for the fireballs!” than to type it out while dodging dragons.
• Strategic Retreats: Sometimes it’s smarter to fall back, regroup, and heal than to charge headlong into danger.

Boss Battles

Taking down a boss in co-op mode is one of the most satisfying experiences in Dark Souls 3. But it’s important to have a plan.

• Learning Patterns: Have at least one player focus on learning the boss's attack patterns. This player can then call out attacks and openings for the others.
• Divide and Conquer: Spread out to avoid area-of-effect attacks. Coordinate your movements to keep the boss's aggro switching between players.
• Healing Zones: Designate certain spots as safe zones for healing. These should be out of the boss’s immediate attack range.

Getting Help from Strangers

If you can't get your friends to join, you can always summon random players. Just look for yellow or white signs on the ground near bonfires or boss areas.

• Check Their Gear: When you summon a random player, take a quick look at their gear. Sometimes it's easy to tell if they're experienced or not.
• Communicate Through Gestures: Use in-game gestures to communicate: bow for greetings, point towards shortcuts, and use applause for camaraderie.

TL;DR Key Tips

• Use the password system to easily connect with friends.
• Use the White Sign Soapstone to leave and find summon signs.
• Respect each other's time and play your role efficiently.
• Balance your team to handle tougher enemies and bosses.
• Communicate and strategize your encounters.
• Learn boss patterns and coordinate attacks.
• If summoning strangers, use gestures and check their gear.

By following these tips, you’ll be ready to delve into the world of Dark Souls 3 with friends and strangers alike. Now go forth, Ashen One, and may the flames guide thee!

Dealing With PvP

Player vs. Player (PvP) combat is a big part of Dark Souls 3. Whether you’re invading another player’s world or getting invaded, PvP battles can be intense and a bit nerve-wracking. Here's how to handle these encounters like a seasoned Unkindled.

Understanding Invasions

First, let’s get our heads around how invasions work. When you're embered (which happens after you defeat a boss, use an Ember, or co-op with others), you're open to being invaded. Invaders are hostile players who teleport into your game with one goal: to take you down. If you see a message saying “You are being invaded,” get ready for a fight!

Preparing For PvP

1. Know Your Environment

It’s crucial to know the layout of the area you’re in. Utilize narrow corridors, ledges, and local enemies to your advantage. Invaders might not be as familiar with the area as you are, giving you a tactical edge.

2. Heal Wisely

Remember, invaders have limited Estus flasks compared to your full supply, so use healing wisely. If you’re in trouble, don’t be afraid to run and heal up.

3. Balance Your Gear

Having a balanced setup helps a ton. Fast weapons are good for keeping the pressure on your opponent, but heavier weapons can stagger or break their guard. Shields can block, but dodging is often better because persistent invaders can break through your guard.

Strategies During The Fight

1. Read Your Opponent

Watch what your opponent does. If they’re swinging wildly, you can dodge and counter. If they’re more cautious and defensive, try pressuring them with quick attacks or mix-ups.

2. Watch Your Stamina

Always keep an eye on your stamina bar. If you run out of stamina, you won't be able to dodge or block, leaving you vulnerable. Manage it carefully, especially during frantic exchanges.

3. Use Terrain

Leverage the environment to your benefit. Lure invaders into cramped spaces where they can’t dodge effectively, or retreat to areas with enemies who will attack both of you.

Calling For Backup

Got friends online? Summoning two phantoms or friendly players can make invasions a breeze. You can also call on blue Sentinels and Blades of the Darkmoon - covenant members who will come to your aid when you're invaded. These allies can make all the difference.

When You’re The Invader

If you decide to take the fight to someone else’s world:

1. Play Smart

As an invader, you’re usually at a disadvantage health-wise, so play cautiously. Ambushes and hit-and-run tactics often work better than going head-to-head like it’s a regular duel.

2. Be Unpredictable

Change up your tactics. Keep your opponent guessing with a mix of long-range spells, quick strikes, and baiting them into traps.

3. Plan Your Exit

Remember, you can leave invasions if it’s not going your way. Use a Black Separation Crystal to bail out without losing your hard-earned souls.

Final Tips

• Practice Makes Perfect: PvP in Dark Souls 3 has a learning curve. The more you play, the better you'll get.
• Stay Cool: Freaking out can make you sloppy. Stay calm, focus on the fight, and don’t get greedy with your hits.
• Have Fun: At the end of the day, it's all about having fun. Whether you win or lose, every encounter is a chance to get better.

By understanding invasions, preparing wisely, and using smart strategies during fights, you'll handle PvP like a pro. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!

Talking to Players

Dark Souls 3 isn't just about battling terrifying bosses and exploring eerie environments; it's also about engaging with a dynamic community of players. Whether you're looking to team up for co-op play, request some tips, or just have a chat, here's a friendly guide on how to communicate with other players in the game.

Using In-Game Gestures

One of the basic ways to "talk" to other players in Dark Souls 3 is through gestures. These range from friendly greetings to more expressive movements. You can access gestures by pressing the Options button on your controller to open the menu, then selecting the gestures tab. Here, you can choose from a selection of gestures that best suits your needs.

• Point Forward: Used to give directions.
• Bow: A polite way to greet or thank other players.
• Wave: A friendly greeting or farewell.
• Jump for Joy: Perfect for celebrating a victory.

Gestures are a universal language in Dark Souls 3, and mastering them can greatly enhance your social interactions in the game.

Messages on the Ground

Players can leave messages on the ground for others to read. These messages can be helpful, humorous, or sometimes deceitful, so always take them with a grain of salt.

To write a message, press the Start button to open the menu, then disable any gestures to go into the Orange Guidance Soapstone. You can then select a pre-made message from the list. These messages are made up of template phrases provided by the game, which helps maintain a certain consistency and prevents inappropriate content.

Examples of messages:

• "Try friendship." Provides guidance for cooperation.
• "Illusory wall ahead." Can indicate a hidden path.
• "Be wary of ambush." Warns of potential threats.

It's also possible to rate the messages you come across. Press the Select button when standing over a message to give it a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Rating someone's message can even restore a bit of their health, so this small gesture of appreciation can have a real impact.

Summoning and Being Summoned

One of the more direct ways to communicate with other players is through summoning. You can summon other players into your world, or be summoned to theirs, using summoning signs. This can be done in the following ways:

• White Sign Soapstone: Allows you to place your summoning sign on the ground. Other players can then summon you for co-op play.
• Red Sign Soapstone: Similar to the White Sign, but for PvP (Player vs Player) encounters. If you're looking for a fight, this is the way to go.

Voice Chat and External Communication

While Dark Souls 3 doesn’t have an in-game voice chat feature, thanks to modern technology, you can still talk to other players via external services like Discord, Skype, or through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network's party chat functions. This can be especially useful for coordinating during co-op sessions or discussing strategies for tricky bosses.

Covenants

Joining a covenant can also offer an indirect way of communicating through your actions. Covenants are factions that players can join, often with specific goals or play styles in mind. By aligning yourself with a covenant, you can signal to other players your commitment to certain in-game philosophies, whether it's protecting newcomers, aiding in co-op play, or engaging in PvP.

Examples of covenants include:

• Warriors of Sunlight: Focused on jolly cooperation and helping others conquer tough areas or bosses.
• Aldrich Faithful: Centered around PvP, with the goal of defending Anor Londo from intruders.

Conclusion

Talking to other players in Dark Souls 3 adds a rich layer of interaction to the game's already immersive experience. Whether through gestures, ground messages, summoning signs, or external services, there are multiple ways to engage with fellow adventurers. So bow politely, wave a friendly hello, or leave a helpful message, and enjoy the camaraderie of the Dark Souls community!