Step into the eerie world of Elden Ring Nightreign, where teamwork isn’t just an option-it’s a necessity. Ready to face the formidable Nightlords? Starting a multiplayer Expedition is as simple as gathering at the Roundtable Hold and selecting your target, but surviving the relentless tides of night requires strategy, synergy, and a trusted trio by your side. Whether you’re teaming up with friends or matching with strangers, this guide will show you how to launch into the heart-pounding cooperative hunts that define Nightreign’s roguelike challenge.
In this Elden Ring Nightreign guide, we’ll tell you how to start a multiplayer Expedition, how to play with friends, and how to password-protect your game, in case you need to invite a friend-of-a-friend.
How to start a multiplayer match in Elden Ring Nightreign
To start a multiplayer match in Elden Ring Nightreign, first complete the tutorial and reach the Roundtable Hold hub. Approach the central table known as the Table of Lost Grace and interact with it to open the Expedition menu. Select your target Nightlord and choose “Commence Expedition.” The game will then automatically match you with two other players who have chosen the same Expedition, forming a three-player team, which is the default multiplayer setup. You can also invite friends by accessing the Matchmaking Settings tab, where you can send invites through your platform’s friends list or set a multiplayer password to join the same session. Note that the game does not support two-player co-op or cross-platform play, but cross-generation play is available within the same console family. While waiting for matchmaking to complete, you can explore the Roundtable Hold or customize your character.
After completing the initial tutorial and speaking with the Priestess, you’ll have a (nearly) full run of the Roundtable Hold, the familiar hub area from the original Elden Ring. The table at the center of the Roundtable Hold is your starting point for Expeditions.
To start a multiplayer Expedition (the game’s default), you simply need to walk up to the Roundtable Hold table and press the interact/event action button (△ on PlayStation, Ⓨ on Xbox). From there, select your target, and then Commence Expedition. (From the start of the game, only the Tricephalos Expedition to take on Gladius, Beast of Night will be available. Defeat him, and you’ll unlock seven more Nightlords, which you can take on in any order.)
You’ll automatically matchmake with two other players who have selected the same Expedition. You’ll hear a clang sound when your matchmaking group is complete, but you’re free to run around Roundtable Hold, do some shopping, or change your appearance while you wait.
How to play multiplayer with friends in Elden Ring Nightreign
To play multiplayer with friends in Elden Ring Nightreign, first complete the tutorial and reach the Roundtable Hold. Interact with the central Table of Lost Grace to open the Expedition menu, then navigate to the Matchmaking Settings tab. From there, you can invite friends directly from your platform’s friends list by selecting “Invite Members.” For a more controlled multiplayer experience, set a multiplayer password and share it with your friends; ensure everyone sets the number of players to match your group size (two or three players). After all players select the same expedition and enter the password, start the expedition together to team up in co-op. Note that cross-platform play is not supported, but cross-generation play within the same console family is allowed (e.g., PS4 with PS5).
From the Expedition screen, tab over to the Matchmaking Settings screen, where you’ll find a variety of multiplayer options. From here, you can invite other players on the same family of platform to start a Team Session. There’s no cross-platform play in Elden Ring Nightreign, but PlayStation 5 players can play with PlayStation 4 players, and Xbox Series X players can play with Xbox One players.
Alternatively, you can set a multiplayer password, so that other players who aren’t your friends can join your game. Additionally, you can also set multiple group passwords, so anyone who has input the same password in their game will be included in the pool of Elden Ring Nightreign’s passive multiplayer elements, like phantoms and bloodstains.
Can you queue up for multiple expeditions in Elden Ring Nightreign?
In Elden Ring Nightreign, you can queue up for multiple expeditions simultaneously, which adds an extra layer of challenge and flexibility to your runs. When selecting your target Nightlord at the Roundtable Hold, the game allows you to choose multiple bosses by pressing a specific button (such as X on Xbox or Square on PlayStation), enabling matchmaking across several Nightlord targets. This feature helps speed up the matchmaking process by increasing the pool of potential players and opponents, and you won’t know which Nightlord you’ll face until you reach the third day of the expedition. This system is particularly useful if you have trouble finding a group for a specific boss and want to join matches more quickly.
After you’ve defeated Gladius, Beast of Night, you’ll have access to many more Nightlords. If you’re having any trouble finding a matchmaking group, you can matchmake across multiple Nightlord targets, letting you more quickly hop into a random game.
How can I quickly set up a secure multiplayer session in Elden Ring Nightreign
To quickly set up a secure multiplayer session in Elden Ring Nightreign, follow these steps:
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From the Roundtable Hold, interact with the central Expeditions table and select “Commence Expedition.”
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Choose the Nightlord you want to fight.
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Navigate to the Matchmaking Settings menu (the tab next to the Target menu).
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To play with friends securely, select “Invite Members” and add teammates from your friends list.
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Set a multiplayer password in the Password Settings to restrict the lobby to only those who know the password, preventing unwanted players from joining.
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Confirm your settings and start the Expedition; if playing with a full team of three using a password, you will enter the match directly without random players.
This password system ensures a private and secure multiplayer experience, while the streamlined matchmaking makes it easy to get started quickly.
What are the fastest ways to start a secure multiplayer session in Nightreign
The fastest ways to start a secure multiplayer session in Elden Ring Nightreign are:
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Use the platform’s direct invite system from the Expedition table’s Matchmaking Settings to quickly bring friends into your session. This method is the most straightforward when playing with known friends.
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Set a multiplayer password in the Matchmaking Settings. Share this password with your friends or community so only players with the password can join, ensuring a private and secure session. Adjust the player count to match your group size to avoid random players filling slots.
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For a small group (e.g., two or three players), have everyone set the same password and player count in their matchmaking settings and then start the expedition simultaneously. This increases the chance of being matched together quickly without random players.
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To improve connection stability and reduce errors that can delay session start, ensure your NAT type is Open (Type 1) on your platform. This allows unrestricted peer-to-peer connections, which is critical for smooth multiplayer in Nightreign.
These methods combined-direct invites for friends, password-protected matchmaking for private groups, and network optimization-offer the quickest and most secure way to start multiplayer expeditions in Elden Ring Nightreign.
