Calculate co-op and PvP matchmaking ranges for seamless multiplayer experiences in the Lands Between
Elden Ring Matchmaking Guide
How Summon Ranges Work
Elden Ring uses both character level and weapon upgrade level to determine multiplayer matchmaking. The formulas ensure balanced gameplay by restricting connections between players with vastly different power levels.
Level-Based Matchmaking
- Co-op: ±(10 + 10% of your level)
- Duelist signs: Same as co-op range
- Invasion: Can invade up to your level + 20 + 10%
- Password matchmaking bypasses level restrictions
Weapon-Based Matchmaking
- Based on your highest ever weapon upgrade
- Normal weapons: +0 to +25
- Somber weapons: +0 to +10
- Somber +10 equals Normal +25 for matchmaking
- Weapon range is typically ±2 upgrade levels
Multiplayer Tips
- Use passwords to play with specific friends
- Higher level ranges have more active players
- Weapon level is just as important as character level
- Popular PvP levels: 50, 80, 120, 150
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Elden Ring's multiplayer system, while incredibly rewarding, operates with complex matchmaking rules that can confuse even experienced Tarnished. The Summon Range Calculator has become an essential tool for players looking to engage in jolly cooperation or competitive PvP. This comprehensive guide will unravel the mysteries of Elden Ring's multiplayer matchmaking, explore how summon ranges work, and provide advanced strategies for connecting with friends and foes across the Lands Between.
Golden Order Insight:
Understanding summon ranges isn't just about connecting with others—it's about mastering one of Elden Ring's most complex systems to enhance your entire gameplay experience, from cooperative boss fights to intense invasions.
Understanding Multiplayer Matchmaking in Elden Ring
Elden Ring continues FromSoftware's tradition of implementing sophisticated matchmaking systems that balance player interaction with progression fairness. Unlike traditional multiplayer games with simple level-based matching, Elden Ring employs a dual-factor system that considers both character level and weapon reinforcement.
The Dual-Factor Matchmaking System
Elden Ring's matchmaking operates on two primary factors that determine which players can connect:
Character Level (RL)
Your character's current rune level, which increases as you collect and use runes throughout your journey.
Weapon Level (WL)
The highest reinforcement level of any weapon you've ever possessed, including those you no longer have.
Both factors are permanently tracked and cannot be reversed, meaning your matchmaking potential is determined by the highest levels you've achieved, not your current equipment.
Multiplayer Item Types and Their Functions
Elden Ring features various multiplayer items that enable different types of interactions, each with specific summon range considerations:
Summon Range Calculations: The Mathematics of Connection
The summon range calculation system in Elden Ring follows specific mathematical formulas that determine the minimum and maximum levels at which players can connect. Understanding these formulas is crucial for planning your multiplayer interactions.
Character Level Range Formula
The primary formula for character level matchmaking uses a percentage-based system with additional flat modifiers:
Level Range Formula:
Minimum Level = Host Level - (Host Level × 0.1) - 10
Maximum Level = Host Level + (Host Level × 0.1) + 20
This formula creates an asymmetric range that favors connecting with higher-level players
Let's examine how this formula works across different level ranges:
Weapon Level Matchmaking Tiers
Weapon level matchmaking operates on a tier system rather than a continuous range. Players can only match with others whose highest weapon level falls within specific tier boundaries:
| Host Weapon Level | Minimum Guest Level | Maximum Guest Level |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2-3 | 1 | 4 |
| 4-6 | 2 | 8 |
| 7-9 | 5 | 11 |
| 10-12 | 8 | 15 |
| 13-15 | 11 | 18 |
| 16-20 | 14 | 25 |
| 21-25 | 18 | 25 |
Important Note:
Weapon level matchmaking is based on the highest level weapon you've EVER possessed, including those you've discarded, sold, or stored. This is a permanent flag on your character.
Advanced Matchmaking Scenarios and Exceptions
While the basic formulas provide a foundation, Elden Ring's matchmaking system includes several special cases and exceptions that affect summoning possibilities in specific situations.
Password Matchmaking Overrides
Password-protected sessions bypass normal level restrictions but apply scaling to maintain game balance:
Password Scaling Formula:
• Higher-level phantoms are downscaled to approximately host level + 10% + 20
• Lower-level phantoms maintain their current stats
• Weapon damage and defense are scaled proportionally
Despite scaling, higher-level phantoms retain their weapon upgrades, spells, and talismans
Area-Based Matchmaking Considerations
Different regions of the Lands Between have natural level ranges that affect summoning activity and success rates:
Invasions vs Cooperative Summons
Invasions follow slightly different matchmaking rules than cooperative summoning, with broader ranges to ensure activity:
Invasion Range
Invaders can target hosts up to 20% + 20 levels higher
This broader range ensures invasion activity but can create challenging matchups
Co-op Range
Cooperative summons use the standard 10% + 20 level range
Tighter restrictions maintain game balance for boss fights and exploration
Weapon Level Calculations and Somber Smithing Stone Weapons
Understanding weapon level calculations is crucial for managing your matchmaking range, especially given the different upgrade paths for standard and somber smithing stone weapons.
Standard vs Somber Upgrade Paths
Elden Ring features two primary weapon upgrade systems with different maximum levels and matchmaking equivalencies:
The matchmaking system converts between standard and somber weapon levels using an equivalence table to ensure fair matching between different upgrade paths.
Weapon Level Brackets and Progression
Weapon level matchmaking operates in brackets that group several upgrade levels together. Understanding these brackets helps plan your progression:
Weapon Level Brackets:
• Bracket 1: Levels 0-1 (Starting equipment)
• Bracket 2: Levels 2-3 (Early game upgrades)
• Bracket 3: Levels 4-6 (Limgrave completion)
• Bracket 4: Levels 7-9 (Liurnia levels)
• Bracket 5: Levels 10-12 (Altus Plateau)
• Bracket 6: Levels 13-15 (Leyndell capital)
• Bracket 7: Levels 16-20 (Mountaintops)
• Bracket 8: Levels 21-25 (Endgame)
Pro Tip:
If you want to maintain multiplayer activity in a specific level range, avoid upgrading weapons beyond the bracket for that area. Once you upgrade into a higher bracket, you cannot match with players in lower brackets.
Multiplayer Strategies: Optimizing Your Summoning Experience
With a solid understanding of summon range mechanics, you can implement strategies to enhance your multiplayer experience, whether you're seeking cooperative assistance or competitive encounters.
Planning Character Progression for Multiplayer
Strategic character planning can maximize your multiplayer opportunities throughout the game:
WL 3-6
Stormveil & Liurnia
WL 8-12
Altus & Capital
WL 15-20
Mountaintops & Endgame
Popular Meta Levels for PvP
The Elden Ring community has established several "meta levels" where PvP activity is most concentrated:
Cooperative Build Strategies
Creating specialized cooperative characters can enhance your summoning success and usefulness to hosts:
Early Game Helper (RL 25-40)
- Weapon Level: +3 to +6
- Focus: Margit & Godrick assistance
- Recommended: Faith for healing spells
- Ideal stats: 20-25 Vigor
Mid Game Specialist (RL 60-80)
- Weapon Level: +12 to +18
- Focus: Capital & Volcano Manor
- Recommended: Diverse damage types
- Ideal stats: 40 Vigor, primary damage stat
Troubleshooting Connection Issues and Advanced Techniques
Even with perfect understanding of summon ranges, connection issues can occur. This section addresses common problems and advanced techniques for reliable multiplayer sessions.
Common Connection Problems and Solutions
Various factors beyond summon ranges can affect your ability to connect with other players:
Connection Checklist:
- Verify both players are within summon range (level and weapon)
- Ensure the area boss is alive for cooperative summons
- Check network settings and NAT type
- Verify password correctness (case-sensitive)
- Ensure you're using the appropriate multiplayer item
Advanced Summoning Techniques
Experienced players employ several techniques to enhance their multiplayer experience:
Summoning Pool Strategy:
• Activate all summoning pools in your target area
• Use the Small Golden Effigy for wider area matching
• Place signs near boss fog walls for focused assistance
• Coordinate with friends using specific passwords
Formulas Reference: Complete Calculation Guide
This section provides a comprehensive reference of all major formulas used in Elden Ring's summon range calculations for quick consultation.
Primary Matchmaking Formulas
Standard Summon Range:
Min Level = RL - (RL × 0.1) - 10
Max Level = RL + (RL × 0.1) + 20
Invasion Range (Red Sign/Invader):
Min Level = RL - (RL × 0.1) - 20
Max Level = RL + (RL × 0.2) + 20
Blue Phantom Range (Hunter):
Min Level = RL - (RL × 0.2) - 20
Max Level = RL + (RL × 0.1) + 20
Weapon Level Conversion Table
Standard and somber weapon levels are equivalent for matchmaking purposes:
| Standard Level | Somber Level | Matchmaking Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2-3 | 1 | 2 |
| 4-6 | 2 | 3 |
| 7-9 | 3-4 | 4 |
| 10-12 | 5 | 5 |
| 13-15 | 6 | 6 |
| 16-20 | 7-8 | 7 |
| 21-25 | 9-10 | 8 |
Conclusion
Mastering Elden Ring's summon range calculations transforms the multiplayer experience from frustrating to fantastic. By understanding the intricate relationship between character level, weapon level, and the various multiplayer items, you can reliably connect with friends for cooperative adventures or test your skills against worthy opponents in PvP.
Remember that while the formulas provide precise calculations, the Elden Ring community often congregates around specific level ranges and locations. Paying attention to community trends can enhance your multiplayer experience beyond what pure mathematics can predict.
As you continue your journey through the Lands Between, use this knowledge to plan your character progression strategically, create specialized multiplayer builds, and overcome connection challenges. The depth of Elden Ring's multiplayer system is one of its greatest strengths, offering endless opportunities for memorable encounters with fellow Tarnished.
Final Guidance:
Whether you seek to become a legendary cooperator who helps hundreds of players defeat challenging bosses or a feared invader who tests your skills against the world, understanding summon ranges is your first step toward multiplayer mastery in Elden Ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, weapon level matchmaking is based on the highest level weapon you've ever possessed on that character, regardless of whether you still have it, have discarded it, or are currently using a lower-level weapon. This is a permanent flag on your character that cannot be reversed. Once you upgrade a weapon to a certain level, you are permanently in that weapon matchmaking bracket.
Password matching completely bypasses normal level and weapon restrictions, allowing players of any level to connect. However, to maintain game balance, higher-level phantoms are downscaled to approximately the host's level plus the normal summon range bonus (host level + 10% + 20). Despite this scaling, password-summoned phantoms retain access to all their spells, weapon upgrades, and talismans, though their damage and defense are reduced proportionally.
The Elden Ring PvP community has settled on several active level ranges: RL 125-150 is considered the "duel meta" with the most organized PvP, particularly at Raya Lucaria Main Academy Gate. RL 60-80 offers active invasions in mid-game areas like Leyndell and Volcano Manor. RL 25-50 sees plenty of activity in early game zones and for twink invaders. For maximum activity across all content, RL 150 tends to be the most populated.
No, spirit ashes and their upgrade levels do not affect weapon level matchmaking. The matchmaking system only considers weapons that can be equipped by players. Spirit ash upgrades are tracked separately and have no impact on who you can connect with for multiplayer sessions. You can upgrade your spirit ashes freely without worrying about affecting your summon range.
In most cases, no. The ability to be invaded (by random invaders, not duel signs) requires the area boss to be alive. Once you defeat the main boss of an area, random invasions are disabled in that region. However, you can still use the Taunter's Tongue item to enable invasions regardless of boss status, and you can always be invaded by players you've specifically summoned via red signs for duels.
Somber weapons follow a different upgrade path but are equivalent to standard weapons for matchmaking purposes. Generally, each somber level is worth approximately 2.5 standard levels. A +10 somber weapon is equivalent to a +25 standard weapon for matchmaking. The game uses internal conversion tables to ensure players with different upgrade paths can match appropriately within the same general power bracket.
While you can backup saves to experiment with different builds and levels, the matchmaking system may detect inconsistencies if you revert to a much lower level than you previously achieved. The game's anti-cheat systems track your highest achieved levels, and significant discrepancies might result in connection issues or restricted matchmaking. It's generally safer to create new characters for different level ranges rather than reverting saves.
No, unique weapons follow the same matchmaking rules as other weapons of their upgrade type. Rivers of Blood uses somber smithing stones, so it follows somber weapon matchmaking rules. The weapon's popularity or power doesn't affect matchmaking—only its upgrade level matters. All weapons within the same upgrade category (standard or somber) are treated equally for matchmaking purposes regardless of their actual performance or community perception.