Cooperative Gameplay (Dark Souls II) (2024)

Cooperative Gameplay (co-op for short) is a multiplayer feature that players can use to accept aid from fellow players and NPCs. In order to summon another player one must have reversed their hollowing. The only way to summon a friendlyphantominto the host's world is by either activating the summoning sign that another player has placed on the ground, or by activating the summoning sign of an NPC.

Summoning Classifications[]

Shades[]

Shades are players summoned via theSmall White Sign Soapstone. A summon sign using this soapstone will be small and white, and the summoned player will appear similar to a white phantom. Shades have a timer of 8 minutes and 20 seconds; this timer is shortened based on enemies killed while in the host's world. When the summoned player's time is close to being over, the shade will appear darker. The reward for helping a host as a shade is a, which will be awarded at the end of the summon time, regardless of progress and the restoration of humanity. The Name-engraved Ring increases summon duration by 4 minutes and 10 seconds.

Shades can still be summoned if the area boss is already defeated.

White Phantoms[]

Players and NPCs summoned via theWhite Sign Soapstone will appear as white phantoms. White phantoms have a timer of 66 minutes and 40 seconds; this timer is shortened based on enemies killed while in the host's world. The reward for helping the host defeating an area's boss is aToken of Fidelity and the restoration of humanity.The Name-engraved Ring increases summon duration by 33 minutes and 20 seconds.

White Phantoms cannot be summoned if the area boss is already defeated.

Heirs of the Sun[]

Members of the Heirs of the Sun covenant have gold summon signs and appear as golden phantoms and shades. Beating an area boss with an Heir of the Sun member present will reward the host and all summoned phantoms, including the Heir, with aSunlight Medal. The summoned player will also have their humanity restored upon fulfilling their duty and returning to their world. Timers and availability are unchanged from that of White Phantoms.

Healing[]

Summoned phantoms and shades during co-op may use healing items, including Estus Flasks and Lifegems. Estus Flasks will heal more gradually for a phantom or shade than a host player. However, should the host be invaded, usage of Estus Flasks will not be allowed until the invader has been defeated or gone home. Co-operative phantoms and shades may use or be affected by healing spells at any time, however.

Co-operative phantoms may use a Token of Fidelity to heal a host.

Matchmaking[]

Main article: Matchmaking (Dark Souls II)

The matchmaking algorithm assigns player characters to certain tiers based on their Soul Memory. A player character can only see summon signs placed by player characters at the same tier or adjacent tiers. The range of adjacent tiers depends on the item used to place the summon sign and can be extended by wearing the Name-engraved Ring.

Time limit[]

Friendly phantoms summoned via a summon sign can stay in the host's world only for a limited time. Once the time expires for a phantom, their co-op session ends and they are send back to their own world.

The time limit can be extended via the Name-engraved Ring. When both the host and a summoned phantom wear the Name-engraved Ring and have selected the same god, the time limit is extended by 50% for the summoned phantom.^[1]

The following table displays the time limit for each summon method:

Notes[]

• In the bonfire's warp menu, an orange frame around an area's picture denotes multiplayer activity close to the player's Soul Memory in that area.

Common situations that prevent Co-op:[]

• Host or Summon having Joined the Company of Champions covenant in Majula.
• Host having a Burnt Effigy Effect active, either from Burning a Human Effigy at a Bonfire or from defeating all bosses in the area, as this will reward the player with this effect.
• Host being Hollowed from previous deaths.
• If either account is unable to connect specifically to the other, check if you can use a Bone of Order.
• If either player is "Softbanned", they may use another account instead.

References[]