Lords of the Fallen: Co-op and Invasions Basics

Choose the progression mode before matchmaking

Rest at a Vestige and open its multiplayer options. Set the co-op mode to Casual for ordinary non-shared play or Shared Progression when both players want the campaign state to advance together. Set the same unique password on both saves, then use the Vestige options to Beckon a Lampbearer or Join Session. Password matchmaking supports cross-play for Beckon, Join, and Slaughter modes.

Shared Progression has an eligibility check. Both players need the same New Game level and their defeated-main-boss counts must be within one boss of each other. If one player continues far ahead alone, the pair can no longer stay in the shared mode until their progress is close again. When either player leaves, each returns to their own world at the last Vestige where they rested or warped.

Know what Shared Progression actually shares

In Shared Progression, both Lampbearers receive quest items, key items, boss rewards, and chest items when either player obtains them. Ordinary world items still need to be picked up by each player. Story progress remains aligned while the conditions are met, and the guest has full privileges: they can rest and warp at Vestiges, begin boss battles, plant a Seedling, upgrade equipment, socket items, respec, and use vendors. Recent shared-mode improvements also let the joining player activate Vestiges and interact with Umbral bellies, shrines, and boss encounters.

Casual co-op is useful when a friend only needs a boss clear or route help. It does not carry story progress to the guest. In that mode, choose Limited or Full guest privileges if the menu offers it, but expect the host’s world to remain the campaign authority.

Before starting	Set or confirm
Shared campaign	Shared Progression, matching password, same NG level, boss counts within one.
One-off help	Casual mode, a clear meeting Vestige, and whether the guest needs full privileges.
Cross-platform pair	Matching password; use Beckon Lampbearer or Join Session at a Vestige.
Seedling or respawn move	Tell the partner first: only one active Vestige or Seedling is used, and both respawn at the latest one.

If the pair cannot connect, first compare co-op mode, password, New Game level, main-boss progress, and ping restrictions. Do not switch to Casual by accident if the goal is a shared campaign. Invasions remain a separate multiplayer activity; choose Slaughter Lampbearer from the Vestige menu when that is the intended session. For route safety after connecting, Axiom and Umbral explains the world layer both players must read.