You watch the Nintendo Direct trailer and freeze. The announcement was a thunderclap. Your first question is the same as mine: can you bring a friend?
I read FromSoftware’s FAQ, skimmed social threads on Reddit and X, and checked the Closed Network Test notes so you don’t have to. Below I’ll give you the straight answer, what it means for squad play, and how you can get into the network test yourself.
Will The Duskbloods Have Co-op?
Real-world observation: FromSoftware published a short FAQ on its official site addressing multiplayer questions.
Short answer: Yes. FromSoftware confirms co-op will be part of the full retail release of The Duskbloods, according to the official FAQ. That said, the Closed Network Test build purposely disables friend invites — so what you play in August is not the final co-op experience.
The Duskbloods is a PvPvE title for up to eight players. You’ll be one of the Bloodsworn of Dusk competing in Dusk battles to claim First Blood. Co-op functionality is planned for launch, but squad sizes for retail (whether 2-player duos, 4-player teams, or both) haven’t been spelled out yet.
Will The Duskbloods have co-op?
Yes — co-op is confirmed for the retail release. The Closed Network Test is a limited snapshot: you can play solo or against others, but you won’t be able to invite friends during that particular test window.
Can you play with friends in Duskbloods?
Yes, in the full game you will be able to play with friends. Treat the Closed Network Test as a rehearsal: the invitation and squad systems are intentionally restricted during the test, but FromSoftware says co-op will be functional at launch.
Can The Duskbloods be played single-player?
Yes. The game supports solo participation in Dusk Battles, similar to how Elden Ring: Nightreign allowed solo runs inside a multiplayer frame. You can join matches alone and still compete for First Blood.
What co-op will likely feel like in practice
Real-world observation: FromSoftware has been experimenting with PvPvE formats lately and players are watching similarities to Elden Ring’s multiplayer moves.
Co-op isn’t an afterthought for FromSoftware; it’s threaded into the game’s core PvPvE design. Expect tactical cooperation to matter — not just for surviving the environment but for outplaying the other Bloodsworn. Co-op sits as a live wire humming under the surface of every Dusk Battle, amplifying both teamwork and betrayal.
If you track FromSoftware on X, check the Steam pages and PlayStation storefronts after the Closed Network Test — those channels usually host patch notes and feature confirmations. Communities on Discord and subreddit threads will parse the CNT footage fast; I’ll be watching those too.
How to join the Closed Network Test — and why you should
Real-world observation: network tests are the place where early systems get stress-tested and player habits form.
If you want the earliest hands-on, sign up via FromSoftware’s official site and follow their social feeds for invite windows; platforms involved will include PlayStation and PC storefronts. Remember: the CNT is purposely limited — friend invites won’t work — but your play will feed the design and matchmaking data that shape the final co-op rollout.
I’ll be checking the test logs and community reports after the August test. If you show up, you’ll see what’s present, what’s missing, and what FromSoftware likely intends to patch before launch.
So: are you ready to test the waters and see whether your squad can claim First Blood when the servers open?