For many avid gamers, the unique thrill of a FromSoftware title is simply irreplaceable. The anticipation for Elden Ring Nightreign, now a celebrated release, created a void that was hard to fill. As someone who previewed and later played the Closed Network Test, other games felt lackluster in comparison. While the wait wasn't as agonizing as the original Elden Ring's multi-year silence, finding a suitable substitute was a challenge. Nightreign is a peculiar gem, even within FromSoftware's catalog. Revisiting Elden Ring was the obvious choice, but it couldn't replicate Nightreign's frantic, unique energy. However, after a long hiatus following the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, a return to the Lands Between revealed an unexpected savior: the Small Golden Effigy became a surprisingly effective stand-in for the Nightreign experience during the final stretch of the wait.

✨ Embrace the Randomness: Use 'Both Near and Far'

FromSoftware's idiosyncratic multiplayer has always been a core charm. The chaotic, wordless camaraderie of popping into a stranger's world, sharing goofy emotes, and tackling challenges together creates unforgettable moments. This was especially true during Elden Ring's launch era. While the Tarnished's Furled Finger was the go-to tool back then, a different item has proven its worth for creating a dynamic, post-Nightreign anticipation co-op loop: the Small Golden Effigy.

The Furled Finger uses the classic summon-sign-at-your-feet method. The Small Golden Effigy, however, leverages Elden Ring's innovative Summoning Pools, marked in-game by the grim Effigies of the Martyr. When used, it offers two choices: send your sign 'Near' or 'Both Near and Far'. For anyone seeking a taste of unpredictable adventure akin to Nightreign, the latter option is essential. This sends your summon sign to every activated Summoning Pool across the entire map, not just your immediate vicinity. It's the key to randomization.

🌍 A Tour of the Lands Between Awaits

While Elden Ring's co-op can't match the breakneck, roguelite pace of Nightreign, nor its promised sheer randomness, the Closed Network Test's limited permutations of Limveld weren't too far off from getting summoned across the entirety of the Lands Between. This realization changed the game.

Starting with a mid-level character originally created for Shadow of the Erdtree, the initial plan was a straightforward replay. But after revisiting familiar grounds like Stormveil Castle, the desire for something fresh grew. That's when committing to the 'Both Near and Far' option unlocked the experience. Over a single weekend, the summons were wildly diverse:

• ⚔️ Battling the Cemetery Shade on the Weeping Peninsula.

• 🏰 Taking on Margit and Godrick at Stormveil.

• 🔥 Liberating Castle Morne.

• ⛏️ Delving into the Limgrave Tunnels.

• 🐻 Wrestling the Runebear in Earthbore Cave.

• 🛡️ Countless times exploring Stormveil's ramparts, fighting invaders and clearing the dungeon.

Progressing to Liurnia of the Lakes only expanded the possibilities. It may not be soaring into Limveld on a Spectral Hawk, but sending out a summon sign while steadily progressing in your own world creates a thrilling, varied mosaic of experiences. You never know if you'll be helping a newcomer in a catacomb or aiding a veteran against a legacy boss.

📝 Pro Tips for Maximum Random Co-op Variety

Based on this experience, here’s how to optimize your Small Golden Effigy adventure:

Tip	Why It Works
Use a Low- to Mid-Level Character	Late-game areas have fewer players and co-op tends to cluster around notorious, difficult bosses (Malenia, Maliketh, etc.). A character between levels 30-80 finds action everywhere.
Activate EVERY Summoning Pool You See	This is non-negotiable. The more pools you activate, the wider your 'Both Near and Far' net is cast. Ride Torrent across Limgrave, the Weeping Peninsula, Liurnia, Caelid, and their underground areas.
Don't Skip Legacy Dungeon Pools	Activating pools inside Stormveil Castle, Raya Lucaria Academy, etc., seems to increase chances of being summoned for full dungeon dives, not just the boss fog wall.
Experiment with Builds	A lower-level character allows for more flexibility. Found a cool new weapon? Respec or allocate some smithing stones and test it out in co-op without high-stakes pressure!

🎮 The Verdict: A Worthy Holdover

There is no perfect substitute for the unique, focused chaos of Elden Ring Nightreign. However, diving back into the original game and making liberal, strategic use of the Small Golden Effigy has proven to be a remarkably satisfying compromise. It transforms Elden Ring from a known quantity into a box of unpredictable co-op chocolates. You're not just replaying a masterpiece; you're participating in a living, breathing community aid network across all its landscapes. It kept the anticipation for Nightreign's action-roguelite promise burning bright while making the wait not just bearable, but genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes, the best way to look forward is to revisit the foundations with a new perspective.

TL;DR for Tarnished in Waiting:

• 🔧 Use the Small Golden Effigy.

• 🌐 Always select 'Both Near and Far'.

• 📍 Activate all Summoning Pools on a mid-level character.

• ❤️ Embrace the jolly, random cooperation. It's the closest you'll get to that Nightreign itch before diving into Limveld for real!