- Way of the Hunter 2 how to invite friends: Complete the intro tutorial, then open the multiplayer menu.
- Unlock requirement: Finish the opening story quests before co-op becomes available.
- Host or join: Create your own session or accept a friend's invite from the main menu.
- Cross-play: Check platform compatibility before inviting friends on other systems.
- Progression tip: Guest players keep gear and earnings from shared hunts.
How to Invite Friends: Unlocking Multiplayer First
Multiplayer in Way of the Hunter 2 is gated behind a short tutorial. When you start a new save, the multiplayer options appear grayed out — only New Game and Settings are selectable. You must play through the opening missions, including your first guided hunt, before the co-op features unlock.
Once you harvest your first animal in the intro quest line, multiplayer opens up. Exit to the main menu and the previously grayed-out options become fully active, letting you create or join a session with friends.
Video Highlights:
- Multiplayer is locked at the start of a new save
- Complete the tutorial quests, including the first deer hunt
- Harvest your first animal to unlock co-op
- Exit to the main menu and multiplayer becomes available
Make sure every friend you plan to invite has also finished their tutorial. Players who haven't unlocked multiplayer yet cannot accept invites or join hosted sessions.
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial cleared | Finish intro story quests | Mandatory for both host and guest |
| First harvest | Harvest your first animal | Triggers multiplayer unlock |
| Main menu access | Exit to menu after unlock | Co-op options activate there |
| Platform | PC or console | Cross-play support varies by platform |
Step-by-Step: Inviting Friends to Your Session
Inviting friends follows a simple flow once multiplayer is unlocked. Follow these steps to get your hunting party into the same session quickly.
Finish the Tutorial
Complete the opening quests on a new save, ending with your first successful harvest. This permanently unlocks multiplayer for that profile.
Open the Multiplayer Menu
From the main menu, select the multiplayer option that was previously grayed out. Choose whether to host a new session or join an existing one.
Host a Session
Create a game and configure your session settings, including visibility (friends-only or public) and player limits.
Send the Invite
Open your platform's friend list or the in-game invite menu and send invitations. Friends accept the invite to drop directly into your session.
Start Hunting Together
Coordinate in-game, share tracking duties, and hunt as a group. Harvests and earnings carry back to each player's own save.
Set your session to friends-only when hunting with a group. This prevents random players from filling slots reserved for your friends.
Host vs. Join: Which Option Fits Your Group
Not every session needs a fresh host. Depending on who has progressed furthest, hosting versus joining changes what content your group can access.
Host a New Session
- Full control over session rules
- Your reserve and story progress apply
- Best for group leaders
Join a Friend
- Instant access to their unlocks
- Keep your gear and earnings
- Best for newer players
Public Session
- Meet other hunters
- Unpredictable group size
- Best for casual play
| Factor | Host a Session | Join a Friend | Public Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control level | High | Low | Medium |
| Access to reserves | Your unlocks | Host's unlocks | Host's unlocks |
| Invite management | You send invites | Accept invites | Open to anyone |
| Best for | Regular groups | Guests and newcomers | Solo players |
Guests keep money, gear, and experience earned during shared hunts, even though the world itself belongs to the host. Progress is never wasted when joining a friend.
Troubleshooting Common Invite Problems
Invite failures usually trace back to a handful of causes. Run through this checklist before retrying.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Invite button grayed out | Tutorial not finished | Complete intro quests and first harvest |
| Friend can't connect | Version mismatch | Update the game on both ends |
| Invite never arrives | Platform privacy settings | Adjust cross-play/friend permissions |
| Session full | Player limit reached | Free a slot or host a second session |
| Connection drops mid-hunt | Unstable network | Use wired connection or closer server region |
Before Contacting Support:
- Confirm both players finished the tutorial
- Verify game versions match on all platforms
- Check platform friend lists and privacy settings
- Restart the game and resend the invite
After a patch, players on older game versions cannot join updated sessions. Make sure everyone installs the latest update before hunting together.
Co-Op Best Practices and FAQ
Hunting with friends changes how you approach the reserve. Split tracking duties, stay quiet on comms near skittish game, and agree on harvest rules before taking shots.
Assign roles before the stalk. One player tracks blood trails while another flanks downwind. Coordinated pairs consistently land higher-rated trophies than solo hunters.
Q: How do I invite friends in Way of the Hunter 2?
Finish the tutorial and first harvest to unlock multiplayer, then host a session from the main menu and send invites through your platform's friend list or the in-game invite menu.
Q: Why is multiplayer grayed out?
Multiplayer stays locked until you complete the opening story quests on a new save, including harvesting your first animal. After that, exit to the main menu and the co-op options activate.
Q: Do guests keep their progress in co-op?
Yes. Guests keep money, gear, and experience earned during shared hunts, even though the world and story progress belong to the host.
Q: Can my friend join if they haven't finished the tutorial?
No. Every player must unlock multiplayer on their own profile by completing the intro quests before they can accept invites or join sessions.