How Much Harder Is New Game Plus Elden Ring

How Much Harder is New Game Plus Elden Ring?

So, you’ve conquered the Lands Between, defeated the Elden Beast, and become Elden Lord (or maybe a different ending – no spoilers!). You’re feeling pretty good, right? But then, you see it: the option for New Game Plus (NG+). The allure of facing the challenge again, but now with all your cool gear, is strong. But, here’s the big question: how much harder is it? Let’s dive deep and figure out what awaits you in your second journey through Elden Ring.

The Core Difficulty Increase in NG+

The biggest change in NG+ is the increase in enemy stats. Think of it like this: all the bad guys you fought before? They’ve been hitting the gym and taking their vitamins. They have more health, and they hit harder. We’re talking a noticeable jump – it’s not just a tiny bump up. The change is consistent across the board for all enemies and bosses, making everything you do a little tougher.

Enemy Health Boost

Enemies in NG+ boast significantly more hit points. Even basic soldiers that you once swatted away with ease can take more hits. This directly impacts the flow of combat. You can’t just run in carelessly. You must approach encounters with caution, especially early on, as your equipment might feel less impactful than before. This health boost changes how long fights take. Even normal enemies can become damage sponges requiring multiple hits.

Increased Enemy Damage Output

It’s not only about health; enemies also deal more damage. This means that getting careless can get you killed quicker than it did in your first playthrough. Dodging and strategic use of shields become more important. You can’t just trade blows and expect to come out on top. A single wrong move can be devastating. The increased damage emphasizes careful gameplay.

Scaling of Difficulty in New Game Plus

The difficulty in Elden Ring NG+ doesn’t stop with just a straight boost to enemy stats. The game also scales based on the number of NG+ cycles you have completed. Let’s see how this works:

The First NG+ Cycle

The first NG+ is where you’ll see the most substantial spike in difficulty compared to your base game experience. This change often catches players off guard as they go in overconfident. Enemies are more powerful, but the progression is manageable. This cycle introduces you to the idea that you can’t just waltz through the game again. You must still use strategy, even if you have better equipment.

Subsequent NG+ Cycles

Each subsequent NG+ cycle increases the enemy stats further but at a reduced rate. The change from NG+ to NG+2 isn’t as drastic as the move from your first run to NG+. While enemies get a bit more health and hit a bit harder, the increase is less pronounced each time. There’s a plateau to how much harder the game can become. This means that after a few cycles, you’re less concerned about the difficulty increase, and more about refining your build and exploring the world again. This is usually where players really start to perfect their builds.

How Your Character Carries Over Into NG+

One of the coolest things about starting NG+ is you retain most of your character’s progress. However, it’s not a complete copy and paste. Here’s a breakdown of what you keep and what you don’t:

What You Keep

• Level and Attributes: All the levels you gained and the points you invested into your attributes stay the same. You can build up your character further.
• Equipment: All weapons, armor, talismans, and crafting materials are carried over. This is a massive advantage, giving you access to powerful gear from the start.
• Spells and Incantations: All spells and incantations you learned are still available.
• Flask Upgrades: Your flasks are at the same level of potency. That includes how many flasks you have and how much they heal.
• Key Items (Mostly): Items like the Spirit Calling Bell, your horse Torrent, and all Site of Grace locations are unlocked. Some plot-related key items may be reset.

What You Lose

• Great Runes: You’ll need to defeat the Shardbearers again to get their Great Runes. This means you can’t simply use your powerful rune effects right away.
• Bell Bearings: Your shop inventories are reset. You’ll need to collect the Bell Bearings once more for the merchants.
• Progress Related Key Items: Some key items related to progression and story are reset. You must get them again to progress.

Strategies for Success in NG+

Because NG+ is harder, your usual strategies might not cut it. Here are some tips for surviving and succeeding:

Optimizing Your Build

Now is a great time to review your build. Do you rely too heavily on one type of attack? Do you have enough points in the correct stats? Consider respecing your character using a Larval Tear to try out different play styles. This is a great way to experiment and to make your character more effective in combat.

• Weapon Choice: Make sure you have a main weapon that you’re comfortable with. Maybe you have a different weapon that can help you with bosses that gave you a hard time in your first playthrough.
• Armor Selection: Use armor that provides the best balance of protection and weight.
• Talisman Optimization: Ensure that you choose talismans that give you the buffs that match your combat style.

Using Summons Wisely

Spirit Ashes can be really helpful in NG+, especially against bosses. But not all spirit ashes are created equal. Choose the ones that fit your playstyle and give you that extra bit of damage or survivability needed in combat. Remember your trusty summons can also get you out of tight spots.

Exploiting Enemy Weaknesses

Remember what worked on enemies the first time? Use it again. If an enemy is weak to fire, hit it with fire. If they’re vulnerable to magic, use magic. Don’t forget all the knowledge you’ve gained through your first playthrough. This knowledge helps you greatly to fight more effectively. This includes boss patterns, environmental weaknesses, and the best way to deal with each threat.

Being Patient and Observant

Rushing into a fight is a recipe for disaster in NG+. Observe your enemies’ attacks, find openings, and don’t get greedy. Playing defensively is a good strategy. The extra damage enemies do can punish recklessness. This means being very patient, waiting for the right moment, and not being afraid to retreat to safety. You must take care to not get hit.

Is New Game Plus For You?

Not everyone enjoys a harder experience. If you’re just wanting to feel overpowered, NG+ might be a rude awakening. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if NG+ is right for you:

Reasons to Try NG+

• The Challenge: You love a good fight and want to really test your skills.
• Exploring Different Builds: You want to experiment with different weapons, spells, and stats without starting completely over.
• Acquiring Missing Items: You missed some weapons, armor, or spells in your first run and want to collect them all.
• Achieving Different Endings: You want to experience all the different endings Elden Ring has to offer.
• Deepening Your Lore Understanding: You get a deeper understanding of the story as you experience the game again.

When NG+ Might Not Be For You

• You struggled with the base game: If you found the normal game incredibly hard, NG+ might feel too challenging.
• You prefer a relaxing experience: You just want to enjoy the world and see the story, not face more combat.
• You’re tired of the game: If you’re burnt out from your first playthrough, you might want to take a break before jumping back in.

Specific Examples of Difficulty Differences

To further illustrate how much harder NG+ is, let’s look at a few specific enemy and boss examples. These examples will show you how the difficulty spike feels in the actual gameplay.

Early Game Enemies

Those basic soldiers and wolves that you crushed easily in your first playthrough? They’re much more dangerous now. They have more health, so they take more hits to kill. They also deal more damage, which can really add up in group fights. Early game areas can feel surprisingly challenging on NG+ if you’re not careful.

Mid-Game Bosses

Bosses like Margit or Godrick, who might have been a challenge the first time, feel very different in NG+. Their increased health and damage make fights more strategic, you have to plan out your attacks better and wait for the openings. This forces you to play more defensively. This means you can’t just rush in, you have to pay attention to their attacks.

Late-Game Encounters

The difficult late-game areas and bosses will push you to your limits. Enemies like the Crucible Knights or Malenia will have you sweating. Their increased health pools and damage output will demand the best strategies, builds and patience. You have to play carefully to survive.

Making the Most of Your Second Journey

Even though NG+ is harder, there’s a way to make it a great time. It’s about seeing the game from a new perspective with knowledge and gear you didn’t have before. Don’t think about it as just a harder experience. Think of it as a fresh chance to explore, experiment, and enjoy a game you already love. The world of Elden Ring is even more rewarding on the second playthrough as you notice all the small details and appreciate it more.

In essence, New Game Plus in Elden Ring presents a significant, though not overwhelming, challenge. The enemies are definitely tougher, and you need to be more careful and deliberate in your approach. However, with your experience, better gear, and refined strategies, you can totally handle it. Enjoy your second journey, and may your path be blessed by the Elden Ring!