How to Check What New Game Plus Cycle You’re On in Elden Ring

Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed open-world masterpiece, offers incredible replayability through its New Game Plus feature. But how do you know which NG+ cycle you’re currently playing? Unlike some games with clear indicators, Elden Ring keeps it subtle. This comprehensive guide will cover all aspects of determining your NG+ cycle in Elden Ring, providing clear and concise answers for players of all skill levels.

Similar to optimizing your PC for gaming, understanding New Game Plus is crucial for experienced players looking to maximize their Elden Ring journey. This feature allows you to replay the game with increased difficulty and carry over most of your progress. Knowing your current cycle is essential for preparing for the tougher challenges ahead and planning your build accordingly.

Identifying Your New Game Plus Cycle

Elden Ring doesn’t explicitly display your NG+ level on screen. However, there are several ways to determine your current cycle. These methods range from subtle in-game clues to comparing enemy strength and checking your acquired items.

• Enemy Difficulty: The most reliable way to gauge your NG+ level is by observing enemy strength and health. Each cycle significantly increases enemy stats, making previously manageable encounters considerably more challenging. If you’re finding areas significantly harder than you remember, you’re likely in a higher NG+ cycle.

• Boss Remembrance: While not a direct indicator of your NG+ level, the number of Remembrance boss souls you possess can give you a clue. Each playthrough of NG+ allows you to collect these unique items again. If you have multiple Remembrances from a single boss, you’re definitely past your first playthrough.

• Starting Gear: On subsequent playthroughs, you retain all your equipment, spells, and talismans. This can be another subtle hint, especially if you’re starting a new game with late-game gear.

• Community Assistance: If all else fails, you can always turn to the Elden Ring community for help. Describing your current situation and the difficulty you’re facing can often lead to experienced players helping you determine your NG+ cycle.

Key Differences Between New Game Plus Cycles

Each NG+ cycle in Elden Ring ramps up the difficulty. Enemies become tougher, with increased health, damage, and resistances. This heightened challenge demands strategic planning, optimized builds, and skillful gameplay.

• Scaling Difficulty: The difficulty increase isn’t linear. The jump from NG to NG+ is significant, but the differences between later cycles are less pronounced. However, even higher NG+ cycles can prove challenging for even the most experienced players.

• Rewards and Progression: While the difficulty increases, the rewards generally remain the same. You’ll still earn the same runes and items from enemies and bosses. However, the added challenge of NG+ cycles provides a unique sense of accomplishment.

Elden Ring NG+ Enemy Difficulty Increase

Understanding the Purpose of New Game Plus

New Game Plus in Elden Ring serves multiple purposes, catering to different player preferences and playstyles.

• Extended Gameplay: For players who want to continue their journey in the Lands Between, NG+ offers a way to experience the game again with a fresh perspective.

• Build Experimentation: NG+ allows players to try different builds and strategies. With your existing equipment and spells, you can experiment with new combinations without starting from scratch.

• Challenge and Mastery: For those seeking a greater challenge, NG+ provides a way to test their skills against tougher enemies and refine their combat prowess.

• Completionism: NG+ allows players to collect all achievements, weapons, and armor sets they might have missed in their initial playthrough.

Tips for Surviving New Game Plus

New Game Plus in Elden Ring can be brutal. Here are some tips to help you survive the escalating challenges:

1. Optimize Your Build: Focus on a strong and effective build that suits your playstyle. Experiment with different weapons, armor, and talismans to find the optimal combination.

2. Upgrade Your Flasks: Increase the number of charges and potency of your flasks to sustain yourself through tougher encounters.

3. Master the Combat System: Practice parrying, dodging, and using different weapon arts to gain an edge in combat.

4. Explore Thoroughly: Discover hidden areas and secrets to uncover valuable resources and upgrade materials.

5. Summon Spirits: Utilize spirit ashes to distract enemies and create openings for attacks.

This information is especially relevant for those seeking advice on how to disable game bar, as optimizing your system for gameplay becomes even more critical in challenging NG+ cycles. A distraction-free experience is essential for surviving the demanding encounters in later playthroughs.

Mastering Elden Ring’s Endgame Content

While New Game Plus significantly increases the difficulty, it also unlocks new opportunities for mastering Elden Ring’s endgame content.

• Legendary Talismans and Weapons: Some of the most powerful items in Elden Ring are only obtainable in later NG+ cycles. This incentivizes players to push through the increasing difficulty to acquire the best gear.

• Perfecting Builds: NG+ allows players to fine-tune their builds and experiment with different strategies against tougher enemies. This process of continuous improvement is a core element of Elden Ring’s endgame experience.

• Community Engagement: Sharing your NG+ experiences and strategies with the community can foster a sense of camaraderie and collaborative learning. Discussing challenging encounters and optimal builds can further enhance your understanding and appreciation of the game.

Elden Ring NG+ Late Game Exploration and Rewards

Ultimately, knowing what NG+ cycle you’re on in Elden Ring is less about a specific number and more about understanding the increased difficulty and preparing accordingly. The journey through the Lands Between becomes more challenging with each cycle, demanding strategic adaptation and mastery of the game’s intricate mechanics.

Conclusion

While Elden Ring doesn’t explicitly display your NG+ cycle, the clues are there for the observant player. By paying attention to enemy difficulty, your inventory, and your overall progression, you can determine your current cycle and prepare for the challenges ahead. Understanding how to check what new game plus cycle you’re on in Elden Ring is an essential part of mastering this challenging and rewarding game. Remember, the journey through the Lands Between is one of continuous learning and adaptation, and each NG+ cycle offers a fresh opportunity to refine your skills and conquer the escalating threats.

FAQ

1. Does enemy difficulty increase with each NG+ cycle? Yes, each NG+ cycle significantly increases enemy health, damage, and resistances.

2. Do I lose anything when starting NG+? No, you retain all your equipment, spells, talismans, and levels when starting NG+.

3. Is there a limit to the number of NG+ cycles? Yes, the limit is NG+7.

4. Are there any unique rewards for completing NG+ cycles? While the standard rewards remain the same, certain powerful talismans and weapons are only obtainable in later NG+ cycles.

5. How can I prepare for NG+? Optimize your build, upgrade your flasks, master the combat system, and explore thoroughly.

6. Does NG+ affect online play? No, your NG+ cycle does not affect your ability to play online with others.

7. Can I change my build in NG+? Yes, you can respec your stats and change your equipment at any time.