Is Elden Ring Dlc Harder On New Game Plus? This burning question plagues many Tarnished adventurers eager to dive back into the Lands Between with their souped-up characters. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s a nuanced exploration of how New Game Plus interacts with the DLC’s challenges, enemy scaling, and your own build progression.
Understanding New Game Plus in Elden Ring
New Game Plus (NG+) in Elden Ring, much like in other FromSoftware titles, offers a replay experience with increased difficulty. Enemies gain more health and damage output, creating a steeper challenge even for seasoned players. It allows you to carry over your current stats, weapons, talismans, and most items, giving you a significant power boost from the start. This power advantage carries over into any DLC you’ve purchased.
How DLC Difficulty Scales in New Game Plus
The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, inherently presents its own set of challenges. New bosses, enemies, and areas are designed to test your skills, regardless of whether you’re on your first playthrough or your tenth. But when combined with NG+, the difficulty scaling creates a unique experience. Enemies in the DLC will be even tougher than their NG+ counterparts in the base game, demanding more precise dodging, strategic thinking, and optimized builds.
Does Your Build Matter More in NG+ DLC?
Absolutely. While a well-rounded build is always recommended in Elden Ring, it becomes even more crucial in the NG+ DLC. The increased enemy damage necessitates robust defenses, whether through high Vigor, heavy armor, or specific damage negation talismans. Similarly, optimizing your damage output through specialized builds and upgraded weaponry is essential for taking down tougher bosses efficiently.
Focusing on Specific Damage Types
Consider the weaknesses of the DLC’s enemies. If they’re vulnerable to Holy damage, prioritize Faith-based builds. If they’re weak to Frost, invest in Intelligence and Cold sorceries. This targeted approach can significantly mitigate the increased difficulty of NG+ DLC.
Challenging Boss Fight in Elden Ring DLC on New Game Plus
Is Elden Ring DLC Harder on a Fresh NG+ Cycle or Further into NG+ Cycles?
The difficulty spike is most noticeable when you first enter NG+ with the DLC. You’ll be powerful compared to your initial playthrough, but the enemies will also be significantly stronger. As you progress through subsequent NG+ cycles (NG+2, NG+3, etc.), the difficulty continues to increase, but the rate of increase diminishes. Your character’s power growth, especially with fully upgraded weapons and maximized stats, eventually outpaces the enemy scaling, making later NG+ cycles, while challenging, less of a dramatic leap.
Tips for Surviving Elden Ring DLC in New Game Plus
- Upgrade your weapons: Maxed-out weapons are essential for dealing enough damage in NG+ DLC.
- Optimize your armor: Prioritize armor that provides effective protection against the dominant damage types in the DLC.
- Utilize Spirit Ashes: Summoning Spirit Ashes can distract enemies and provide valuable support in challenging encounters.
- Learn enemy attack patterns: Mastering enemy movesets is crucial for surviving the increased damage output in NG+.
Exploring Elden Ring DLC in New Game Plus
The Rewards of Conquering NG+ DLC
While the increased difficulty presents a significant hurdle, the rewards are worthwhile. Conquering the DLC in NG+ provides a sense of accomplishment and allows you to further refine your skills. You’ll also gain access to powerful new weapons, armor, and talismans that can enhance your build for future playthroughs.
“The challenge of NG+ DLC is precisely what makes it so rewarding,” says renowned Soulsborne expert, Amelia Blackwood. “It’s a true test of skill and build optimization, pushing players to their limits and forcing them to master every aspect of the game.”
Beyond the Difficulty: Exploring the Narrative in NG+
Don’t forget that NG+ allows you to experience the DLC’s story with a fresh perspective. With your existing knowledge of the base game’s lore, you might uncover hidden details and new interpretations of the DLC’s narrative.
Discovering Hidden Areas in Elden Ring DLC on New Game Plus
Related Challenges in Elden Ring
Besides tackling the DLC in NG+, players can engage in other challenging activities such as completing the game with specific builds, defeating optional bosses without taking damage, or participating in PvP duels. These challenges provide additional layers of replayability and allow you to test your mastery of the game’s mechanics.
Conclusion
So, is Elden Ring DLC harder on New Game Plus? The answer is a resounding yes. However, this increased difficulty is not insurmountable. With careful preparation, strategic thinking, and a well-optimized build, you can overcome the challenges and reap the rewards that await in the Shadow of the Erdtree. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different builds and strategies. Embrace the challenge and become an even more powerful Tarnished.
FAQ
- What is New Game Plus in Elden Ring?
New Game Plus allows you to replay the game with increased difficulty and carry over your progress. - Does the DLC scale with New Game Plus?
Yes, the DLC’s difficulty increases in New Game Plus. - Should I optimize my build for NG+ DLC?
Absolutely, a well-optimized build is crucial for surviving the increased difficulty. - What are the rewards for completing NG+ DLC?
New weapons, armor, talismans, and a sense of accomplishment. - How many New Game Plus cycles are there?
Elden Ring allows for multiple NG+ cycles, each progressively harder. - What are some tips for surviving NG+ DLC?
Upgrade weapons, optimize armor, utilize Spirit Ashes, and learn enemy patterns. - What are some related challenges besides NG+ DLC?
Completing the game with specific builds, no-hit boss runs, and PvP duels.
