New DLC Incoming!
Big news for Elden Ring fans – the hotly anticipated DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is dropping on June 21st! If you haven’t played the base game in a while, you might be feeling a little rusty. This guide will help you decide the best way to refresh your memory on the world, gameplay, and those tough and brutal combats before diving into the new content.
Should You Start a New Game?
Shadow of the Erdtree will reportedly have a unique levelling system that prevents players from being overpowered. So, while starting a new game might seem tempting, it might be more beneficial to just get a refresher on the combat.
New Game+ to the Rescue!
Just like many other games, Elden Ring offers a New Game+ (NG+) mode. This might be the perfect solution to re-familiarize yourself with the Lands Between. Here’s how it works:
- Beating the Game is Required: This might sound obvious, but since Elden Ring is a Souls game, beating it isn’t exactly a walk in the park. You’ll need to have earned the title of Elden Lord and seen one of the game’s many endings before you can access NG+.
- Two Ways to Start NG+: After the credits roll, you’ll be offered the chance to Begin Journey 2. Accepting this will throw you right into NG+. But don’t worry if you miss this prompt – you can still access NG+ later. Just fast travel to the Roundtable Hold and rest at the Table of Lost Grace. You’ll see a new option to Begin Journey 2 there as well.
NG+ Before Shadow of the Erdtree? Consider This First
With the DLC right around the corner, a lot of players are wondering if NG+ is the best way to prepare. The answer depends on a few things:
- Time Commitment: NG+ overwrites your save file. This could be an issue if you want to play the DLC right away but don’t have enough time to replay the entire game up to the DLC’s starting location (Moghwyn’s Palace).
- Goals Before the DLC: What are you hoping to achieve before Shadow of the Erdtree drops? If you just want to get a feel for the combat again, there might be a better option.
Alternative: Start a New Character
For those who just want to refresh their combat skills without a full playthrough, consider creating a new character. This way, you can explore the early game without messing with your main save file. Just playing the game at a lower level can be enough to get your muscle memory working again.
Don’t Worry About Level
No matter which option you choose, your level in the base game won’t be a huge factor in the DLC. Shadow of the Erdtree will have its own unique attack power system that’s more important than your existing stats. As long as you can reach the DLC’s starting area (Moghwyn’s Palace), you should be good to go.
What Carries Over to NG+
The benefit of NG+ is that you can take some of your hard-earned loot and levels into your next adventure. Here’s what you get to keep:
- Level & Runes: Your character’s level and any Runes you’ve collected will carry over.
- Gear & Spells: You’ll keep all your armour, weapons, and magic spells. Remember, you can also get duplicates of weapons in NG+ for some powerful dual-wielding builds.
- Most Items & Consumables: The majority of non-quest related items and consumables will be available in NG+ as well. This includes Remembrances, crafting materials, Spirit Ashes, Ashes of War, Stonesword Keys, Dragon Hearts, Larval Tears, Celestial Dew, and Lost Ashes of War.
- Horse & Map Progress: Your trusty steed Torrent will be waiting for you, and your map progress will also carry over.
What Doesn’t Carry Over to NG+
Here’s what you’ll need to reacquire in NG+:
- Quest Items: Any items used to progress the main story or side quests will be gone.
- Side Quest Progress: All your side quest progress resets in NG+. Decide if you want to finish any current quests before starting NG+.
- Great Runes & Key Items: Great Runes from key bosses, Sorcery Scrolls, Incantation Prayerbooks, and Bell Bearings won’t carry over.
- States of Grace: While your map progress remains, you’ll need to rediscover.
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