Conquering Nashandra and Beyond: Exploring Dark Souls 2 DLC After the Final Boss
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Yes, you absolutely can do DLC after killing Nashandra in Dark Souls 2. The game doesn’t automatically shunt you into New Game Plus (NG+) upon defeating her. You’re free to explore the DLC areas, tackle their challenges, and reap their rewards even after claiming victory over the main game’s final boss. Think of it as a well-deserved victory lap, or perhaps a necessary power-up before facing the increased difficulty of NG+. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the path beyond Nashandra.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dark Souls 2 DLC and Post-Game Content
Here are some common queries and detailed answers to help you navigate the world of Drangleic after defeating Nashandra.
1. When Should I Tackle the DLC: Before or After Nashandra?
It truly doesn’t matter when you decide to embark on the DLC adventures. Dark Souls 2 is wonderfully flexible in this regard. Some players prefer to tackle the DLC challenges before Nashandra to bolster their character with powerful gear and experience. Others prefer to save them for after Nashandra, allowing them to experience the DLC with a more optimized build and a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics. The choice is entirely yours and depends on your personal preference and playstyle. This flexibility makes Dark Souls 2 a great game for studying adaptable game mechanics, something the Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) explores in their research.
2. Does Defeating Nashandra Automatically Start New Game Plus (NG+)?
No, defeating Nashandra does not automatically trigger NG+. Once you defeat her, you’re given the option to either continue your current journey or return to Majula. The decision to enter NG+ rests solely with you. You can explore the world, complete any unfinished business, and tackle the DLC content before choosing to start a new cycle.
3. How Do I Access New Game Plus in Dark Souls 2?
To initiate NG+, head to the bonfire in Majula. There, you’ll find the option to “Begin Journey 2.” Selecting this option will transport you to NG+, where enemies are stronger, new items are available, and the overall challenge is significantly increased. Remember, this is a conscious choice, not an automatic transition.
4. What Happens If I Kill Nashandra Before Completing the DLC?
Nothing negative happens! You can freely travel to the DLC areas after defeating Nashandra. Simply use the appropriate entrances located throughout the world to access the Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King DLCs.
5. What Order Should I Play the DLC in?
The order is largely up to you, but many players recommend the following order based on difficulty and progression:
- Crown of the Sunken King: This DLC is generally considered the easiest and provides a good starting point.
- Crown of the Old Iron King: This DLC offers a significant increase in difficulty compared to the Sunken King.
- Crown of the Ivory King: This DLC is often regarded as the most challenging, with intricate level design and formidable bosses.
However, feel free to experiment and tackle them in any order that suits your preference.
6. Is There a Specific “DLC Ending” in Dark Souls 2?
Yes, there is a subtle “DLC ending” related to Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin. To trigger it, you need to:
- Acquire all three DLC crowns (Sunken King, Old Iron King, and Ivory King) on the same playthrough.
- Defeat Nashandra and Aldia (if you’ve met the requirements to fight him – see FAQ #13).
- Exhaust King Aldia’s dialogue.
Completing these steps unlocks a slightly different cutscene after defeating Aldia, hinting at the true nature of the curse and the cycle of fire.
7. What’s the Hardest DLC Boss in Dark Souls 2?
The Fume Knight from the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC is widely considered the most difficult boss in Dark Souls 2, including the base game. His erratic attack patterns, delayed timings, and second phase transformation make him a formidable opponent. Other contenders for the title include Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon, and Elana, the Squalid Queen.
8. How Long Does It Take to Complete Each DLC?
The completion time varies depending on your skill level and playstyle, but generally, each DLC takes around 4-8 hours to complete, focusing on the main objectives. If you aim for 100% completion, including exploring every nook and cranny and defeating all optional bosses, expect to spend 8-12 hours per DLC.
9. Do I Need to Beat the DLC to Unlock New Game Plus?
No, completing the DLC is not required to unlock NG+. You can start NG+ as soon as you defeat Nashandra, regardless of whether you’ve touched the DLC content.
10. What Carries Over to New Game Plus?
Several things carry over to NG+, including:
- Your character level and stats
- Most of your equipment and items (some key items and progression items are reset)
- Covenants (your progress within covenants is typically reset, but your membership remains)
- Spells and miracles
11. What Are Bonfire Ascetics, and How Do They Relate to Post-Game Content?
Bonfire Ascetics are items that increase the difficulty of a specific area, as if you’ve progressed to the next game cycle (NG+, NG++, etc.). They’re useful for:
- Re-fighting bosses: If you want to farm a specific boss for their soul or equipment, using an Ascetic allows you to fight them again without entering NG+.
- Obtaining rare items: Some items are only available in higher NG+ cycles. Ascetics let you access these items in a specific area without progressing the entire game.
- Increasing the challenge: If you find the base game too easy, Ascetics can provide a more demanding experience in specific locations.
12. Who is Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin, and How Do I Fight Him?
Aldia is a secret boss in Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin edition. To encounter him, you must:
- Speak to Aldia at three specific locations:
- The first primal bonfire you light (e.g., the one after defeating the Rotten).
- The first bonfire in the Undead Crypt.
- The bonfire at the Dragon Shrine.
- Defeat King Vendrick.
If you meet these requirements, Aldia will appear after you defeat Nashandra in the Throne of Want, serving as a final, optional boss.
13. Can I Fight Aldia in New Game Plus If I Missed Him in My First Playthrough?
Yes, you can. The requirements for triggering the Aldia fight remain the same in NG+ and beyond. So, if you missed him in your initial playthrough, simply fulfill the necessary conditions in NG+ to encounter him.
14. Is King Vendrick an Optional Boss?
Yes, King Vendrick is an optional boss. You can complete the game without ever fighting him. However, defeating him is necessary to trigger the Aldia boss fight and unlock the “DLC ending.” Also, his soul is needed to create powerful weapons.
15. What’s the “True Ending” in Dark Souls 2?
The concept of a “true ending” in Dark Souls is always debated. However, fulfilling the requirements for the Aldia fight and defeating him leads to a slightly different ending cutscene that provides a more nuanced perspective on the cyclical nature of the curse and the choices you make. Whether it’s the “true” ending is subjective, but it certainly adds depth to the narrative. Exploring these complexities in gaming can be a valuable learning experience, as demonstrated by research from GamesLearningSociety.org.
Dark Souls 2 offers a rich and rewarding post-game experience. Whether you choose to tackle the DLC before or after Nashandra, the journey is yours to define. So, grab your sword, replenish your Estus Flasks, and prepare for more challenges in the captivating world of Drangleic!