Can You Go Past NG+7 in Elden Ring? The Truth About New Game Plus Scaling
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The Lands Between call to you once again, Tarnished! You’ve conquered bosses, amassed runes, and forged your legend in Elden Ring. But the itch for a new challenge, a more brutal world, pulls you back for another journey. The question burning in your mind is: Can you go past NG+7 in Elden Ring?
The answer, succinctly, is yes, you can technically go past NG+7 in Elden Ring, but the difficulty scaling stops at NG+7. This means that while you can continue into NG+8, NG+9, and beyond, the enemies won’t get any stronger, and the rewards won’t increase. Journey 8 (NG+7) marks the cap for difficulty scaling in Elden Ring’s New Game Plus system. Every subsequent journey beyond that point will be identical in terms of enemy stats, damage output, and rune acquisition. You’ll essentially be replaying NG+7 over and over again.
Understanding New Game Plus in Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s games are renowned for their New Game Plus (NG+) modes, and Elden Ring is no exception. NG+ allows players to replay the game with their existing character, stats, equipment, and spells, offering a fresh experience with increased difficulty. Each subsequent NG+ cycle increases enemy damage and health pools, providing a progressively tougher challenge. This scaling encourages players to refine their builds, master combat techniques, and explore different strategies to overcome the hurdles the Lands Between throws their way.
However, this scaling isn’t infinite. To avoid overwhelming the player and to create a reasonable endpoint, FromSoftware implemented a difficulty cap. In Elden Ring, that cap is reached at NG+7, also referred to as Journey 8.
What Happens After NG+7?
After reaching NG+7, the game doesn’t become easier, per se. You’ll still be facing the heightened difficulty of the NG+7 world. However, the challenge won’t increase any further. This means that players who continue past NG+7 are often doing so for different reasons:
- Completionism: Some players aim to collect every weapon, armor set, spell, and item in the game, requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve.
- Achievement Hunting: Elden Ring has numerous achievements and trophies, some of which might require specific actions or choices across multiple playthroughs.
- Testing Builds: NG+ offers an excellent environment to experiment with different character builds, weapon combinations, and spellcasting styles.
- Pure Enjoyment: Many players simply enjoy the gameplay loop of Elden Ring and relish the opportunity to revisit the world and its challenges with their powerful character.
- Challenge Runs: Some players continue past NG+7 to create self-imposed challenges, such as using only specific weapons, avoiding summons, or completing the game at level 1.
Why the NG+7 Cap?
The decision to cap difficulty scaling at NG+7 likely stems from a desire to balance challenge with player agency. Beyond a certain point, increasing enemy stats further would lead to situations where even the most optimized builds struggle to deal meaningful damage, potentially frustrating players.
The NG+7 cap provides a challenging but manageable end-game experience, allowing players to continue exploring the world and experimenting with different strategies without hitting an insurmountable wall. It also provides a solid foundation for the Games Learning Society and other groups to study complex gameplay loops.
Reaching the Endgame
Ultimately, whether you choose to continue past NG+7 is a matter of personal preference. If you’re seeking an ever-increasing challenge, you might be disappointed. However, if you enjoy the core gameplay of Elden Ring and want to continue exploring its world and experimenting with different builds, there’s no reason to stop.
Remember, the Lands Between offer endless opportunities for adventure, regardless of the NG+ cycle you’re on. So, grab your weapon, summon your spirit ashes, and embark on your next journey, Tarnished! The Elden Ring awaits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About NG+ in Elden Ring
1. What exactly carries over into New Game Plus?
Almost everything you’ve collected carries over, including:
- Character level and stats
- Weapons and armor
- Talismans
- Spells and incantations
- Key items (excluding story-related items)
- Flask upgrades
- Golden Seeds
- Sacred Tears
- Cookbooks
- Maps
2. What doesn’t carry over into New Game Plus?
Some items and progress markers are reset:
- Key items required to progress the main story (e.g., Great Runes)
- Sites of Grace (you need to rediscover them)
- Map exploration progress
- NPC quest progress
- Bell Bearings are only usable for the playthrough they were found in
3. Does the number of runes enemies drop increase in NG+?
Yes, the number of runes enemies drop increases with each NG+ cycle, up to NG+7. This makes it easier to level up and upgrade your equipment in subsequent playthroughs.
4. How much harder does Elden Ring get in NG+?
The difficulty increase is significant, particularly in the early NG+ cycles. Enemies deal more damage and have higher health pools. Expect a noticeable jump in challenge compared to your first playthrough.
5. What level should I be before starting NG+?
There’s no specific recommended level, but generally, being around level 120-150 will make the early stages of NG+ more manageable. However, your skill and build are more important than your level.
6. Can I reset my character’s appearance in NG+?
Yes, you can reset your character’s appearance at the Roundtable Hold by using the mirror in Fia’s room, even in NG+.
7. Are there new items or content in NG+?
No, there are no new items, areas, or bosses in NG+. The core content of the game remains the same. However, you might find new ways to approach the existing content with your upgraded character and gear.
8. Is it possible to skip NG+ and start a fresh game?
Yes, after beating the final boss, you have the option to either start NG+ or remain in your current world. If you choose to remain, you can start NG+ at any time by visiting the Roundtable Hold.
9. Does multiplayer matchmaking change in NG+?
No, multiplayer matchmaking is primarily based on player level and weapon upgrade level, not on the NG+ cycle. This means you can still play with players from your previous playthrough.
10. What’s the best way to prepare for NG+?
Before starting NG+, make sure to:
- Fully upgrade your preferred weapons.
- Collect any items or spells you might have missed.
- Clear out any optional dungeons or bosses you want to complete.
- Spend any remaining runes.
11. Does enemy aggression increase with each NG+ cycle?
Yes, enemies are more aggressive and have shorter aggro ranges in NG+ cycles. This makes it more challenging to explore the world and avoid unnecessary combat.
12. How do Larval Tears work in NG+? Do they respawn?
Larval Tears, used for re-specing your character’s stats, do not respawn in NG+. However, you can collect them again on each new playthrough. This means you’ll have more opportunities to experiment with different builds.
13. What happens if I refuse Melina? Can I still progress?
You cannot refuse Melina and progress through the game. She is essential for unlocking the path forward, providing you with the means to access certain areas and eventually challenge the final bosses.
14. What is the “meta level” for Elden Ring multiplayer?
The commonly accepted “meta level” for PvP duels in Elden Ring is around level 125-150. Staying within this range ensures you can easily find matches with other players.
15. Does Elden Ring have cross-platform play?
No, Elden Ring does not support cross-platform play. Players can only play with others on the same platform (e.g., PlayStation players can only play with other PlayStation players). For more information regarding games and learning see the GamesLearningSociety.org website.