Do Levels Carry Over in Elden Ring? Everything You Need to Know About New Game Plus
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, your level and all the attribute points you’ve meticulously invested do indeed carry over into Elden Ring’s New Game Plus (NG+). This means you’ll embark on your second (or subsequent) journey across the Lands Between with the same powerful character you painstakingly built. However, it’s not quite as simple as that. Let’s delve into the details of what you can expect when starting a new game plus run and examine everything else that transfers (and what doesn’t). Prepare yourself, Tarnished, for a deeper dive!
What is New Game Plus in Elden Ring?
New Game Plus in Elden Ring is a feature that allows you to restart the game from the beginning while retaining certain aspects of your previous playthrough. After defeating the final boss and choosing your ending, you’ll be given the option to begin NG+. Selecting this option will transport you back to the beginning of the game, but this time with a significant advantage – your hard-earned character progress.
What Carries Over and What Doesn’t?
Understanding what makes the journey with you and what resets is crucial for planning your subsequent playthroughs. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
What Carries Over:
- Character Level and Stats: Your character’s level, and all stat points assigned to Vigor, Mind, Endurance, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane, are retained.
- Weapons and Armor: All weapons and armor you’ve collected, including their upgrade levels, will be available from the start.
- Talismans: Every Talisman you’ve found, empowering your character with unique passive bonuses, remains in your inventory.
- Sorceries and Incantations: All spells you’ve learned, both Sorceries and Incantations, are carried over, provided you have the necessary stats to cast them.
- Consumable Items (Standard): Basic consumable items like Flasks of Crimson Tears, Golden Runes, and various crafting ingredients stay with you.
- Crafting Materials and Upgrade Materials: Your stockpile of crafting materials (herbs, minerals, etc.) and upgrade materials (Smithing Stones, Somber Smithing Stones) are preserved.
- Cookbooks: All Cookbooks and associated crafting recipes are available from the beginning.
- Key Items (Some): Certain key items that are not related to progressing the main story (like the Spirit Calling Bell) will carry over.
What Doesn’t Carry Over:
- Key Items (Story-Related): Crucially, key items required to progress the main storyline, such as Great Runes, are reset. You’ll need to re-acquire these to complete the game again.
- Sites of Grace: All Sites of Grace must be rediscovered in NG+. The map is also reset, covered in fog, and the Sites of Grace are not automatically discovered.
- Map Completion: The areas you explored and revealed on your map will be reset. The map starts shrouded in darkness again.
- Great Runes: Great Runes are reset and need to be acquired again for each play through.
The Increasing Difficulty of New Game Plus
While starting with a powerful character provides a distinct advantage, the world of Elden Ring doesn’t remain static. Each subsequent NG+ cycle increases the difficulty of the game. Enemies have significantly more health and deal increased damage. This continues to escalate until NG+7, which represents the maximum difficulty increase. After Journey 7, the difficulty no longer increases. Therefore, even a max-level character will eventually face considerable challenges.
FAQs About Levels and New Game Plus in Elden Ring
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the intricacies of carrying over levels and embarking on New Game Plus runs:
1. Does enemy scaling ever stop in New Game Plus?
Yes, the enemy scaling in Elden Ring’s New Game Plus stops after NG+7. This means that enemies reach their maximum health and damage output at the eighth playthrough and will not increase further.
2. Can I respec my character in New Game Plus?
Yes, you can still respec your character in New Game Plus. You’ll need to acquire Larval Tears, which are scattered throughout the world, and then speak to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, after defeating her in the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
3. What level should I be before starting New Game Plus?
There’s no strict level requirement, but level 120-150 is generally a good starting point for NG+. This will provide a solid foundation for facing the increased difficulty. However, you can start at a lower or higher level based on your confidence and build.
4. Is it worth it to farm runes before starting New Game Plus?
It can be beneficial. Farming runes to level up and upgrade your weapons further before starting NG+ will give you an even greater advantage against the tougher enemies.
5. Do all items carry over, including key items?
No, not all items carry over. Most importantly, key items related to story progression, like the Great Runes, are reset. Non-story related key items, like the Spirit Calling Bell, do carry over.
6. What happens if I die in New Game Plus?
Dying in New Game Plus has the same consequences as in the initial playthrough: you’ll drop your runes and respawn at the last Site of Grace you rested at or a Stake of Marika if you died close to a boss room.
7. How many times can I play New Game Plus?
You can play New Game Plus up to seven times (Journey 7). After that, the difficulty will no longer increase.
8. What is the maximum level in Elden Ring?
The maximum level achievable in Elden Ring is 713. Reaching this level requires an immense amount of rune farming.
9. Does the map carry over in New Game Plus?
No, the map does not carry over. You will have to re-explore the Lands Between to uncover the map fragments and reveal the environment.
10. Are there any new items or enemies in New Game Plus?
While there are no entirely new items or enemies exclusive to NG+, the increased difficulty and access to your previous character’s power allow you to explore areas and defeat bosses you may have struggled with initially, potentially leading to the discovery of previously missed items.
11. What are soft and hard caps in Elden Ring?
A soft cap is a level where the stat bonuses gained by leveling decrease significantly, while a hard cap is a level where the stat bonuses become minimal or non-existent. Understanding these caps helps optimize your stat allocation.
12. How long does it take to complete Elden Ring?
The length varies depending on your playstyle. Focusing on the main objectives takes around 58 hours, while completing everything can take upwards of 133 hours.
13. How many endings are there in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring has a total of 6 different endings that players can achieve, each with its own unique conditions and implications.
14. What are some things I should do before starting New Game Plus?
Before starting NG+, it’s wise to:
- Collect all Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears.
- Purchase and collect all upgrade materials.
- Collect all Talismans.
- Use all Walking Mausoleums.
- Collect all Remembrances.
- Collect all Crystal Tears.
- Collect all Whetblades.
- Offer Bell Bearings to Twin Maiden Husks.
15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and learning through gaming?
For deeper insights into game mechanics and the educational potential of gaming, explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.