Is It Better to Start a New Game in Elden Ring?
The question of whether to embark on a fresh playthrough or delve into New Game Plus (NG+) in Elden Ring is a common dilemma among Tarnished. The short answer? It depends entirely on what you’re seeking from your next adventure in the Lands Between. Starting a completely new game offers a unique sense of discovery and fresh challenge, allowing you to experiment with a different class and build from the ground up. On the other hand, NG+ provides a power fantasy, letting you experience the game’s early areas with a formidable character and all your gear. Ultimately, the “better” option depends on your priorities and how you approach your replays. Let’s explore these options in more detail.
The Allure of a New Game
Starting a new game in Elden Ring means embarking on a completely fresh journey. You’ll choose a new class, selecting your starting equipment, and begin with a blank slate character. This offers a multitude of benefits:
A Fresh Perspective
The most significant advantage of starting anew is the opportunity to experience Elden Ring from a completely different angle. Different starting classes have varied stat allocations, which can fundamentally change the way you approach combat and exploration. For example, switching from a strength-focused build to a dexterity-based one can completely alter your fighting style, necessitating new strategies and tactics.
Experimentation
A fresh start provides the perfect environment for experimentation. Perhaps you’ve been curious about a specific spell or weapon but didn’t want to respec your established character. Starting anew allows you to build your character around these new ideas, ensuring that you get to experience a diverse range of playstyles. You can focus entirely on magic, experiment with faith-based incantations, or try out the intricacies of a bleed build without any previous commitments.
True Progression
A new playthrough provides a genuine sense of progression as you slowly acquire new equipment, learn enemy patterns, and steadily grow stronger. This sense of “zero to hero” can be highly satisfying, making each boss victory feel well-earned. You’ll rediscover the world and find new challenges as you tackle each area from scratch.
Replayability
Starting anew substantially increases the replayability of Elden Ring, as you can experience different aspects of the game that might have been missed on your first playthrough. Choosing different dialogue options with NPCs can lead to new questlines and experiences. You have the chance to uncover areas and secrets you might have missed before.
The Power of New Game Plus
New Game Plus offers a vastly different experience than a fresh start. You’ll retain your hard-earned gear, levels, and most of your items. This opens up its own specific benefits:
Power Fantasy
Entering NG+ with your fully geared-up character transforms the early game into a power trip. Enemies that were once daunting now become trivial, allowing you to experience the game in a new way. This is a great way to unwind, allowing you to relax after finishing a taxing first run. It lets you try out more powerful, late-game builds in early areas.
Efficiency
With your accumulated items and equipment, you can cut through areas more quickly, allowing you to focus on content you may have missed or simply want to revisit. You’ll have your powerful weapons and armor from the start, which significantly cuts down on the time spent farming and gathering materials.
Refined Experience
NG+ allows you to play the game at a higher level of difficulty without the need to relearn basic mechanics. The increased enemy health and damage provides a challenge, but not one that negates the power you’ve earned on your first run. Late-game bosses in NG+ can provide an even more intense fight than the first time due to their increased stats.
Discovering Missed Content
While you do lose quest progress, you can utilize the increased power in NG+ to take paths you may have avoided on your first run. You can now try to get all the endings without having to worry about being under leveled.
The Deciding Factor: Personal Preference
The ultimate decision on whether to start a new game or enter NG+ in Elden Ring relies heavily on your personal preference. If you’re seeking a fresh challenge and desire to explore different builds, then a new game is likely the better option. However, if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience where you can flex your existing character build, then NG+ will be more appealing. There is no right or wrong choice, and many players often engage with both options in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about starting a new game versus New Game Plus in Elden Ring to further clarify the decision:
1. What carries over to New Game Plus?
Your level, weapons, armor, talismans, spells, and crafting materials are all carried over to NG+.
2. What do you lose in New Game Plus?
You lose all your Great Runes, quest progress, quest items, activated Sites of Grace, and activated Effigies of the Martyr.
3. Does New Game Plus make Elden Ring harder?
Yes, all enemies and bosses have increased health and damage output in NG+.
4. Is it possible to max out my level in Elden Ring?
Yes, the maximum achievable level is 713, with all eight attributes capped at 99.
5. What is the “meta” level for PvP in Elden Ring?
The commonly accepted meta level for PvP is around 125 to 150.
6. Can I respec my character in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can respec using Larval Tears, but they are a limited resource in each playthrough.
7. What are the benefits of respeccing?
Respeccing allows you to change your character’s stat distribution, enabling you to try different builds without starting over.
8. Do I lose my skills in New Game Plus?
No, you retain all the progress you have made in your character’s skill and skill points.
9. Will I be able to achieve different endings in NG+?
Yes, you can achieve any ending in NG+ that you didn’t achieve in your first playthrough.
10. Do Stonesword Keys carry over to NG+?
No, Stonesword Keys are reset and must be re-obtained in NG+.
11. How long does a normal playthrough of Elden Ring take?
A playthrough focusing on the main objectives is roughly 58 hours, while completing all aspects of the game may take over 130 hours.
12. What should I do before starting NG+?
It is advisable to collect all Crystal Tears, Whetblades, Bell Bearings, Cookbooks, Stonesword Keys, Larval Tears, Dragon Hearts, and Prayerbooks/Scrolls to prepare for your next playthrough.
13. Does the game get harder as I level up?
No, your increased level and stats generally make the game easier as you progress.
14. What are some fun builds to try in Elden Ring?
Popular builds include: Assassin, Black Flame Wielder, Holy Knight, Pure Bleed, Spellsword, Hunter of the Dead, Vigor/Strength Hybrid, and Intelligence/Dexterity Hybrid.
15. Will New Game Plus delete my old save?
No, starting NG+ will not overwrite your manual save files, but it will eventually overwrite your autosaves.
In conclusion, both starting a new game and venturing into New Game Plus offer unique ways to experience Elden Ring. The decision ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and desired experience. There is no wrong choice, and both options can provide hours of enjoyment in the Lands Between.