Is NG+ Harder in Dark Souls? A Veteran’s Deep Dive
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Yes, New Game Plus (NG+) in Dark Souls is definitively harder than your initial playthrough (NG). However, the difficulty spike isn’t always what players expect, and it’s crucial to understand how the game scales to prepare adequately. The increased difficulty primarily stems from increased enemy health, damage output, and the amount of souls they drop. This scaling continues through subsequent playthroughs, up to NG+7, after which the difficulty plateaus. While the core mechanics remain the same, NG+ presents a fresh challenge requiring strategic adjustments.
Understanding the NG+ Difficulty Curve
The difficulty increase in NG+ isn’t about new enemy placements or altered level designs. It’s a purely numerical adjustment to the existing encounters. Think of it as the enemies hitting the gym and taking some performance-enhancing bonking sticks. This means your carefully honed strategies from your first playthrough are still valuable, but you’ll need to execute them flawlessly.
Enemy Stat Inflation
The most noticeable change in NG+ is the significant boost to enemy health and damage. A basic hollow that posed little threat in NG can now tank several hits and deal substantial damage if you’re not careful. This emphasizes the importance of upgrading your weapons, optimizing your armor, and truly mastering your chosen combat style.
Soul Acquisition
While the enemies are tougher, they also reward you with considerably more souls. This allows for faster leveling and easier access to consumables and upgrades. However, it’s a double-edged sword, as you’ll be tempted to spend those souls on upgrades, potentially neglecting the fundamental skills needed to overcome the increased difficulty.
Maintaining the Challenge
While NG+ can be initially challenging, remember that your character also carries over their levels, equipment, and spells. A well-optimized character from a thorough NG playthrough will possess a significant advantage. This is why many players feel NG+ is initially easier than the early stages of their first playthrough. The challenge lies in adapting to the scaled-up enemies and maintaining your focus, especially in later areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dark Souls NG+
1. What exactly carries over to NG+?
Almost everything! You keep your levels, stats, inventory (excluding key items), spells, covenants, and upgrade materials. You lose progress on certain character flags, such as befriending Siegmeyer or finishing specific NPC questlines.
2. What doesn’t carry over to NG+?
Critical key items like the Lordvessel, various keys, and covenant-specific items tied to quest progression are reset. You also lose access to certain areas until you acquire the necessary keys again.
3. Is there anything new in NG+ besides increased difficulty?
While the fundamental game remains the same, NG+ does introduce some new features. Specifically, new rings are available to be found throughout the world. These rings are often upgraded versions of existing rings, providing an additional layer of challenge and reward for exploring previously visited areas.
4. How much harder is NG+ compared to NG?
The difficulty increase varies depending on your build and playstyle. Generally, enemies have around 50% more health and deal approximately 30% more damage in NG+. However, these numbers increase in subsequent playthroughs.
5. How do subsequent NG+ cycles affect difficulty?
The difficulty continues to increase with each NG+ cycle until you reach NG+7. After that, the enemy stats remain the same. This provides a ceiling for the challenge, ensuring that the game doesn’t become impossibly difficult.
6. Can I skip NG+ and go straight to NG+2, etc.?
No, you must complete each NG+ cycle sequentially. You cannot jump directly from NG to NG+2. Each playthrough requires you to defeat the final boss and initiate the next cycle.
7. What is the ideal level to start NG+?
There isn’t a specific “ideal” level, but most players recommend being at least around level 80-100 before starting NG+. This ensures you have a decent pool of health, stamina, and the necessary stats to wield your preferred weapons effectively.
8. Should I farm souls before starting NG+?
Farming souls can be beneficial, especially if you want to upgrade your weapons and armor to the maximum level. However, it’s not strictly necessary. You’ll earn significantly more souls in NG+ anyway, so don’t feel pressured to grind excessively.
9. Is it possible to summon help in NG+?
Yes, summoning works exactly the same in NG+ as it does in NG. You can summon other players for assistance with difficult areas or bosses.
10. What’s the best strategy for surviving NG+?
The best strategy is to play defensively and learn enemy attack patterns. Don’t be afraid to use buffs, consumables, and summons when needed. Focus on upgrading your strongest weapon and armor, and don’t underestimate the power of dodging and parrying.
11. Are there any new achievements or trophies in NG+?
No, there are no specific achievements or trophies tied to NG+ completion. All achievements can be earned in the initial playthrough.
12. Can I respec my character in Dark Souls (Remastered) to prepare for NG+?
Unfortunately, Dark Souls (Remastered) does not allow you to respec your character. Therefore, you must carefully plan your character’s build from the beginning of the game. Consider researching different builds and playstyles to ensure your character is optimized for your preferred approach.
13. What are the benefits of completing multiple NG+ cycles?
Besides the challenge and the satisfaction of mastering the game, completing multiple NG+ cycles allows you to acquire all the unique items and spells in the game. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with different builds and playstyles.
14. Does covenant progress carry over in NG+?
Yes and no. Your covenant rank carries over, but any covenant-specific items tied to quest progression or specific areas do not. You will often need to rejoin the covenant and redo certain tasks.
15. Is it worth playing NG+?
Absolutely! NG+ offers a fresh and challenging experience for veteran players. It allows you to revisit the world of Dark Souls with a powerful character, explore areas you might have missed, and further refine your skills. Plus, finding those new rings is a pretty sweet bonus. Understanding how games impact learning is crucial, and organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, shed light on the positive aspects of gaming.
Embrace the challenge, Chosen Undead. You’ve conquered Lordran once, now prove you can do it again, stronger and wiser. Good luck!