The Ultimate Elden Ring Endgame: What Happens After NG+7?
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So, you’ve conquered the Lands Between not once, not twice, but a staggering eight times. You’ve faced down Malenia, endured the Fire Giant, and maybe even embraced the Frenzied Flame. You’ve officially beaten New Game Plus 7 (NG+7) in Elden Ring. Congratulations, Tarnished, you’ve reached the summit of challenge… or have you? Let’s dive into what truly awaits you after reaching this milestone.
In short, after beating NG+7 in Elden Ring, the difficulty scaling stops. This means that subsequent playthroughs (NG+8, NG+9, and beyond) will have the exact same enemy strength, HP, and rune rewards as NG+7. There are no further increases in challenge. You’ve reached the maximum difficulty cap that the game offers.
The End of Scaling, But Not the End of the Journey
While the enemies won’t get any tougher, your journey through the Lands Between doesn’t necessarily have to end. You can continue to play on NG+8 and beyond, focusing on different aspects of the game. Think of it as a “victory lap,” a chance to perfect your builds, explore overlooked areas, or simply revel in the power you’ve accumulated.
What to do After Beating NG+7
Here are a few suggestions for what to do once you’ve conquered NG+7:
- Perfect Your Build: With the maximum difficulty reached, you can truly optimize your character build. Experiment with different weapons, talismans, and spells to create the ultimate Tarnished.
- Challenge Runs: Now’s the time to try those self-imposed challenges you’ve always considered. How about a level 1 run focusing solely on dodging? Or a run using only a specific weapon type?
- Co-op Adventures: Team up with other players and help them conquer the Lands Between. Your experience and power will make you a valuable ally.
- Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Elden Ring is packed with secrets and hidden areas. Take the time to fully explore every region, uncovering lore and finding items you may have missed.
- Master PvP: Hone your skills in player-versus-player combat. With a fully optimized build, you can become a formidable opponent in the arenas.
- Collect Everything: Aim to acquire every weapon, armor set, talisman, spell, and ash of war in the game. Complete your collection and become a true master of the Lands Between.
- Start a New Character: Reaching the end of difficulty scaling can be a great point to create a new character with a different approach. Use what you’ve learned to optimize a new character.
- Wait for DLC: FromSoftware often releases DLC content that introduces new areas, enemies, and challenges. Be ready to jump back into the game when new content becomes available.
- Appreciate the World: At NG+7 you should have a full grasp on the lore, and the ability to wander wherever you wish with relative ease.
Essentially, reaching NG+7 is about achieving mastery over the game. It’s a point where you’re no longer struggling to survive, but rather enjoying the freedom and power you’ve earned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Elden Ring’s New Game Plus system, especially focusing on the endgame:
1. Does the Amount of Runes Earned Stop Scaling After NG+7?
Yes, the amount of runes you receive from enemies remains constant from NG+7 onwards. There are no further increases to rune rewards.
2. Are There Any New Items or Content in NG+8 and Beyond?
No, there are no new items, storylines, or content introduced in NG+8 or any subsequent playthroughs. It’s simply a repeat of NG+7 in terms of gameplay content.
3. Does Multiplayer Change After NG+7?
Multiplayer matchmaking is based on your character level and weapon upgrade level, not your NG+ cycle. So, there is no change to multiplayer after NG+7.
4. Can I Still Get All Endings in NG+8 and Beyond?
Yes, you can still achieve any of the multiple endings in NG+8 and beyond, provided you fulfill the necessary requirements for each. The ending is determined by your actions and choices during the playthrough, not the NG+ cycle.
5. Are Boss Patterns or AI Altered in Higher NG+ Cycles?
No, boss attack patterns and AI do not change after NG+7. They remain the same as in NG+7. This might change with updates.
6. Is There an Achievement or Trophy for Reaching NG+7?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an achievement or trophy specifically for reaching NG+7 in Elden Ring.
7. What’s the Highest Possible NG+ Cycle I Can Reach?
Elden Ring, like other FromSoftware games, doesn’t have a limit to the number of NG+ cycles you can complete. You can technically play NG+999999 if you wanted!
8. Does the Difficulty Decrease if I Stop Playing for a While and Come Back?
No, the game’s difficulty is determined by your current NG+ cycle and is not affected by inactivity.
9. Should I Level Up Infinitely After NG+7?
While you can continue leveling up, the stat gains diminish significantly at higher levels. Many players find that a level between 150 and 200 is sufficient for NG+7 and beyond. Also, PvP/coop becomes more difficult if you are significantly outside of the level meta.
10. What Happens to My Inventory in NG+8 and Beyond?
Your inventory carries over to each subsequent NG+ cycle, including NG+8 and beyond. You’ll retain all your weapons, armor, talismans, spells, consumables, and other items.
11. Are There Any Glitches or Exploits that Only Work in High NG+ Cycles?
The existence of glitches or exploits is constantly evolving with patches. But, generally, they are not tied to specific NG+ cycles. If they exist, they’ll likely work regardless of your NG+ progress.
12. Does the Story Change At All in NG+8?
No, the story remains exactly the same across all NG+ cycles.
13. What are some unique challenges I can set for myself in NG+8 to make things interesting?
Some ideas include completing the game without leveling up, using only starting gear, or speedrunning the game. You can also try defeating all bosses without using summons or spirits. You can also seek help from the Games Learning Society to learn all the unique quirks of the game.
14. Can I respec my character multiple times in New Game Plus?
Yes, you can respec your character as many times as you have Larval Tears.
15. Are all the enemies in Elden Ring harder in new game plus?
Yes, all enemies are harder in New Game Plus compared to the original game. The difficulty caps at New Game Plus 7.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Power
Reaching NG+7 in Elden Ring is a significant achievement. While the difficulty scaling may end, the journey doesn’t have to. It’s a chance to truly master the game, explore its depths, and create your own challenges. Embrace the power you’ve earned and continue to forge your legend in the Lands Between. Whether you’re min-maxing your build, testing your mettle with self-imposed restrictions, or simply helping other Tarnished, the possibilities are endless. So, go forth, brave adventurer, and make the Lands Between your own. And as you explore those endless possibilities, remember that understanding games through a research lens can further enrich your experience. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information!