Dark Souls 3: New Game Plus Guide

Embarking on a new journey through the hauntingly beautiful world of Dark Souls 3? If you've completed your initial playthrough and are eager to dive back in, our comprehensive New Game Plus (NG+) Guide is your ultimate resource. Delve into the distinct changes NG+ brings, learn how to meticulously prepare for the heightened challenges, and discover advanced strategies to conquer every encounter. From uncovering exclusive NG+ content to navigating the new trials that await, we've got you covered. Get ready to elevate your Dark Souls 3 experience to unprecedented heights with our in-depth guide!

New Game Plus Changes

So, you've conquered Dark Souls 3 and you're wondering what comes next? Welcome to New Game Plus (NG+), a mode that lets you replay the game with some key changes that ramp up the challenge and keep things fresh. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s different in NG+.

Harder Enemies

First things first, the enemies in NG+ are tougher. They have more health and deal more damage than they did in your original playthrough. It's not just the bosses you need to worry about; even regular enemies can pack quite a punch. You’ll need to bring your A-game and possibly rethink some of your strategies.

New Rings

One of the most exciting changes in NG+ is the addition of new, more powerful rings. These are usually stronger versions of rings you could find in your first playthrough. For example, the Havel’s Ring +1 boosts your equipment load even more than the regular Havel’s Ring.

Here are a few notable rings you can find:

• Havel’s Ring +1: Located in the same spot at Archdragon Peak.
• Ring of Favor +1: Find it in Lothric Castle.
• Chloranthy Ring +1: In Undead Settlement, near the Dilapidated Bridge bonfire.

These upgraded rings can be a game-changer, so be on the lookout.

Enemy Placement and Drops

While most enemies and bosses are where you left them in the regular game, a few sly tweaks and surprises keep you on your toes. In NG+, some enemies may drop different or even more valuable loot. Also, certain enemies that weren’t there before might suddenly make an appearance, adding an element of surprise.

Better Souls

To reward your bravery, NG+ increases the amount of souls you earn from defeated enemies. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you’ll level up faster and have an easier time purchasing items. On the other hand, the higher soul count means a much bigger loss if you die and fail to retrieve them.

Keep Your Stuff

You don’t start NG+ empty-handed. All your equipment, spells, and items carry over, including the Estus Flasks and their upgrades. However, key items that are crucial to game progression, like the Lordvessel, need to be recollected.

Boss Souls and Items

If you missed out on any boss weapons or items in your first run, NG+ is your chance to snag them without having to start from scratch. Bosses will drop their souls again, letting you go for those different trades with Ludleth of Courland.

More NG+ Options

After completing NG+, you can roll right into NG++ and beyond. Each loop increases difficulty, enemy health, and damage further but also offers new tiers of rings and potential drops. This cycle continues for several loops, giving hardcore players continuous challenges.

Tips for NG+

• Master Parrying and Dodging: Since enemies hit harder, mastering these techniques becomes even more crucial in NG+.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Take full advantage of Titanite scales, chunks, and slabs to maximize your weapon and armor effectiveness.
• Farm Souls Efficiently: Use areas with high soul drops to quickly gather enough for significant level-ups.
• Stockpile Consumables: Items like Green Blossoms and Charcoal Pine Resin will be lifesavers in more difficult encounters.

NG+ keeps the Dark Souls 3 experience challenging and rewarding, offering new layers of strategy, different loot, and relentless enemies. Get ready to dive back into Lothric and face its darkness once more, with the stakes higher than ever.

Preparing for New Game Plus

So, you’ve crushed the final boss and saved the world--or whatever it is you do in Dark Souls 3. Congrats! But before you dive headfirst into New Game Plus (NG+), there are a few things you should know to make your next journey a bit smoother. NG+ isn’t just a repeat of your first run; it’s a more challenging version with tougher enemies and better rewards. Here's what you need to do to prep for it.

Stock Up on Supplies

First things first, get your inventory in order. Before you start NG+, make sure you have plenty of:

• Embers: These are always useful to boost your HP and get some help from other players.
• Upgrading Materials: Gather as many Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Scales as you can. You'll want these for upgrading new gear.
• Key Items: Certain items like keys, coals for Andre, and scrolls for Orbeck will reset in NG+. Make sure to use them or give them to the appropriate NPCs before you start the new cycle.

Upgrade Your Gear

Your enemies are going to hit harder in NG+, so your equipment should be up to the challenge. Focus on upgrading:

• Weapons: Bring your favorite weapons up to max level if possible. This will give you a fighting chance against those tougher foes.
• Shields: A good shield can mean the difference between life and death. Upgrade accordingly.
• Armor: While armor isn't as critical as other gear, having it upgraded can improve your survivability.

Level Up Strategically

Consider how you've been spending your souls and attributes. Here are some tips:

• Vigor and Endurance: Having high HP and stamina is always a good idea, as they'll help you last longer in battles.
• Strength and Dexterity: Depending on your playstyle, make sure these are high enough to use your preferred weapons effectively.
• Intelligence and Faith: If you rely on sorcery or miracles, make sure these stats are boosted to pour out those high-damage spells.

Collect and Upgrade Estus Flasks

You’re going to need all the healing you can get. Make sure you’ve collected all the Estus Flask Shards and Undead Bone Shards before moving on to NG+. While the Estus Flask count and reinforcement carry over to NG+, shards will respawn, giving you a chance to further upgrade.

Finish Side Quests and NPC Storylines

Not all quests and NPCs carry over to NG+. Make sure to finish any lingering storylines that might offer rare items, spells, or other benefits. Some items are unique and can only be obtained once per playthrough, so grab them while you can.

• Boss Souls: Use or transmute any unique boss souls. You can always collect them again in NG+, but having their items can be a big help.

Prepare For Higher Enemy Resistance

Enemies in NG+ are stronger and have more hit points. Here’s what you can do to prepare:

• Elemental Damage: Consider using weapons or spells that deal elemental damage. Some enemies are more vulnerable to fire, magic, or lightning.
• Focus on Learning Enemy Patterns: They may have more HP and deal more damage, but their attack patterns remain largely the same. Becoming adept at dodging and parrying will give you an edge.

Summon Help

Don’t be afraid to summon other players or NPCs to help with tougher battles. Cooperation can make a world of difference, especially if you're struggling against NG+ bosses.

Ready to Dive In?

Once you’ve got everything set, head to the bonfire in Firelink Shrine and choose to begin NG+. Your powerful enemies and greater rewards await. Good luck, Ashen One!

Remember, Dark Souls 3 is all about perseverance and adaptability. You've conquered it once, and with these tips, you'll conquer it again in NG+. Good luck, and may your embers burn brightly!

New Game Plus Challenges

So, you’ve conquered Dark Souls 3 and are thinking about diving into New Game Plus (NG+). Great choice! NG+ ramps up the difficulty and, trust us, it's gonna test you. But don't worry, we're here to help you tackle these challenges head-on. Here’s what you need to know and watch out for:

Stronger Enemies

The first thing you’ll notice is that enemies hit harder and have more health. This isn’t just a slight bump; it’s a significant upgrade. That boss who gave you trouble before? Yep, he’s much tougher now. Here are some tips:

• Upgrade Your Gear: Make sure you take the strongest versions of your weapons and armor with you. Your +10 sword should be your best friend.
• Learn Enemy Patterns: Familiarize yourself with enemy attack patterns. Dodging becomes even more crucial in NG+.

Enhanced Bosses

Bosses not only get beefier stats but also seem a bit smarter. They'll punish your mistakes quicker, so precision is key. Here are some tips to tackle these enhanced bosses:

• Study Fight Mechanics: Watch for nuances in their attack patterns that you might have missed the first time around.
• Summon Help: If a boss gives you too much trouble, don’t hesitate to summon other players or NPC phantoms.

New Loot

Each playthrough of NG+ offers better rewards. You’ll find new rings and enhanced versions of the usual gear.

• Revisit Every Area: Take your time to thoroughly explore each area again. NG+ introduces new items and occasionally changes NPC questlines.
• Collect All Rings: Some rings you couldn’t get in your first playthrough are available now. Look out for special NG+ rings which provide different or improved effects.

More Souls

Enemies and bosses drop more souls in NG+, which means you can level up faster. Paradoxically, this also means the cost of leveling up increases quicker. Make sure to:

• Efficiently Spend Souls: Prioritize important stats and upgrade your favorite gear.
• Utilize Soul Farming: Find the best farming spots to make the most of your grind.

NPC Quests Revisited

NG+ is a great time to redo NPC quests you might have missed or failed the first time around. Some quests have additional dialogue and even different outcomes.

• Plan Your Path: Follow a structured guide to ensure you hit all essential NPCs at the right time.
• Mind Your Choices: Your actions can have different consequences in NG+, so choose wisely.

Harder Covenants

Covenant items generally get harder to obtain in NG+, but the rewards are worth it. Whether you’re farming for Proof of a Concord Kept or Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass, patience is your best weapon.

• Balance Your Time: Decide how much effort you want to put into completing covenants since some items will require serious dedication.
• Team Up: Join up with other players to make covenant farming less tedious.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few handy strategies:

• Stay Patient: NG+ is meant to be a challenge, so don’t get frustrated with defeats. Learn from each attempt.
• Experiment with Builds: Use your extra souls to try new builds. Maybe try a magic-based playthrough if you were melee-focused before.
• Practice Parrying: Enemies are tougher but learnable. Parrying can make fights much more manageable and give you that extra edge.

Dark Souls 3’s NG+ is a wild ride, but with preparation and grit, you’ll conquer it. Enjoy the new challenges and loot, and may the flames guide thee!

New Game Plus Content

So, you've slogged through every boss, dodged more than your fair share of ambushes, and finally beaten Dark Souls 3. Congrats! But before you throw your controller down in victory, did you know the game is just getting started? Welcome to New Game Plus (NG+), where your next journey is packed with new surprises and tougher challenges. Let's dive into what makes NG+ so special.

What is New Game Plus?

Once you defeat the final boss, you have the option to start a New Game Plus. This isn't your typical replay. In NG+, the entire game resets, but there's a twist: enemies are tougher, but you keep all your gear, levels, and most items. It's like playing on hard mode, but with all your previous advantages.

In NG+, enemies hit harder, making dodging and blocking even more crucial. Bosses also have increased health, so fights that were tough before will test your skills even more.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what changes in NG+:

• Stronger Enemies: More health and they deal extra damage.
• Stronger Bosses: Increased health and harder hits.
• New Rings and Items: Exclusive NG+ rings like the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring +1 appear.

What's Different?

The biggest changes in NG+ are the more powerful enemies and bosses. However, you'll also find some new loot that wasn’t there in your first playthrough. Keep an eye out for upgraded versions of rings, which give better bonuses compared to the original ones. Here's a short list of some you might find:

• Life Ring +1
• Chloranthy Ring +1
• Ring of Favor +1

There's also Titanite Slabs, which become more accessible. In NG+, you’ll have a chance to empower more of your weapons to their maximum potential. And trust us, you’ll need every bit of firepower you can get.

Tips for Surviving New Game Plus

1. Upgrade Your Gear: Use all those Titanite Slabs and chunks to upgrade your favorite weapons. A stronger weapon is essential.

2. Stock Up on Consumables: Things like Ember, Green Blossoms, and Repair Powders are more vital now. Keeping your health up and your gear in shape can save your life.

3. Practice Patience: Remember, everything hits harder. Don't rush in recklessly. Study enemy patterns and use your experience to plan your moves.

4. Keep Your Soul Level Up: Don’t forget to keep leveling up, especially in vitality and vigor, to better handle tougher adversaries.

5. Explore Thoroughly: Some areas have powerful new items. Backtrack and explore thoroughly to make sure you don’t miss out on these boosts.

Unlocking New Game Plus Plus (NG++)

If you're a glutton for punishment, once you finish NG+, you can dive into New Game Plus Plus (NG++). Everything gets even harder, but you keep progressing in the same way, with enemies hitting even harder and having even more health. Plus, new rings like Covetous Silver Serpent Ring +2 come into play.

Each cycle continues to increase in difficulty and adds more powerful items, ensuring there's always a new challenge waiting. So, whether you're a masochist or just love a good challenge, NG+ and beyond has got you covered.

Conclusion

New Game Plus is where Dark Souls 3's true test lies. The increased difficulty, along with new items and upgrades, keeps the experience fresh and challenging. Prepare yourself well, and venture forth into the darkness once more. Good luck, Unkindled, and may the embers restore your strength.

New Game Plus Strategies

So you’ve beaten Dark Souls 3 and you’re ready to jump into New Game Plus (NG+). Congrats! But even seasoned players need to adjust their strategies. Here’s how to get the most out of your NG+ journey.

What Changes in New Game Plus?

In NG+, enemies are tougher, but they drop more souls. You also keep your gear, stats, and items, so you're not starting from scratch. However, enemies also hit harder, so don’t get too cocky!

Prioritize Upgrading Weapons

Your early-game weapons should be fully upgraded or close to it. Consider switching to boss weapons or unique weapons that scale well with your stats. Since you’re already familiar with the enemies, use your favorite weapon but keep backups for specific scenarios (like a big hammer for breaking shields).

Ring Bonanza

NG+ lets you acquire +1 versions of rings you got in your first playthrough. These enhanced rings provide better stat boosts and effects. For instance, the Chloranthy Ring +1 increases your stamina recovery even more. Keep an eye out and update your ring slots for optimal performance.

Souls for Days

Since you get more souls per kill, it’s easier to gain levels and upgrade your gear. Focus on your primary stats but consider pumping some points into Vitality for extra tankiness or Endurance for more stamina.

Farming for Twinkling Titanite and Titanite Slabs

In NG+, material drops are more frequent. Use this to your advantage to upgrade boss weapons and other high-tier gear requiring Twinkling Titanite or Titanite Scales. Farming these can be a bit grindy, but it makes a huge difference.

Be Wary of Invaders

You'll encounter more PvP invaders in NG+. Be ready with your best PvP gear and keep an Embered status to summon help when in a pinch. Knowing common invasion spots and having a plan to deal with invaders can save you a lot of headaches.

Keep Your Ember Handy

Embers will be even more precious in NG+. They boost your health, and the multiplayer aspect can be a life-saver. Stockpile Embers before starting NG+ and use them wisely.

Item Reacquisition

Certain NPC quests and item drop events reset, giving you a chance to collect items you might have missed in your first run. This is especially beneficial for rings and weapons unique to specific quest lines.

Respec and Rebuild

Consider visiting Rosaria’s Fingers to respec your character. NG+ is the perfect time to experiment with new builds. Want to switch from a Strength build to a Sorcery build? Now's your chance.

New Spells and Gear

NG+ also introduces unique gear and spells. Check merchants regularly for new stock. Items like the Lifehunt Scythe miracle or the Pyromancer’s Flame+5 might be available, depending on how you progress through the game.

Mind the Bosses

Bosses get a boost in health and damage output. Don’t rely too heavily on previous tactics unless they were flawless. Reevaluating your approach can help, especially for tougher fights like the Nameless King or Sister Friede.

To sum up, NG+ in Dark Souls 3 is both challenging and rewarding. Keep your gear sharp, your rings upgraded, and your wits about you. Adjusting your strategy with these tips will make your second run just as thrilling as the first. Happy gaming, Ashen One!