Dark Souls: New Game Plus Guide

Are you ready to dive back into the treacherous world of Lordran with even more intensity? Welcome to our comprehensive "Dark Souls: New Game Plus Guide"! This essential resource is crafted for seasoned players ready to take on the heightened difficulties and exhilarating challenges of New Game Plus (NG+). In this guide, we'll walk you through the crucial New Game Plus Changes, arm you with tips for Preparing for New Game Plus, and help you tackle the myriad New Game Plus Challenges. Discover all the hidden New Game Plus Content and master advanced New Game Plus Strategies to conquer the darkness once more. Get ready to reignite the flames and embrace the challenge with new vigor!

New Game Plus Changes

So you’ve beaten Dark Souls and are ready to dive into New Game Plus (NG+). Great choice! NG+ in Dark Souls isn’t just replaying the game over again. There are some key changes that will make your journey just as challenging (if not more). Here’s what you need to know:

1. Increased Difficulty

First things first, NG+ ramps up the difficulty. Enemies hit harder, have more health, and generally make your life tougher. This isn't just a little bump; the difficulty increases significantly. Even basic enemies you could easily dispatch in your first playthrough might surprise you with their newfound resilience.

2. Souls and Humanity

Good news! Enemies drop more souls. That means leveling up will be a bit easier since the soul reward is increased. However, while it sounds great, remember that you’ll also need those extra souls to upgrade your gear to match the tougher foes. Humanity drops are also slightly more frequent, which can help you stay in human form and kindle bonfires more often.

3. New Rings

One of the cool additions in NG+ is the availability of some new rings. These aren’t found just lying around, though. They’ll drop from certain bosses that you’ve defeated before. Make sure to explore thoroughly and keep an eye out for these special items:

• Ring of Favor and Protection: Be sure to check for the corpse drop in Anor Londo after defeating the bosses there.
• Dark Wood Grain Ring: This will require facing specific NPC invaders in the Forest area. Great for ninja roll enthusiasts.

4. Boss Souls

In NG+, bosses drop more souls than they did in your first playthrough. This increase can vary, but the general rule is that they drop approximately 2.5 times as many souls. It’s a good incentive to re-fight these tough enemies.

5. Enemy Placement and Behavior

Although most enemies will be in the same locations, a few might be more aggressive or have slight variations in their behavior. It’s nothing too drastic, but enough to keep you on your toes.

6. Item Availability

All key items and unique items that you've collected in the first playthrough will respawn, allowing you to gather them again. This is particularly useful for items like Divine Blessings and duplication of specific souls.

7. PvP and Co-op Changes

One major advantage of NG+ is the shifting dynamics in PvP and co-op. You’ll be able to invade and summon players from a wider level range. That means more chances to help or hinder other players, as well as being invaded by higher-level phantoms. Be prepared for tougher adversaries and more rewarding fights.

8. Covenant Benefits

Your covenant standings stay intact, but this is an opportunity to switch things up. Trying new covenants can give you different items and rewards, altering your gameplay experience in NG+.

Tips for Tackling NG+

• Level Up Strategically: Since enemies are tougher, ensure you’re balanced across vital stats like health, stamina, and your main damage-output stats.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Make upgrading your weapons and armor a priority. The extra souls you collect can be well-spent at the blacksmiths.
• Know Your Enemy: Memory and experience from your first playthrough can be invaluable. Remember enemy attack patterns and boss strategies.

Dark Souls' NG+ ensures you’ll have a fresh and challenging experience even though you've beaten the game once. Time to relight the bonfire and get back into the fray! May the flames guide thee.

Preparing for New Game Plus

You've fought valiantly through Lordran, bested the bosses, and maybe even linked the First Flame. Now, you're ready to take on the challenge of New Game Plus (NG+). But before you jump in headfirst, here's a checklist to help you prepare, so you don't get blindsided by the tougher enemies and higher stakes.

1. Tend to Your Gear

One of the biggest parts of Dark Souls is your equipment. Here's what to focus on:

• Upgrade Your Weapons: Your current playthrough is the best time to get your primary weapon to the highest possible upgrade level. Farm enemies for Titanite or trade with the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo and Andre of Astora. Aim for at least +10, but +15 is ideal.

• Upgrade Armor: Though armor isn't as crucial as weapons, upgrading your favorite set can help. Use Titanite Shards and Twinkling Titanite where needed. If you’re heavy on tanking hits, consider getting your armor to +5 or higher.

• Obtain Unique Weapons: Collect as many boss soul weapons and unique weapons as possible. They're often stronger and offer varied playstyles. Talk to blacksmiths and use any remaining boss souls smartly.

2. Gather Consumables

Consumables become lifesavers, especially in NG+. Stock up on these as much as possible:

• Humanity: Keep a good supply for reviving, kindling bonfires, or boosting item discovery. The fast respawning Rats in the Depths are a great farming spot.

• Healing Items: Collect estus shards to upgrade your flasks and grab as many Divine Blessings, Lifegems, and Humanity as possible.

• Resins and Buffs: Find some Gold Pine Resin or Charcoal Pine Resin for quick damage boosts against bosses.

3. Level Up Wisely

While it’s tempting to dump stats into favorites, balance is key:

• Vitality and Endurance: Having a good health pool and stamina makes tough battles easier. Aim for 30-40 points in each.

• Primary Stats: Focus on your primary weapon stat (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith). Aim for the soft cap around 40.

• Versatility: Sprinkle some levels into resistance against magic, fire, and lightning, as NG+ enemies hit harder and often have varied damage types.

4. Complete Optional Areas

There are several optional areas and bosses that you might have skipped. Completing them now can prepare you better:

• Painted World of Ariamis: This area provides a lot of souls and items. Plus, Priscilla drops a unique weapon.

• Great Hollow and Ash Lake: Contains unique enemies and items that can help.

• Oolacile (DLC): Though particularly tough, this area has amazing loot and powerful bosses. Kalameet and Manus drop valuable goodies.

5. Optimize Covenants

Covenants offer unique benefits that can be crucial in NG+:

• Warrior of Sunlight: Gives access to more jolly cooperation and lightning spear miracles.

• Chaos Servant: Offers powerful pyromancies that can help a lot.

• Darkwraith: If invading and stealing humanity is your style, it gets even more fun in NG+.

6. Saving Important Souls

Considering that NG+ enemies drop more souls but are harsher, using soul-item consumables strategically can ease the early game. Save some hero and brave warrior souls, using them when you face an early-game soul drought.

7. Ring Management

Rings can make or break a build, especially in NG+ where mistakes are costly:

• Havel's Ring: To boost maximum equipment load - crucial for heavy armor users.
• Ring of Favor and Protection: Boosts health, stamina, and maximum equipment load, though it breaks if removed.
• Covetous Gold Serpent Ring: For farming items and rare drops.

Bonus Tips

• Learn Enemy Patterns: Early enemies, despite being tougher, behave the same. Recognize their attack patterns to dodge and counter.
• Understand Boss Strategies: Bosses hit harder but have the same tells. Knowing when to dodge or parry can turn the tide.

With these preparations, you’re set to face NG+ head-on. Remember, Dark Souls is about persistence as much as skill, and with these tips, you're equipped to tackle whatever Lordran throws at you. Good luck, Undead!

New Game Plus Challenges

So, you’ve braved the dangers of Lordran, bested Gwyn, and now you’re ready for even more punishment. Welcome to New Game Plus (NG+), where everything gets tougher but also a lot more rewarding. Here’s what you need to know to survive and thrive.

Enemies Hit Harder

In NG+, enemies don't just get tougher-they get meaner. Expect even regular mobs to deal more damage and have more health. Bosses also hit like a truck and have increased health pools, so you can't just rely on the same strategies as before. Make sure to upgrade your equipment and stock up on healing items.

Here’s a quick tip: parrying and backstabbing become even more vital. Mastering these techniques will help you deal massive damage and mitigate some of the risk.

New Loot and Ascended Upgrade Paths

One of the main draws of NG+ is the chance to obtain items and gear that weren’t available in your first playthrough. You’ll find that exclusive rings and chunks for weapon upgrades drop more frequently, making it easier to kit yourself out in legendary gear. For instance, you can now snag the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring and Covetous Silver Serpent Ring, which weren't available in NG.

Make sure to explore every nook and cranny; otherwise, you might miss out on these valuable upgrades.

Souls Galore

Enemies in NG+ drop significantly more souls. This is your reward for fighting beefed-up foes. Use these souls wisely: level up your character, upgrade your gear, and buy essential items like Homeward Bones and moss clumps.

Pro tip: be cautious when carrying large amounts of souls. It’s easier than ever to lose them in a tough area. Always be prepared to head back to a bonfire to level up or make critical purchases.

Covenant Rewards

If you're committed to a specific Covenant or are looking to join a new one, NG+ is your chance to earn those top-tier rewards faster. Covenants like the Warrior of Sunlight and Darkwraith offer some powerful incentives for dedicated players. Basically, it pays to stay loyal or try something new when you’re going through the game again.

Remember that some Covenants have specific in-game actions you need to perform, so make sure you fulfill these requirements in the more challenging NG+ environment.

Additional Boss Phases and Patterns

Don’t expect bosses to behave the same way they did in your initial playthrough. Some bosses have new attacks or altered patterns that can catch you off guard. Watch their movements carefully and adapt your strategies as needed.

For example, bosses like Ornstein and Smough can become even trickier with new moves. Take your time, learn their tells, and don’t get greedy with your attacks.

Deadlier Traps and Ambushes

Traps and ambushes are stepped up a notch in NG+. Where you might have faced one or two enemies before, expect to face three or four now, sometimes alongside environmental hazards that are more punishing.

Never rush into new areas. Slow down, use your observation skills, and take advantage of ranged attacks to lure enemies into more manageable confrontations.

Co-op and PvP Opportunities

Given the increased difficulty, co-op play can be a lifesaver. Summoning other players for boss fights or tricky areas can make a world of difference. On the flip side, be aware that tougher challenges also mean that other players might invade your world more often.

Prepare for PvP encounters by honing your combat skills and always keeping some humanity on hand to restore your form and summon help when needed.

Patience is Key

Lastly, patience is your best ally in NG+. Don’t rush in thinking you’re invincible just because you’ve beaten the game once. Each enemy, trap, and boss requires focus and strategy. Learn from each death and continuously adapt your approach.

Remember, Dark Souls isn’t about speed; it’s about perseverance. With each defeat, you learn and grow stronger, paving the way for your ultimate triumph over the nearly insurmountable challenges NG+ throws at you.

---

Congratulations on reaching New Game Plus, Undead warrior. Embrace the challenges, and may the flames guide thee.

New Game Plus Content

So, you’ve conquered Dark Souls and think you’re ready for more? Welcome to New Game Plus (NG+), where the game cranks up the difficulty and throws some exciting new challenges and rewards your way. Let’s dive into what makes NG+ special in Dark Souls.

What is New Game Plus?

New Game Plus is basically a second playthrough of Dark Souls, but with a twist. Instead of starting fresh, you carry over most of your stuff from your first playthrough. Enemies hit harder and have more health, but the upside is that you can find and collect loads of new gear and items. Ready for round two?

Carrying Over Items

In NG+, you keep pretty much everything except a few key items. Here’s what you carry over:

• Weapons, Armor, and Rings: Yes, all that sweet gear you’ve collected stays with you.
• Souls: Any leftover Souls you had are yours to keep.
• Consumables and Items: Your inventory of consumables, upgrade materials, and other items remain intact.
• Covenant Rank: Your standing with different covenants doesn't reset.

However, be aware of what you don't keep:

• Major Key Items: Things like keys to specific areas and Lordvessel will need to be reacquired.
• Bonfire Upgrades: Your Estus Flask upgrades from Firekeeper Souls and bonfire kindling do not carry over.

Increased Difficulty

One of the biggest changes in NG+ is the difficulty spike. Enemies and bosses have more health and deal significantly more damage. Yes, even the bosses you breezed through will test your mettle this time around. So, if you already thought Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, was tough, brace yourself.

Some tips to help you adjust:

• Level Up: Spend your Souls wisely! Prioritize key stats that suit your playstyle.
• Upgrade Equipment: Keep your gear upgraded to stay competitive against tougher foes.
• Learn Patterns: Use your knowledge of enemy attack patterns to your advantage.

New Items and Loot

NG+ also stashes some exclusive goodies for you to find. Some rings and weapons are only available in NG+ or higher. Make sure to explore thoroughly to grab these powerful items. Here’s a few to look out for:

• Souvenir of Reprisal: Needed for covenant rankings and can be farmed easier in NG+.
• Abyss Greatsword: A boss soul weapon that’s ideal for strength builds.

Changes in Enemy Behavior

While most enemies remain the same in terms of their attacks and patterns, they do scale up in terms of health and damage. This forces you to strategize more rather than relying on brute strength.

Revisiting Areas

Every location you loved (or hated) can now be revisited with renewed vigor. This can be particularly rewarding for:

• Looting Missed Items: Revisiting zones can help you collect items you might have missed the first time around.
• Speedrun Practice: It’s a great way to practice for future speedruns, considering the enemies are tougher and you’ll need to perfect your routes and strategies.
• Boss Rush: Experience the thrill of fighting all the bosses again, but much harder.

Final Thoughts

NG+ in Dark Souls isn’t just about replaying the game; it’s about embracing the challenging world with a fresh perspective and stronger enemies. It’s your chance to master the game, discover new items, and tackle more difficult battles. Time to step back into Lordran and see if you truly have what it takes to reign supreme.

Don’t forget to share your awesome NG+ achievements with fellow Souls enthusiasts-show off that hard-earned loot and those epic boss takedowns! Happy hunting, chosen undead!

New Game Plus Strategies

So, you’ve beaten Dark Souls and now you're diving into the perilous depths of New Game Plus (NG+). Don't get too comfortable; things are about to get even tougher. Here are some essential strategies to survive and thrive in your NG+ journey.

Understand The Changes

First things first, knowing what’s different in NG+ is crucial:

• Stronger Enemies: All the baddies get a power-up, dealing more damage and having more health.
• More Souls: Enemies drop more souls, making it easier to level up.
• Unique Loot: Some items are only available in NG+, such as the Ring of Favor and Protection+.

Optimize Your Build

In NG+, enemy resilience is no joke, so it's time to tighten up your build:

• Focus on Versatility: Being able to switch between melee, ranged, and magic can be a lifesaver.
• Upgrade Weapons: Use NG+ to fully upgrade your weapons. Andre and Giant Blacksmith are your best buds.
• Adapt Armor: Balance defense and mobility. Heavier armor is tempting, but don't sacrifice your roll speed.

Know When To Sprint

Sometimes, the best strategy is not to fight but to sprint past enemies:

• Speed Over Brute Force: In areas like Blighttown and Tomb of the Giants, running can save you from ambushes.
• Homeward Bone: Keep these handy. They can teleport you to a bonfire in a pinch.

Co-Op and Summoning

Embrace the co-op elements:

• Summon Allies: Utilize white summon signs to bring friends into boss fights, making them more manageable.
• Be Summoned: Helping others as a phantom is a great way to earn souls and practice boss fights without the risk.

Boss Strategies

Boss fights in NG+ are much tougher, but with these tips, you can stay on top:

• Learn Patterns: Study each boss's attack patterns. Even small mistakes can be deadly.
• Humanity: Use it wisely. Being human lets you summon help but also makes you susceptible to invasions.
• Ranged Attacks: For some bosses, long-range attacks can make the fight easier. Consider investing in bows or magic.

Item Farming

Certain items are way more crucial in NG+. Here's what to focus on:

• Green Titanite Shards and Chunks: Essential for upgrading weapons to +10 and beyond.
• Humanity: Found farming rats in The Depths.
• Moss Clumps: Poison and toxic buildup are real dangers. Keep those Purple Moss Clumps stocked.

Take Advantage of Lore

Revisiting areas with a more developed view of the lore can uncover new secrets and strategies:

• NPC Quests: They often lead to powerful items. Pay attention to their stories.
• Hidden Areas: Areas like Ash Lake and The Great Hollow have hidden paths and treasures worth discovering.

Experiment and Learn

NG+ is not just about surviving but thriving:

• Try New Things: Be it weapons, spells, or tactics, experimenting can lead to discovering your new favorite strategies.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t get frustrated by increased difficulty. Each death teaches you something.

Wrap-Up

New Game Plus in Dark Souls is another beast entirely, demanding new strategies and a flexible approach. Whether it’s optimizing your build, summoning allies, or farming crucial items, these strategies will help you conquer the challenges ahead. Now get in there, and praise the sun! 🌞