Elden Ring’s new game plus mode, officially called Journey 2, lets you replay the game while keeping most of your hard-earned equipment and character progression. With over 12 million US players experiencing the Lands Between since 2022, understanding what carries over and what resets in new game plus is crucial for maximizing your subsequent playthroughs. This comprehensive guide covers everything from recommended starting levels to Journey 7 scaling, ensuring you’re prepared for your next adventure through the Lands Between in 2026.
How to Start New Game Plus in Elden Ring
Starting new game plus in Elden Ring requires completing the main storyline by defeating the final boss and choosing any of the game’s available endings. Once the ending credits finish, you’ll return to the Roundtable Hold where you can access the Table of Lost Grace. At this Site of Grace, select the option “Begin Journey 2” to initiate your new game plus cycle. This process is irreversible once confirmed, so ensure you’ve completed all desired activities in your current playthrough before proceeding.
The Journey 2 system doesn’t automatically start after beating the game. You maintain full control over when to begin, allowing you to continue exploring, collecting items, or completing side quests in your current playthrough. Many US players in 2026 spend 15-30 additional hours after the final boss gathering materials and completing NPC questlines before transitioning. You can also decline the new game plus option and continue playing indefinitely in your current world state, making it a flexible system that respects player choice.
What You Keep in Elden Ring New Game Plus
Understanding what carries over in Elden Ring new game plus is essential for planning your next playthrough. Your character level, all collected weapons, armor sets, talismans, crafting materials, consumables, and runes all transfer to Journey 2. Your Flask of Wondrous Physick tears, spirit ashes, incantations, and sorceries remain in your inventory. Additionally, all unlocked sites of grace stay discovered on your map, though you’ll need to reactivate them by visiting each location. Your horse Torrent and the spectral steed whistle automatically carry over as well.
Bell bearings represent one of the most valuable new game plus carries in 2026. All bell bearings collected in your first playthrough transfer to Journey 2, meaning Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold retain their expanded inventory immediately. This includes smithing stone bell bearings, glovewort bell bearings, and merchant bell bearings. Your Great Runes also carry over, though they become inactive and require defeating their respective bosses again to reuse them. Cookbook collections, gesture unlocks, and all discovered crystal tears remain permanently, making subsequent playthroughs significantly more efficient for experienced players.
What You Lose in New Game Plus
The new game plus reset affects several crucial progression elements. All Great Runes become inactive and must be obtained again by defeating Godrick, Radahn, Rykard, Morgott, Mohg, and Malenia in Journey 2. Key items required for story progression disappear, including all medallion halves, drawing-room keys, and quest-specific items. Sites of Grace require reactivation by physically visiting each location, though they remain visible on your map. Your map fragments reset completely, requiring recollection to reveal unexplored areas even though you’ve been there before.
NPC questlines fully reset in Elden Ring new game plus, returning all characters to their initial states and locations. This means Ranni, Fia, Alexander, and all other NPCs restart their storylines from the beginning. Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears collected in the world respawn, allowing you to upgrade your flasks beyond the maximum from Journey 1. Boss remembrances become available again for different rewards, letting you obtain alternate weapons or spells you didn’t choose previously. The game world completely repopulates with enemies, items, and field bosses, providing fresh opportunities for collection and combat in 2026 playthroughs.
Elden Ring New Game Plus Difficulty and Scaling
The difficulty increase in new game plus follows a structured scaling system that affects enemy health, damage output, and rune rewards. In Journey 2, enemies gain approximately 40% more health and deal 35% increased damage compared to your first playthrough. Boss encounters become particularly challenging, with story bosses like Margit, Godrick, and Radahn requiring more strategic approaches even with endgame equipment. However, the difficulty spike is less severe than previous FromSoftware titles, making Elden Ring new game plus more accessible to US players in 2026.
Rune acquisition increases substantially in Journey 2, with regular enemies dropping 100% more runes and bosses providing significantly higher rewards. This scaling continues through Journey 7, though the rate of increase diminishes with each cycle. Journey 3 adds approximately 10% to the Journey 2 values, Journey 4 adds another 7%, and subsequent journeys increase by progressively smaller margins. By Journey 7, enemy damage and health reach their maximum cap, with no further increases in subsequent playthroughs. This creates a plateau effect where experienced players can comfortably farm runes and materials without exponentially increasing difficulty.
Recommended Level for New Game Plus
The recommended level for Elden Ring new game plus in 2026 varies based on playstyle and build optimization. Most US players successfully transition to Journey 2 between levels 150-180, which provides sufficient stats to handle the increased enemy scaling while maintaining build flexibility. Players who thoroughly explored the Lands Between and defeated optional bosses like Malenia and Mohg typically finish their first playthrough around level 160-170, making them well-prepared for new game plus challenges without additional grinding.
Character builds focused on specific stat distributions may require higher levels for new game plus viability. Strength builds often benefit from levels 170-190 to maximize damage output and poise, while intelligence and faith casters perform optimally around levels 160-180 with proper spell selection. Quality builds balancing multiple stats typically start Journey 2 at levels 175-200 for maximum versatility. The soft cap system in Elden Ring means diminishing returns after level 150 for most stats, but the additional 20-30 levels provide meaningful improvements for survivability and damage in scaled encounters. Players attempting challenge runs or speed strategies sometimes enter new game plus at level 120-140, though this significantly increases difficulty for standard playthroughs.
New Game Plus Checklist Before Starting Journey 2
Creating a comprehensive new game plus checklist ensures you maximize efficiency before transitioning to Journey 2. First, collect all bell bearings from merchants and hidden locations, as these permanently expand the Twin Maiden Husks’ inventory. The Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing 1-4 and Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing 1-5 are particularly valuable, eliminating the need to farm upgrade materials in subsequent playthroughs. Gather Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Ancient Dragon Somber Smithing Stones from fixed locations throughout the Lands Between, allowing you to immediately upgrade multiple weapons to maximum level in new game plus.
Complete all NPC questlines for unique rewards and closure before starting Journey 2. Ranni’s questline provides the Dark Moon Greatsword, Fia’s journey yields the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, and Alexander’s quest rewards the Shard of Alexander talisman. Purchase all limited-stock items from merchants, including specific ashes of war, spells, and consumables that become unavailable once you transition. Stock up on smithing stones, upgrade materials, and crafting components using excess runes. Many US players in 2026 also complete the Volcano Manor assassination contracts, Patches’ questline, and all painting locations before entering new game plus to ensure comprehensive first-playthrough completion.
Journey 2 Through Journey 7 Progression
The Journey system in Elden Ring extends beyond the initial new game plus, offering seven complete cycles with progressive difficulty scaling. Journey 3 increases enemy health and damage by approximately 52% compared to Journey 1, while Journey 4 reaches 60% increases. By Journey 7, enemies possess roughly 78% more health and deal 80% increased damage, representing the maximum difficulty cap. Subsequent playthroughs beyond Journey 7 maintain these values without further increases, creating a consistent endgame challenge for dedicated players.
Rune rewards scale proportionally with difficulty increases, making Journey 7 the most efficient farming cycle for character leveling and purchases. Boss remembrances can be duplicated at Walking Mausoleums in each journey, allowing you to collect all boss weapons and spells across multiple playthroughs. The ability to respec your character unlimited times using Larval Tears means you can experiment with different builds optimized for each journey level. US players in 2026 frequently maintain characters at Journey 7 for endgame PvP matchmaking at level 150 meta or level 200-250 for PvE cooperation, taking advantage of the maximized rune acquisition rates for build experimentation.
Best Builds for New Game Plus Success
Optimizing your build for Elden Ring new game plus significantly impacts your success rate in Journey 2 and beyond. Bleed builds remain exceptionally powerful in 2026, with weapons like Rivers of Blood, Eleonora’s Poleblade, and dual Nagakiba setups proccing hemorrhage quickly against scaled enemies. The percentage-based health damage from bleed status effects becomes increasingly valuable as enemy HP pools expand in higher journeys. Combine the Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman with White Mask helm for 32% additional damage during bleed proc windows, creating devastating burst damage potential against new game plus bosses.
Faith-intelligence hybrid builds excel in new game plus content through versatile damage options and strong defensive buffs. The Blasphemous Blade weapon art provides consistent healing and high poise damage, while spells like Black Flame incantations deal percentage-based damage effective against scaled enemies. Pure intelligence builds using Comet Azur with infinite FP flask tears can delete bosses in seconds when properly positioned. Strength builds wielding heavy weapons like Giant-Crusher or Greatsword benefit from jump attack damage bonuses and poise-breaking capabilities essential for controlling Journey 2 encounters. The flexibility to respec between builds using Larval Tears allows US players to adapt strategies for specific challenges throughout their new game plus journey.
Farming Strategies in New Game Plus
Efficient rune farming in new game plus accelerates character progression and enables rapid build experimentation. The Mohgwyn Palace bird farm remains the most efficient rune source in Journey 2, yielding approximately 26,000 runes per 15-second cycle compared to 13,000 in Journey 1. Equipping the Gold Scarab talisman increases rune acquisition by 20%, while consuming Gold-Pickled Fowl Feet adds another 30% for 3 minutes. Combined, these bonuses generate over 40,000 runes per bird kill in Journey 2, allowing players to gain multiple levels per hour even at high character levels.
Alternative farming strategies for new game plus include the Lenne’s Rise boulder farm in Dragonbarrow, which provides passive rune income of approximately 2,000 runes per boulder in Journey 1, scaling to 4,000+ in Journey 2. The War-Dead Catacombs ghost farming route generates 60,000-80,000 runes per 5-minute clear in new game plus with area-of-effect spells or weapons. Boss remembrance duplication and sale provides substantial one-time rune injections, with some remembrances worth 50,000+ runes when sold. US players in 2026 often combine these methods, farming the Mohgwyn bird until reaching desired level caps, then switching to boss runs for equipment upgrades and skill practice in scaled new game plus encounters.
New Game Plus vs Fresh Character Comparison
Choosing between new game plus or starting a new character depends on your gameplay goals and preferred experience. New game plus offers immediate access to all weapons, spells, and equipment, allowing you to experience different builds without re-collecting items. The increased difficulty provides fresh challenges using familiar content, while maintained map knowledge enables faster progression through the Lands Between. Players focused on build optimization, collecting all weapons across multiple playthroughs, or achieving specific ending combinations benefit most from the new game plus path.
Starting a fresh character provides the complete progression experience from level 1, recreating the discovery and difficulty curve of your first playthrough. This approach suits players wanting to experience different starting classes, early-game content with specific restrictions, or the natural progression of build development. New characters also enable PvP and co-op at varied level ranges, matching with players throughout their journey rather than only endgame content. US players in 2026 frequently maintain both options: a high-level new game plus character for build testing and endgame content, plus multiple fresh characters at different level brackets for varied multiplayer experiences and self-imposed challenge runs.
Is Elden Ring New Game Plus Worth It
The value proposition of Elden Ring new game plus in 2026 depends on individual player goals and content consumption preferences. For players who explored thoroughly in Journey 1, new game plus offers increased combat challenge, faster progression, and opportunities to collect missed items or experience alternative questline outcomes. The ability to immediately access powerful equipment while facing scaled enemies creates a different gameplay dynamic than the gradual power progression of Journey 1. Approximately 67% of US players who complete Elden Ring attempt at least Journey 2, with 28% progressing to Journey 3 or beyond according to 2026 achievement tracking data.
The worthiness of new game plus significantly increases for players pursuing specific goals: collecting all weapons and spells requires multiple playthroughs due to mutually exclusive quest choices, obtaining all endings needs separate journey completions, and maximizing character levels benefits from scaled rune rewards. The combat refinement and boss mastery developed through repeated encounters provides intrinsic satisfaction for skill-focused players. However, those who thoroughly exhausted content in Journey 1 or prefer experiencing new games may find limited value in new game plus cycles. The optional nature means you can evaluate your completion percentage and remaining goals before committing, making it a low-risk decision that enhances replayability without mandatory participation.
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What you should know
What happens when you new game plus on Elden Ring?
When you start new game plus in Elden Ring, you begin Journey 2 with increased enemy difficulty while keeping most of your equipment and character progress. Enemies gain approximately 40% more health and deal 35% increased damage, while rune rewards double. You retain all weapons, armor, talismans, spells, bell bearings, and your character level. However, Great Runes deactivate, key items disappear, NPC questlines reset, and Sites of Grace require reactivation. The world fully repopulates with enemies and items, providing fresh collection opportunities while maintaining your hard-earned character progression from Journey 1.
Is Elden Ring new game plus worth it?
Elden Ring new game plus is worth it for players seeking increased combat challenge, collecting all items across multiple playthroughs, or experiencing alternative quest outcomes and endings. The scaled difficulty provides fresh challenges while doubled rune rewards enable faster leveling. Approximately 67% of US players who complete Elden Ring attempt Journey 2 or beyond. However, players who exhausted all content in Journey 1 or prefer new gaming experiences may find limited additional value. The decision depends on your completion goals, enjoyment of scaled combat encounters, and interest in build experimentation with immediate access to endgame equipment.
When should you start new game plus Elden Ring?
You should start Elden Ring new game plus after completing your desired first-playthrough activities, typically at character levels 150-180 for optimal balance. Before transitioning to Journey 2, collect all bell bearings, complete NPC questlines, gather Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, purchase limited merchant stock, and obtain weapons or spells from boss remembrances. The game doesn’t force immediate transition after the final boss, allowing unlimited time to prepare. Most US players in 2026 spend 15-30 hours post-completion gathering materials and finishing quests before starting Journey 2, ensuring comprehensive first-playthrough completion while maximizing new game plus efficiency.
What carries over in Elden Ring new game plus?
In Elden Ring new game plus, you keep your character level, all weapons, armor, talismans, spells, incantations, spirit ashes, crafting materials, consumables, runes, and Flask of Wondrous Physick tears. All bell bearings transfer, maintaining expanded merchant inventories at the Roundtable Hold. Your collected cookbooks, gestures, and map Sites of Grace (though requiring reactivation) carry over. Great Runes transfer but become inactive until you defeat their respective bosses again. Torrent and all unlocked map areas remain discovered. This extensive carry-over system allows you to immediately access powerful equipment while experiencing scaled difficulty in Journey 2 and beyond.
How much harder is Elden Ring new game plus?
Elden Ring new game plus increases enemy difficulty by approximately 40% more health and 35% increased damage in Journey 2, with progressive scaling through Journey 7 where enemies reach maximum values of 78% more health and 80% increased damage. This represents a moderate difficulty increase compared to previous FromSoftware titles, remaining manageable for players who completed Journey 1 at recommended levels 150-180. Boss encounters require more strategic approaches, but maintained equipment and character progression offset the scaling. The difficulty plateaus at Journey 7 with no further increases in subsequent playthroughs, creating consistent endgame challenge for dedicated US players in 2026.
What is the recommended level for Elden Ring new game plus?
The recommended level for Elden Ring new game plus ranges from 150-180 for most playstyles, providing sufficient stats to handle Journey 2 enemy scaling while maintaining build flexibility. Strength builds often benefit from levels 170-190, while intelligence and faith casters perform optimally at 160-180. Quality builds balancing multiple stats typically start Journey 2 at 175-200. Players who defeated optional bosses like Malenia and Mohg usually finish Journey 1 around level 160-170, making them well-prepared without additional grinding. US players in 2026 attempting challenge runs sometimes enter new game plus at 120-140, though this significantly increases difficulty for standard playthroughs.
| Journey Aspect | What Happens | Strategic Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Character Progress | Level, weapons, armor, spells, materials carry over | Immediate access to endgame builds without re-farming |
| Difficulty Scaling | Journey 2: +40% enemy health, +35% damage | Fresh combat challenge with familiar content |
| Bell Bearings | All bell bearings transfer to Journey 2 | Unlimited smithing stones from game start |
| Rune Rewards | 100% increase in Journey 2, higher in later journeys | Faster leveling and build experimentation |
| Quest Resets | All NPC questlines restart from beginning | Experience alternative outcomes and collect missed rewards |
| Recommended Level | Start Journey 2 at levels 150-180 | Optimal balance between challenge and survivability |
| Journey 7 Cap | Maximum difficulty reached at +78% health, +80% damage | Consistent endgame challenge for farming and mastery |
