Can You Go Back From New Game Plus Elden Ring?

Navigating the intricacies of Elden Ring’s New Game Plus (NG+) can be a complex affair, and one of the most common questions among Tarnished is, “Can You Go Back From New Game Plus Elden Ring?”. This article from SupremeDuelist.blog delves deep into this specific query, providing a comprehensive answer and exploring all the nuances that come with starting a NG+ cycle in the Lands Between.

Understanding the mechanics of NG+ is crucial for planning your adventures, and we’re here to clarify exactly what happens after you make that jump. This guide will cover whether reversing the decision is possible, and what alternatives exist for those who might have a change of heart.

The Point of No Return: Understanding Elden Ring’s NG+ System

Elden Ring, like other FromSoftware titles, features a New Game Plus mode that allows players to replay the game with their current character, retaining their levels, gear, and most importantly, the power they’ve accumulated. Once you begin New Game Plus, you’re locked into this new cycle. There isn’t a built-in way to revert back to your previous state or “go back” to your original playthrough, and this is very important to understand before you commit. It’s also worth noting that, while you retain a lot, certain quest progression will be reset. If you’re looking to complete everything, such as the [can you do ranni’s quest after beating the game], you should make sure to do so before starting NG+.

Why Can’t You Go Back?

The decision to make NG+ a one-way journey is largely a design choice from FromSoftware. It encourages players to truly commit to the new cycle and embrace the increased difficulty and new challenges. The lack of a ‘go back’ option maintains the integrity of the save files and prevents potential issues that could arise from switching back and forth. The game is designed around the idea of the progression being linear in the sense that once you begin a new cycle, that’s now your save file, as opposed to an alternate option.

What Happens When You Start New Game Plus?

Starting a New Game Plus run in Elden Ring isn’t just a simple reset. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll retain and what will change:

• What You Keep:
  • Character level and stats
  • Equipment (Weapons, Armor, Talismans)
  • Consumables and crafting materials
  • Spells and Incantations
  • Key items (like Flask upgrades)
  • All acquired Spirit Ashes
  • Site of Grace locations you’ve activated.
• What Resets:
  • Main story progression
  • All Sites of Grace need to be reactivated, even if their location is known
  • All non-key items and found weapons and armors
  • Some NPC questlines
  • All dungeons and bosses

Elden Ring New Game Plus Start Menu

Alternative Solutions If You Regret Starting NG+

While you can’t directly reverse your decision to start NG+, there are a few alternative ways to potentially continue playing in your desired state:

Create Backup Save Files

*   Prior to engaging in New Game+, always make a backup of your current Elden Ring save file. This is your best option for reverting back if you want to.
*   On PC, you can find the save data typically located in the AppData folder. On Playstation and Xbox, you can upload saves to the cloud manually, or use a USB drive.
*   If you later regret your NG+ start, simply replace the current save with the backup.

Starting A New Character

• If you find yourself missing your pre-NG+ state, it may be worth considering starting a new character entirely.
• This approach offers a fresh perspective on the game, allowing you to play a different build, try different weapons, and experience the story again from the beginning.
• This might not allow you to exactly “go back,” but it does let you essentially start over with a fresh perspective while preserving your old save in a backup.

Utilize a Separate Account

• Another option, if you are on console, is to create a separate profile or account.
• This method lets you start a completely new game and preserve your original save file, while still allowing you to continue experiencing the game.
• This can be useful if you wish to experience the game in both the pre and post-game states, or even just start a new character without overwriting your existing one.

The Advice of a Veteran Tarnished

“Many new players are surprised to learn that, once you start New Game Plus, that’s where you’ll be. Elden Ring doesn’t allow you to hop back to a previous save. However,” says veteran player ‘Sir Gideon the Knowing,’ “a backup save prior to beginning is your best safeguard. Always make a backup before entering NG+, even if you’re absolutely sure about it.”

Common Questions About Elden Ring NG+

Let’s address some frequently asked questions regarding Elden Ring’s NG+ system.

Can you do everything in one NG+ cycle?

No, not completely. Certain questlines conflict with each other, so you’ll need to do multiple playthroughs, even within NG+, to experience all the content, especially with the various endings and the items needed for them. You should make sure to take care of specific items, such as the [can you get frenzied flame seal after beating game].

What if I want to go back to my original build before NG+?

The best course of action would be to use a backed-up save, otherwise you’ll have to either reset your stats in NG+, or build a completely new character.

Are there any missable items in NG+?

Yes, some items are tied to quest progression that can be missed if you are not thorough. This is why planning ahead, and making sure you’ve obtained everything you need before moving on to the next NG+ cycle is vital for completionists.

Is NG+ harder than the base game?

Yes, enemies in NG+ have increased health and damage. The level of increase gets higher the more NG+ cycles you go through. This is something to be mindful of, and why you’ll want to be well prepared for it.

Does starting NG+ affect achievements?

Starting a NG+ cycle does not affect achievements and they can be earned on any NG+ playthrough, unless they are tied to a specific ending.

Elden Ring NG+ Site of Grace Map

Final Thoughts on Reverting From New Game Plus

In conclusion, once you commit to starting New Game Plus in Elden Ring, there is no way to reverse your decision in-game. While frustrating for some, this is a design feature that challenges players to go forward into a new cycle instead of replaying the original with their existing build. Knowing what is retained and reset should help players decide if they wish to pursue NG+ or not. If you’re looking to fully complete Elden Ring, understanding how NG+ works is vital to making informed decisions on when to continue your progression. This makes backing up your save files prior to starting a new cycle critical if you desire a failsafe for reverting. Make sure to revisit SupremeDuelist.blog for more helpful analysis and tips to navigate the Lands Between. If you can’t quite make progress in your Elden Ring journey, perhaps a good coach can change a game for you.