Elden Ring Endgame & New Game Plus#
“The journey does not end with the throne.” — the whisper of a veteran Tarnished
When you finally take the throne of Elden Lord, the story is far from over. Elden Ring is packed with endgame and New Game Plus (NG+) content that can keep your adventure running for hundreds of hours. This page is about making the most of “life after the credits.”
Your Options After the Ending#
Once the main story is cleared, you can choose to:
- Start New Game Plus: carry over part of your data, face raised difficulty, and explore the world all over again.
- Stay in your current world (NG): keep collecting legendary armaments, finish questlines, and challenge hidden bosses.
- Rebirth and rebuild: try a different playstyle and experience a whole new way to fight.
A word of advice: do everything this playthrough can offer first (dig into questlines, mop up achievements, challenge the Haligtree), then move on to NG+.
Rebirth (Respec)#
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon lets you respec with a Larval Tear, and in the late game it becomes a sharp tool for reinventing your playstyle.
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| Full stat redistribution | Switch playstyles flawlessly |
| Level kept | No growth lost |
| Repeatable | Try as many times as you like |
After the credits, respec into a “bleed build,” a “sorcery build,” and a “Sacred Seal build” and run each one — that’s the joy of the deep late game.
New Game Plus (NG+) Mechanics#
Difficulty and Carryover#
| Cycle | Difficulty Increase | Enemy Drops |
|---|---|---|
| NG+ | Partially raised | Same |
| NG+2 | Raised further | More |
| NG+3+ | Steady climb | Consistent |
What Carries Over#
- Level, stats, equipment, runes, talismans, and more are kept.
- Main story progress and some world states are reset.
- Great Runes and certain Site of Grace states are partially retained.
NG+ Tips#
- Prioritize the questlines and collectibles you missed in the first playthrough.
- Push through with a stronger build and savor the pleasure of mowing everything down.
- Take on the higher difficulty and unlock more achievements.
The All-Achievements Goal#
Elden Ring has 42 achievements in total, covering the main story, side quests, and collectibles. When you push for platinum / all achievements in the late game, multiple playthroughs are usually required.
| Achievement Type | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Story achievements | ~15 | Unlock as the plot advances |
| Regional achievements | Several | Defeat each region’s boss |
| Collection achievements | Multiple | Legendary armaments, sorceries |
| Ending achievements | Multiple endings | Requires NG+ |
For the full achievement list, see the Achievement Unlock Guide.
Endgame Build Directions#
When you push for “graduation” in the late game, try these fully-formed builds:
Bleed Graduation Build#
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Rivers of Blood / twin curved swords |
| Stats | Dexterity + Arcane |
| Talismans | Bleed boost, successive attacks |
Sorcery Graduation Build#
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Lusat’s Glintstone Staff |
| Stats | Intelligence + Mind |
| Sorceries | Glintstone Cometshard, Ranni’s Dark Moon |
Sacred Seal Graduation Build#
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Seal | A top-tier Sacred Seal |
| Stats | Faith |
| Incantations | Lightning Spear, Black Flame |
Late-Game Exploration Priorities#
| Area | Content | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Haligtree | Malenia’s legendary armament | High |
| Crumbling Farum Azula | Legendary equipment | High |
| Hidden caves | Legendary sorceries, Spirit Ashes | Mid-high |
| Full map | Legendary armaments, achievements | High |
Late-Game Quick Tips#
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Stock up on Flask charges | Late-game areas hit hard |
| Collect the legendaries | Legendary armaments/sorceries are key to achievements |
| Make good use of Spirit Ashes | A friendly option against brutal bosses |
| Don’t rush NG+ | Clear this playthrough’s hidden content first |
Closing Thoughts#
Beating the main story only means you’ve “been through hell”; truly mastering NG+ means you’ve “opened a franchise down there.” Between the freeform builds and the multiple endings, this game is worth returning to again and again. May every rebirth turn the Lands Between into a hunting ground that belongs to you alone.
Endgame Gear Acquisition Advice#
When pushing for graduation gear in the late game, lock onto these key items first:
| Target | How to Get It | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Legendary armaments | Hidden areas | High |
| Legendary sorceries | Various regions | High |
| Graduation Spirit Ashes | Hidden | High |
| Top talismans | Bosses / questlines | High |
How Each NG+ Cycle Feels#
| Cycle | Freshness | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| NG+ | Fill in what you missed | Higher |
| NG+2 | Test yourself | Even higher |
| NG+3+ | The limit test | Extreme |
Late-Game Content Worth Digging Into#
- Collect every legendary armament and sorcery.
- Experience every ending branch.
- Hidden bosses and hidden areas.
- The strongest build of every playstyle.
The Right Mindset for “Graduation”#
“Graduation” isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting line. It means you now have the capital to explore everything. Don’t be in a hurry to shelve the game; NG+ still holds plenty of surprises for you. May your endless rebirths reveal a thousand ways to make the Lands Between your own.
Resource Planning for NG+#
Before stepping into NG+, plan your resources ahead of time:
| Preparation | Details |
|---|---|
| Main gear | Fully upgraded in advance |
| Respec item | Stock extra Larval Tears |
| Consumables | Pile up flasks |
| Talismans | Have your setups ready |
Switching Playstyles in the Late Game#
After the credits is the perfect time to try new playstyles:
- Run a “bleed build” to feel the burst damage.
- Respec into a “sorcery build” to fight from range.
- Try a “Sacred Seal build” with support mixed in.
- Or even take on the “Wretch” bare-bones challenge.
The Mindset for Platinum / All Achievements#
All achievements is a long-term goal — no need to cram it into one day. Move through it in phases:
- Story and routine achievements first.
- Then the collection-type achievements.
- Finally, the NG+ ending achievements.
Final Thoughts#
The endgame and NG+ are the highest reward the Lands Between can offer for the time you’ve invested. Hidden here are sights you haven’t seen, playstyles you haven’t tried, and endings you haven’t reached. May you carry your graduation gear and boundless curiosity deeper into the Lands Between, and keep writing a legend that never ends.
A Last Word#
Thank you for reading this far. Whether you’re a newly crowned lord who just cleared the game or a veteran hunter preparing for another run, may you always keep your passion for exploration and your courage for battle in these lands. Beyond the throne, countless stories are still waiting for your pen. See you in the guides.
Late-Game Resource Overview#
By the time you finish the main story, you’ve usually built up a substantial pile of resources — planning them well makes the late game far more enjoyable:
| Resource | Late-Game Use |
|---|---|
| Mountains of runes | Respecs and consumables |
| Smithing Stones | Upgrade more weapons |
| Larval Tears | Try multiple playstyles |
| Legendary items | Achievements and collecting |
The Road Ahead#
Whether you choose to return to these lands and keep honing your craft, or start a fresh cycle from the beginning, the world of Elden Ring is vast enough to hold all your unfinished exploration and imagination. May every one of your journeys be worth savoring.