Elden Ring How To Check Ng

2 min read 27-12-2024

Elden Ring's replayability is a major draw for many players. The sheer scale of the Lands Between, coupled with a multitude of build options and challenging boss encounters, makes multiple playthroughs almost inevitable. But how do you keep track of which playthrough you're currently on? Knowing your NG cycle (New Game) is important for several reasons, from bragging rights to understanding enemy scaling.

Understanding NG Cycles in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, the NG cycle refers to the number of times you've completed the game. Your first playthrough is NG+0 (or simply NG), your second playthrough is NG+1, and so on. Each subsequent playthrough increases the difficulty, with enemies possessing more health, dealing increased damage, and dropping better loot.

How to Determine Your Current NG Cycle

Unfortunately, Elden Ring doesn't display your current NG cycle directly on the screen. There's no convenient menu option that clearly states "You are currently in NG+3". However, you can determine your NG cycle through several methods:

1. Observing Enemy Stats:

The most reliable way is to pay close attention to enemy stats. In later NG cycles, even the weakest enemies will hit considerably harder and possess significantly more health. This increase in difficulty is progressive, making it apparent which cycle you are in based on the challenge level. Experienced players will quickly recognize the jump in difficulty from one cycle to the next.

2. Checking Item Drops:

Higher NG cycles yield better item drops. While not a precise indicator, the quality of loot you're receiving can be a general guide. If you're consistently finding higher-level materials and rare items, you're likely in a later NG cycle.

3. Recall Your Playthroughs:

The simplest method is to just remember how many times you've defeated the final boss, Marika. While straightforward, it’s easy to lose track if you take extended breaks between playthroughs.

Why Knowing Your NG Cycle Matters

Knowing your NG cycle can enhance your Elden Ring experience in several ways:

Difficulty Assessment: It helps gauge the challenge level you're facing.
Loot Expectations: It allows you to anticipate the quality of items you'll find.
Community Interaction: Sharing your NG cycle with other players facilitates discussion and comparison.

While there isn't a built-in counter, observing enemy behavior and item drops provides a clear indication of your progress through Elden Ring's multiple playthroughs. Embrace the challenge and conquer the Lands Between again and again!