In an exciting development for Elden Ring fans, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has introduced a new difficulty modifier called “DLC+.” Discovered by an astute player, this feature offers an extra layer of challenge, distinct from the traditional New Game Plus (NG+) mode.

Discovery of DLC+

The DLC+ mode was first noticed by a fan named Spleenczar on a Fextralife wiki page, which hinted at a separate difficulty setting that increases enemy health and damage after defeating Consort Radahn. Intrigued by this find, Spleenczar decided to investigate further.

Testing the New Difficulty

To verify the existence and impact of DLC+, Spleenczar created two identical characters and reached the end of the DLC. One character defeated Consort Radahn and entered NG+, while the other skipped the fight and proceeded to NG+. The results showed a noticeable difference in damage taken from enemies.

PSA: There is a hidden difficulty modifier for the DLC on top of NG+! ("DLC+")
byu/Spleenczar inEldenring

For instance, against Messmer the Impaler, the character who hadn’t beaten Radahn took 1,299 damage, while the one who had defeated Radahn took 1,478 damage—an increase of 179 points. This pattern was consistent across various enemies, as detailed in a comprehensive Google spreadsheet shared by Spleenczar.

DLC+ and New Game Plus Stack

Interestingly, DLC+ does not negate the effects of the regular NG+ mode; instead, the effects stack. This means that if a player defeats Consort Radahn and starts a new cycle, the game will be even more challenging compared to a standard NG+ run. However, it’s important to note that DLC+ is a one-time modifier. Unlike NG+, which continues to scale up to the seventh playthrough, DLC+ applies its increased difficulty only once.

Conclusion

The introduction of DLC+ in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree offers a fresh and exciting challenge for players seeking to test their skills further. This new modifier adds a unique twist to the NG+ experience, ensuring that even seasoned players have something new to tackle.

With Elden Ring continuing to evolve, fans can look forward to more innovative features and updates from FromSoftware. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran Tarnished, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion promises to keep you engaged and challenged in the vast world of Elden Ring.

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