New Game+

Begin New Game+ in Rue Valley. This guide details what carries over and how to face tougher foes and uncover hidden secrets in your second playthrough.

Welcome, seasoned adventurer, to Rue Valley's New Game+! This mode offers a fresh challenge and new opportunities to deepen your mastery of the game. You'll carry over much of your hard-earned progress, but the world has also adjusted to provide a more demanding experience. Prepare to face stronger foes, uncover hidden secrets, and truly test your skills.

What Carries Over?

Before diving back in, it's crucial to understand what aspects of your previous journey will accompany you into New Game+:

• Character Level and Stats: Your character's level, all acquired stat points, and any permanent stat boosts will transfer. This means you'll start with a powerful foundation.
• Equipped Gear: All weapons, armor, and accessories you had equipped at the end of your first playthrough will be available in your inventory from the start.
• Inventory Items (Select): Most consumable items (potions, food, crafting materials) and key quest items will carry over. However, certain story-critical items that would bypass early game progression will be removed.
• Alchemy Mastery: Your progress towards the "Alchemy Mastery" achievement (reaching max level in Alchemy) will be retained. If you've already achieved it, you'll continue to benefit from its perks.
• Learned Skills: All skills and abilities you've unlocked, including advanced techniques like "The Yoga Sutras," will be available immediately.
• Gold and Currency: Your accumulated gold and any other forms of currency will transfer, allowing you to purchase essential upgrades early on.

What Resets?

To ensure a fresh and challenging experience, some elements will reset:

• Story Progress: The main storyline and all associated quests will reset, allowing you to re-experience the narrative with your enhanced character.
• Exploration Progress: All map fog, discovered locations, and activated fast travel points will reset. You'll need to re-explore Rue Valley.
• Chest Contents: All chests, including those you've previously opened for the "Treasure Hunter" achievement, will be reset and contain new or upgraded loot.
• Enemy Difficulty: Enemies throughout Rue Valley will be significantly stronger, boasting increased health, damage, and sometimes new attack patterns. Bosses, in particular, will pose a much greater threat.

Strategies for Success

Early Game Domination

With your powerful starting gear and skills, the initial hours of New Game+ are an excellent opportunity to gather resources and prepare for later challenges.

• Prioritize Exploration: Even if you know the map, re-exploring areas like the Whispering Woods and the Sunken Caves can yield valuable upgraded crafting materials and rare consumables from reset chests. Look for the Glimmering Geodes in the Sunken Caves; they now have a higher chance of containing rare gems.
• Efficient Questing: Tackle early side quests immediately. Your superior combat prowess will make quick work of them, providing a steady stream of gold and experience. Focus on quests that reward crafting recipes or unique gear pieces that might have been difficult to obtain in your first playthrough.
• Alchemy Focus: If you haven't achieved "Alchemy Mastery," make it a priority. The increased difficulty of enemies means you'll rely more heavily on powerful potions and elixirs. Gather common ingredients like Moonpetal Flowers (found near the Moonlit Lake) and Crimson Caps (prevalent in the Whispering Woods) to quickly level up your Alchemy skill.

Mid-Game Challenges

As you progress, the increased enemy difficulty will become more apparent. Adapt your strategies to overcome these heightened threats.

• Gear Upgrades: Don't rely solely on your starting gear. Seek out new blueprints and materials to craft superior weapons and armor. The Obsidian Forges in the Volcanic Peaks now offer recipes for Dragonscale Armor and Sunstone Blades, which are essential for later encounters.
• Power Management: The "Unrivalled" achievement (achieving Unrivalled in Power) becomes even more critical. Focus on optimizing your skill tree and equipment to maximize your damage output or defensive capabilities, depending on your playstyle. Consider respecifying your skill points at the Ancient Altar of Reflection in the Forgotten Temple if your current build isn't cutting it.
• Mastering "The Yoga Sutras": If you've learned "The Yoga Sutras," practice its advanced techniques. The increased enemy aggression in New Game+ makes precise timing and strategic ability usage paramount. The meditation spots found in serene locations like the Azure Falls can help you refine your understanding of these powerful moves.

Late Game and Beyond

The final bosses and optional challenges in New Game+ are designed to push your limits. Come prepared!

• Legendary Item Hunts: New Game+ introduces several legendary items with unique properties. Look for clues in the Elder Scrolls found within the Grand Library of Eldoria. One such item, the Amulet of Eternal Vigilance, is rumored to drop from the New Game+ exclusive boss, the Shadow Weaver, located deep within the Abyssal Depths.
• Optimal Consumable Use: Stock up on your most potent potions and elixirs. Elixirs of Invulnerability (crafted with Starfall Dust and Phoenix Tears) and Greater Stamina Potions (requiring Giant's Bloodroot) will be invaluable during prolonged boss fights.
• Exploiting Weaknesses: Pay close attention to enemy weaknesses. While enemies are stronger, their elemental and status vulnerabilities often remain. Utilize specific weapon enchantments (e.g., Flame Enchantment for ice-based foes) and elemental spells to gain an advantage.

Good luck, adventurer! Rue Valley awaits your renewed challenge!