Elden Ring

[briareos_kerensky]

Following the arrows on the map is a good starter, yes. Do you remember what bosses you have defeated?

[hudson]

According to my trophies:

Nokstella
Regal
Valiant Gargoyles
Margit
Radagon
Godskin Noble
Magma Wyrm Makar
Mimic Tear
Knight Loretta
Elemer of the Briar
Ancestor Spirit
Rennala
Rykard
Radahn
Godrick

[briareos_kerensky]

You should proceed east-north-east through the capital and the lands laying beyond that.

[hudson]

You should proceed east-north-east through the capital and the lands laying beyond that.

Thanks Briareos. I like to think you entered all those boss names into a computer terminal and it spat out a print out of where I should go next

[Tobal]

Mogh confirmed to hold the keys to getting into the DLC.

[briareos_kerensky]

I've said I wouldn't play NG+ much, and instead...just completed Caelid (without getting to Redmane Castle though) and now approaching the first keep in Limgrave. Levelled up INT to 60 for Comet Azure but with only 20 MND I can sustain it for 2-3 seconds. Still, it seems prettery powerful even with this limited time on target, now I can clearly see INT builds simply spamming this for against most bosses.

As a general impression for NG+...it's easy? I did die a couple of times, but even in Caelid I could survive a good number of hits before getting wasted, and the Moonlight Greatsword is a pretty good weapon, I maybe I'll switch to it even with my main character for the DLC, though it's a physical build with a medium roll with an Ultra Greatsword and heavy armour.

[Lebowski]

Mogh confirmed to hold the keys to getting into the DLC.

Radahn and Mogh

Mogh is a secret late game boss that only 38% of players have defeated, he could be a problem for those on a fresh run as you have to play through quite a few areas to get to him. It's been a while since i platinumed this, and I'm sure I left it my save at an early new game+

[Tobal]

11pm tonight for UK steam users!! Have said where the DLC start point is? I'll assume it's the egg in Mogh boss room.

[Tobal]

Had a very brief go, enough to look at the starting area and learn enough that stepping outside the clearly marked path will get you properly shafted, spoke to a few new NPCs and made way for what looks like the starting castle and gathered a few of new buff mechanic similar to collecting golden seeds and tears but instead of buffing your potions it's a direct buff to the player and summons/mount while in the shadow lands. Plenty of routes to go in already if you don't fancy the marked path.

The starting area and its vistas are really good, reminded me of how good Fromsofts game look nowadays in just art-style alone. Looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow evening.

[Finsbury Girl]

I managed 30 mins or so before I was completely zonked. But WOW some of the enemies here are no joke!

I'm using my lvl 160 cold magic int build (only 40 vigor) and got curb stomped by one early encounter. The tiny bit of the new area that I have explored looks amazing.

There are some things I'm not sure about yet - there are some shard thingies that boost you but only in the DLC area ; so you cannot use them back in the main game - perhaps it would make you OP but still I'd at least like the choice.

But hard to form a view after half an hour other than yes it is more Elden Ring and that in itself is incredible.

[QualityChimp]

Will deffo play this because I fell in love with Elden Ring, but need more of a break from it.
I love how some people are just doing speedruns on the DLC and moaning it's really short.

You gotta savour that flavour, man!

[briareos_kerensky]

Spent a couple of hours with the DLC with my main character...and promptly paid a visit to Renalla to redistribute stats
Found the Royal Greatsword too slow and requiring too much stamina even for standard enemies, and for the first boss, the

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Blackgaol Knight

, had to dust off the trusty Bloodhound Fang. After that, I redistributed points to boost INT to 60 (sacrificing Mind and Faith) and started wielding the Darkmoon Greatsword.
Tried to attack the giant fire wickerman but got mauled hard...it's nice how you can see one right after entering the DLC area, on the right down the canyon.

Continued past

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the gate after the Scorched Ruins, went through the castle town up the mountain and I think I got to the local boss' door
This town starts off with a giant spider/scorpion falling from the ceiling, and the room after it is full of its...babies, I think. There are also statues on staircases resembling Monumentals from Demon's Souls. Other enemies include shadow villagers of standard and giantish size, plus a couple of more sturdier enemies wielding twin blades.
The general layout reminds of a mix between Leydell and the second Dark Soul 3 DLC, and surprise surprise it's one of those locations with background music.

There's a new mechanic in this DLC associated with two collectible items that have to be consumed at grace sites to improve your, Torrent's, and your Spirit Ashes' ability to dish and absorb damage...which is nice considering all enemies hit like trucks and this DLC feels meant to be tackled as endgame content, everything here seems way too strong to be faced after you defeat Mohg or Radhan. I think basic enemies in a NG DLC hit as hard as Caelid footsoldiers in NG+.

A bit disappointed there is no cutscene when you move from the standard game to the DLC though.

[Finsbury Girl]

OK managed a few more hours. Holy Moly.

The first little mini legacy dungeon is done. The

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Lion thingy boss

was absolutely brutal. I practised by getting summoned outside. I didn't even have to wait 5 seconds each time almost instant summon! Despite me seeing the boss quite a few times, my attempts solo got me REKT easily each time. The move set is one of those annoying ones that for me is very hard to memorise and read. Anyway I tossed my solo only rule and used my best girl Tiche. She slays

Wandered around some more, found

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dragon after dragon way in the East up the top of the mountains

kept running away like brave, brave Sir Robin, finally reached the top where I found a suspicious opening. Lay down summon sign, get summoned to check out what is there ; my goodness another

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MASSIVE DRAGON

I got one shotted Let's come back here in about 50 levels

The map is HUGE. I've found a couple of caves that reward with Ashes ; but these are tough.

DLC is not for the faint hearted but is making the GOAT even GOATER

[briareos_kerensky]

Absolutely loved

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the Dancing Lion, including the small touch that its "tail" is not vulnerable.
Fought the Ghostflame Dragon Wyvern, which wasn't particularly hard, just one new attack compared to standard dragons wyverns.
Found the first catacomb, full of falling ceiling spike traps, cannon imps, and multiple stakes of Marika as checkpoints...and I see the theme of this DLC is that bosses can replenish their health. The Blackgaol Knight had one estus flask, the boss of this catacomb has a command grab-like attack that not only damages you but also restores its health.

[briareos_kerensky]

Completed

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Castle Enis, a.k.a. Raya Lucaria 2.0.

Cool boss, though I'd wish character names wouldn't be rearranging syllabes from other names... also found myself

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a better stamina talisman while exploring the canyons beneath Enis.

Cool.