Best Time to Enter Frozen Wilds DLC

[CindyK_JA]

I am marching down the final story line in HZD and the only other quests that I need to focus on are the Hunting Trials at several of the Hunting Grounds.
Do I finish the full HZD story and then go up to the gate into the Frozen North? Or, do I need to do that before the final HZD quest (I thought there was a point of no return in there somewhere).
I'm getting ahead of my skis but am trying to understand the progression into the DLC.

Also, is the NG+ only applicable if I want to replay the game from the start at a higher level of difficulty?

Thanks in advance...

[Seamus]

Plot-wise it makes more sense to do frozen wilds before the end of the game. Unfortunately it can also skew game balance as the weapons and equipment are stronger than most things from the base game.

NG+ can be done on any difficulty. But you can't get the achievement for ultra hard unless you're on NG+.

[JL::Jose-Juan Kenobi]

I suggest doing FW before "Deep secrets of the Earth", but honestly is really up to you.

NG+ Achievement is just that, NG+, doesn't say has to be a higher difficulty.
There's another achievement for Ultra Hard, but it doesn't say it has to be on NG+.

Those are my last 2 achievements; NG+ and UH, and just started NG+ on UH

[Eye of Newt]

Narratively, it's generally thought to do the FW after you do a mission called the Grave-Hoard.

[Grizzly UK]

Originally posted by JL::Jose-Juan Kenobi:

I suggest doing FW before "Deep secrets of the Earth", but honestly is really up to you.

NG+ Achievement is just that, NG+, doesn't say has to be a higher difficulty.
There's another achievement for Ultra Hard, but it doesn't say it has to be on NG+.

Those are my last 2 achievements; NG+ and UH, and just started NG+ on UH

The Ultra Hard achievement does say that it has to be completed on NG+, as per the description:
Ultra Hard Completed
Completed a New Game+ playthrough on Ultra Hard difficulty.

Completing NG+ on Ultra Hard will also reward you with all of the cosmetic face paints and focus colours for any future play-throughs.

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Originally posted by CindyK_JA:

I am marching down the final story line in HZD and the only other quests that I need to focus on are the Hunting Trials at several of the Hunting Grounds.
Do I finish the full HZD story and then go up to the gate into the Frozen North? Or, do I need to do that before the final HZD quest (I thought there was a point of no return in there somewhere).
I'm getting ahead of my skis but am trying to understand the progression into the DLC.

Also, is the NG+ only applicable if I want to replay the game from the start at a higher level of difficulty?

Thanks in advance...

The Frozen Wilds content was designed and balanced for characters of level 30+. While you can go there at any time really, if you're below level 30 you might find the new machines a bit of a challenge. One thing to do before you go to the Frozen Wilds is to visit the Mystery Boxes Merchant in Meridian to purchase the 4 Bluegleam Boxes he sells. To purchase all 4 Bluegleam Boxes you'll need 1x Behemoth Lens, 1x Rockbreaker Lens, 1x Stormbird Lens and 1x Thunderjaw Lens. Each Bluegleam Box contains 1x Bluegleam, so you'll have 4x Bluegleam to give you a little head start on gathering all the Bluegleam you'll need to buy the three special Banuk Bows, the three Master Outfits and the five special Banuk Treasure Boxes. For more info on Bluegleam: https://horizon.fandom.com/wiki/Bluegleam

Personally I generally focus on completing all Side Quests, Errands, Cauldrons, Hunting Grounds, Tallnecks, Corrupted Zones and Bandit Camps (which allows me to find and collect all of the Collectables to then trade to the Merchants in Meridian). By the time I've done all of that (and progressed the main story quest line up to The Grave-Hoard) I'm usually level 60 with all skills unlocked. I then complete The Grave-Hoard, after which I'm in just the right place to go north into The Frozen Wilds.

For a full explanation of NG+: https://horizon.fandom.com/wiki/New_Game%2B
NG+ isn't just to replay at a higher difficulty level, although completing NG+ on Ultra Hard is required if you want 100% achievements plus completing NG+ UH will also reward you with all of the cosmetic face paints and focus colours. NG+ is more of a challenge, depending on the difficulty level you select. Many players will complete NG+ UH by simply focusing on the main story quest line and skipping much of the other content, primarily so that they can get the related achievements and unlock all of the cosmetics for future play-throughs as quickly as possible.

Whoa, just realised how much I've typed so apologies for the wall of text!

[JL::Jose-Juan Kenobi]

Originally posted by Grizzly UK:

Originally posted by JL::Jose-Juan Kenobi:

I suggest doing FW before "Deep secrets of the Earth", but honestly is really up to you.

NG+ Achievement is just that, NG+, doesn't say has to be a higher difficulty.
There's another achievement for Ultra Hard, but it doesn't say it has to be on NG+.

Those are my last 2 achievements; NG+ and UH, and just started NG+ on UH

The Ultra Hard achievement does say that it has to be completed on NG+, as per the description:
Ultra Hard Completed
Completed a New Game+ playthrough on Ultra Hard difficulty.

Completing NG+ on Ultra Hard will also reward you with all of the cosmetic face paints and focus colours for any future play-throughs.

Ah you totally right, thx!!!

[CindyK_JA]

Great info! Thank you... I had started Deep secrets of the earth but had not descended yet. So, the timing of this post is perfect. I have 3 of the blue glean boxes from the Meridian Merchant but need a Stormbird Lens. Rather than go get that immediately, I went into the Frozen Wilds (at level 50). Got the maps and completed the Shaman's Path. It is very cool and the 'newness' is making the game really enjoyable.

Again, the insight/assistance is much appreciated.

[LeftPaw]

I finished the game without frozen wilds and now I am playing NG+ I will be doing frozen wilds. It just feels the right way to do it.

[RageOfPerun]

I think the best time is just before the Final mission chain "The mountain that fell"

[sjsharp2007]

Originally posted by Eye of Newt:

Narratively, it's generally thought to do the FW after you do a mission called the Grave-Hoard.

Yea htha ttensd to be when I start it a s1 you're in he area alread ywhere it takes place inand 2 as long as you'v edone most of th esidequests you should be a tthe right level for starting given it does have a leve l30 recommendation.