is DMD intended for ng+ specifically

[Tea]

ive never played a game where you have to constantly replay it for it to get more difficult so does this mean they specifically tailored the harder difficulties for your endgame character in each difficulty or are they supposed to be played from scratch

[Montenico, Lord of Boxes]

You are definitely expected to have upgrades and all the weapons in higher difficulties. Hell, you can't start in DMD with an unupgraded character even if you wanted to. There isn't the option to do that, unless you somehow manage to get through the game without taking a single upgrade (and even then you would still have most weapons and Devil Trigger).

[SilentBlack]

specifically no but u can do ng dmd, dont expect to be souls series is even worst than that. dmc is fast and enemies are agro af not to mention they can DT and gain more health and hard stagger. DMD is great for players who want to learn and not casual gameplay, but u can spam items if u have. But i especially dont like to use items :)

[Forgot7en]

The short answer is: yes.

The long answer is that while it's entirely possible to start and beat the game on DMD from a new game, the first mission is ironically the hardest because Dante doesn't start with a Devil Arm that lets him use DT.
However, you can start a new game with the LDK costume, Dante starts with Yamato which functions basically like Alastor and you start with base 3 DT runes.

The reason why DMD Mission 1 is so hard on NG with Dante is because enemies WILL DT and they gain a massive damage defense and you can't stun them at all while in human form. Not to mention the stronger Marionettes can pretty much one-shot you...

NG DMD is no joke. But it definitely gets easier from mission 2 onward.

Originally posted by Montenico, Lord of Boxes:

You are definitely expected to have upgrades and all the weapons in higher difficulties. Hell, you can't start in DMD with an unupgraded character even if you wanted to. There isn't the option to do that, unless you somehow manage to get through the game without taking a single upgrade (and even then you would still have most weapons and Devil Trigger).

This is completely wrong. After beating Hard and DMD modes, you can select them from a New Game.

[liljon042]

You can, but you REALLY shouldn't, especially for a first time player, these games will wreck your ♥♥♥♥ HARD even on normal. Not just that, you have to unlock the ability to start NG on DMD. Just start on the highest difficulty available at the start (if you're talking about 3), if you do want challenge.