Ubisoft says Assassin's Creed Valhalla passed 40 million players and will receive its long-requested New Game+ mode on November 5. The update brings progression carry-over, dedicated scaling, optional power progression, new runes, Mithril, and rewards. Here's what the studio has confirmed and what players should wait to verify in the patch notes.
New Game+ returns on November 5
Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin's Creed Valhalla will receive New Game+ on November 5, 2026. The company says the game recently surpassed 40 million players and is adding the long-requested mode to celebrate that milestone. It gives players a clear reason to revisit Eivor's story, whether they want to replay the campaign, experiment with a different build, or see England again with familiar equipment.
This is a particularly interesting update because Valhalla's original release did not include a New Game+ option, and Ubisoft later said it would not add one. The new announcement reverses that expectation with a dedicated system rather than a simple menu toggle. The studio describes carrying over much of a player's progression and adding NG+-specific scaling, although the full rules are still to come in patch notes.
The phrase 'much of your progression' is important. Ubisoft has not said that every item, quest state, resource, or map unlock will carry over in precisely the same way. Until the complete patch notes are available, players should treat the broad description as a promise of continuity, not a detailed save-transfer specification. Back up or keep your existing save until you understand how the new mode starts.
An optional progression mode changes how power is calculated
Ubisoft says New Game+ adds an optional progression mode where Gear, Runes, and Masteries all contribute to Eivor's overall Power. That sounds like a way to make character strength more closely reflect the equipment and systems a player has invested in. It is optional, which means the game is not forcing every returning player to adopt the new calculation if they prefer a different progression style.
The studio has also mentioned dedicated NG+ scaling. Scaling is central to a replay mode because returning players may enter with powerful equipment and abilities. A useful system needs to create tension without making the player's existing rewards feel irrelevant. Ubisoft has confirmed the feature, but it has not yet laid out the exact enemy formulas, level caps, or how the new option interacts with every difficulty setting.
For players planning a fresh run, the sensible approach is to wait for the patch notes and then decide whether to enable the optional power rules. If the mode allows players to change settings later, that will be useful, but Ubisoft has not specified those controls in the announcement. Screenshots and early player reports may answer practical questions once the update is live, but official notes should remain the reference for what the feature is meant to do.
Runes, achievements, a stash, and new rewards
The update is also set to add new runes, achievements, and a stash system. These additions suggest that New Game+ is being treated as a broader return package rather than a bare replay button. The stash could give players another place to manage equipment or resources, but Ubisoft has not explained its capacity or exact rules yet. We should wait for the in-game description before claiming how it changes inventory management.
One of the announced rewards is a Master Assassin outfit inspired by Naoe's look in Assassin's Creed Shadows. That connects Valhalla's replay content to a newer part of the franchise without turning the update into a crossover story. The official post also names Mithril, a new resource used to upgrade Divine Gear and strengthen runes, and says Divine Gear quality will be available for all items.
Those features could matter most to players who already spent a lot of time collecting gear. A new resource gives a replay a progression objective, while expanded quality can make older pieces more interesting to revisit. The details that remain open include how quickly Mithril is earned, whether existing items need to be upgraded individually, and how the new reward economy is balanced. Ubisoft says full notes are forthcoming, so those questions are not yet answered.
Why a late New Game+ update still matters
A New Game+ mode can give a long campaign a second life, especially when players have completed side activities and built a collection they want to use again. Valhalla is a large action RPG, and a fresh run with carry-over can make familiar regions feel different when the player has more tools from the start. The update may also appeal to people who finished the story years ago but never wanted to rebuild their character from zero.
The challenge is making a replay feel purposeful. If the world becomes too easy, existing power can flatten encounters; if scaling removes the effect of progression, the reward for bringing equipment forward can disappear. Ubisoft's combination of dedicated scaling and optional progression rules seems aimed at giving players some control, but the final feel will depend on implementation and tuning.
There is also a practical question of time. Valhalla's main campaign and optional content can take a substantial commitment, so New Game+ is not automatically a recommendation to start over. Players can decide whether they want a complete replay, a focused story run, or simply to revisit specific activities. The update creates the option; it does not require anyone to repeat every hour of their first playthrough.
What to do before installing the update
If you plan to try New Game+, check the current patch notes and make sure the platform version is up to date on November 5. The official announcement says more details, including patch notes and current-generation console news, are coming. Storage, download timing, and availability can differ across platforms, so leave room for the update and confirm the release in your console or PC launcher before troubleshooting.
It is also sensible to keep your current save intact until the new mode's start process is clear. Most games handle New Game+ through a separate save or a new campaign option, but the exact Valhalla implementation should be verified rather than guessed. Take a screenshot or note of your current gear and quest state if you want a personal comparison after the update.
Returning players can prepare by deciding what they want from the replay. If the goal is to test builds, make a short list of weapons and runes you want to try. If you are coming back for the story, focus on the main quest and adjust difficulty to suit your time. If you care about collection progress, read the patch notes closely for the Mithril economy and Divine Gear rules before spending materials.
A franchise milestone brings an unexpected replay feature
Ubisoft's October update combines two clear headlines: Valhalla has passed 40 million players, and New Game+ arrives on November 5. The announced feature set includes progression carry-over, dedicated scaling, an optional power mode, new runes and achievements, a stash, Mithril, and new gear rewards. That is a meaningful content update for a game many players thought had already reached the end of its major feature plans.
The most careful takeaway is also the most useful one: the mode is real and the date is set, but some important details are still awaiting patch notes. Players should not assume exact carry-over rules or difficulty formulas until Ubisoft publishes them. The official announcement is the source for the high-level features; the patch notes will settle the practical questions about saves and systems.
For long-time fans, November 5 is a good excuse to check in on Eivor's journey. For people who have never finished Valhalla, New Game+ may not be the best starting point, but it is a fresh option once a first run is complete. Either way, Ubisoft is giving one of its largest Assassin's Creed games another reason to be discussed this fall.
CHECK THE ORIGINALS.
Facts and update details above are based on these official sources. Details can change as the game is updated.
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