So once you get a single character through Act 1 Ultimate, all future characters can get a massive head start to cut out all the busywork in Normal: Not only do they automatically unlock the higher difficulty levels for that character along with all inventory bags, but they also grant the bonus skill/attribute points you’d normally get from certain quests on lower difficulties and, far more importantly, activate all fast-transit portals on lower difficulties as well. One of the less obvious additions it makes to the game are a set of ‘Difficulty Merits’ which you can purchase from the new non-faction vendor (when playing on Elite/Ultimate) and then transfer to other characters. Meaning there’s little point in playing through Normal once you have access to Elite… which is where Forgotton Gods comes back into the picture. Aside from the addition of two new smiths and a couple Devotion Shrines the maps and quests are completely identical (you do get the option of changing which factions you’re aligned with, but that choice is retroactive for the Kymon/Order, Outcast, and Barrowholm factions return to Normal and your alliances will now match the Elite choices).

Playing through the game in Elite difficulty is pretty much identical to Normal: Enemies have higher max levels (ranging from the high 60’s in Act 1 to low 90’s in Forgotten Gods), enemy HP is given a boost (generally only noticeable where bosses are concerned), the PC’s upper resistances (elemental, poison/acid, & piercing) take a 25% hit, and the item drop rate is notably improved (with some bosses dropping completely new items).

Grim dawn exp potion