Grinding is optional in most games, including this one. The routes below cover how to level up ds2 without turning your evening into a spreadsheet.

Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Playing with someone else changes the maths, sometimes in your favour and sometimes not.

The short answer

The fastest route early is not the fastest route later; plan on changing method at least twice.

How progression actually works here

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Rested or daily bonuses are usually worth structuring a session around. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully.

Bonus multipliers stack in ways the interface does not explain, so read the fine print once. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Rested or daily bonuses are usually worth structuring a session around.

Things that look efficient but are not

Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Keep a spare loadout for the attempts that go badly.

The efficient loop

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Giving up one attempt before the point where it usually clicks.

Frequently asked questions

Does this work in co-op?

Mostly. Shared progress usually helps, though a few objectives split rewards instead of duplicating them.

Is there a level cap I should stop at?

Soft caps matter more than hard ones. Past a certain point the rewards per level shrink enough that other activities pay better.

Is there a faster method?

Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.

Bookmark this if you expect to look up how to level up ds2 again after the next update.