Picking the best gear to start Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree with makes From Software’s difficult DLC a bit less maddening to manage. Your first few hours in The Land of Shadow are tough, as the game expects you to be at your best, with top-tier equipment and a good idea of how to use it. Our guide for the best gear to start Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree with breaks down which weapons, armor, talismans, and summons will make your life easier.
The best Spirit Ash summons are more important in Shadow of the Erdtree than they were in The Lands Between, if only to distract bosses while you learn their patterns and figure out when to strike. Pretty much every major enemy in Elden Ring’s DLC is faster and deadlier, so you’ll likely want to leave your tanky summons at home. We’ve selected a few high performers that make life easier and, by the time you start Shadow of the Erdtree, should already be in your inventory.
From Software might have nerfed the Mimic Tear shortly after Elden Ring launched, but this fantastic Spirit Ash summon is still a valuable asset to bring with you into the Land of Shadow. It copies your build and attacks without fear of taking damage, which is a bit annoying if you need it to survive, but also a handy way to take chunks out of boss HP bars until the Tear dies. It requires HP to summon, instead of FP, so it’s essential for builds that don’t invest much into the Mind stat.
Tiche’s speed is a massive help in Shadow of the Erdtree. She�.
