Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree - 14 Things You Should Know Before Playing The DLC

Veterans of the base game are likely to give Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree a try. After all, there's a massive new realm that can be explored, as well as countless rewards, challenges, and secrets that await. But don't be too hasty, because there are a few tidbits that you should first consider, including where to go first in Shadow of the Erdtree. Here's our guide on the 12 things you should know before playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree tips - 14 things you should know before playing the DLCOur Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree tips guide focuses on some early-game mechanics that players should keep in mind. We also discuss some DLC-only concepts that might come as a surprise. Lastly, we included links to related articles so you can check them out whenever you're in need. You need to complete a bunch of requirements before you can start the DLCNo, it's not possible to start the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree right from the get-go. Instead, you have to defeat a couple of optional bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg Lord of Blood. The latter, in particular, has some seriously perplexing requirements, such as finding two halves of a secret medallion and locating a mysterious teleporter. Once you meet these requirements, you'll be able to touch the withered arm in Mohgwyn Palace - Cocoon of the Empyrean, which will transport you to the Realm of Shadow.Related guide: How to start the DLC (all steps) Get geared up to be DLC-readyYou don't need to rush to the Realm of Shadow immediately. We actually recommend doing everything you can in the base game just to be DLC-ready. These activities include:Obtaining the best weapons and armor sets.Defeating all bosses to exchange Remembrances and activate Great Runes.Getting all Ashes of War skills, spells (Incantations/Sorceries), and Spirit Ash summons.Fully upgrading your favorite weapons and summons using Smithing Stones and Grave Gloveworts, respectively.Farming runes to hit level 150 (at least).Maxing out your flask charges and restoration properties via Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears. Verticality - Take a peek at cliffsides and watch your stepThere are two things that you'll likely notice once you begin the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC:The Realm of Shadow is almost as vast as Limgrave and Caelid--but only if we're thinking of a single flat plane.Coincidentally, the level of verticality has been drastically increased. That means there are regions below regions, with interconnected pathways and shortcuts that lead to new places. It's a bit like roaming around in Altus Plateau, all while wondering how you can reach the lava-submerged castle (Volcano Manor).Because of this, you're bound to take a peek at cliffsides, perhaps hoping that there are passageways that take you to other locations. Just watch your step since there are a lot of perilous drops.Related guides:DLC full world mapHow to reach Cerulean Coast and Charo's Hidden GraveHow to reach Rauh Ancient Ruins Follow the crosses left behind by MiquellaThe narrative arc in the DLC involves following Miquella the Empyrean, who has left crosses along the path that he took on his journey. These points of interest usually have a Site of Grace and NPCs who are also hot on his trail (more on these folks below).Related guide: All Miquella's Cross locations NPCs have their own quests and they tend to move to new locationsThe NPCs you meet at certain Miquella Crosses also have their own motivations--they're basically on a journey to find Miquella or another powerful entity. At certain points, such as after defeating bosses in major dungeons, they might move to a new location. Some might even appear in the strangest areas as you progress their respective quest chains.Related guides (major spoilers):Needle Knight Leda questThiollier quest Beware of Brazier GiantsHere's a straightforward Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree tip: Watch out for Brazier Giants. You really can't miss them, since these lumbering colossi can be spotted from miles away.If you thought the Fire Giant boss in the base game was a tough opponent, then its torch-headed cousins will likely frustrate you to no end. Brazier Giants have various abilities, including homing flame orbs, ground stomps followed by fireball eruptions, and even a one-hit-kill ultra beam. DLC bosses and enemies are deadlyEven with high-level characters, we found ourselves struggling with some encounters in the DLC. A few bosses have vicious combos and relentless attack chains, which are meant to punish you before you can catch a breath. Some enemy types (other than Brazier Giants) are just as deadly. Practice, adapt, and learn from mistakes until you succeed. There are also certain DLC-only mechanics that might prove to be beneficial in the long run (more on these below).Related guide (major spoilers): All DLC bosses Gain offensive and defensive boosts from Scadutree FragmentsScadutree Fragments are a new addition in the DLC. These are usually found next to Miquella Crosses, though some are in specific locations/dungeons. If you've gathered a few, you can gain boosts by interacting with a Site of Grace and choosing the Shadow Realm Blessing. The higher your Scadutree Blessing level, the higher your offensive and defensive stats.Note that the buff is only active while you're in the Realm of Shadow (it has no effect in base game areas). Still, this mechanic is more than welcome, especially due to the sheer difficulty of certain DLC-only bosses and enemies.Related guide: All Scadutree Fragment locations Apart from Scadutree Fragments, there are also Revered Spirit AshesRevered Spirit Ashes are also a DLC-only boost. Unlike Scadutree Fragments, these items are usually found next to kneeling statues. Likewise, some enemy types (i.e. Chubby Inquisitors) might drop them, too. These items you collect boost the capabilities of your summons, making them more viable in combat.Related guide: All Revered Spirit Ash locations Keep gathering more upgrade materials from forges and catacombsThere are plenty of upgrade materials, such as Smithing Stones and Grave Gloveworts, that are found all over the Realm of Shadow:Forge-type dungeons usually have a lot of Smithing Stones that you can collect. The golden furnace you interact with also nets an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. However, you need to watch out for Golem Blacksmiths. These huge brutes pack a punch, and the only way to deal high damage is to hit the red crystals on their backs.As usual, high-tier Grave Gloveworts can be found in catacombs-type dungeons. Moreover, the mausoleum and temple ruins in the Cerulean Coast usually have goodies. Try new kinds of weapons, including martial artsElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree adds some nifty new armaments. These include great katanas, light greatswords, and many others. Perhaps the most unique option might be unarmed combat--you can essentially try a monk or martial artist playstyle, punching and kicking your foes until they're defeated.Related guides:How to unlock unarmed combat styleDryleaf Dane armor set Nameless Mausoleums reward you with unique armor sets and weaponsAnother Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree tip to remember is that there are four mini-dungeons known as Nameless Mausoleums. The first one is relatively easy to find, but the other three are harder to reach.Oh, and we use the term "mini" loosely. Basically, these are shrines with a single room, and an invader-type opponent waits for you inside. Defeat them, and you'll receive a unique armor set and weapon.Related guides:All Nameless Mausoleum locationsAll new DLC weaponsAll new DLC armors No Walking Mausoleums, but there are sarcophagi in various locationsThe only way to duplicate Remembrances in the base game is to enter Walking Mausoleums--i.e. the gargantuan turtles with shrines on their backs and loud bells ringing to make their presence known. Curiously enough, we've yet to spot a single Walking Mausoleum in the DLC.Thankfully, there's a chance that you'd find a few sarcophagi in specific areas. These have the same effect: interact with one and choose a Remembrance to duplicate. The process helps you obtain extra rewards from the bosses that you've defeated.Related guide: All boss Remembrances Be on the lookout for secret areasNaturally, it wouldn't be an Elden Ring DLC if it wasn't filled with secrets. Some are discovered by dropping down precarious cliffside ledges, while others might be reachable by climbing various structures. There are even a couple that can only be unlocked through specific emotes, as well as smacking fake walls.Related guides (spoilers):How to reach Scaduview/Hinterlands (northeast map)How to reach the Jagged PeakHow to reach the Abyssal WoodsFinger Ruins quest chain guideThat does it for our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree tips guide. We hope you enjoy your trek from the Lands Between to the Lands of Shadow.Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree takes you to the Realm of Shadow where you have to search for Miquella the Empyrean. If you're looking for more tips and tactics, you can head over to our guides hub.