After over two years of anticipation, the new Elden Ring expansion has been announced: Shadow of the Erdtree. This massive new area promises a wealth of challenges and characters unlike anything seen before. Here’s everything you need to know before diving into the DLC.
Requirements Before Starting the DLC
You can’t jump straight into the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. First, you must defeat two optional bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Mohg, in particular, has intricate requirements, including finding two halves of a secret medallion and locating a mysterious teleporter. Once these are met, touching the withered arm in Mohgwyn Palace – Cocoon of the Empyrean will transport you to the Realm of Shadow.
Follow Miquella’s Trail
The narrative of the DLC revolves around following Miquella the Empyrean, who has left crosses along his path. These markers often feature a Site of Grace and NPCs also pursuing Miquella.
NPC Quests and Movements
NPCs you encounter at Miquella Crosses have their own quests and may relocate as you progress. They are on their journey to find Miquella or another powerful entity. After significant events, such as defeating dungeon bosses, they might move to new locations, sometimes appearing in unexpected areas.
Beware of Brazier Giants
A straightforward tip: beware of Brazier Giants. These towering colossi, visible from afar, possess various deadly abilities, including homing flame orbs, ground stomps with fireball eruptions, and a one-hit-kill ultra beam. They are formidable opponents, likely to test your skills to the limit.
Deadly DLC Bosses and Enemies
Even seasoned slot88 players with high-level characters will find the DLC’s encounters challenging. Bosses with vicious combos and relentless attacks, alongside deadly new enemy types, require practice, adaptation, and learning from mistakes to overcome.
Scadutree Fragments for Boosts
Scadutree Fragments are a new addition found near Miquella Crosses or in specific locations/dungeons. These fragments, when interacted with at a Site of Grace, grant offensive and defensive boosts through the Shadow Realm Blessing. These buffs are only active in the Realm of Shadow, providing a crucial advantage against tough DLC enemies and bosses.
Revered Spirit Ashes for Enhanced Summons
Revered Spirit Ashes, found near kneeling statues or dropped by specific enemies like Chubby Inquisitors, enhance your summons’ capabilities. These boosts are valuable for combat, making your summons more viable in tough encounters.
Gather Upgrade Materials
Upgrade materials such as Smithing Stones and Grave Gloveworts are plentiful in the Realm of Shadow:
Forge-type dungeons: Abundant in Smithing Stones, with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones in golden furnaces, guarded by formidable Golem Blacksmiths.
Catacombs-type dungeons: Contain high-tier Grave Gloveworts. Mausoleums and temple ruins in the Cerulean Coast offer additional rewards.
Experiment with New Weapons
Shadow of the Erdtree introduces new armaments, including great katanas, light greatswords, and even unarmed combat styles for a monk or martial artist playstyle. Experimenting with these new weapons can provide fresh combat experiences.
Nameless Mausoleums for Unique Rewards
The DLC features four Nameless Mausoleums, each a mini-dungeon with a unique armor set and weapon as rewards. While the first is easy to find, the other three require exploration and determination to reach.
Discover Secret Areas
True to Elden Ring’s nature, the DLC is filled with secrets. Discover hidden areas by dropping down cliffside ledges, climbing structures, using specific emotes, or hitting fake walls.
Explore a Layered, Dense World with Over 40 Bosses
The Realm of Shadow may appear small on the map, but it is incredibly dense, featuring upwards of 40 bosses. Paths lead to suspended ruins, delve deep underground, and pull you in unexpected directions. Despite the vastness, following the demigod Miquella’s trail, marked by large crosses, keeps you oriented without feeling overly guided.
Prepare for an epic journey through the Realm of Shadow, filled with new challenges, secrets, and rewards in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
