Here are 7 tips to help you at the start of Shadow Of The Erdtree
Trying to figure out what to do first in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree?Shadow Of The Erdtreeis one of - if not the - largest FromSoftware DLC we’ve ever had. It features an entire new map to explore, populated with 10 newRemembranceBosses, along with many more mini-bosses, legacy dungeons, weapons, armor and more.
If you’re struggling to know where to start or which region to explore first, we have a full list of top tips to help guide you below. We also have a guide to thefastest way to access the DLCif you have yet to beat the imposingMohgin your playthrough.
Learn the new leveling system
Shadow Of The Erdtree utilises a new leveling up system to ensure that the DLC is challenging for returning players. We recommend that youstart the DLC between levels 120-150, but even if you hold back until level 170 or so, you’ll still have a tricky time until you collectScadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashesto level up your Tarnished. In short, Scadutree Fragments increase your Tarnished’s attack power and damage negation, and can be found via ourScadutree Fragment locations guide.Revered Spirit Ashesboost the attack power and damage negation of yourSpirit AshesandTorrent, and are scattered across the Land of Shadow.
There are a total of5 Map Fragmentsin the Land of Shadow that’ll uncover the fog on your map and make it much easier to chart your progress. You can find the first not far from your starting area in the Gravesite Plain; simply head directly east of your spawn point. The other pieces of the world map are more out-of-the-way, so check out ourMap Fragment locations guideto get your bearings.
Remember how you spent a good several hours in Limgrave, the starting region inElden Ring’s base game? While the Gravesite Plain is smaller, you’re still going to want to take things slow in this starting area, as there are plenty of worthy foes amongst those fields of eerie tombstones. OurShadow Of The Erdtree boss locations guideshows several accessible bosses within your starting vicinity, from the relatively easyLogur The Beast Clawto the surprisingly toughBlackgaol Knight. The Blackgaol Knight is an especially great boss to test your might against if your Elden Ring skills are rusty. If he keeps beating you, go and collect some of those Scadutree Fragments and try again.
You’ll notice a lumbering Furnace Golem in the distance immediately upon entering the Shadow Realm, and you might be itching to run up and test your luck. But it’s best to hold off from tackling these behemoths at first, as they’re resistant to all forms of damage unless you manage to chip away at their legs or their faceplates. Unless you really enjoy a test of patience, come back to Furnace Golems once you progress further in the DLC and obtainHefty Furnace Pots(the recipe of which is obtained by picking up the Greater Potentate’s Cookbook [2] from within the Run-Down Traveler’s Rest cabin in the Gravesite Plain). You can chuck these chonky explosives into the flaming braziers of Furnace Golems from an elevated position, knocking their health bars down to size rapidly. For more on locating and fighting these giants, see our guide toall Furnace Golem locationsin Shadow Of The Erdtree.
Belurat, Tower Settlement is the first legacydungeonyou’ll likely encounter in Shadow Of The Erdtree and contains theDivine Beast Dancing Lion, thefirst boss we recommend you face. Located to the northeast within the Gravesite Plain, this is a great location to get your bearings and really delve into the main story of the DLC. You’ll receive additional instruction upon defeating this area’s boss which will take you to the next major region - Scadu Alus (accessible either by completing the Castle Ensis legacy dungeon or travelling to the southeast of the Castle Front Site of Grace and taking theSpiritspringsup from below the Fort Of Reprimand). You’ll also encounter a few of the DLC’s new NPCs on the way, which brings us nicely to our next tip.
Don’t forget about the NPCs in Shadow Of The Erdtree. Like the base Elden Ring game, the denizens of the Land Of Shadow have complex and sometimes inter-woven quests that require some attention if you don’t want to miss out on additional weapons,armor,Talismansand more. We have a large hub guide ofall NPC questswhich includes the recommended order to complete them as well as all NPC locations to help you if you’re worried about missing any on your journeys. There are two major ‘points of no return’ to familiarise yourself with, otherwise, you should be somewhat free to experience these quests at your leisure.
Hopefully these tips have helped make your first few hours in the Shadow Realm an easier experience. For more Elden Ringtips and tricks, check out our guide to thebest early weaponsin Shadow Of The Erdtree to get you started. Or, if you’re further along in the DLC, see ourbest weaponsguide that goes through the best of the bunch. If you need help with the DLC’s quests, we’ve also got guides on theLeda,Ymir,ThiollierandMoorequestlines.
