Quick Links
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreeis a significant expansion to the base game, but much like its obtuse quest design, there’s very little indication of how you are supposed to start the DLC. The Tarnished will follow in the footsteps of Miquella, so anyone invested in the game’s lore might have an idea of where to begin, but a lack of quest markers leaves a lot of room for guesswork.
You’ll likely want ahigh-level character before startingShadow of the Erdtree– one fit for the endgame bosses and dungeons. Luckily, gaining access to the DLC requires defeating two separate, but optional bosses, one of which is already considered a late-game challenge. This requirement already acts as something of a hurdle to beginning the expansion, ensuring you won’t get in over your head. It should be noted, however, thatthere is no level requirement for startingShadow of the Erdtree; you could theoretically begin the DLC at rune level one, provided you’ve beaten the requisite bosses.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Review - FromSoft’s Greatest Hits
Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is a victory lap for FromSoftware, bringing in elements from past games without losing what made it special.
You Must Beat Mohg & Radahn Before Beginning Shadow Of The Erdtree
Located In Mohgwyn Palace & Redmane Castle Respectively
Shadow of the Erdtreeonly becomes accessible once two optionalElden Ringbosses have been defeated: Mohg, Lord of Blood and Starscourge Radahn.Radahn is found in Redmane Castle on the southeastern side of Caelid, and is likely to be fought much earlier in anElden Ringplaythrough than Mohg. In order for Radahn’s boss fight to be available, however, you need to activate the Radahn Festival in one of two ways. The most straightforward is by touching a Site of Grace on the Altus Plateau, reached by eitheractivating the Grand Lift of Dectus, or climbing through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice on the northern edge of Liurnia of the Lakes.
60–80
Mohgwyn Palace, Siofra River
110–130
The second method of activating the Radahan Festival involves beginning Ranni the Witch’s questline. You’ll have to progress through Caria Manor, enter Ranni’s service, meet Blaidd in Siofra River, speak to Seluvis, and deliver Seluvis' letter to Sellen, who will mention that Radahn has to die before Ranni’s questline can progress and you canget into Nokron, Eternal City.A second visit to Blaidd in Siofra River will begin the Radahn Festivalif an Altus Plateau Site of Grace has not yet been visited.
After you’vedefeated Starscourge Radahn, a similarly lengthy journey will begin to gain access to Mohg. There are a coupleways to reach Mohgwyn Palace, but only one will ensure the player character is properly prepared to fight Mohg. You will first need toget both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, then use it on the Grand Lift of Rold east of Leyndell, Royal Capital, afterbeating Morgott, the Omen King, to enter the Consecrated Snowfield.There is a sending gate on the western edge of the Consecrated Snowfield that will send you to Mohgwyn Palace, which is a rather straightforward dungeon leading to Mohg’s boss fight.
High-level characters who haven’t gained access to the Consecrated Snowfield may want to access Mohgwyn Palace via the alternate route bycompleting White Mask Varré’s questline, which provides an item to teleport to Mohgwyn Palace. This is also an easier option for those attempting a low-level challenge run ofShadow of the Erdtree.
Start Shadow Of The Erdtree By Interacting With Miquella’s Cocoon
Located In Mohg’s Boss Arena
Once both Radahn and Mohg have been killed,all you have to do is interact with Miquella’s cocoon in Mohg’s boss room to beginShadow of the Erdtree. This is the large, fleshy ball at the end of the hall, sitting on a vaguely pelvic pedestal, with a withered arm sticking out of it (pictured above). If the cocoon cannot be interacted with, try resting at the nearby Site of Grace or reloading the area. An NPC named Needle Knight Leda should appear near the cocoon, and it is recommended that you talk to her before beginning the DLC, as she is an important character throughout the expansion.
Interacting with Miquella’s cocoon will immediately transport you to the Land of Shadow, where the entirety ofShadow of the Erdtreetakes place. Although it may take a little bit of exploring, there is a bit more direction provided in-game once you’ve begun the DLC. You should not, however, expect Sites of Grace to point the way like they do in the base game; this only occurs for certain portions ofElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s main quest.
Players venture into the shadowed realm of the Land of Shadow to confront new biomes, dungeons, and formidable bosses. Guided by the enigmatic Miquella, they face the terrifying Messmer the Impaler and uncover the dark secrets shrouded beneath the Erdtree’s influence, featuring new weapons, magic, and challenges.
