Venture into the depths of madness and terror in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree as you uncover the hidden path to the Abyssal Woods, a realm where even the bravest of warriors dare not tread. This foreboding forest, filled with untouchable horrors and eerie silence, beckons only the most fearless adventurers. But how do you reach this forsaken land? Dive into our guide to unravel the mysteries and navigate the treacherous journey to the Abyssal Woods.
Abyssal Woods is a very interesting area located in the very center of the Land of Shadow available inShadow of the Erdtree. It is filled with various secrets and collectibles, and some of the enemies that haunt it have some unusual properties. On this page, you will learn how to get to the lower part of Scadu Altus, as well as where to look for a passage in the Darklight Catacombs. Thanks to our tips, you will easily find your way to the dark forest.
How to reach the Darklight Catacombs?
To reach the Darklight Catacombs, start by navigating to the Shadow Keep and finding the hidden path to the river below. From there, head to the Castle Watering Hole Site of Grace near the Ruins of Unte. Follow the stream southeast to the Recluses’ River Upstream Site of Grace, then continue south to the Recluses’ River Downstream Site of Grace. Traverse the cliffs, passing by Man-Flies, until you reach a cliff overlooking a dark forest. Jump down and head north to find the entrance to the Darklight Catacombs, marked by two Ghostflame Braziers. Interact with the door to gain access inside1.
We start at the Castle Watering Hole Site of Grace. This landmark is located below the Shadow Keep, in the lower part of Scadu Altus. To find out how to get there, check out this guide page – How to get to the lower Scadu Altus?
Follow the river by heading south. Be careful when passing a fire golem lying on the ground. The monster is alive and will rise as soon as you approach it. Get away from it on horseback as quickly as possible.
After reaching the waterfall, stick to the left edge of the gorge. There is a Site of Grace here that you can activate.
Continue along the rocky ledges until you reach the Site of Grace near the cliff. Carefully descend to the level below, using the platforms made of tombstones growing from the vertical wall.
Head southeast until you reach another platform section with tombstones. Use them to reach an even lower level.
Once you get to the bottom, head east, following the rock wall. After a dozen or so meters you should come across the entrance to the Darklight Catacombs.
Darklight Catacombs
To reach the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you must first navigate through the Darklight Catacombs. Located south of Scadu Altus, these catacombs are accessible from the Recluses’ River Downstream Site of Grace. Upon entering, use a lantern to illuminate the dark paths and proceed through a series of elevators and ladders. Be cautious of various enemies, including imps and gargoyles. The journey culminates in a boss fight against Jori, Elder Inquisitor. Defeating this boss allows you to exit the catacombs and enter the Abyssal Woods, a realm filled with Frenzied Flame followers and nightmarish creatures.
Catacombs is a quite long and multi-level dungeon. It is filled with hostile stone Imps. Some of them can also shoot fire projectiles, so be careful as you go deeper and deeper. The Site of Grace is located immediately after entering the dungeon.
Exploration is not made easier by the darkness in the Catacombs. From time to time, however, you will come across levers that, when used, illuminate the area a bit. Nevertheless, keep a lighted lantern at hand.
Before leaving the dungeons, you will also encounter a giant Imp shooting fireballs. While running along the bridge, try to change direction every now and then to avoid his deadly projectiles.
Jori, Elder Inquisitor
To access the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you must first navigate through the Darklight Catacombs located in Recluses’ River. The path concludes with a battle against Jori, Elder Inquisitor, a formidable boss known for its ranged magical attacks and ability to summon ghostly inquisitors. Jori is weak to fire damage and can be backstabbed, making close combat a viable strategy. Defeating Jori rewards you with the Barbed Staff-Spear and 260,000 Runes, and allows you to proceed into the Abyssal Woods, a foreboding region filled with dangerous enemies like the Aging Untouchables.
After leaving the Darklight Catacombs, you will face one more obstacle on your way to the Abyssal Woods. It is a boss- Jori, Elder Inquisitor. The video, detailed description and tips on how to fight this enemy can be found on a separate page of the guide – How to defeat the boss Jori, Elder Inquisitor?
What are the characteristics of the Abyssal Woods?
The Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree are a challenging and distinctive region, often likened to areas from Bloodborne. This area is characterized by its dense, eerie environment and formidable enemies, including the “Untouchables,” which are nearly invulnerable and can instantly kill players if they grab them, inducing Madness. The region is also notable for being a no-riding zone, requiring players to traverse on foot, which can be tedious due to its size. To navigate safely, stealth is crucial, as the Untouchables can be deadly if encountered directly. However, with the right strategy, such as using a shield to parry their attacks, these enemies can be defeated, offering unique rewards.
Defeating Jori will give you access to the Abyssal Woods region. Before further exploration, however, it is worth knowing a few important features of this place:
- The summoned Torrent will not want to appear in this dark place. You must therefore continue your journey on foot.
- There are a lot of glowing, grotesque enemies with mushrooms growing out of their heads wandering around the Woods. They are very difficult to kill, so the best option to avoid them is to sneak and avoid contact. To do this, stay away from enemies, hide in tall grass, and try not to make any noise. If an enemy notices you, it can easily capture you and inflict Madness effect on you that will last until you die.
- The only way to kill glowing monsters is to perfectly parry their blow and perform a lightning fast attack (sometimes it will be necessary to do this more than once). If you manage to do this, you will be rewarded with a talisman – Aged One’s Exultation.
What are the most challenging enemies in the Abyssal Woods
The Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring are home to some of the most formidable and terrifying enemies in the game, with the Aging Untouchables standing out as particularly challenging. These bulbous-headed creatures are invincible to conventional attacks and can teleport to the player, dealing a one-shot kill. The only way to defeat them is by executing a perfectly timed parry, which can be extremely stressful and requires precise timing.
Additionally, the Abyssal Woods are filled predominantly with rats, which, although not as individually formidable, can still pose a challenge due to their sheer numbers and the vast, eerie environment they inhabit. However, the Aging Untouchables are the true terror of this area, making them the most challenging enemies to face in the Abyssal Woods.
What strategies work best against the Fingercreepers
Fighting Fingercreepers in Elden Ring requires a strategic approach to avoid their deadly attacks. Here are some effective strategies:
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Attack from Behind: Fingercreepers primarily attack from the front, so positioning yourself behind them can significantly reduce the risk of taking damage. Use this opportunity to land critical hits.
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Use Fire Damage: Fingercreepers are extremely weak to fire. Using fire-based attacks or spells can stun them, allowing you to deal additional damage while they are incapacitated.
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Avoid Their Magic Orb: Fingercreepers can shoot a tracking purple orb that explodes and sets up a grab attack. Be prepared to dodge this orb to avoid being immobilized.
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Crouch Walk Past Hidden Ones: In areas like Caria Manor, Fingercreepers often hide under items. Crouch walking can help you avoid triggering their ambushes.
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Hyperarmor for Melee: If engaging in melee combat, using a large weapon with hyperarmor can help mitigate some of their attacks, especially against smaller variants.
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Ranged Attacks: Engaging Fingercreepers from a distance with bows or spells can be safer and more effective, especially for larger or more aggressive ones.
