How to start Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and get to the Shadow

Dive into the mystical realm of Elden Ring with the highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, a journey that promises to test even the bravest Tarnished. To unlock this new chapter, adventurers must first prove their worth by defeating two formidable foes: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Once these challenges are overcome, a mysterious portal awaits, beckoning players into the Land of Shadow, where new trials and wonders await. Here’s your guide to embarking on this epic quest.

New region from theShadow of the Erdtreeexpansion, The Land of Shadow, is hidden behind one of the secret dungeons from the base game – you must defeat the boss at the end of this dungeon to gain access to the new content. The expansion was created with end-game characters in mind, around level 150, so you need to complete most of the base game to have a chance in it. Alternatively, you can also use one of the rune farms to easily increase your experience level. On this page of the guide, we described how to unlock access to the content from theShadow of the Erdtree.

How to enter the DLC?

To enter the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Elden Ring, you must first defeat two key bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. After defeating these bosses, head to Mohgwyn Palace and locate Miquella’s Cocoon. There, you will find Needle Knight Leda, who will guide you to interact with the withered arm in the cocoon. This interaction will transport you to the Land of Shadow, the new map included in the DLC. You can move in and out of this realm at will once you’ve accessed it. Ensure your character is adequately prepared, ideally at a Rune Level of 100-150, to tackle the challenges within the DLC.

After purchasing and installing the DLC, your first step should be to go to Caelid. There you must defeat the main boss of the region – Starscourge Radahn. As long as Radahn is alive, the passage to the expansion is unavailable – if you have already defeated him, you can proceed to the next step.

Then you must go to Mohgwyn Palace. The entrance to the expansion is protected by the boss of this location,Mohg, Lord of Blood– you must defeat him if you haven’t done so yet.

After defeating Mohg and resting at the place of grace, a new character will appear on the arena – Leda, a follower of Miquella. She will instruct you to touch Miquella’s cocoon, which Mohg was guarding. Approach the huge cocoon with a hand sticking out of it and interact with it. You will be transferred to The Land of Shadow – you can now enjoy all the content of theShadow of the Erdtree.

DLC not working

If you’re experiencing issues with the Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” not working, there are several steps you can take to resolve the problem. First, ensure that the DLC is properly installed by checking the title screen or visiting the store page for your platform to download it if necessary1. Additionally, verify that your game is updated to the latest version, as outdated software might prevent DLC access. If issues persist, try restoring licenses on your console or PC, or consider uninstalling and reinstalling the game. Lastly, ensure you have met the in-game requirements, such as defeating specific bosses like Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, before attempting to access the DLC.

If, despite performing all the steps described above, you still don’t have access to the DLC

check if the name Shadow of the Erdtree is displayed in the lower right corner of the start screen after installing the add-on.
if it is not there, try installing the add-on again.
you can verify the game files. To do this, enter the Steam application, right-click on the name of the game in the library, open the “Properties” window and in the “Local files” tab and select “Verify integrity of game files”.
We also recommend rebooting your computer and the Steam application.

Shadow of the Erdtree Starting Point

To access the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Elden Ring, you must first complete specific tasks within the base game. The process begins by defeating two key bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. After defeating these bosses, head to Mohgwyn Palace and locate Miquella’s Cocoon. There, you will find Needle Knight Leda, who will guide you to interact with the withered arm protruding from the cocoon. This interaction transports you to the Land of Shadow, marking the beginning of the DLC. Once you’ve entered the Land of Shadow, you can move freely between it and the main game world.

Adventure in DLC to Elden Ring you will start in a small cave in the Gravesite Plain region. Nearby there is a Site of Grace of the same name, the boss Demi-Human Queen Marigga, and the Church of Benediction location, where you will find new weapon and a talisman.

How to exit DLC?

To exit the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Elden Ring, you can simply use the fast-travel feature. Open your map, and at the bottom, you should see a prompt to switch between regions. Use this to select the Lands Between or Roundtable Hold, allowing you to move freely between these areas and the Realm of Shadow. This process is straightforward and works similarly to traveling between other locations in the base game.

Exiting the Realm of Shadow back to the base areas is very simple. At any time, you can simply turn on the game map and then turn on the table with all the Sites of Grace that you can teleport to (Y, Triangle or E button). Select the point you are interested in outside the DLC areas and you will be immediately transferred there. In the same way , you can also return to one of the Sites of Grace you have visited in the Realm of Shadow.

What new challenges await in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring introduces a plethora of new challenges that will test even the most seasoned players. Here are some of the key challenges awaiting adventurers:

New Regions and Environments

The Land of Shadow: This new region offers breathtaking yet perilous landscapes, including hauntingly serene areas and nightmarish caverns. The environment is densely packed with vertical exploration opportunities, making navigation both challenging and rewarding.
Legacy Dungeons and Strongholds: Beyond the Gravesite Plain, players will encounter massive settlements like Belurat, filled with labyrinthine pathways and new enemy types.

New Enemies and Bosses

Array of New Enemies: The DLC introduces a wide range of new standard enemies that require strategic combat and keen observation to defeat.
Ten New Bosses: These bosses are designed to be some of the most challenging yet, with intricate attack patterns and devastating abilities. Notable bosses include the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, which uses elemental attacks and powerful physical assaults.

Enhanced Gameplay Mechanics

New Abilities and Combat Styles: Players will have access to enhanced gameplay mechanics, new abilities, and over 100 new weapons and spells. This includes eight entirely new weapon categories, allowing for diverse combat strategies7.
Power-Ups and Upgrades: Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes offer significant stat boosts and enhancements to Spirit Ashes and Torrent, helping players contend with the DLC’s formidable foes.

Storyline and Characters

Guided by Miquella: Players are guided by the demi-god Miquella, exploring dark secrets and encountering characters with hidden motives. New NPCs like Dryleaf Dane and Count Ymir add depth to the story and gameplay.

What new enemies can I expect in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring, players will encounter a diverse array of new enemies, each with unique abilities and designs. Here are some of the notable new enemies:

Scarlet Dancer: A humanoid enemy wielding dual blades, known for swift and unpredictable strikes. She is depicted fighting alone in a field of flowers and may serve as a boss or mini-boss.
Undead Priests: These enemies carry candelabras and can spread fire to attack players. They wear torn yellow and brown robes and are seen in the DLC’s trailer.
Cleaver Ghosts: Spectral forms resembling commoners from the base game, armed with large cleavers. They are relatively common and not overly threatening to experienced players.
Electric Porcupine Hippo-Crocodile: A bizarre creature that combines features of a hippopotamus, crocodile, and porcupine. It can discharge electricity and is likely to be a boss due to its formidable appearance and abilities.
Shadow Undead: Common enemies found in groups across the Lands of Shadow.
Black Knights: Devoted followers of Messmer, encountered throughout the Lands of Shadow.
Bigmouth Imps: Resemble living stone statues and often lie in ambush within catacombs.
Jar Innards: Beings encased in giant jars, typically found in gaols.
Curseblades: Masked enemies that dual-wield the Curseblade’s Cirque and are agile and flashy in combat.
Golem Smith: Golems that roam around forges, capable of hurling pots of lava and dealing massive damage.
Gravebirds: Common enemies found perched atop spiritgraves, some of which come to life when approached.
Shadowpot: Elusive shadow figures carrying pots over their heads, often fleeing when confronted.
Spider Scorpions: Come in two sizes and lurk in ambush positions, ready to attack unsuspecting players.
Man-Fly: Enemies with both fly and human characteristics, capable of spitting poison and grabbing players.
Horned Warrior: Fearsome adversaries with distinctive masks and plated armor, combining strength with agility.