Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree – 14 Things You Should Know Before Playing The DLC

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Seasoned Elden Ring players will undoubtedly want to experience the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, given its vast new territories to discover alongside numerous rewards, formidable challenges, and hidden secrets. However, exercising patience proves crucial, as several important considerations demand attention beforehand, particularly regarding optimal initial exploration routes in Shadow of the Erdtree. This comprehensive guide outlines 14 essential insights for preparing to tackle Elden Ring’s massive DLC expansion.

Our expert Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree preparation guide concentrates on fundamental early-expansion mechanics that adventurers must understand. We additionally examine several DLC-exclusive systems that may surprise unprepared players. Finally, we’ve incorporated references to supplementary articles for additional assistance when required.

Contrary to expectations, you cannot immediately begin Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree upon starting a new game. Access necessitates conquering two specific optional bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. The latter presents particularly complex prerequisites, including locating both segments of a concealed medallion and discovering an enigmatic teleportation device. Upon fulfilling these conditions, interacting with the desiccated appendage within Mohgwyn Palace – Cocoon of the Empyrean will transport you to the Realm of Shadow.

Supplementary guide: Complete DLC initiation procedure

Immediate haste toward the Realm of Shadow remains unnecessary. We strongly advocate completing all achievable content within the core game to ensure DLC preparedness. These preparatory activities encompass:

Thorough equipment preparation significantly impacts your DLC survival prospects. We recommend achieving at least character level 150 with fully upgraded weapons (+24/+25 or +9/+10 for special arms). Critical preparation elements include optimizing your Complete Guide to character builds, ensuring your Weapons Unlock potential is maximized, and refining your Class Guide selection for optimal performance.

Beyond statistical preparation, mastering combat mechanics proves equally vital. Practice advanced techniques like perfect dodges, parry timing, and stamina management against late-game bosses. Many players underestimate the importance of consumable preparation – stockpile preserving boluses, exalted flesh, and other combat enhancements that provide crucial advantages during intense encounters.

Resource allocation strategy demands careful consideration. Prioritize upgrading your primary weapon and secondary options for different combat scenarios. Ensure you have adequate smithing stones for emergency upgrades and maintain a diverse arsenal to counter various enemy types effectively.

The Realm of Shadow introduces unprecedented verticality compared to the base game’s landscapes. Constantly survey cliff faces for hidden pathways and exercise extreme caution near edges. The expansion’s level design frequently incorporates multi-layered structures requiring careful navigation and spatial awareness.

Scadutree Fragments represent the DLC’s exclusive progression system, providing both offensive and defensive enhancements specifically within the expansion area. These collectibles dramatically improve your combat effectiveness against the significantly more powerful DLC adversaries.

Navigation assistance comes from following the crosses Miquella left behind, which serve as directional markers toward significant locations and objectives. These visual cues help navigate the often confusing and interconnected environments while reducing the likelihood of missing critical content.

Non-player characters maintain their own intricate questlines and frequently relocate to new positions as you progress. Maintaining detailed notes about NPC interactions and locations prevents missing important narrative developments and valuable rewards.

Brazier Giants present formidable environmental hazards that demand strategic approaches. These massive enemies can easily overwhelm unprepared players with their area-of-effect attacks and substantial health pools.

Revered Spirit Ashes complement the Scadutree system by specifically enhancing your spectral companions within the DLC region. This dual progression mechanism ensures both your character and allies remain competitive against the expansion’s heightened challenges.

Continuous acquisition of enhancement materials remains essential throughout your DLC journey. Forges and catacombs scattered across the Realm of Shadow provide crucial resources for weapon improvement and character advancement.

The expansion introduces innovative armament categories, including hand-to-hand combat styles that offer unique move sets and tactical possibilities. Experimentation with these new options frequently reveals unexpected combat synergies and playstyle opportunities.

Nameless Mausoleums offer exclusive armor collections and specialized weapons as rewards for exploration and combat prowess. These locations typically require solving environmental puzzles or defeating challenging enemies to access their valuable contents.

While traditional Walking Mausoleums are absent, various sarcophagi distributed throughout the landscape provide alternative progression opportunities and valuable loot.

Vigilance for concealed regions proves rewarding, as the DLC contains numerous well-hidden areas containing unique items, powerful spells, and significant narrative elements.

No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree – 14 Things You Should Know Before Playing The DLC Essential preparation strategies and expert tips to master Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion