Step into the eerie yet mesmerizing Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring’s latest DLC, where a mysterious new realm awaits-but beware, the path is as treacherous as it is vast. Before you lose yourself in the haunting beauty of this shadowed world, your first priority is clear: secure the Gravesite Plain map fragment to chart your course, then prepare to face daunting foes and unravel cryptic quests that will test even the most seasoned Tarnished. From forging new alliances to mastering fresh mechanics, here’s your essential guide to conquering the opening hours of Shadow of the Erdtree and setting a strong footing in this enigmatic expansion.
In this Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree guide, I’ll walk you through how you should spend the first few hours of your journey in the Shadow Realm of the Lands Between.
Grab the first map fragment
To grab the first map fragment in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, head to the Gravesite Plain region right after starting the DLC. From the starting point, ride north towards the large ruins known as the Scorched Ruins. Just before reaching these ruins, you will find the map fragment next to a glowing stele pillar on the road. Interacting with this fragment will reveal the map of Gravesite Plain, helping you navigate the new area more easily as you begin your adventure in the Realm of Shadow.
When you first load into Shadow of the Erdtree, you’ll find yourself in a strange land with no real map to speak of. To reveal the map, you’ll need map fragments.
Before you do anything else, hop on Torrent and hit the main road. Ride toward the ruins and the giant, blazing boss in the distance. You’ll find a pillar off the side of the road, in a field of tall grass, south of the Scorched Ruins. Interact with it to get the map fragment for the first region, Gravesite Plain.
If you’re having trouble finding it, you can see the little gray pillar on your map even before you have the map fragment. And if you’re looking to uncover the whole region, check out our guide to finding all DLC map fragments.
Collect your first Scadutree Blessing
To collect your first Scadutree Blessing in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, start by exploring the Realm of Shadow to find Scadutree Fragments, which are scattered throughout the DLC areas, often near Sites of Grace marked with a Cross of Miquella. Once you obtain a fragment, rest at any Site of Grace in the Shadow Realm to access the new Shadow Realm Blessing menu. Here, you can consume the fragment to activate and upgrade your Scadutree Blessing, which boosts your attack power and damage negation while within the Shadow Realm. This blessing is crucial for surviving the tougher enemies and bosses in the DLC, as it significantly enhances your combat effectiveness, but note that its effects do not carry over outside the Shadow Realm.
Scadutree Blessings are your main means of increasing your strength and defense in Shadow of the Erdtree, and you’ll need to collect multiple Scadutree Fragments if you want to increase your blessing level. Thankfully, you can start using this system mere minutes into the DLC – if you know where to go.
Ride toward the western castle via the main road and find the first of Miquella’s Crosses – it’s at a crossroad where the left path leads to the castle, the right leads to the bridge, and the forward path leads to a lake. Talk to the nearby NPC and rest at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace to learn about the unique progression system that will help you through this DLC.
Instead of just leveling up over and over, Scadutree Fragments will increase your Scadutree Blessing in Shadow of the Erdtree. This buff increases how much damage you deal and decreases how much damage you receive, but it only applies to your character in the DLC areas. (There’s also a Revered Spirit Ashes item that does the same thing for your summons and Torrent.)
You can get your first Scadutree Blessing at this Miquella’s Cross, and another by continuing your ride west toward the castle, at the next site of grace. From there, you can find more with our Scadutree Blessing locations page.
Take on some optional bosses
In Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, taking on optional bosses offers a rewarding challenge beyond the main storyline. These bosses, scattered throughout the Shadow Realm, vary in difficulty and often provide unique rewards and lore insights. For example, the Ghostflame Dragon near the lake is an easier optional boss, while tougher foes like the Scadutree Avatar and Metyr, Mother of Fingers, demand careful preparation and skill. Engaging with these optional encounters not only tests your combat prowess but also enriches your exploration experience in the DLC’s expansive world.
Before heading into Belurat – the big castle to the west – consider taking on a few optional baddies just to get your sea legs back: Logur, and the Ghostflame Dragon.
None of these mini-bosses are as difficult as Mohg, but all of them will help get you back in fighting shape before you go against the DLC’s first real boss. Here’s why they’re worth fighting.
- Logur is an obvious reference to X-Men’s Wolverine. You can find this shirtless, hairy, clawed dude wandering the forest near where you entered the Shadow Realm. Jump on Torrent and ride through the trees and you’ll eventually find him. He’ll drop his Beast Claws if you manage to take him down.
- The Gravesite Plain Furnace Golem should be your next challenger. This is the giant, flaming monstrosity just south of the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace. This boss will test your timing and your patience, as it has a lot of health and will kill you very quickly if you’re not careful. You’ll get a new Crystal Tear for your Wondrous Physicks for taking it down, and a Furnace Visage for crafting a Hefty Furnace Pot.
- Finally, there’s the Ghostflame Dragon, which you can find sleeping in the lake north of the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace. This boss isn’t too bad to take down on Torrent, but you’ll need to be very cautious, as its ghostly breath can take you out almost instantly, even if you entered the Shadow Realm at a high level. When you kill the dragon, you’ll get a Somber AncientDragon Smithing Stone and you’ll be able to grab the Great Katana sword off of a body in the lake.
If any of these bosses are giving you too much trouble, there’s nothing stopping you from continuing forward with this guide and coming back once you’ve increased your Scadutree Blessing.
Explore Belurat, the first legacy dungeon
Belurat, the first legacy dungeon in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, is located in the northwest corner of the Gravesite Plain region, making it one of the earliest major locations players can explore in the DLC. This tower settlement was once a place where practitioners of ancient hexing arts gathered, but now it is overrun by hostile flesh-eating creatures and lost Revered Spirits. The dungeon features a complex, maze-like layout filled with locked entrances, keys to find, and tough enemies, including a giant scorpion guarding a Revered Spirit Ash. Strategic exploration is key to navigating Belurat efficiently, unlocking shortcuts, collecting valuable items like Revered Spirit Ashes and Scadutree Fragments, and preparing for the challenging boss fights ahead. It serves as a critical and immersive introduction to the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion’s darker and more dangerous environments.
Once you’re back in the groove with Elden Ring, it’s time to head into the first real dungeon of Shadow of the Erdtree: Belurat. This fortress is also home to the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, a creepy monster that serves as the first of the DLC bosses you’ll face. This is also where you’ll find the first site of grace that will actually point you toward Shadow of the Erdtree’s main story.
If you’re having trouble navigating the dungeon, our Belurat walkthrough can help.
Explore Gravesite Plain
The Gravesite Plain is the initial and expansive region you enter in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, characterized by a somber landscape dotted with spirit graves and scarred by the ravages of war. After arriving here via the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, players can explore a variety of sub-locations including the Abandoned Ailing Village, Belurat Gaol, and Castle Ensis, among others. The area offers numerous Sites of Grace, multiple dungeons, and formidable bosses such as the Furnace Golem and Ghostflame Dragon, making it essential to thoroughly explore for powerful items, blessings, and questlines. Securing the map fragment early on helps in navigation, and the region serves as a gateway to the first Legacy Dungeon, Belurat, Tower Settlement, setting the stage for the challenges ahead in the DLC.
Gravesite Plain, the opening area of Shadow of the Erdtree, is smaller than Scadu Altus or some of the other areas. However, it is quite dense, and there are a few hidden areas to explore and items to collect before you move on. Our recommendations include the following:
- Make sure you grab the Backhand Blade, which is resting in a small room northeast of the Scorched Ruins and southeast of the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace, which is one of the many DLC weapons you can find.
- You can find the Gravebird armor near the lake to the north. The rest of the Gravebird set is scattered throughout the Shadow Realm, alongside a host of DLC armor.
- Then there are a few optional dungeons for you to take on, like the Belurat Gaol, which you can find an entrance to near the lake that hosts the Ghostflame Dragon. It takes place under Belurat, and completing it will net you a Spirit Ash summon: Demi-Human Swordsman Yosh.
Explore Castle Ensis
Castle Ensis is a key minor legacy dungeon in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, serving as a gateway to the northern region of the map. Located northeast of the Gravesite Plain and accessible after crossing the Ellac Greatbridge, the castle offers a mix of challenging enemies including Troll Knights, Lazuli Sorcerers, and soldiers of Messmer. Players will find valuable loot such as the Spelldrake Talisman +3 and Shadow Realm Rune as they navigate through the castle’s corridors and stairways. The dungeon culminates in a boss fight against Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, making it a crucial step in progressing through the DLC’s storyline. Despite its smaller size compared to other dungeons, Castle Ensis features traps, ambushes, and complex paths that require careful exploration and strategy to overcome.
When you’re ready to move on, push across the bridge that leads northeast into the rest of the Shadow Realm. After the soldier encampment, continue into the tiny fort, Castle Ensis, for a pretty short dungeon experience.
Your main roadblock here will be Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, who will attack you with her magical and flaming swords. Dispatch her and continue forward to reach Scadu Altus, which is where Shadow of the Erdtree really opens up.
If you’re stuck in the dungeon, our Castle Ensis walkthrough can help.
Forge ahead with the story
To forge ahead with the story in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, begin your journey by heading north to the crossroads marked by a Site of Grace and a golden cross in the Gravesite Plain region. Here, collect the Scadutree Fragment and prepare to explore the expansive Land of Shadow. Your primary objective should be to progress toward Belurat to the northwest, which offers a manageable challenge and leads to one of the key boss battles essential for advancing the main story. From there, you can continue through the main questline, tackling major bosses and uncovering the mysteries surrounding Miquella and the Shadow of the Erdtree itself.
When you reach Scadu Altus, you’ll have a lot of different routes ahead of you. There are a ton of side bosses and optional areas here that you could and should use to power up.
But if you want to immediately follow the Belurat Site of Grace’s direction, head into the giant fortress to the north, Shadow Keep. This dungeon is massive, spanning multiple floors, and culminating in a difficult boss fight.
When you reach the top of the tower, you’ll find the next site of grace with an arrow, which will point you toward Rauh Ruins and the rest of the DLC. Best of luck!
Looking for more Shadow of the Erdtree guides? Check out our guides on new Elden Ring DLC weapons, armor, map fragments, sites of grace, and talismans. We’ve also got location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map, plus boss guides for the Blackgaol Knight, Divine Beast Dancing Lion, Golden Hippopotamus, and Rennalla, Twin Moon Knight.
What’s the crucial first step to conquer Shadow of the Erdtree
The crucial first step to conquer Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is to secure the Gravesite Plain Grace and acquire the Gravesite Plain map fragment. This unlocks your ability to navigate the new area safely and begin exploring key locations like Belurat, Tower Settlement, where you can face the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss, setting the stage for your progression through the DLC’s main story. Additionally, understanding and adapting to the DLC’s new leveling system early on is vital for managing the increased difficulty and enemy scaling unique to this expansion.
Should I start a new character or use a seasoned one for the DLC
Whether to start a new character or use a seasoned one for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree depends on your current progress and playstyle. If you are playing on New Game+ or want a fresh challenge, starting a new character is recommended to fully experience the DLC without being overpowered and to try new builds. However, if you are early in the base game or have completed the main story, you can jump into the DLC with your existing character, especially if you have reached at least level 120 to 150 to have a well-developed build suitable for the expansion’s challenges. Using a seasoned character also means you have access to all your collected gear and resources, which can make the DLC more manageable. Ultimately, starting fresh offers a new experience and role-play opportunity, while continuing with a seasoned character allows you to leverage your progress and equipment.
