Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough for the Main Story

In Shadow of the Erdtree, players are invited to explore a sprawling new area filled with dangers, mysterious lore, and powerful bosses. This walkthrough will guide you through the main story progression, helping you avoid distractions and stay on the right track. Whether you're tackling this DLC alone or after completing the base game, here's everything you need to know to complete the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Getting Started in Shadow of the Erdtree

Before you begin your journey in the new DLC area, make sure you've accessed Shadow of the Eritrea. Upon entering the Realm of Shadow, you'll quickly realize how unforgiving it can be. The enemies here are aggressive and deal significant damage, so be prepared for intense battles and cautious exploration.

First Steps:

Gravesite Plains: The starting area features vast tombstones and distant castles. Approach the first Site of Grace and interact with it.

Find the Gravesite Plains Map Fragment: Ride Torrent north, cross the ruins, and locate the map fragment for this area.

Three-Path Cross Site of Grace: Head northeast towards this site where you'll meet your first Miquella's Cross. Along with the cross, you'll encounter two of Miquella's Followers: Redmane Freyja and Hornsent.

Miquella's Crosses are markers that hint at Miquella's movements and can guide you through the story.

Main Gate Cross Site of Grace: Go west through a massive archway to reach another Miquella's Cross site. Here, you'll meet Sir Ansbach and Moore, two more of Miquella's Followers.

Optional Path: Belurat and Castle Ensis

While not necessary to complete the DLC, exploring Belurat and Castle Ensis adds depth to your experience. These areas introduce tough enemies, hidden lore, and important items like Scadutree Fragments.

How to Enter Belurat:

Up the Stairs from the Main Gate Cross: After discovering the Main Gate Cross, climb the stairs and proceed toward Belurat.

Spider Scorpions: Be warned, the area is swarming with massive Spider Scorpions. Defeat these terrifying enemies to continue.

Golden Statue of an Omen: At the top of the stairs, you'll encounter a golden statue, which houses two Revered Spirit Ashes.

Proceeding through Belurat to the Tower Settlement:

Continue up the scorpion-infested stairs to the Belurat, Tower Settlement Site of Grace at the top. This area is brimming with danger but offers useful progression rewards.

Once you've completed this part of the journey, you can choose to continue with the DLC's main path, bypassing these areas or opting to explore them in greater depth.

How to Skip Belurat and Castle Ensis

If you prefer to avoid Belurat and Castle Ensis, you can skip these areas entirely. Here's how:

Return to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace: Head back to the Three-Path Cross and cross the bridge to the Castle Front Site of Grace.

Continue East: Head southeast to find a massive rock archway at the bottom of the hill. Follow the path eastward until you reach a sealed spiritspring.

Use Spiritsprings to Ascend: You'll need to interact with the ghostly rocks to proceed. Use the spirit springs to climb up the cliff to a higher point.

Skip Enemies: Run past enemies like the Ghostflame Dragon and Furnace Golem, which are optional for now.

After bypassing these enemies, you'll make your way to the Shadow Keep.

Reaching the Shadow Keep and Beyond

Once you've reached the Shadow Keep, you will be prompted with a message about great Elden Ring runes breaking. Continue to progress, focusing on the main objectives and the story.

The Main Path of the DLC

Now that you're on the correct path, here are the steps to continue the main questline through Shadow of the Erdtree:

Shadow Keep Boss Fight: Defeat the boss guarding the Shadow Keep. The difficulty will ramp up, so make sure you're well-prepared.

Burn the Sealing Tree in the Rauh Ruins: In this next area, your goal is to destroy the sealing tree. This action is crucial to advancing the story and unlocking more of the DLC's lore.

Face Miquella's Followers in Enir-Ilim: This area brings you face-to-face with Miquella's devoted followers. The battle here will be challenging, but it is necessary to progress further into the story.

Final Boss Fight: The final encounter in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will test your skills and patience. Defeat the final boss to conclude the main story of the expansion.

Key Tips for Navigating the DLC:

Miquella's Crosses: Always keep an eye out for these markers, as they guide you through the key locations tied to Miquella's journey and the overall lore of the DLC.

Enemies are Tough: Be cautious, as enemies in the Realm of Shadow are brutal. Utilize stealth where possible and pick your battles carefully.

Revered Spirit Ashes: Collect as many of these as you can. They can be used to summon powerful allies, which will greatly aid you in battle.

Take Your Time: While the main story is important, don't be afraid to explore. The DLC is packed with hidden lore, Elden Ring items, and optional challenges that will enhance your experience.

Conclusion

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC offers a thrilling new chapter in the Elden Ring saga. Whether you choose to explore optional areas like Belurat and Castle Ensis or head straight for the Shadow Keep, the DLC delivers exciting new content that complements the base game. Use this guide to navigate the main storyline, defeat powerful foes, and uncover the secrets of the Realm of Shadow.

Good luck, and may the Erdtree's shadow guide you on your journey!