Where to go First in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree? What to do First in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?

Where to go First in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?

When you first begin the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, the vast and open world might seem confusing. Just like when you first stepped into Limgrave in the base game, you’ll see many possible paths. To help you get started, here’s a simple guide on where to go first.

Get the Gravesite Plain Map Fragment

After touching the Withered Arm in Mohgwyn Palace, you’ll enter the Realm of Shadow. Here, you’ll find the Gravesite Plain site of grace, which is located just outside the rocky chasm where you start. The first thing you should do is reveal the map of the area. The Gravesite Plain map fragment is found up the road from the site of grace, near the Scorched Ruins. Be careful to avoid the Furnace Golem as you head to the center of the plain to find the map fragment.

Meet Hornsent and Freyja

From the Gravesite Plain site of grace, head northwest to reach the Three-Path Cross site of grace. Here, you’ll meet two important NPCs: Hornsent and Freyja. Talk to them to start their questlines. Freyja can be summoned outside the final boss chamber of a nearby Legacy Dungeon. Meeting these NPCs early will help you understand more about the world and the quests you’ll need to complete.

Collect Scadutree Fragments and New Weapons

Before diving into the difficult Legacy Dungeons, take some time to explore the plain. Look for Scadutree Fragments and new weapons that will make your character stronger. The Scadutree Blessing system helps you gain meaningful progression even if you are an endgame player. Two Scadutree Fragments can be found in the Church of Consolation, which is south of the Scorched Ruins. Exploring and collecting these items will make you better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Choose Your First Legacy Dungeon: Belurat or Castle Ensis

Once you feel confident with your character’s new build and power level, it’s time to choose your first Legacy Dungeon. From the Three-Path Cross site of grace, you can either go west to Belurat, Tower Settlement, or east to Castle Ensis. Belurat is slightly easier and is great for those interested in Incantations and fighting the Lion Dancer boss. Castle Ensis offers Sorceries and a battle against Rennala’s sister, Rellana. Choose the path that suits your playstyle and interests the best.

What to do First in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?

In the initial stages of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, it's essential to prioritize certain actions to ease your transition into this challenging new environment.

Reveal the Map:

As soon as you enter the Shadow of the Erdtree, your first task should be to uncover the map fragment for Gravesite Plain. This can be achieved by interacting with a pillar located south of the Scorched Ruins, which is easily identifiable by its towering flames.

Understand Scadutree Blessings:

Familiarize yourself with the Scadutree Blessing system early on. Head towards the western castle and find Miquella’s Cross. Rest at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace to learn about this unique progression system, which enhances your character's abilities within the DLC areas.

Engage Optional Bosses:

Before getting into major challenges, consider facing optional bosses like Logur, the Furnace Golem, and the Ghostflame Dragon. These battles not only prepare you for tougher encounters but also yield valuable rewards and upgrades.

Explore Belurat:

Venture into Belurat, the first legacy dungeon, and confront the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, the inaugural DLC boss. Navigating through Belurat guides you towards the central storyline of the DLC and helps you acclimate to its mechanics.

Scour Gravesite Plain:

Take time to thoroughly explore Gravesite Plain. Seek out hidden treasures, discover unique weapons and armor sets, and tackle optional dungeons like Belurat Gaol for additional challenges and rewards.

Conquer Castle Ensis:

After exploring Gravesite Plain, get into Castle Ensis, another significant area within the Shadow Realm. Overcome its challenges and gather further resources to strengthen your character.

Progress the Story:

As you become more accustomed to the DLC's dynamics, follow the storyline progression indicated by the Belurat Site of Grace.

Tips for Mastering Shadow of the Erdtree in Elden Ring

Mastering Shadow of the Erdtree in Elden Ring requires strategic gameplay and careful exploration. Here are some tips to help you navigate and excel in this challenging DLC.

Engage with NPCs:

Interacting with NPCs is crucial for understanding the storyline and obtaining valuable items or information. Talk to every NPC you encounter, as they may provide hints, quests, or useful items to aid your journey.

Follow the Story Path:

Shadow of the Erdtree has a structured story progression marked by Miquella’s Crosses. These crosses guide you through the main narrative and significant side areas related to the story. Following this path can help you stay on track with the storyline.

Use Cross Maps:

As you progress, you'll receive Cross Maps that show the locations of crosses you haven't reached yet. Referencing these maps alongside your in-game map can assist you in planning your route and discovering new areas.

Manage Inventory Efficiently:

Enable the "new items" tab in your inventory settings to easily access and manage newly acquired items. Organizing your inventory helps in keeping track of important items, weapons, and consumables.

Focus on Scadutree Fragments:

Scadutree Fragments are essential for enhancing your character's strength and defense. Collect these fragments whenever possible and use them strategically at Sites of Grace to boost your combat capabilities.

Explore Thoroughly:

Shadow of the Erdtree is rich in hidden areas, items, and secrets. Take time to explore every nook and cranny, as you may discover powerful weapons, armor sets, and shortcuts that can aid your progression.

Prepare for Boss Battles:

Prioritize preparation before facing challenging bosses. Gather Scadutree Fragments, upgrade your weapons and armor, and stock up on healing items. Understanding boss mechanics and patterns is key to overcoming tough encounters.

Learn Enemy Patterns:

Pay attention to enemy attack patterns and behaviors. Learning how different enemies move and attack can help you anticipate their actions and formulate effective strategies for combat.

Adapt and Experiment:

Shadow of the Erdtree introduces new challenges and enemies. Be ready to adapt your playstyle and experiment with different weapons, spells, and tactics to find what works best for each situation.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion for the popular game Elden Ring. It was announced in February 2023 and released on June 21, 2024. The expansion introduces new content, such as new areas to explore, eight new weapon categories, upgrades, mechanics, quests, storylines, bosses, NPCs, enemy types, and combat mechanics.

Players can experience this new content on platforms like PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, with physical retail versions available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. In Shadow of the Erdtree, a journey filled with challenges and discoveries. They can navigate through the interactive map to find weapons, Sites of Grace, Scadutree Fragments, Revered Spirit Ashes, NPCs, armor sets, and more.