Shadow of the Erdtree Guide: Conquer the Realm of Shadow

The Shadow of the Erdtree Guide from CONDUCT.EDU.VN provides a comprehensive roadmap for traversing the challenging Realm of Shadow, ensuring you stay on the main story path while maximizing your character’s potential. This guide offers solutions to navigate the complexities of the DLC, empowering players to delve into the depths of the Erdtree’s shadow with confidence. Leverage this walkthrough for enhanced gameplay, detailed direction, and strategic resource gathering.

1. Understanding the Scope of the Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough

The Realm of Shadow in Elden Ring‘s DLC is significantly larger than Limgrave, making it easy to lose your way. This Shadow of the Erdtree guide focuses on the main story path, skipping side quests and optional bosses to keep you on track. While exploration is encouraged, this guide from CONDUCT.EDU.VN serves as a reliable reference to help you refocus on the primary objective whenever needed. By providing clear, concise directions, this walkthrough allows you to efficiently progress through the DLC, ensuring you don’t miss critical story elements or essential encounters.

2. Key Steps to Completing the Elden Ring DLC

Here’s a brief overview of the main steps to complete the Shadow of the Erdtree story:

Step	Description
Access the DLC	Begin by accessing the DLC, a challenging task in itself.
Navigate Gravesite Plains	Explore the starting area, collecting essential items.
Optional: Belurat, Tower Settlement	Venture into Belurat for story beats and a more natural transition.
Optional: Castle Ensis	Proceed to Castle Ensis to continue the narrative flow.
Shadow Keep	Enter the Shadow Keep and uncover its secrets.
Rauh Ruins	Explore the Rauh Ruins and confront its challenges.
Enir-Ilim	Traverse Enir-Ilim, the final area, leading to the game’s climax.
Defeat the Final Boss (Radahn/Miquella)	Confront and defeat the final boss to complete the main story.
Explore Stone Coffin Fissure	After beating the game, explore the Stone Coffin Fissure for a little more insight into the plot.

Belurat and Castle Ensis are technically optional, but they offer valuable story context and a smoother difficulty curve. CONDUCT.EDU.VN recommends experiencing them for a more complete understanding of the DLC.

3. Starting Your Journey in Shadow of the Erdtree

Upon entering the Realm of Shadow, prepare for an unforgiving environment. Many enemies can quickly defeat you, so caution is paramount. CONDUCT.EDU.VN advises thorough exploration to gather as many Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes as possible, as these significantly enhance your character’s abilities within the DLC.

3.1. Navigating the Gravesite Plains

1. Initial Exploration: Head into the Gravesite Plains, interacting with the site of grace.
2. Map Fragment: Move northeast towards the ruins to find the Gravesite Plains Map Fragment.
3. Three-Path Cross: Ride north to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace.
4. Miquella’s Cross: Discover your first Miquella’s Cross and meet Miquella’s Followers, Redmane Freyja and Hornsent.
5. Map of Clues: Hornsent provides a map indicating the locations of Miquella’s clues.

3.2. Understanding Miquella’s Crosses

Miquella’s Crosses serve as markers, indicating where Miquella has released aspects of himself that bound him to the Golden Order. These clues guide you toward Miquella’s path and are essential for progressing the story. According to lore experts, Miquella’s actions are pivotal to understanding the overarching narrative of the DLC.

3.3. Proceeding from the Main Gate Cross

1. Westward Path: Head west through the giant archway to find the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace.
2. Miquella’s Followers: Encounter Sir Ansbach and Moore near the Miquella’s Cross.
3. Route Choice: Decide whether to proceed through Belurat and Castle Ensis or skip them.

3.4. Belurat and Castle Ensis: Recommended but Optional

While Belurat and Castle Ensis are optional, CONDUCT.EDU.VN strongly recommends experiencing them. These areas provide a better understanding of the DLC’s difficulty, allow you to collect more Scadutree Fragments, and offer deeper insights into the story.

• Skip to Scadu Altus: If you prefer, you can skip these areas and proceed directly to Scadu Altus.
• Better Difficulty Curve: Experiencing the areas ensures you’re not overwhelmed with the difficulty later in the game.

4. How to Skip Belurat, Castle Ensis, and Rellana

If you prefer to bypass Belurat and Castle Ensis, follow these steps to reach Scadu Altus directly:

1. Return to Three-Path Cross: Head back to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace.
2. Northeast Across the Bridge: Proceed northeast across the bridge.
3. Castle Front Site of Grace: Grab the Castle Front Site of Grace.
4. Southeast to Rock Archway: Run southeast to find a large rock archway at the bottom of the hill.

4.1. Utilizing Spiritsprings

1. Follow the Path East: Continue east until you reach a sealed spiritspring.
2. Ghostly Pile of Rocks: Head east to find a ghostly pile of rocks and strike them with a melee attack.
3. Climb the Cliff: Use the two spiritsprings to climb the cliff, sticking to the right to land outside the castle.
4. Moorth Highway, South Site of Grace: Go around the castle to find this Site of Grace.

4.2. Proceeding to Moorth Ruins

1. Rock Formation: Head northeast through the rock formation.
2. Ghostflame Dragon: Bypass the Ghostflame Dragon for now.
3. Moorth Ruins Site of Grace: Run north to find this Site of Grace on the eastern side of the path.
4. Scadu Altus Map Fragment: Follow the path to pick up the Scadu Altus Map Fragment.
5. Furnace Golem: Skip the Furnace Golem.

4.3. Entering Shadow Keep

Enter the Shadow Keep, triggering the “[Somewhere a great rune has broken…]” prompt. This signifies the next phase of your journey. Proceed to the Shadow Keep section of this walkthrough for further guidance.

5. What to Do in Belurat, Tower Settlement (Optional)

For those who choose to explore Belurat, prepare for challenging encounters, including terrifying Spider Scorpions. This section provides a detailed walkthrough of Belurat, ensuring you don’t miss essential items or encounters.

5.1. Initial Ascent

1. Head Up the Stairs: Enter Belurat and immediately encounter a massive Spider Scorpion.
2. Omen Statue: Continue up the stairs to find a golden statue of an omen with two Revered Spirit Ashes.
3. Belurat, Tower Settlement Site of Grace: Proceed up the scorpion-infested stairs to reach this Site of Grace.

5.2. Navigating the Settlement

1. Small Passage: Head northeast through the small passage between buildings.
2. Stairs by Water Fountain: Ascend the stairs by the water fountain.
3. Shadow Undeads: Turn left to find two shadow undeads slinging golden spirals from atop the draped arch.
4. Small Private Altar Site of Grace: Quickly run under the arch and into the doorway on your left to find this Site of Grace.

5.3. Reaching the Stagefront Site of Grace

1. Follow the Path: Continue up the stairs and through the narrow corridor filled with shadow undeads.
2. Ladder: Climb the ladder in the room.
3. Rooftops and Bridges: Traverse rooftops with Gravebirds, a bridge with a dangerous foe, and a spiral staircase with a spinning Curseblade.
4. Stagefront Site of Grace: Reach this Site of Grace.

5.4. Defeating Divine Beast Dancing Lion

1. Boss Arena: Enter the doors to face the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, the first major boss of Shadow of the Erdtree.
2. Scadutree Fragments: Given that this can be a difficult boss fight, COLLECT.EDU.VN recommends collecting Scadutree Fragments to increase your damage output and resilience.

5.5. Post-Boss Exploration

After defeating the Dancing Lion:

1. Ride the Elevator: Use the elevator.
2. Blocked Path: Discover that the path ahead is blocked, necessitating a detour through Castle Ensis.

6. Where to Go After Dancing Lion and Belurat (Optional)

With Belurat completed, return to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace and proceed to Castle Ensis. You can still skip Castle Ensis if you prefer, but this section provides a walkthrough for those who choose to explore it.

6.1. Reaching Castle Ensis Checkpoint

1. Follow the Path: Head along the path until you reach the Castle Ensis Checkpoint Site of Grace.
2. Locked Gate: Encounter a locked gate.

6.2. Gaining Entry

1. Drop Down: Drop into the hole to the south.
2. Climb the Ladder: Ascend the ladder by the waterfall.
3. Elevator: This places you on the other side of the gate; follow the path to an elevator leading to the Castle-Lord’s Chamber Site of Grace.

6.3. Confronting Rellana, Twin Moon Knight

1. Fog Door: At the top of the stairs, find the fog door leading to Rellana, Twin Moon Knight.

6.4. Post-Rellana Exploration

After defeating Rellana:

1. Northern Exit: Exit from the northern side to find the Highroad Cross Site of Grace.
2. Familiar Faces: Encounter a few familiar faces.
3. Path to Shadow Keep: Follow the path north to the Shadow Keep, collecting the map fragment and Scadutree Fragment along the way.

7. Where to Go After Rellana and Castle Ensis

As you approach the Shadow Keep, the game prompts, “[Somewhere a great rune has broken…] and so too has a powerful charm.” For now, focus on reaching the Keep.

7.1. Initial Exploration

1. Elevator: Ride the elevator up to be immediately greeted by a fog door.
2. Golden Hippopotamus: This fog door leads to the Golden Hippopotamus.
3. Gathering Resources: If you find it challenging, consider seeking out the broken great rune and gathering more Scadutree Fragments.

7.2. Navigating the Specimen Storehouse

1. Defeat the Hippopotamus: Proceed through the door on the left.
2. Elevator to Specimen Storehouse: Follow the path until you ride an elevator to the Specimen Storehouse.
3. Second Floor: Head up to the second floor.
4. Omen Statue Jump: Find a large omen statue with its feet beside the railing. Jump from its head to the fourth floor to find the Storehouse, Fourth Floor Site of Grace.

7.3. Activating the Lever

1. Seventh Floor: Ascend to the seventh floor, where you’ll find the Storehouse, Seventh Floor Site of Grace.
2. Sixth Floor Lever: Drop down to the sixth floor and activate the lever along the southern wall to move the statues in the center.

7.4. Confronting Messmer the Impaler

1. Statue Hop: Hop along the statues to the next floor.
2. Fire Knight: Progress along the path to find a Fire Knight guarding a large black door.
3. Messmer the Impaler: This door leads to Messmer the Impaler.

8. Where Do You Go After Messmer and Shadow Keep

With Messmer defeated and Messmer’s Kindling acquired, return to the Storehouse, First Floor Site of Grace.

8.1. Reaching Rauh Ruins

1. Elevator Down: Enter the room to the northwest and ride the elevator down.
2. Bridge with Raining Fire: Progress through the castle and cross the bridge with raining fire to reach the Rauh Ruins.

8.2. Exploring the Ruins

1. Enter the Ruins: Hop onto Torrent and follow the path to the right to enter the ruins.
2. Undeads and Scorpions: Navigate rooms filled with shadow undeads, Spider Scorpions, and snails.
3. Spiritspring: Reach a spiritspring leading to a lower floor.

8.3. Key Sites of Grace

1. Rauh Ancient Ruins, East Site of Grace: Head northwest and follow the path until you find this Site of Grace.
2. Rauh Ancient Ruins, West Site of Grace: Cross the broken bridge and go under the hidden rock archway to the south to unlock this Site of Grace.

8.4. Church of the Bud

1. Elevator and Ruins: Head southwest to find an entrance to more ruins and stick to the left to find an elevator.
2. Scarlet Rot: Ride the elevator up and go northwest through the gazebo to find another ruin site filled with scarlet rot.
3. Romina, Saint of the Bud: Head up the ramp to reach the Church of the Bud, where you’ll face Romina, Saint of the Bud.

8.5. Burning the Sealing Tree

After defeating Romina, you’re ready to burn the sealing tree, which automatically transports you to Enir-Ilim.

9. Where Do You Go After Romina and Rauh Ruins

After burning the sealing tree, you are automatically transported to Enir-Ilim. This final area of the DLC offers a mostly linear path to the final boss.

9.1. Exploring Enir-Ilim

1. Linear Progression: Enir-Ilim features a mostly linear path that leads directly to the next boss.
2. Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes: Explore branching paths to collect these essential items, as this is the final area.

9.2. Confronting Leda and Allies

1. Circular Room: Progress until you reach a large circular room where Leda confronts you for opposing Miquella.
2. Defeat Leda and Allies: Defeat Leda and her allies, which may vary based on your interactions with Miquella’s followers.

9.3. The Final Boss: Radahn/Miquella

1. Fog Door: Proceed to find the fog door leading to the final boss—Radahn and Miquella.
2. Maximize Scadutree Blessing: Before engaging, maximize your Scadutree Blessing.

10. What to Do After the Final Boss in Shadow of the Erdtree

After defeating the final boss and watching Miquella’s memory, the main story is complete. Explore the Stone Coffin Fissure for additional plot insights.

10.1. Post-Game Exploration

1. Check Out The Stone Coffin Fissure: For additional information about the plot, you should check out this area.
2. No End Credits: Note that there are no end credits for the DLC, allowing you to freely explore the Realm of Shadow.
3. Limited Quests: With Miquella’s followers defeated, quest options are limited, but you can still explore and discover new areas.

FAQ: Mastering the Shadow of the Erdtree

Here are some frequently asked questions to further assist you in navigating the Shadow of the Erdtree:

1. How do I access the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC?
   Accessing the DLC requires specific steps, including defeating certain bosses in the base game. Consult CONDUCT.EDU.VN for detailed instructions.
2. What are Scadutree Fragments and why are they important?
   Scadutree Fragments are essential items that significantly boost your character’s damage output and resilience within the DLC.
3. Should I skip Belurat and Castle Ensis?
   While optional, experiencing Belurat and Castle Ensis is highly recommended for a smoother difficulty curve and deeper story understanding.
4. How do I respec my character in Shadow of the Erdtree?
   Respeccing your character involves finding specific items and NPCs. Check CONDUCT.EDU.VN for a comprehensive guide.
5. What is the ideal level for starting Shadow of the Erdtree?
   The ideal level for starting the DLC is around 150, with fully upgraded weapons.
6. Where can I find the map fragments for the new areas?
   Map fragments are located in key areas within each new region. Refer to the detailed walkthroughs on CONDUCT.EDU.VN for specific locations.
7. What are the best weapons and armor for Shadow of the Erdtree?
   The best equipment depends on your playstyle, but CONDUCT.EDU.VN offers recommendations based on different builds and strategies.
8. How do I defeat the Divine Beast Dancing Lion?
   The Divine Beast Dancing Lion is a challenging boss, requiring specific strategies and knowledge of its attack patterns. Consult CONDUCT.EDU.VN for a detailed boss guide.
9. Are there any new game mechanics in Shadow of the Erdtree?
   Yes, the DLC introduces new game mechanics, including the Scadutree Blessing system. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for success.
10. What should I do after completing the main story of Shadow of the Erdtree?
    After completing the main story, explore the Stone Coffin Fissure for additional plot insights and discover any remaining hidden areas.

For more in-depth guides, tips, and resources, visit CONDUCT.EDU.VN. Our comprehensive coverage of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is designed to help you conquer the Realm of Shadow and uncover its secrets.

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