What to do first in Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree
Here are 7 tips to help you at the start of Shadow Of The Erdtree
Trying to figure out what to do first in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree? Shadow Of The Erdtree is one of - if not the - largest FromSoftware DLC we've ever had. It features an entire new map to explore, populated with 10 new Remembrance Bosses, along with many more mini-bosses, legacy dungeons, weapons, armor and more.
If you're struggling to know where to start or which region to explore first, we have a full list of top tips to help guide you below. We also have a guide to the fastest way to access the DLC if you have yet to beat the imposing Mohg in your playthrough.
In this guide:- Learn the new leveling system
- Grab map fragments
- Tackle enemies in the Gravesite Plain
- Acquire new weapons and weapon types
- Steer clear of Furnace Golems, for now
- Head to Belurat, Tower Settlement
- Get stuck into the NPC questlines
Learn the new leveling system
Shadow Of The Erdtree utilises a new leveling up system to ensure that the DLC is challenging for returning players. We recommend that you start the DLC between levels 120-150, but even if you hold back until level 170 or so, you'll still have a tricky time until you collect Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes to level up your Tarnished. In short, Scadutree Fragments increase your Tarnished's attack power and damage negation, and can be found via our Scadutree Fragment locations guide. Revered Spirit Ashes boost the attack power and damage negation of your Spirit Ashes and Torrent, and are scattered across the Land of Shadow.
Grab Map Fragments
There are a total of 5 Map Fragments in the Land of Shadow that'll uncover the fog on your map and make it much easier to chart your progress. You can find the first not far from your starting area in the Gravesite Plain; simply head directly east of your spawn point. The other pieces of the world map are more out-of-the-way, so check out our Map Fragment locations guide to get your bearings.
Tackle enemies in the Gravesite Plain
Remember how you spent a good several hours in Limgrave, the starting region in Elden Ring's base game? While the Gravesite Plain is smaller, you're still going to want to take things slow in this starting area, as there are plenty of worthy foes amongst those fields of eerie tombstones. Our Shadow Of The Erdtree boss locations guide shows several accessible bosses within your starting vicinity, from the relatively easy Logur The Beast Claw to the surprisingly tough Blackgaol Knight. The Blackgaol Knight is an especially great boss to test your might against if your Elden Ring skills are rusty. If he keeps beating you, go and collect some of those Scadutree Fragments and try again.
Acquire new weapons and weapon types
8 new Weapon types await you in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree, and several of the finest weapons can be found at the very start of the game. If you're a Katana user, seek out the Great Katana, which is located in the northern Gravesite Plain not far from a Ghostflame Dragon boss. The Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana, an even more powerful variant of this blade, is accessible in the Dragon's Pit mini-dungeon. Milady and the Backhand Blade, two of the best weapons in Shadow Of The Erdtree, can be found in the Smouldering Ruins of the Gravesite Plain and in Castle Ensis. And if you prefer more unorthodox weapons of war, you can obtain Perfume Bottles in the camps outside of Castle Ensis. There are a whopping 103 new weapons with this DLC, we have a full list of all new weapons with their locations listed if you need some inspiration for your playthrough build.
Steer clear of Furnace Golems, for now
You'll notice a lumbering Furnace Golem in the distance immediately upon entering the Shadow Realm, and you might be itching to run up and test your luck. But it's best to hold off from tackling these behemoths at first, as they're resistant to all forms of damage unless you manage to chip away at their legs or their faceplates. Unless you really enjoy a test of patience, come back to Furnace Golems once you progress further in the DLC and obtain Hefty Furnace Pots (the recipe of which is obtained by picking up the Greater Potentate's Cookbook [2] from within the Run-Down Traveler's Rest cabin in the Gravesite Plain). You can chuck these chonky explosives into the flaming braziers of Furnace Golems from an elevated position, knocking their health bars down to size rapidly. For more on locating and fighting these giants, see our guide to all Furnace Golem locations in Shadow Of The Erdtree.
Head to Belurat, Tower Settlement
Belurat, Tower Settlement is the first legacy dungeon you'll likely encounter in Shadow Of The Erdtree and contains the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, the first boss we recommend you face. Located to the northeast within the Gravesite Plain, this is a great location to get your bearings and really delve into the main story of the DLC. You'll receive additional instruction upon defeating this area's boss which will take you to the next major region - Scadu Alus (accessible either by completing the Castle Ensis legacy dungeon or travelling to the southeast of the Castle Front Site of Grace and taking the Spiritsprings up from below the Fort Of Reprimand). You'll also encounter a few of the DLC's new NPCs on the way, which brings us nicely to our next tip.
Get stuck into the NPC questlines
Don't forget about the NPCs in Shadow Of The Erdtree. Like the base Elden Ring game, the denizens of the Land Of Shadow have complex and sometimes inter-woven quests that require some attention if you don't want to miss out on additional weapons, armor, Talismans and more. We have a large hub guide of all NPC quests which includes the recommended order to complete them as well as all NPC locations to help you if you're worried about missing any on your journeys. There are two major 'points of no return' to familiarise yourself with, otherwise, you should be somewhat free to experience these quests at your leisure.
The 'points of no return' are the following. When you break Miquella's charm some of the NPCs will move location and their quests will progress to the next steps. When you burn the Sealing Tree at the Church of the Bud after defeating Messmer and Romina, many NPCs will disappear off the map. So, make sure you have wrapped up their questlines before doing so.
Hopefully these tips have helped make your first few hours in the Shadow Realm an easier experience. For more Elden Ring tips and tricks, check out our guide to the best early weapons in Shadow Of The Erdtree to get you started. Or, if you're further along in the DLC, see our best weapons guide that goes through the best of the bunch. If you need help with the DLC's quests, we've also got guides on the Leda, Ymir, Thiollier and Moore questlines.