With the long-awaited release ofElden Ring:Shadow Of The Erdtree, players are eager to explore this new world and discover what adventure awaits. The DLC offers a plethora of new content, thrilling boss fights, and valuable weapons and items, culminating in 30-40 hours of gameplay, drawing many to dive in immediately.
However, some are unsure how to access this new realm and would prefer to take a few shortcuts to avoid replaying most of the already huge RPG. Although it is located in the mid-late game segment,an optimized route can help you reach the DLC quickly, but you will still need to complete several main narrative quests along the way.
Elden Ring DLC: Main Story Recap Before Shadow Of The Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree picks up where Elden Ring left off. Here’s everything to know about the base game’s story before jumping into the DLC.
How To Start Shadow Of The Erdtree In Elden Ring
Enter Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum
Players must venture through the blood marsh beneath Caelid,whereShadow Of The Erdtreestarts inElden Ring.The DLC becomes available only after defeatingMohg, Lord of Bloodin his ruined palace, and interacting with the cocoon on his throne.This boss fight and area is not accessible immediately, and you cannot simply travel there on foot or even with Torrent’s aid.
While traditional gameplay progression eventually leads to this mid-late game content, it isn’t ideal for those eager to jump into the DLC quickly.Fortunately, a questline can fast-track your way toShadow Of The Erdtree, allowing you to fight Mohg earlier and gain swift access to the new content.
Mohg, Lord of Blood, and Mohg, the Omen, are two separate encounters. Defeating Mohg, the Omen has no bearing on entering the DLC.
The Fastest Route To Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC
Complete Varré’s Questline
The easiest and fastest way to reach theShadow Of The ErdtreeDLC inElden Ringis toproceed with Varré’s questline, whom you meet upon completing the tutorial at the start of the game and enteringLimgrave. He stands just in front of First Steps, the very first Site Of Grace players touch, where you can get acquainted with him.
Defeat Godrick The Grafted
Continue through yourElden Ringgameplay as normal, with your main goal of clearing through Stormveil Castle. You must defeatGodrick the Grafted, or another Shardbearer boss such as Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, or Starscourge Radahn, to progress Varré’s questline and unlock the DLC.
Godrick the Grafted inElden Ringis the earliest and arguably the easiest of these bosses to defeat, so it is recommended to pursue this opponent to get toShadow Of The Erdtreethe fastest.
Meet Varré At The Church Of Roses
Upon doing so, you will gain access to the Roundtable Hold, where you can speak with Two Fingers. From this point,Varré will move to the Church of Roses inLiurnia of the Lakes. This church is located on a small island in the marshland, south of Raya Lucaria Academy.
Head west from the Fallen Ruins of the Lake Site of Grace to easily reach it. When meeting Varré at this location, he will ask players some questions about Two Fingers, in which players must simplyagree that’They didn’t seem right.'
Invade Other Players Or NPCs
Varré will then give you a valuable item used to invade other players, theFestering Bloody Finger, introducingElden Ring’s PvP modeinto your gameplay. He will thentask you with invading three other players, although only participation is required; you do not need to win these battles.
To complete this task offline, you can invade one NPC instead, near the Writheblood Ruins onAltus Plateau. Activate the Summon Sign on the ground to invade Magnus the Beast Claw. It may still be easier to invade other players, as entering Atlus Plateau requires finding two halves of the Dectus Medallion.
Once you have vanquished your respective opponents, you can return to Varré, still situated at the Church of Roses. He will then request to Anoint players as a new servant of Mohg.Accept his blessing to receive a cloth;Lord of Blood’s Favor.
With this new item, Varré sends players on their final task to, ‘Soak the cloth with a maiden’s blood.‘The easiest way to complete this trial is tohead to the Church of Iinhibition, situated north of the Frenzied Flame village, and in the northeast of Liurnia of the Lakes, not far from Varré. Against the pillar on the left, a dead maiden lies, whom you can collect blood from to dye the cloth.
Along the path to the church grounds, you will be invaded byFestering Fingerprint Vyke, whom you must slay before continuing into the church. While this is not too challenging of a fight, players should touch the nearby Site Of Grace as a safety measure.
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Give Varré Your Finger
Upon returning with the blood-stained cloth tocomplete Varré’s questline, you mustgive him one of your fingersas a symbolic and ritualistic gesture. In return, he will reward you with a Pureblood Knight’s Medal.
This is the most important item claimed from Varré, as it will immediatelyteleport you to Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, the final destination of the quest, and the location where players enterShadow Of The Erdtree.
Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood
From your arrival point, ascend the stairway path to the top of the mountain, fighting or bypassing the enemies along the way. Upon clearing through the area and following up the mountain, you willfind an elevator that takes you straight up to a battle arena. After watching a short cut-scene, you mustbeat Mohg, Lord of Blood inElden Ring.
Mohg is a formidable adversary inElden Ring, known for his Bloodboon Ritual in the second phase of the fight. Equip armor and talismans that negate physical, fire, and blood-based damage to increase your chances of success. Additionally, obtainMohg’s Shackle, a tool specifically useful in Mohg’s boss fights, to assist you.
After taking down Mohg, a Site of Grace will appear,allowing you to return to this locationwhenever you want to access the DLC region. At the arena’s rear, you will see theegg with Miquella’s body insideon Mohg’s throne. His withered arm limply hangs out, showcased in the cut scene from when you initially enter the arena.
By touching the withered arm, you will be transported to the Land Of Shadow, and a new map of theElden RingDLC will be set and updated, marking the next step of your journey. you’re able to move in and out of the Land Of Shadow at will afterward.
While this approach gets you to the DLC segment quickly, the content is balanced for a late-game character. Around Level 100 is thelevel you should be forElden Ring:Shadow Of The ErdtreeDLC. Lower-level characters may find it challenging, and the new weapons will likely have high stat requirements.
