How To Access Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Elden Ring is staying true to the FromSoftware tradition of twisted ways to start DLCs. If you’re new to the Souls franchise and would like to get a peek at Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you will need to go through some hoops. I’m here to help you jump through those hoops, and it goes without saying that this will be much easier if you have a character that has slain all the bosses. If not, don’t worry; here’s a shortcut.

There are a couple of hard requirements you need to fulfill before you can access Shadow of the Erdtree and its own area. You can’t just stumble upon it as a newbie. Shadow of the Erdtree‘s map is a separate region.

How To Start Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Fast & Easy

Follow these instructions to get there.

1. Defeat Starscourge Radahn in Caelid. It’s not clear why this is needed, but presumably, this event might be important for the story.
2. Talk to White Mask Varre and progress his questline (here’s our guide for the Varre questline) to unlock Mohgwyn Palace early.
3. Once you’ve unlocked Mohgwyn Palace, proceed through the area until you reach the final boss, Mohg, Lord of Blood. Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood.
4. After you defeat Mohg, there should be a giant cocoon with a pallid, emaciated arm hanging out of it. Touch this arm.
5. You’ll then be transported to the Shadow of the Erdtree area.

That pallid arm would be none other than Miquella’s, and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is going to focus on him and his backstory.

The thing, Shadow of the Erdtree and starting it is not going to be a walk in the park. Mohgwyn Palace is notably a late-game area; meanwhile, Starscourge Radahn is a mid-game boss. So you’re going to need to prepare hard unless you don’t mind the extra difficulty of going in weaker and under-leveled.

Best Ways to Prepare for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

With both Mohg and Radahn being two of the hardest Elden Ring bosses, here’s how to prepare for both of them and their respective areas, which are also death traps. Preparing for these two bosses also means you’ll be ready for whatever challenges await in the Shadow of the Erdtree.

Make sure your character has:

• 50+ Vigor
• 40+ main damage stat (Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence/Faith/Arcane depending on your weapon of choice)
• Medium Equip Load (either by boosting Endurance or wearing lighter armor)
• 8+ Crimson Flasks
• Properly upgraded weapons (+15 or above for Smithing Stone weapons, +6 or above for Somber Smithing Stone weapons)

You can likely stall your progress in Shadow of the Erdtree to go back to the base game, of course. Just teleport back to it whenever you’re ready.

Elden Ring and its DLC Shadow of the Erdtree is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.