Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: Tips & Tricks (DLC Beginner Guide)

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is finally here and we get it if you want to jump in on the fun immediately, but be careful and take your time! As you prepare to dive into the highly anticipated Elden Ring DLC, it’s important to equip yourself with the right strategies and items. The challenges and enemies you will encounter in this DLC are significantly tougher than those in the base game. To help you gear up for SotE, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks, to ensure you’re ready for what lies ahead.

Reach Level 150

This one is quite obvious, but you shouldn't go into the DLC without having a solid build and some levels behind your back. This is extremely important as you might face a lot of enemies and challenges in Shadow of the Erdtree unprepared. All fights ahead will be significantly more difficult than those in the base Elden Ring game.

Try the New Weapons

Trying out the new weapons included in SotE is a must! There are new weapon types included, which is amazing. Here are some beginner-friendly weapons you can get easily to try out the new varieties:

• Backhand Blade: Located near the first site of Grace.
• Smithscript Dagger: Found in the Ruined Forge Lava Intake.
• Great Katana: Located in a lake near the first Grace, guarded by a dragon.
• Milady: Inside a chest on top of the watchtower of Castle Ensis.
• Swift Spear: East of Castle Ensis, lying on a corpse.
• Fire Spark Perfume Bottle: Found in camps in front of Castle Ensis.
• Bone Bow: Located in the massive tower in Belurat Settlement, guarded by two Spider-Scorpions.

Scadutree Fragments & Revered Spirit Ashes

Collect Scadutree Fragments to boost your Scadutree Blessing. This will augment your abilities and damage in the Elden Ring DLC. Revered Spirit Ashes do a similar thing, blessing both summoned spirits and the spectral steed's abilities to deal and negate more damage.

Here are the Scadutree Fragments you can get early on:

• #1 & #2 Church of Consolation: Two fragments can be found here, at the Altar.

• #3 Main Gate Cross Site of Grace: One fragment can be found here, beside Miquella's Cross, near Sir Ansbach and Moore.

• #4 Three-Path Cross Site of Grace: One fragment is located nearby, beside the cross at Miquella's Cross.

• #5 Shadow Enemy with a pothead: One fragment is hidden in a graveyard west of Prospect Town.

• #6 & #7 Castle Ensis: Two fragments are available before encountering any bosses.

• #8 Belurat Tower Settlement: One fragment before the boss fight. Head to the large room on the northwest side with the two Spider-Scorpions inside. Jump over the rubble on the right side, before the doorway to this room. There will be another doorway behind the rubble. Follow the path to a small room, where you will find the fragment.

• #9 Scaduview Cross Site of Grace: One fragment is found in this area.

• 10 Pillar Patch Cross Site of Grace: One fragment can be located here.

Here are the Revered Spirit Ashes you can get early on:

• #1 East of Scorched Runes: One ash can be found west of the Church of Consolation.

• #2 Northeast of Prospect Town: One ash is located in a pond. It's at an altar to the east of the Cliffroad Terminus Site of Grace.

• #3 Abandoned Ailing Village Altar: One ash is available here.

• #4 & #5 Belurat Tower Settlement: Two ashes can be found within the settlement.

• #6 & #7 Spider-Scorpions: Two revered ashes can be looted from the middle of the room infested by spider-scorpions. 

Talk to NPCs and Explore

Elden Ring is not the type of game you can rush through. Take your time talking to NPCs in all locations you enter. Explore the map, and check every little nook and cranny. Lots of good items are hidden and aren't in plain sight. Engaging with NPCs thoroughly can provide valuable information, quests, and items that are crucial for your journey. Remember, the world of Elden Ring is rich with secrets and hidden treasures that reward thorough exploration. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Talk to Every NPC: NPCs often provide hints, lore, and quests. Speak to them multiple times, as their dialogue can change after significant events.
• Read Notes: Pay attention to notes found throughout the game. They can offer clues about enemy weaknesses, hidden paths, or valuable items.
• Revisit Locations: After major events, revisit areas and NPCs. Quests may advance, or new dialogue options may become available.
• Check Every Corner: Items are often hidden in less obvious places. Look behind structures, inside ruins, and in hard-to-reach areas.
• Watch for Hidden Paths: Subtle visual cues like slight disruptions on walls or floors can indicate hidden paths or items.

Keeping all of this in mind, you'll have a great time in Elden Ring SotE! Enjoy and have fun!