Shadow of the Erdtree: How to prepare for the DLC? Elden Ring guide, walkthrough

Shadow of the Erdtree was designed for players who have completed most of the basic version of the game. On this page of the guide we have described how to prepare for your journey through the Land of Shadow.

Last update: 19 June 2024

Access to the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion requires defeating two challenging bosses, which we described on a separate page of the guide. This means that it was designed for experienced players who have either completed their adventure in the Lands Between or are very close to it. On this page of our guide, we described how to effectively prepare for Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring.

• Remember the combat system
• Upgrade your weapons to the maximum level
• Stock up on Larval Tears
• Be at a high level
• Have 60 Vitality
• Fully upgrade your Flasks of Crimson Tears
• Get useful talismans
• Be ready for a bigger challenge in NG
• Defeat two bosses

Remember the combat system

Before starting the expansion, it's worth reviewing the combat system, especially if it's been a long time since you last played Elden Ring - mastering your build again will definitely come in handy. You can fight normal enemies, help other players fight bosses as a summon, or face optional bosses you haven't fought yet.

Upgrade your weapons to the maximum level

Make sure your weapons are fully upgraded - to level 25 for regular weapons and 10 for special weapons. For this you will need smithing stones and the rare ancient dragon smithing stones. If you use ashes, i.e. summons that support you during combat, you should also upgrade them.

Stock up on Larval Tears

While playing through the base game, you should find some larval tears, items that allow you to respec the character - you can use them when talking to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon after defeating her. There are many new weapons in the expansion, so it's worth having a few larval tears with you in case you find a new weapon that you really like, but which you can't use due to the current statistics.

Be at a high level

The expansion was designed for players who have already completed the base game or are close to finishing it. Before starting the expansion, you should be at least level 150 - this is the level at which the playable characters were during the pre-release shows. If you want to quickly increase your character level, you can use one of the many available rune farms, which we have described on a separate page of the guide.

Have 60 Vitality

Vitality is a statistic that affects your health level. The damage dealt by enemies increases dramatically at the end of Elden Ring - you need to have a lot of health, otherwise you will die from just a few hits. Before you start the expansion, make sure you have 60 vitality points - further investment in this statistic significantly reduces the health you gain, but stopping at 60 points will give you a lot of room for maneuver. You can get more stat points by spending runes or the above-mentioned larval tears.

Fully upgrade your Flasks of Crimson Tears

Before you approach the expansion, you should fully upgrade your health and mana restoration flasks - both the number of uses and the effectiveness. For this you need Golden Seeds, found under tiny golden trees scattered around the world, as well as Sacred Tears, found in various churches. The maximum number of flask uses is 14 and its maximum level is 12.

Get useful talismans

Talismans are one of the most important elements of your build in Elden Ring. Before you start the DLC, you should get a full set of them - on a separate page of the guide, we have listed all the legendary talismans that may be useful to you and strengthen your character.

Be ready for a bigger challenge in NG

The most balanced experience is completing the expansion in New Game. If you have already completed Elden Ring and started New Game Plus, all enemies and bosses will be stronger - this also applies to Shadow of the Erdtree. If you can, do the expansion with a character who hasn't started a NG+ yet.

Defeat two bosses

A passage to Shadow of the Erdtree is hidden behind two bosses that you must defeat before the expansion begins - Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Only after defeating these bosses can you reach the area from the expansion. The process is described in more detail on a separate page of the guide.