Shadow Realm
The Lands of Shadow can be a dark place indeed... unless you have this Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough!
Guide by James Billcliffe Guides Editor
Additional contributions byKelsey Raynor
Updated on
Update: We've streamlined this page so that it's easier to find the help you're looking for, and have added more guides to help you out with navigating, and completing, Shadow of the Erdtree.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is an amazing expansion and one of the best DLCs of all time. However, just like the base game, its dense world map is packed with secrets and side paths, while its quests are full of subtle triggers and difficult decisions.
This Shadow of the Erdtree DLC walkthrough covers all of the bases to guide you through the Shadow Realm, while keeping spoilers to a minimum so you can preserve the best moments of this special experience and keep them for yourself.
If you just want an even lighter touch guide on how to progress, we also have a page on where to go first in Shadow of the Erdtree which just covers the early game. Or if you’re more focussed on the massive enemies you get to face, rather than Shadow of the Erdtree’s enigmatic storyline, we also have a page dedicated to Shadow of the Erdtree’s boss order.
- Speak with Needle Knight Leda at the Cocoon of the Empyrean Site of Grace and start the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Explore the Gravesite Plain, ride past the Furnace Golem, then rest at the Three-paths Cross of Miquella and speak to Redmane Freyja and the Hornsent
- Go west to the Main Gate Cross of Miquella and speak with Ansbach and Moore
- Complete Belurat, Tower Settlement and defeat the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, then speak to the Hornsent Grandam here using the Storeroom Key
- Cross Ellac Great Bridge, speak to Thiollier (at the Pillar Path Cross of Miquella) and complete Castle Ensis, defeating Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
- Go back to the front of Castle Ensis and head east to Dragon's Pit, then start Igon's quest and visit the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion, as well as Hidden Charo's Grave
- Speak with Needle Knight Leda and the Hornsent at the Highroad Cross of Miquella in Scadu Altus
- Speak with Dryleaf Dane at Moorth Ruins (east of Highroad Cross) to unlock the Dryleaf Arts
- Investigate the main plaza of Shadow Keep, riding the coffin in the basem*nt to the Abyssal Woods
- Complete Midra’s Manse before returning to Scadu Altus and explore the Rauh Base to get the top left map fragment
- Travel through Moorth Ruins in the east of Scadu Altus, through Bonny Village, to start Count Ymir’s quest at the Cathedral, then make your way through the Church District of Shadow Keep
- Explore the Specimen Storehouse, opening routes to the Hinterlands via the O, Mother statue and Ancient Ruins of Rauh via the West Rampart
- Defeat Messmer the Impaler at the top of Shadow Keep, as well as the two other bosses attached to this area
- Visit the Finger Ruins in the Hinterlands and Cerulean Coast to complete Count Ymir's quest
- Visit The Fissure in the Cerulean Coast to complete Thiollier's quest, and round off Igon's quest if you haven't already
- Explore the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, burn the Sealing Tree and enter the end-game
Shadow of the Erdtree guides
Systems and tips:
- What level should you be when you start the DLC
- Where to go first
- Where to find all map fragments
- How to use Shadow Realm Blessings
- How do you read NPC notes, maps and missives in Shadow of the Erdtree?
- How to duplicate Remembrances
Item locations:
- Scadutree Fragment locations
- Where to find the east map fragment
- Where to find the south map fragment
- Where to find the top left map fragment
Quests:
- Fire Knight Queelign Quest guide
- Swordhand of Night, Jolan Quest guide
- Count Ymir quest guide
- Igon quest guide
- Redmane Freyja quest guide
- Sir Ansbach quest guide
- Needle Knight Leda quest guide
- Hornsent quest guide
- Thiollier's quest guide
- Where to find Thiollier after he moves
- Moore quest guide
- Hornsent Grandam quest guide
- How to talk to Dryleaf Dane
- Followers of Miquella Quest guide
- How to climb Rabbath's Rise
- What to do with the Iris of Grace
- What to do with the Iris of Occultation
- What do you do with Scorpion Stew?
- Where to use the Well Depths key
- Where to use the Prayer Room key
- Where to use the Storeroom Key
Bosses and mini-bosses:
- Boss order guide: Optional and required bosses
- How to beat Divine Beast Dancing Lion
- How to beat Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
- How to skip Rellana and get to Scadu Altus early
- How to easily beat Commander Gaius
- How to beat Bayle the Dread
- How to beat Furnace Golems/Wicker Men
- Where to get Wolverine's Claws from Logur, Beast Claw
- What is the recommended level for Shadow of the Erdtree?
Dungeons:
- Belurat Tower Settlement walkthrough
- Castle Ensis walkthrough
- Specimen Storehouse walkthrough
World locations:
- Should you use the Teleporter in Scadu Altus?
- How to reach the island south of the Cerulean Coast
- How to get to the Hinterlands
- How to unseal the Fissure
- How to access Rabbath's Rise
For more on Shadow of the Erdtree and to help you be as prepared as possible for the DLC, here's where to find Smithing Stones Bell Bearings, Glovewort Bell Bearings, and Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones in the base game.
