Shadow of the Erdtree: Where to go first? Elden Ring guide, walkthrough

The open structure of the map in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC can cause choice paralysis in many players. Our suggested walkthrough will tell you which areas of Shadow Land are worth exploring first.

Last update: 03 July 2024

After reaching the Land of Shadow, a location from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the player can quite freely decide where to go. However, if you are not sure what to do first, take a look at the guide page below. Here you will find a number of tips related to the initial exploration of the map, which will certainly make your first few hours with the expansion easier.

• Explore the Gravesite Plain
• Collect Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes
• First stop - Belurat
• Passage in Castle Ensis

Explore the Gravesite Plain

After crossing the portal leading to the Land of Shadow, your character will end up in the open space of the Gravesite Plain. It is a large region where you can move freely. Take advantage of your first moments with the expansion to explore the area on horseback. You can find a lot of interesting places, locations and collectibles here.

It's also a good idea to look for Map Fragments, which will reveal a hidden part of the Land of Shadow. Tips on where to look for each fragment can be found on the dedicated guide page, titled All map fragments.

If you want to practice combat, a duel with the Blackgaol Knight is a good warm-up. He resides in the Western Nameless Mausoleum, near the expansion's starting location. The fight with this mini-boss is not the most difficult battle in the game, but it will certainly allow people who took a long break before the expansion's release to refresh the basics of combat. More information about the fight with this particular boss can be found on the guide page titled How to defeat boss Blackgaol Knight?.

Collect Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes

An important mechanic introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree are new types of collectibles - Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes. These ingredients enable you to unlock and strengthen a special blessing that significantly affects the hero's combat potential in the Land of Shadow. Although collecting them may seem unnecessary at first, later, more difficult DLC bosses will force you to increase your Shadow Realm Blessing. More information about these collectibles can be found on a separate page of our guide, and for the exact locations of all fragments and ashes, see the chapter dedicated to Secrets and Collectibles.

First stop - Belurat

The first large location we recommend you visit is the Belurat castle complex. It is located in the north-western part of the map. You can get there by following the path leading west from the Site of Grace calle Three-Path Cross.

This multi-level location is filled with various enemies, collectibles and secrets. At the end of the tour, you will also come face to face with the first serious boss - the Dancing Lion. Fighting him will test your skills and will be a foretaste of the challenge that awaits you in later sections of Shadow of the Erdtree. For a handful of tips related to this enemy, see the How to defeat boss Divine Beast Dancing Lion? page.

Passage in Castle Ensis

Once you have cleared Belurat, you can head to Ensis Castle to the east. This location is a link between the Graveyard Plain region and the Scadu Altus region.

This location is filled with dangerous soldiers, and Rellana is waiting for you at the very end - a demanding and extremely fast boss who uses two blades. Once you manage to defeat it, another large region will open. More about the main boss of Ensis Castle can be found on the guide page titled How to defeat boss Rellana, Twin Moon Knight?.

The aforementioned Scadu is located in the central part of the map. This will enable you to explore more distant areas of the map much more freely.