The wait is finally over, Tarnished. Two years after Elden Ring took the world by storm, selling over 25 million copies and cementing itself as a cultural phenomenon, FromSoftware has pulled us back into its brutal, beautiful world. The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, isn’t just a minor addition; it’s a colossal new chapter poised to deliver the same sense of wonder, dread, and terror we felt when we first stepped into Limgrave. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the most anticipated expansion of the year, from its lore to its most formidable challenges.
The Realm of Shadow beckons, promising an adventure of unprecedented scale and an untold story hidden by the Erdtree itself. Understanding the crucial details of this expansion, from its mechanics to its history, is the only way to survive the trials ahead and prove yourself worthy once more.
When Can You Play? The Elden Ring DLC Release Date
The call of grace beckons once more, but this time, it leads us to a new land. FromSoftware has set a firm global release date for the expansion, ensuring players worldwide can journey into the Land of Shadow simultaneously. The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, launched on June 21, 2024, for consoles and PC. This single launch date applies to all regions and platforms, though the exact time varies based on your location and platform (console vs. PC).
The expansion is available on all the same platforms as the base game, including:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PC (via Steam)
Your progress from the base game is essential to accessing the new content, as it is seamlessly integrated into the existing world, so you will be playing the DLC on the same platform where you’ve already defeated some of the Lands Between’s mightiest demigods.
The Story and Lore of Shadow of the Erdtree
While the base game focused on the Tarnished’s quest to become Elden Lord, the Elden Ring DLC takes a fascinating narrative detour, focusing on one of the most enigmatic figures in the lore: Miquella the Unalloyed.
Following Miquella’s Footsteps
The entire premise of the expansion is to follow the path of Miquella, who has seemingly divested himself of his flesh, his strength, and his Great Rune to travel to the Land of Shadow. We, the players, are guided by Leda, one of Miquella’s followers, to uncover why he has abandoned everything for this cursed land. As you progress, you will peel back the layers of a forgotten past, a narrative that intertwines with the ancient history of Marika herself. The story of the Elden Ring DLC promises to answer long-standing questions while posing a few new, equally compelling ones.
The Land of Shadow
This expansion doesn’t just add to the existing map; it introduces an entirely new, separate one called the Land of Shadow. While initially compared to the size of Limgrave, early player exploration confirmed that its true size is far more substantial, featuring an incredible verticality that makes it feel much larger. It is a dense, multi-layered land obscured from the world by the Erdtree, a place purged in an unsung war where the goddess Marika first set foot. Expect entirely new legacy dungeons, sprawling, interconnected fields, and a variety of unique biomes from treacherous swamps to ancient ruins, all waiting to be discovered. This new land is a character in itself, and understanding its secrets is a core part of the Elden Ring DLC experience.
Meet Messmer the Impaler
The promotional material has heavily featured a new, terrifying figure who appears to be the central antagonist: Messmer the Impaler. This red-haired, winged demigod with serpentine features wields a powerful spear and commands an army of fire knights. His connection to Marika and the other demigods is a profound mystery, but his throne, strikingly similar to those in the Roundtable Hold, suggests he holds a significant and forgotten place in the world’s history. Messmer is not just a boss but a key figure in the lore of the Elden Ring DLC, and his story is central to understanding Miquella’s journey.
New Gameplay, Weapons, and Terrifying Bosses
An expansion from FromSoftware wouldn’t be complete without a trove of new tools for destruction and a gallery of new horrors to test them against. The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, promises to deliver on both fronts in a way that rivals the base game’s content.
An Arsenal Expanded
Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that the DLC introduces eight brand-new weapon categories on top of the existing ones. This is a massive addition, ensuring countless new builds and playstyles to discover. Trailers and gameplay showcases have already revealed exciting new additions like:
- Martial arts-style hand-to-hand combat: A fast-paced, fluid combat style for players who prefer a pure melee approach.
- Swift dueling shields: Shields that can be used for both defense and aggressive, slashing attacks.
- Throwing knives and blades: These new ranged options don’t consume FP, providing a consistent way to deal damage from a distance.
- Heavy, two-handed katanas: A new weapon type that combines the poise-breaking power of greatswords with the flowing animations of katanas.
On top of these new categories, the DLC introduces dozens of new individual weapons, sorceries, and incantations. Magic and Faith users will find a host of new spells to master, and new Ashes of War will provide fresh skills for your weapons, allowing for even more combat customization. One trailer showed a character performing a spectacular spinning leap, hinting at the dynamic new abilities awaiting players in the Elden Ring DLC.
Foes That Will Test Your Mettle
Prepare to die. A lot. FromSoftware has confirmed that Shadow of the Erdtree features over 10 new major boss encounters, not including optional mini-bosses. These are not just reskins; they are entirely new challenges designed to test even the most seasoned Elden Ring veterans. The difficulty is said to be on par with the late-game areas of the base game, so come prepared for a grueling fight. From the serpentine Messmer to the massive Divine Beast Dancing Lion, the new bosses are a spectacle of design and a true test of skill.
How to Access the Elden Ring DLC
Unlike some games where you can jump into the DLC from the main menu, Elden Ring requires you to reach a specific point in the game. This is a crucial step that has many players scrambling to get ready. The content of the Elden Ring DLC is balanced for high-level characters, so you can’t just jump in from the beginning.
The Prerequisite Boss Fights
To access Shadow of the Erdtree, you must have defeated two specific bosses in the main game:
- Starscourge Radahn: The formidable demigod found in Caelid.
- Mohg, Lord of Blood: The optional shardbearer hidden deep within Mohgwyn Palace.
According to achievement data, a surprisingly large percentage of players had not yet defeated Mohg at the time of the DLC’s release. If you haven’t faced him yet, now is the time to venture into the underground and face the Lord of Blood. For a detailed guide on how to reach and defeat him, a comprehensive walkthrough on IGN’s Wiki can be very helpful.
Finding the Entry Point
Once you’ve defeated both prerequisite bosses, the entrance to the Land of Shadow is the withered, slumbering arm hanging from the large cocoon in Mohg’s boss arena. Interacting with this arm will transport you to the DLC’s starting point, a mysterious and haunting new Site of Grace. The location of this entrance solidifies the narrative connection between Mohg’s obsession with Miquella and the journey to the Land of Shadow.
Conclusion: A New Dawn for the Lands Between
The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is a triumphant return to one of the most celebrated games of our time. It’s a massive, content-rich expansion that honors the legacy of FromSoftware while forging its own identity. From the secrets of the Land of Shadow to the terror of its new bosses and the sheer joy of new weapon types, the DLC is a testament to the developers’ commitment to delivering a truly unforgettable experience.
The journey of the Tarnished is far from over. This new chapter promises to expand the lore, challenge the most seasoned players, and provide countless hours of exploration and discovery. The Elden Ring DLC is a new dawn for the Lands Between, inviting players to dive back into a world of mystery, sacrifice, and brutal, beautiful combat.
FAQ
- How big is the Land of Shadow? While an exact square mileage isn’t available, game director Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated that the new map is larger in size than the Limgrave area from the base game and is much denser, featuring a mix of open fields and complex, multi-layered dungeons that are a joy to explore.
- Do I need to finish the main story to play the DLC? No, you do not need to have finished Elden Ring’s main story. You only need to have defeated the two prerequisite bosses: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. You can access the DLC at any point after meeting these conditions.
- Will my level be high enough for the DLC? The DLC is balanced for high-level characters, with a difficulty similar to the final areas of the base game. Most players who have naturally progressed to defeat Mohg will likely be in the level 120-150 range, which is a suitable starting point.
