Look, if you’re bashing your head against the wall in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you aren't alone. The DLC is brutal. But honestly, everything starts to click once you hit the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace. It’s not just a place to rest your weary Tarnished legs; it’s the definitive "welcome to the nightmare" moment of Belurat, Tower Settlement.
Getting there is straightforward, but missing the NPCs standing right next to it is a huge mistake. Seriously. You just cross the Ellac Greatbridge, dodge a few oversized bolts from a ballista, and keep heading north through the Gravesite Plain. Eventually, you’ll see the massive, crumbling stairs of Belurat. The Grace is right there at the entrance. It’s hard to miss, yet many people touch it, rest, and immediately sprint into the city without talking to the people standing three feet away. Don't be that guy.
The Mechanical Importance of the Main Gate Cross
This spot is basically the headquarters for Miquella’s followers early in the game. You'll find Sir Ansbach and Moore hanging out here. Ansbach is the refined, scholarly type—surprisingly chill for a guy who used to serve Mohg, Lord of Blood. Then there's Moore, the "Forager" who basically looks like a giant turtle in heavy armor. He’s your primary source for crafting recipes and items early on.
Why does the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace matter more than other checkpoints? Because of the Scadutree Fragments.
Right next to the golden spectral cross—which marks where Miquella literally discarded part of his physical body—you’ll find a Scadutree Fragment. In the Land of Shadow, your standard level-ups barely mean anything. You could be level 200 and still get two-shotted by a common soldier. These fragments are the only way to scale your damage and defense. If you skip the crosses, you’re basically playing the game on "Ultra Hard" mode for no reason.
Talking to Ansbach and Moore
Don't just mash through the dialogue. Ansbach provides critical context about why everyone is following Miquella the Kind. He’s also the guy who helps you track the various "Crosses" scattered across the map. If you talk to him here, he gives you a map of the crosses. It’s a literal treasure map for power-ups.
📖 Related: FC 26 Web App: How to Master the Market Before the Game Even Launches
Moore is also vital. He sells the "Black Syrup" later in his questline, and he's linked to the Forager Brood (those non-aggressive insect-looking guys you find huddled over items). If you kill those bugs, you might lock yourself out of Moore’s shop or his peaceful ending. Just leave the bugs alone. Seriously.
Exploring Belurat from the Main Gate
Once you’ve touched the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace, you have a choice. You can go left toward the small storage room—which requires a key you don't have yet—or go right up the main stairs.
The difficulty spike inside Belurat is real. You’re going to encounter those "Man-Fly" creatures and the spectral warriors that hit like a freight train. Most players find themselves retreating back to this specific Grace constantly. It’s the safest hub you’ll have for the first three to five hours of the DLC.
It’s worth noting that the "Cross" itself isn't just a glowing prop. It’s part of the environmental storytelling that Hidetaka Miyazaki is famous for. Each cross represents a piece of Miquella’s divinity or flesh that he threw away to "ascend." At the Main Gate, the inscription usually mentions him discarding his "flesh" or "eye." It sets a pretty grim tone. Miquella isn't just on a hike; he’s literally falling apart to reach his goal.
The Items You Can't Afford to Miss
Right by the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace, make sure you’ve grabbed:
👉 See also: Mass Effect Andromeda Gameplay: Why It’s Actually the Best Combat in the Series
- The Scadutree Fragment (sitting right at the base of the cross).
- The Map: Cross-Steward (given by Ansbach after talking to him a couple of times).
- The ability to trade with Moore (essential for buying the pickled livers that boost your elemental resistances).
If you’re struggling with the boss at the end of this legacy dungeon—the Divine Beast Dancing Lion—you’ll be coming back here to talk to the NPCs for tips or to advance their quests. The game expects you to treat this Site of Grace as a home base until the "Great Rune" shatters later in the story.
Strategies for the Belurat Entrance
Most people run straight into the settlement and get mobbed. Instead, use the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace as a reset point to farm the initial Gravebird enemies and the soldiers near the stairs. They drop decent smithing stones.
There's a specific "secret" right near the entrance. If you look to the right of the main stairs before entering the archway, there’s a small path leading to some upgrade materials. It's easy to overlook because the massive architecture of the tower draws your eyes upward.
Also, keep an eye on the ghost NPCs. They provide the "vibes" of the area. One of them near the gate laments the "burning" of their city by Messmer’s forces. This is your first real clue about the ethnic cleansing that happened in the Land of Shadow. It turns the "golden" Miquella into a much more complicated figure. Is he saving these people, or is he just another conqueror?
Why the Community Obsesses Over This Spot
On Reddit and Twitter, you’ll see a lot of talk about the "Miquella’s Crosses" locations. The Main Gate Cross Site of Grace is usually the second one players find (the first being at the Three-Path Cross).
✨ Don't miss: Marvel Rivals Emma Frost X Revolution Skin: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s a milestone.
Reaching this spot means you’ve successfully navigated the opening fields and are ready for the "Legacy Dungeons." These are the massive, interconnected levels that feel like the classic Dark Souls design. Belurat is amazing, but it's confusing. Having this Grace as a landmark helps you keep your bearings when you inevitably get lost in the sewers or the rooftop gardens of the settlement.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Playthrough
Stop what you're doing and check your inventory. If you've been to the Main Gate and don't have the "Map: Cross-Steward," go back right now. Fast travel to the Main Gate Cross Site of Grace and talk to Ansbach until he repeats himself.
Next, check your Scadutree Blessing level in the character menu. If it’s still at 0 or 1, you haven't been picking up the fragments at these crosses. You should be at least level 2 or 3 before you even think about fighting the Dancing Lion boss.
Finally, buy the "Collector's Map" items from Moore if you can afford them. They highlight where to find specific crafting books in the surrounding Gravesite Plain. This area is the gateway to the rest of the DLC; treat it with the respect it deserves, and the game becomes a lot more manageable.
Go talk to the NPCs, grab your fragment, and get ready for the climb. The Tower Settlement doesn't get any easier from here.