You’re going to die. A lot. Even if you’ve platinumed Elden Ring and think your Level 150 build is "broken," FromSoftware’s expansion is designed to humble you. Getting into the DLC is a hurdle in itself. You have to kill Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. If you haven't done that, the cocoon in Mohgwyn Palace stays closed. No entry.
Once you touch that withered arm, the Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough really begins. You’ll find yourself in the Gravesite Plain. It’s haunting. It’s massive. And those birds? They will end you.
Scadutree Fragments are Not Optional
Let’s get one thing straight right away: your character level almost doesn't matter here. You could be Level 300 and still get two-shotted by a common knight. This is because of the Scadutree Blessing system. It’s a localized power scaling mechanic. Basically, you collect Scadutree Fragments to boost your damage dealt and reduce damage taken, but only while you're within the Realm of Shadow.
If you ignore these, you're playing on "impossible" mode. Honestly, the biggest mistake people make in their Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough is rushing to the first major legacy dungeon, Belurat, Tower Settlement, without scouring the fields for these gold-glowing shards. Find them at Miquella’s Crosses. Look for them in headless statues. Kill the sparkly pot-carrying shadows before they vanish.
The Early Game Path: Gravesite Plain to Belurat
Your first real goal is the Divine Beast Dancing Lion. It’s a rhythmic, chaotic fight that feels like a fever dream. To get there, head northwest from the start. You'll pass through the Scorched Ruins. Keep an eye out for the Furnace Golems—those giant flaming baskets. Don't fight them yet. Seriously. They have massive health pools and require specific tactics, like throwing Hefty Fire Pots into their top openings from a height, or hacking at their armored legs until they posture break.
In Belurat, the level design is vertical. It’s classic FromSoftware. Lots of shortcuts. Lots of "hidden" paths that lead to spiders. The Divine Beast is weak to fire and bleed, but his lightning phase is a nightmare. Stay close to his hind legs. If you try to back away, his lunging breath will catch you every time.
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Why Everyone Struggles with Rellana
After Belurat, most players head east to Castle Ensis. This is where the Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough hits a brick wall for many. Rellana, Twin Moon Knight. She is fast. Faster than most bosses in the base game. She combines magic and fire with relentless sword combos.
Here is the trick: Carian Retaliation. If you can parry her magic or use a high-stability shield with the Deflecting Hardtear in your Physick, the fight becomes manageable. Most people try to dodge-roll everything. That’s a mistake. Her combos are too long. You’ll run out of stamina before she stops swinging.
Crossing the Highroad to Shadow Keep
Once Rellana is down, the world opens up significantly. You reach Scadu Altus. It’s beautiful and terrifying. From here, you’ll see the Shadow Keep looming in the distance. This is the central hub of the entire DLC. It’s a massive, multi-layered fortress that connects to almost every other sub-region.
The Storehouse inside Shadow Keep is a masterpiece of level design. It’s full of hanging specimens and spiral staircases. You're looking for Messmer the Impaler. He’s the "poster boy" of the DLC, and he lives up to the hype. He’s aggressive. His fire attacks linger. Use Flamedrake Talisman +3. It makes a world of difference.
Finding the Hidden Areas: The Coffin and the Woods
A huge part of a successful Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough is knowing when to deviate from the main path. The Realm of Shadow is layered like an onion. For example, to find the Abyssal Woods, you have to find a hidden coffin in a secret area of the Shadow Keep's lower levels. It’s classic Miyazaki nonsense.
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The Abyssal Woods is a stealth section. Yes, really. There are enemies called Aging Untouchables that you literally cannot kill unless you parry them. Don't try to fight them head-on. Just hide in the tall grass. It’s a jarring shift in gameplay, but it leads to Midra’s Manse, which houses one of the best boss fights in the game.
The Southern Coast and the Stone Coffin Hole
If you head south from the Gravesite Plain, down the Cerulean Coast, you'll find the Stone Coffin Hole. This leads to the Putrescent Knight. This area is optional but crucial for the lore surrounding St. Trina and Miquella’s discarded parts. It’s blue, it’s glowing, and the boss is a weird, melty skeleton on a horse.
Reaching the Final Peak: Enir-Ilim
Eventually, everything converges. You burn the Sealing Tree using the flame from Messmer (or the Visage of the Fell God if you went that route). This transports you to Enir-Ilim, the final legacy dungeon. It’s a holy, horrific place.
The final boss of the Shadow of the Erdtree walkthrough is widely considered the hardest fight FromSoftware has ever created. It’s a two-phase endurance match that tests every mechanic you’ve learned. You need maxed-out Scadutree fragments—usually Level 18 to 20. If you’re at Level 12, you're going to have a bad time.
A Note on NPC Quests
Don't ignore the NPCs. Freyja, Ansbach, Moore, and Needle Knight Leda. Their quests are intertwined. If you progress too far into Shadow Keep, some of these quests "break" or move forward without you. Talk to them at every Miquella’s Cross. Ansbach, in particular, has one of the most rewarding arcs and provides critical help in the final battle if you side with him.
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Practical Steps for Success
To get the most out of your run, don't play it like a boss rush.
- Prioritize Exploration: If a boss is killing you in two hits, leave. Go find Scadutree Fragments. There are 50 in total.
- Use Greatshields: The DLC is much "faster" than the base game. A solid shield with the Barricade Shield ash of war can save your life.
- The Deflecting Hardtear: This is a new Crystal Tear for your Flask of Wondrous Physick. It allows for "perfect guards" similar to Sekiro. It’s a game-changer for aggressive bosses like Messmer or Rellana.
- Revere the Spirit Ashes: Revered Spirit Ash Blessings are the second collectible type. They buff your Mimic Tear or Tiche. Use them. The DLC bosses have massive health pools, and you’ll want the distraction.
The Realm of Shadow is less about your stats and more about your willingness to adapt. The map is deceptive; what looks like a short walk often involves a three-hour detour through a series of caves and cliffs. Take your time. Every corner has a story, or a very large man with a hammer waiting to flatten you.
Actionable Next Steps
Before entering the DLC, verify your character has at least 60 Vigor. This is the "soft cap" where health gains start to drop off, but it's the bare minimum required to survive the initial burst damage from early bosses. Next, head to the Mohgwyn Palace Dynasty Mausoleum and ensure you have the Pureblood Knight's Medal for easy teleportation. Once inside the Realm of Shadow, your first objective should be the three Scadutree Fragments located in the Gravesite Plain before even attempting to enter Belurat.