First Steps in Shadow of the Erdtree: What to do first in Elden Ring DLC?

Now that the jury is out and we know for a fact that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a phenomenal expansion pack for the base game, it's time to take our first steps into this mysterious new chapter! True enough, we've been prepared for the DLC for months at this point - check out the appropriate guide here - but actually getting hands-on time with it is a wholly different animal.

So, based on our own personal experience, here's a comprehensive but short and to-the-point list of all the things you should do as soon as you begin the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC!

Get a copy of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC right here at 2Game!

What to do first in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC?

Even though you can take pretty much any character build and transplant it into the ecosystem of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion pack, there are some added complications thrown into the mix. Y'know, to spice things up ever so slightly.

What this means, in practice, is that you'll need to adapt and embrace Shadow of the Erdtree's new scaling mechanics as soon as possible. Otherwise, your character simply won't be able to stay competitive with the absolute glut of huge new threats that await here. None of this will permanently "damage" or alter your build if you don't want it to, mind: it's just a system that makes it virtually impossible to over-level Erdtree's new DLC difficulty model.

Here's how it all works, then!

Get the first Map Fragment

Since Shadow of the Erdtree comes with a huge new map for us to explore - and we cannot overstate the sheer size of it, mind: it's way bigger than Limgrave proper - it goes without saying that you'll be just about totally lost in it when you take your first step onwards.

Map Fragments are, indeed, making a return from the base Elden Ring experience, and they're every bit as satisfying to chase after as they've ever been. For the remainder of this guide to make any sense, you'll first need to grab the starter Map Fragment that's not far away from Erdtree's staging grounds.

As soon as you get control over your character, hop onto your Spectral Steed and go to the main road. From there, you'll be able to spot a massive bout of ruins and an enflamed boss encounter further away. Go in this direction until you find a pillar off the side of the road, and hey presto, there's your first Erdtree Map Fragment, the Gravesite Plain.

Collect the first Scadutree Blessing

While Elden Ring's classic level-up system is present and accounted for in the Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoft has supplanted the system with Shadow Realm Blessings to keep things zesty. These are the bits and bobs we mentioned in the intro segment: you will basically have to chase after Scadutree Blessings and Revered Spirit Ashes to stay on top of the DLC's burgeoning threats, as these items permanently buff your character and your Spirit Ashes, respectively.

Note, however, that Shadow Realm Blessings only work in the Erdtree DLC's playable region! This means that playing the DLC won't make you hugely overpowered in the base game by default, while still allowing the game to stay challenging no matter how spruced-up your character build might've been up until now.

So! The first Scadutree Blessing can be found not far away from the starting area, and grabbing the Gravesite Plain Map Fragment will make finding it that much easier. From the staging ground for the DLC, go towards the castle off to the west via the main road until you find a crossroad.

There, you'll find the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace and an NPC that will explain the Shadow Realm Blessings in in-game terminology. After resting up and talking with the NPC in question, go back to Miquella's Cross at the crossroads and pick up your first Scadutree Blessing.

Thoroughly search the Gravesite Plain

As is usually the case with FromSoft staging areas, the Gravesite Plain is a massively detailed area even though it's far from being the largest new region added with the DLC. Our recommendation is to not rush ahead as soon as possible, but stick around the Plain and explore as thoroughly as possible. Here's a few high marks we recommend visiting as soon as possible:

And all of this is just the start, we promise. Shadow of the Erdtree is so densely packed with awesome content that we're having a hard time parsing through it all just to include all the important tidbits in our articles! However, we are pushing onwards ever-so-slowly, and we've got plenty more content coming up over the weekend.

Stay tuned and good luck in the interim!

Get a copy of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC right here at 2Game!

Now that the jury is out and we know for a fact that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a phenomenal expansion pack for the base game, it’s time to take our first steps into this mysterious new chapter! True enough, we’ve been prepared for the DLC for months at this point – check […]