Entering the Land of Shadow
To access the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you must complete two specific prerequisites in the base game. It is recommended to be at least Level 120-150.
- Defeat Starscourge Radahn: Located in Redmane Castle (Caelid). You must trigger the Radahn Festival (via Ranni's quest or reaching Altus Plateau).
- Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood: Located in Mohgwyn Palace. Access via Varre's questline or the portal in Consecrated Snowfield.
- Interact: Touch the withered arm hanging from the cocoon in Mohg's boss arena.
The Scadutree Fragment System
The DLC introduces a separate scaling system. Your base game level matters less than your Scadutree Blessing level.
| Item | Effect | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Scadutree Fragment | Boosts damage dealt & negates damage taken. | Miquella's Crosses, Marika Statues, Pot Shadow Undead. |
| Revered Spirit Ash | Boosts Spirit Summons (Mimic Tear, Tiche) & Torrent. | Statues of headless corpses, enemies holding pots. |
Boss Strategy Guide
Messmer the Impaler (DLC)
Location: Shadow Keep (Dark Chamber)
Weaknesses: Bleed, Frostbite, Slash Damage
Messmer is extremely aggressive. In Phase 1, dodge into his
delayed spear thrusts. He uses fire heavily, so equip the Flamedrake Talisman
+3 found in Fort of Reprimand.
Phase 2 (Base Serpent): When he transforms into a giant snake, DO NOT
panic roll. Wait for the snake to open its mouth before the bite connects. His huge AoE
explosion allows for a massive punish window if you dodge the initial impact.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Location: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Mechanic: She heals on every hit (even on shields).
How to Dodge Waterfowl Dance:
- Flurry 1: Run away as soon as she rises. Jump as she lands.
- Flurry 2: Dodge through the attack (into her).
- Flurry 3: Walk slightly to the right, she will miss you, then dodge backward.
Cheese Strategy: Use Blasphemous Blade L2 spam to knock her down, or throw a Freezing Pot when she rises to cancel the move.
Radagon & Elden Beast
Location: Elden Throne (Inside the Erdtree)
Immunities: Bleed (Both), Holy (Elden Beast heals from it).
Radagon: Weak to Fire (Blasphemous Blade or Magma Blades) and Strike.
He parries magic. Jump over his ground AOEs.
Elden Beast: Pure endurance test. Use Haligdrake Talisman +2
and the Divine Fortification incantation to negate Holy damage. Run behind it
when it breathes fire.
Top Meta Builds (2025/2026)
The Blood Lord (Arcane)
Focuses on proccing Hemorrhage for % HP damage.
- Weapon: Rivers of Blood / Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear
- Off-hand: Dragon Communion Seal
- Armor: White Mask (Mandatory)
- Talismans: Lord of Blood's Exultation, Shard of Alexander, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia.
The Giant Crusher (Str)
One-shot potential with jump attacks. Breaks stance easily.
- Weapon: Giant-Crusher (Heavy Affinity) with Royal Knight's Resolve
- Talismans: Claw Talisman, Axe Talisman, Dragoncrest Greatshield.
- Physick: Stonebarb Cracked Tear (Stance Break).
Dark Moon Sorcerer
Ranged superiority. Frostbite + Magic damage.
- Weapon: Dark Moon Greatsword + Carian Regal Scepter
- Spells: Comet Azur, Ranni's Dark Moon, Night Comet.
- Talismans: Godfrey Icon, Magic Scorpion Charm, Graven-Mass.
🔔 All Bell Bearing Locations
Collecting these allows you to buy unlimited Smithing Stones at the Roundtable Hold.
Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearings (Standard Weapons)
| [1] Stones (1-2) | Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel (Liurnia). Defeat Crystalian boss. |
| [2] Stones (3-4) | Sealed Tunnel (Altus Plateau). Chest behind the first illusionary wall. |
| [3] Stones (5-6) | Zamor Ruins (Mountaintops of Giants). Basement chest. |
| [4] Stones (7-8) | Crumbling Farum Azula. Defeat the Godskin Duo. |
Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearings (Special Weapons)
| [1] Somber (1-2) | Sellia Crystal Tunnel (Caelid). Defeat Fallingstar Beast. |
| [2] Somber (3-4) | Altus Tunnel (Altus Plateau). Defeat Crystalian Duo. |
| [3] Somber (5-6) | First Church of Marika (Mountaintops). On a corpse outside the entrance. |
| [4] Somber (7-8) | Crumbling Farum Azula. On a corpse near the Tempest-Facing Balcony site of grace. |
| [5] Somber (9) | Crumbling Farum Azula. Near the Great Bridge site of grace, surrounded by Beastmen. |
Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearings (Spirit Ashes)
[1]: Wyndham Catacombs Boss.
[2]: Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs Boss.
[3]: Crumbling Farum Azula (Lake area).
Essential NPC Questlines
Ranni the Witch (Age of Stars Ending)
Unlocks the Dark Moon Greatsword and the secret ending.
- Meet her at Ranni's Rise (Liurnia) after clearing Caria Manor.
- Defeat Radahn in Caelid to open the way to Nokron.
- Find the Fingerslayer Blade in Nokron and give it to Ranni.
- Travel to Ainsel River Main via the portal in Renna's Rise. Pick up the Miniature Ranni doll.
- Talk to the doll at the bonfire until it replies. Defeat the Baleful Shadow invader.
- Use the key on the chest in the Raya Lucaria Grand Library (Rennala's room) to get the Ring.
- Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in the Lake of Rot.
- Ascend the lift to the Moonlight Altar and place the ring on Ranni's finger in the cathedral.
Alexander the Iron Fist
Unlocks the powerful Shard of Alexander talisman (+15% Skill Dmg).
- Free him from the hole in Limgrave (Stormhill).
- Meet him in Gael Tunnel (Caelid).
- Speak to him at the Radahn Festival and after the fight.
- Free him again in Liurnia (oil pot needed) and meet him in the lava at Mt. Gelmir.
- Final duel: Crumbling Farum Azula. Defeat him to claim the shard.