How to Access Elden Ring’s DLC Shadow of the Erdtree
This is a full guide to gaining access to Elden Ring's new DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Shadow of the Erdtree is a high level area that requires you to defeat two major bosses before you are allowed access. If you are returning to Elden Ring after a full playthrough the quick and dirty is that you must defeat Starscourge Radahn & Mogh, Lord of Blood then enter through the large egg Mogh guards. Those of you who need a bit more direction read on!
Accessing Starscourge Radahn's Festival
Radahn is available to fight quite early with a significant shortcut starting from the Rotview Balcony Site of Grace [Map Link]. Rotview Balcony is easily accessible and is usually the first Site of Grace players unlock in Caelid. The images and bullet points below lead you easily through Fort Gael, to the Redmane Castle shortcut, and finally inside Radahn's Festival. You're also welcome to take the bridge directly into Redmane Castle if you can get through the many enemies and soldiers bombarding the bridge.
- Head south from Rotview Balcony toward Fort Gael.
- Keep to the right cliffside to avoid enemies on your approach.
- At the Fort Gael entrance continue to follow the cliffside around the back of the fort finding a ladder.
- Ascend the ladder and kill the three guards. Do not fall into the fort.
- At the top level of Fort Gael use the portal to take you to the base of Redmane Castle
- Head up the road to Castle Redmanes gate.
- At the closed gate use Torrent to navigate the rocks to your right avoiding the bat enemies and find another ladder leading into Redmane Castle.
- This area is separated from the rest of Redmane Castle but hop over the short wall to the east where you can see a clear path into the Castle.
- Head in after landing where you should see a Site of Grace and the Castle festivities.
The Radahn Festival
Having arrived at the party interact with the NPC's here to progress a few questlines. Afterward, continue through the small gate and talk to the Festival Master. Confirm you are ready and the gates of the church behind you open. This grants you access to the elevator to the portal that starts Radahn's encounter. This fight is considerably easier than Mohg but you want to be at least level 60 for it.
Accessing Mohg, Lord of Blood
Access to Mohg is usually quite difficult but is required to enter Shadows of the Erdtree. His underground lair is normally only accessible once you've unlocked the Mountaintops deep into a playthrough [Map Link] but luckily we can get around that by doing Varre's questline. This gives us easy access to this late game zone after only completing Stormveil Castle.
Starting Varre's Quest
Varre is the first NPC most people talk to in Elden Ring. As long as you don't kill him, his quest progresses even without interacting with him during the opening of the game.
If you have already progressed past Limgrave (killing Godrick in Stormveil Castle) proceed to the Rose Church section of this guide.
Otherwise you should check out the Beginner's Guide and the Path to Power to get ready for Stormveil.
The Rose Church
Having finished Stormveil Castle be sure to return to Roundtable Hold and talk to the Two Fingers about your victory. Varre moves to his new location in the Rose Church which couldn't be simpler to find. Look for the large island directly south of Raya Lucaria Academy in Liurnia [Map Link].
Varre's Tasks
Speaking with Varre, he asks what you thought of the Two Fingers. Choose "They didn't seem right" when prompted and Varre. This vaguely assigns your next task to invade 3 other players using the Festering Bloody Finger's he gives you. You do not have to engage with the online component as you can do the NPC invasion available in Altus Plateau [Map Link] instead. If you have access to online play, you do not have to win the 3 invasions to progress, simply participate in them.
Varre assigns you a final task before you can enter Mogh's Palace after completing your invasions. Acquire the blood of a Maiden. Lucky for you, there is a freshly dead Maiden in the Church of Inhibition [Map Link]. You do have to fight the invader Vyke to freely access this church but you shouldn't have major problems with him if you're following one of our build guides.
Mohgwyn Palace
With maiden blood in hand return to Varre and become anointed. This gives you access to an infinite supply of invasions for those interested in PvP and talking to him again rewards you with the Pureblood Knight's Medal. When used the Medal sends you to the base of Mohg's Palace so you now have instant access to the area whenever you'd like and can ascend to fight Mohg at your leisure. This is immensely helpful as the best Rune Farm is in this zone. It's recommended that your character be at least level 100-120 to fight Mohg with a significantly upgraded weapon. If you have significant trouble refer to our build guides for help.
Entering Shadows of the Erdtree
With both Mohg and Radahn defeated the way is now open to Shadows of the Erdtree by touching the hand at the back of Mohg's arena. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful to you and be sure to look out for our Elden Ring DLC coverage.
Written by: Brozime
Reviewed by: Dredscythe
