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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a significant expansion to the base game, but much like its obtuse quest design, there’s very little indication of how you are supposed to start the DLC. The Tarnished will follow in the footsteps of Miquella, so anyone invested in the game’s lore might have an idea of where to begin, but a lack of quest markers leaves a lot of room for guesswork.
You’ll likely want a high-level character before starting Shadow of the Erdtree – one fit for the endgame bosses and dungeons. Luckily, gaining access to the DLC requires defeating two separate, but optional bosses, one of which is already considered a late-game challenge. This requirement already acts as something of a hurdle to beginning the expansion, ensuring you won’t get in over your head. It should be noted, however, that there is no level requirement for starting Shadow of the Erdtree; you could theoretically begin the DLC at rune level one, provided you’ve beaten the requisite bosses.
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You Must Beat Mohg & Radahn Before Beginning Shadow Of The Erdtree
Located In Mohgwyn Palace & Redmane Castle Respectively
Shadow of the Erdtree only becomes accessible once two optional Elden Ring bosses have been defeated: Mohg, Lord of Blood and Starscourge Radahn. Radahn is found in Redmane Castle on the southeastern side of Caelid, and is likely to be fought much earlier in an Elden Ring playthrough than Mohg. In order for Radahn’s boss fight to be available, however, you need to activate the Radahn Festival in one of two ways. The most straightforward is by touching a Site of Grace on the Altus Plateau, reached by either activating the Grand Lift of Dectus, or climbing through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice on the northern edge of Liurnia of the Lakes.
Required Bosses | Location | Recommended Level |
|---|---|---|
Starscourge Radahn | Redmane Castle, Caelid | 60–80 |
Mohg, Lord of Blood | Mohgwyn Palace, Siofra River | 110–130 |
The second method of activating the Radahan Festival involves beginning Ranni the Witch’s questline. You’ll have to progress through Caria Manor, enter Ranni’s service, meet Blaidd in Siofra River, speak to Seluvis, and deliver Seluvis’ letter to Sellen, who will mention that Radahn has to die before Ranni’s questline can progress and you can get into Nokron, Eternal City. A second visit to Blaidd in Siofra River will begin the Radahn Festival if an Altus Plateau Site of Grace has not yet been visited.
After you’ve defeated Starscourge Radahn, a similarly lengthy journey will begin to gain access to Mohg. There are a couple ways to reach Mohgwyn Palace, but only one will ensure the player character is properly prepared to fight Mohg. You will first need to get both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, then use it on the Grand Lift of Rold east of Leyndell, Royal Capital, after beating Morgott, the Omen King, to enter the Consecrated Snowfield. There is a sending gate on the western edge of the Consecrated Snowfield that will send you to Mohgwyn Palace, which is a rather straightforward dungeon leading to Mohg’s boss fight.
High-level characters who haven’t gained access to the Consecrated Snowfield may want to access Mohgwyn Palace via the alternate route by
completing White Mask Varré’s questline
, which provides an item to teleport to Mohgwyn Palace. This is also an easier option for those attempting a low-level challenge run of
Shadow of the Erdtree
.
Start Shadow Of The Erdtree By Interacting With Miquella’s Cocoon
Located In Mohg’s Boss Arena
Once both Radahn and Mohg have been killed, all you have to do is interact with Miquella’s cocoon in Mohg’s boss room to begin Shadow of the Erdtree. This is the large, fleshy ball at the end of the hall, sitting on a vaguely pelvic pedestal, with a withered arm sticking out of it (pictured above). If the cocoon cannot be interacted with, try resting at the nearby Site of Grace or reloading the area. An NPC named Needle Knight Leda should appear near the cocoon, and it is recommended that you talk to her before beginning the DLC, as she is an important character throughout the expansion.
Interacting with Miquella’s cocoon will immediately transport you to the Land of Shadow, where the entirety of Shadow of the Erdtree takes place. Although it may take a little bit of exploring, there is a bit more direction provided in-game once you’ve begun the DLC. You should not, however, expect Sites of Grace to point the way like they do in the base game; this only occurs for certain portions of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree‘s main quest.
