Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is FromSoftware’s expansion for Elden Ring, released on June 21, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, it returns players to the Lands Between through the cocoon at Mohgwyn Palace, where Miquella’s abandoned body is found. The expansion takes place in the separate Realm of Shadow, a land concealed by the Erdtree’s shadow and tied to events deliberately excluded from the base game’s map. The player follows Miquella’s trail after entering the new region. Miquella, an Empyrean and child of Queen Marika and Radagon, has discarded aspects of himself while pursuing a new order. His story is closely connected to Messmer the Impaler, a previously unseen son of Marika. Messmer rules the shadowed realm from the fortress of Shadow Keep and commands armies associated with the crusade against the Hornsent, the people who inhabited the land before his campaign. Shadow of the Erdtree introduces new locations including Gravesite Plain, Belurat Tower Settlement, Castle Ensis, Scadu Altus, the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, and the Abyssal Woods. The DLC’s largest central landmark is the Shadow Keep, while Enir-Ilim serves as a crucial destination in Miquella’s journey. Its narrative is not a standalone sequel: it expands the history of Marika, the Hornsent, Miquella, and the Golden Order without changing the possible endings of the original Elden Ring campaign. Several characters guide or oppose the Tarnished. Needle Knight Leda is among Miquella’s devoted followers, alongside figures such as Freyja, Ansbach, Thiollier, and Moore. The expansion also reveals more about Sir Ansbach’s former service to Mohg, Lord of Blood. Major boss encounters include Divine Beast Dancing Lion, Rellana Twin Moon Knight, Messmer the Impaler, Romina Saint of the Bud, Midra Lord of Frenzied Flame, Bayle the Dread, and the final opponent, Promised Consort Radahn. The expansion requires players to have defeated Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood before access becomes available. It uses Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes as region-specific progression items, increasing the player’s offensive and defensive strength within the Realm of Shadow. Shadow of the Erdtree also adds weapon categories such as Backhand Blades, Great Katanas, Light Greatswords, Martial Arts, Perfume Bottles, Throwing Blades, and Hand-to-Hand Arts.