Where To Go First in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Shadow of the Erdtree isn’t quite so vast as Elden Ring’s core map, but venturing forth within it can still prove plenty daunting. Especially when most enemies in the Land of Shadow can flatten you just by coughing in your general direction. And we mean that literally in some cases. So if you’re struggling to start, allow us to offer some pointers of where to go first in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and a few quick tips on where to avoid.

1. The settings menu

The launch of Elden Ring’s DLC adds a couple of new optional inventory menus. You’ll be given a prompt to enable them when you launch the game, but in case you said no, head to the Settings menu and toggle them on immediately. Doing so will give a menu showing only recent items. On top of that, all new items will show an exclamation mark until you inspect them. Both will save you countless hours of inventory scouring over the course of the DLC.

2. Down the hill to the Church of Consolation

After you grab the DLC’s first map chunk – that’s shown on your blank map as a small pedestal drawing, in case you’ve forgotten – the first place we recommend heading is down the hill to the right (east) of the initial path. Here you’ll find the Church of Consolation. Inside is a man with a big, nasty-looking hammer.

He’s not as tough as he looks, so take him out to steal his weapon for yourself and secure a Scadutree Fragment. These are essential in the Land of Shadow DLC. You can spend them at a Site of Grace to increase the damage you deal and reduce the damage you take from within the Land of Shadow.

From the church head slightly northwest and you can also collect a Blessing of Marika. This is a one-off consumable that will fully heal you and cure all ailments. Very nifty, but probably best saved for a close boss run or environment that inflicts multiple status effects at once.

3. Scorched Ruins (and the cliff to its east)

You’ll struggle to miss this ruined outpost as it lies directly on the main path in front of the DLC’s start. There’s a Site of Grace on the north side, but make sure you explore the town thoroughly by jumping about on Torrent’s back. You can collect the Greater Potentate’s Cookbook from some stairs on the east side. This lets you craft a hefty throwable item.

From the Scorched Ruins, head east and reach the cliff’s edge overlooking the Church of Communion. There’s a statue here holding a Revered Spirit Ash Blessing. These are also of immense value. Spending them at a Site of Grace will boost the damage your spirit summons deal and reduce the damage they take. The same effect is also applied to Torrent, so don’t miss out even if you aren’t a Mimic Tear abuser like us!

4. Three Pass Cross

Follow the main road north from the Scorched Ruins, but do not be tempted to engage the giant flaming Wicker Man fella stomping around the field. Seriously, just don’t. Past him you’ll reach Three Path Cross, where two NPCs are waiting. The first is Redmane Freyja, but make sure you don’t miss Hornsent either, referred to as the “dour friend”.

He’s standing a bit removed from Freyja, and if you speak to him a few times he’ll give you a hard-to-read map that points out a few key locations Miquella’s banner can be found. Good luck squinting at the screen to identify them.

5. The Backhand Blade (and other weapons)

Eager for a new weapon? The Backhand Blade is one of the Elden Ring DLC’s coolest additions, and you can snag it in the opening region. Head northeast from the Scorched Ruins and look for an open mausoleum structure with four pillars and a large stone grave in the middle. This is one of the best places to go first in Shadow of the Erdtree if you want a speedy new dex-based melee weapon. Just remember to dual wield it, and head back to Roundtable Hold to upgrade it if you like the moveset.

Another weapon can be secured in the woods south of Scorched Ruins (or right from the DLC entrance point and first Site of Grace). Among the trees here is Logur, the Beast Claw. He attacks rapidly and drains life, so be careful. Sneak and you can backstab him to start the fight. Beat him and you can claim the Beast Claw weapon, which lets you pounce on foes.

Katana wielders wanting something with more heft should head north to the lake above Three Pass Cross. There's a dragon in the middle that you don't need to fight, but next to it you can snag the Great Katana (and then promptly run away).

6. Abandoned Ailing Village (and around the lake)

Follow the road north from Three Pass Cross and you'll reach Abandoned Ailing Village. This festering town is filled with bugs, but there are valuable items to be had. Race through to kill the mage at the back healing the insects, then explore at your leisure.

Items you're after here include the Ailment Talisman, which will automatically provide future resistance to any status effect you suffer. Drop off the cliff on the southern side at the top of the village and you'll find a statue with a Revered Spirit Ash. Drop off the cliff on the north side and enter the rotten shack there to collect a cookbook that allows you to craft the Hefty Fly Pot.

Travel further Northwest to the other side of the dragon lake and you can also collect the rather snazzy Gravebird Armor set. Just watch out for the sneaky birds pretending to be statues.

7. Ruined Forge Lava Intake

Eager to upgrade some of those new weapons you've earned? Ruined Forge Lava Intake is an ideal next stop. Head northeast from Three Pass Cross and over the large bridge, dodging the ballista fire as you do. On the other side is a camp with plenty of soldiers. Scour it and you can grab some cookbooks, a Scadutree Fragment, and the Firespark Perfume Bottle weapon.

From there, head right and south, travelling down the hill along the cliff's edge. Past a few scrapping enemies you'll reach the entrance to Ruined Forge Lava Intake. This mini dungeon is a geologist's dream, and crammed full of weapon upgrade materials of almost all levels. It's not too tough to fight through, and you can run past the slow enemies if you're really having trouble. Best of all, there isn't even a boss at the end! Just a mighty hammer and an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Easy money!

8. Prospect Town

Heading west from Three Pass Cross will take you towards Belarut, and the DLC’s first proper Legacy Dungeon and boss. Head this way enough to grab the Scadutree Fragment and talk to the NPCs by Miquella’s cross, but before you climb the large staircase, try heading south instead.

There’s a pathway close to the exit from the large arch. It follows the cliff edge and leads to a small extra area. Here you’ll find Prospect Town, which includes some burly enemies and a few new items (shoot down the jar hanging on the cliff north of the town for the String-Seller’s Bell Bearing).

Northwest of Prospect Town is a hill with a grave amidst some trees. It's attended by several dark ghostly enemies, one of which is carrying a pot. Chase this one down and kill them before they run and you'll be rewarded with a Scadutree Fragment. Don't miss it!

Near the pool of water to Prospect Town’s northeast is another Revered Spirit Ash, and further south past the lightning sheep is the Church of Benediction, where you’ll find the Blessed Blue Dew Talisman to restore FP and the Oathseeker armor set.

9. Belurat Gaol

Not yet ready to face Belurat and its boss? Head north from Three Crosses and stick to the cliff wall on the left to find Belurat Gaol. This is a lengthy mini-dungeon that, while scary, should be manageable if you’re patient and keep an eye out for ambushes. It’s pretty grotesque, however, so be prepare to learn some unpleasant things about how warrior jars are grown.

10. Belurat Storage Room (after beating the boss)

Feeling Brave enough for Belarut? As you progress through the tower, you’ll likely grab the Storage Room key from the top of the waterfall. This unlocks a door accessed over a bridge from the Small Private Altar Site of Grace. You can visit it before beating the boss, but you won’t get much of a welcome from the NPC within, Hornsent Grandam.

Faith users should return after taking down the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss and equip the helmet you gained. Speak with the NPC again and she’ll grant you the Watchful Spirit Incantation. It’s a pretty cool one which creates a spirit above you that summons various apparitions.

Where to avoid

Finally, a quick few places not to visit in your first few hours in the DLC:

• Blackgaol Knight – Found northwest of the first Site of Grace you’ll reach in the DLC, this tiny gaol is home to a particularly nasty fellow with a magical sword and a crossbow capable of firing bursts of flaming bolts. Steer clear unless you’re really keen for an opening challenge.
• Near the Furnace Golem – That big flaming fellow stomping across the fields of the Gravesite Plain? He’s kinda like the DLC’s Tree Sentinel, i.e. a boss best left for a little later. Circumnavigate him on Torrent and he won’t cause any trouble. If you do want to take him out, stay close and make sure you're ready to jump often as you nip at his heels while riding Torrent.

There’s plenty more to discover in the opening areas for the Elden Ring DLC, including paintings and extra bosses. But you’ve got enough guidance above on where to go first in Shadow of the Erdtree that you should feel comfortable finding your own path... even if that path knocks you on your rear more than a few times. Because hey, we wouldn’t play this game if we weren’t down for a kicking.