Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement is simply across the nook, which suggests time’s working out to prepare for its arrival.
Shadow of the Erdtree is ready to be completely huge; in keeping with director Hidetaka Miyazaki, the addition can be roughly the dimensions of Elden Ring’s beginning space, Limgrave. In different phrases, you’ll have so much to dig into come June 21, together with discovering out what occurred to the sport’s most mysterious demigod — however provided that you’re ready for it.
If you happen to’re unsure learn how to put together for the enlargement or just haven’t performed the bottom sport in ages, don’t fear. Right here’s all the pieces you might want to do in Elden Ring earlier than Shadow of the Erdtree.
Attain and defeat Mohg to realize entry
When you don’t have to beat the sport to tackle Shadow of the Erdtree, you do want to realize a specific amount of progress earlier than you’ll be able to bounce in. FromSoftware has mentioned that the upcoming content material will exist on a brand-new map that’s separate from the primary sport. Based mostly on data launched to this point, you’ll entry that area through Mohg’s palace (and, to that finish, by defeating Mohg).
In spite of everything, we all know that Mohg has kidnapped Miquella, one of many essential protagonists of the DLC. Within the base sport, Miquella is housed in an egg you could work together with when you beat Mohg. Presently, the mummy-like stays don’t do something, however Shadow of the Erdtree’s single trailer exhibits Miquella’s egg seemingly coming to life.
Past its lore significance, there are many different causes to go to Mohg’s palace earlier than the DLC drops. For one factor, the cliffside space previous the blood-soaked map options Albinaurics who drop a startling quantity of XP. Possible, Mohg was utilizing them as fodder for his blood god. If you happen to refill on objects that enhance your Runes, just like the Gold Pickled Fowl Foot and the Gold Scarab talisman, you should use these enemies to power-level very quickly.
It’s attainable to realize dozens of ranges in minutes for those who farm the enemies repeatedly. Fortuitously, you’ll be able to quick journey to the beginning of the extent when you kill the Albinaurics to power the sport to respawn all of them. Make certain to snipe the hen roaming the blood lake that’s seen from the cliff — it might’t actually harm you, and it’s a terrific supply of XP as effectively.
Compensate for Miquella’s lore
Miquella is talked about closely all through Elden Ring, however you by no means truly see or communicate to the fair-headed Empyryan. And like most Souls video games, all of the storytelling is pretty refined, so it’s totally attainable to not know what’s occurring with Miquella — or to overlook the smaller particulars that can probably be fleshed out within the DLC. Watching lore movies (just like the one above from the favored FromSoftware content material creator VaatiVidya) is an efficient method of remedying this challenge.
Discover Volcano Manor
One of many main themes for Shadow of the Erdtree appears to be blasphemy. The Erdtree, in any case, is related to gentle, and also you’ll be wading within the shadows, doubtlessly after the Erdtree’s destruction. The primary antagonist of the DLC seems to be linked to snakes, which the bottom sport repeatedly associates with enemies of the religion.
Possibilities appear excessive, then, that Shadow of the Erdtree will make some callbacks to Volcano Manor. The manor is residence to Ryckard, a demigod who betrayed the Golden Order by permitting himself to be devoured by a strong snake. It appears that evidently Shadow of the Erdtree’s massive unhealthy follows an identical path; within the trailer, he asks an unnamed mom if she would actually sanction somebody as accursed as he’s. Whereas the jury’s out on whether or not or not this villain is definitely one other Miquella half-sibling who fell out of favor along with his household, Volcano Manor’s tie to blasphemous snakes is sufficient cause to test it out. We could also be coping with the identical outer god within the DLC.
Plus, Volcano Manor includes a string of surprising quests the place you search out different Tarnished. Not solely can Volcano Manor get you in the correct mindset for what you’re about to see in Shadow of the Erdtree, it’s a terrific change of tempo from the remainder of the sport — offered, after all, you’re prepared to be a bit evil.
Full optionally available dungeons
You’ll additionally wish to tackle dungeons that aren’t on the sport’s golden path, like Fortress Sol — an space that’s totally themed across the eclipse that’s taken over in Shadow of the Erdtree. There, you’ll study a bit about Miquella’s followers and their obvious try to resurrect him, tidbits that can probably make a return within the enlargement.
Simply be warned: Fortress Sol is likely one of the hardest areas within the sport. Don’t be stunned if you end up visiting Mohg’s palace to beef your character up first, as a result of even the essential enemies on this space are intense.
Get the perfect gear
What classifies as “finest” will rely closely on what construct you’re working and your play preferences, however we now have just a few strategies for you.
- For Intelligence builds, the Rock Sling sorcery and its anti-gravity properties pair splendidly with issues just like the Moonveil Katana or Wing of Astel. (For the previous, try our information on learn how to get the Moonveil Katana.)
- Power builds have a bevy of choices, however I’m keen on the Nice Stars, which heals you with each hit, although the basic Greatsword can also be an excellent guess.
- Religion devotees are in settlement that the perfect weapon is the Blasphemous Blade, a greatsword that may deal extra fireplace injury.
- Dexterity builds, in the meantime, have two sturdy choices which can be accessible close to the beginning of the sport: Bloodhounds Fang and Uchigatana.
- These of you making an attempt out an Arcane construct may wish to try the Naginata, which may pair effectively with bleed results, or the Star Fists.
As for armor, your selections will rely in your weight class of selection. If you happen to gravitate towards gentle armor, you’ll be pleased with selections just like the Godskin Noble set or the Ronin set, each of which have sturdy stats. If you happen to use medium armor, look into the Gelmir Knight set, or a Knight set usually. And for those who choose heavy armor, you should use what’s thought of one of the vital damaged items of drugs within the sport: the Bull-Goat set, gear so highly effective that it’s a mainstay in PVP.
Granted, weapons and armor aren’t the one issues you’ll be able to equip in Elden Ring — however for all the pieces else, it actually is determined by the way you prefer to play. One factor that’s true for everybody, although: the Mimic Tear, which populates a CPU model of your character, kicks ass.
And for those who’re actually seeking to get highly effective as rapidly as attainable, seek the advice of our Elden Ring rune farming information.
Defeat Malenia
You’ll undoubtedly wish to defeat Malenia, the optionally available boss who resides in Miquella’s hidden kingdom. Whereas Malenia is notoriously tough, she’s additionally Miquella’s twin, so that you’ll wish to soak in as a lot as you’ll be able to about her. The trailer additionally includes a water dancer who seems suspiciously just like the character talked about in Malenia-related gear.
That mentioned, she’s one of many hardest bosses within the sport; most gamers save her for the latter segments of their playthroughs for good cause. If you happen to’re struggling, our information on learn how to defeat Malenia in Elden Ring may help.
Beat the sport
This may appear apparent, however then once more, we’re speaking a couple of Soulslike sport. It’s straightforward to get caught on a boss someplace, or to surrender earlier than you’ve glad the necessities for one in all Elden Ring’s esoteric endings. Past assembly main characters who might need a job within the enlargement, clearing the sport could be sure that your character is robust sufficient to tackle no matter new threats Elden Ring throws your method.
Check out new sport plus
New sport plus doesn’t have any apparent connection to Shadow of the Erdtree: the mode merely makes the sport more durable in alternate for larger rewards, do you have to survive. However for those who’ve already achieved all the pieces there may be to do in Elden Ring, it may not be a foul thought to test NG+ out: if nothing else, it might enable you to get again into the groove of the sport. We’ve been ready a very long time for Shadow of the Erdtree, which suggests your muscle reminiscence might have a refresher. The excellent news is that you simply’ll maintain a lot of your non-quest associated objects and runes, so that you gained’t should search out your most popular gear once more.