The best way to put together for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

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 about to be completely huge; in accordance with director Hidetaka Miyazaki, the addition can be roughly the dimensions of Elden Ring’s beginning space, Limgrave. In different phrases, you’ll have quite a bit 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 methods 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 it’s essential do in Elden Ring earlier than Shadow of the Erdtree.

Attain and defeat Mohg to achieve entry

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When you don’t have to beat the sport to tackle Shadow of the Erdtree, you do want to realize a certain quantity of progress earlier than you possibly can 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 information launched to date, 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 major protagonists of the DLC. Within the base sport, Miquella is housed in an egg you could work together with when you beat Mohg. At present, the mummy-like stays don’t do something, however Shadow of the Erdtree’s single trailer reveals 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. Seemingly, Mohg was utilizing them as fodder for his blood god. If you happen to top off on gadgets that increase your Runes, just like the Gold Pickled Fowl Foot and the Gold Scarab talisman, you should utilize these enemies to power-level very quickly.

It’s potential to achieve dozens of ranges in minutes in case you farm the enemies repeatedly. Thankfully, you possibly can quick journey to the beginning of the extent when you kill the Albinaurics to drive the sport to respawn all of them. Make sure that to snipe the fowl roaming the blood lake that’s seen from the cliff — it may’t actually damage you, and it’s an excellent supply of XP as effectively.

Compensate for Miquella’s lore

Miquella is talked about closely all through Elden Ring, however you by no means really see or converse to the fair-headed Empyryan. And like most Souls video games, all of the storytelling is pretty refined, so it’s fully potential to not know what’s occurring with Miquella — or to overlook the smaller particulars that can possible be fleshed out within the DLC. Watching lore movies (just like the one above from the favored FromSoftware content material creator VaatiVidya) is an effective approach of remedying this challenge.

Discover Volcano Manor

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One of many main themes for Shadow of the Erdtree appears to be blasphemy. The Erdtree, in spite of everything, is related to gentle, and also you’ll be wading within the shadows, probably 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.

Probabilities appear excessive, then, that Shadow of the Erdtree will make some callbacks to Volcano Manor. The manor is dwelling to Ryckard, a demigod who betrayed the Golden Order by permitting himself to be devoured by a strong snake. Plainly Shadow of the Erdtree’s large unhealthy follows an analogous path; within the trailer, he asks an unnamed mom if she would really 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 together with his household, Volcano Manor’s tie to blasphemous snakes is sufficient motive to test it out. We could also be coping with the identical outer god within the DLC.

Plus, Volcano Manor encompasses a string of surprising quests the place you search out different Tarnished. Not solely can Volcano Manor get you in the precise mindset for what you’re about to see in Shadow of the Erdtree, it’s an excellent change of tempo from the remainder of the sport — offered, after all, you’re keen to be a bit of evil.

Full optionally available dungeons

Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco through Polygon

You’ll additionally need to tackle dungeons that aren’t on the sport’s golden path, like Citadel Sol — an space that’s fully 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 and resurrect him, tidbits that can possible make a return within the enlargement.

Simply be warned: Citadel Sol is likely one of the hardest areas within the sport. Don’t be shocked 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 very best gear

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What classifies as “finest” will rely closely on what construct you’re working and your play preferences, however now we have a couple of recommendations 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, take a look at our information on methods to get the Moonveil Katana.)
• Energy builds have a bevy of choices, however I’m keen on the Nice Stars, which heals you with each hit, although the traditional Greatsword can be an excellent wager.
• Religion devotees are in settlement that the very best weapon is the Blasphemous Blade, a greatsword that may deal extra fireplace harm.
• Dexterity builds, in the meantime, have two robust choices which might be out there close to the beginning of the sport: Bloodhounds Fang and Uchigatana.
• These of you attempting out an Arcane construct may need to take a look at 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 alternative. 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 robust stats. If you happen to use medium armor, look into the Gelmir Knight set, or a Knight set generally. And in case you desire heavy armor, you should utilize what’s thought-about some of the 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 possibly can equip in Elden Ring — however for all the pieces else, it actually is dependent upon 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 in case you’re actually seeking to get highly effective as shortly as potential, seek the advice of our Elden Ring rune farming information.

Defeat Malenia

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You’ll undoubtedly need to defeat Malenia, the optionally available boss who resides in Miquella’s hidden kingdom. Whereas Malenia is notoriously troublesome, she’s additionally Miquella’s twin, so that you’ll need to soak in as a lot as you possibly can about her. The trailer additionally encompasses 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 motive. If you happen to’re struggling, our information on methods to defeat Malenia in Elden Ring may also help.

Beat the sport

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This may appear apparent, however then once more, we’re speaking a few Soulslike sport. It’s straightforward to get caught on a boss someplace, or to surrender earlier than you’ve happy the necessities for certainly one of Elden Ring’s esoteric endings. Past assembly main characters who might need a job within the enlargement, clearing the sport might be certain that your character is powerful sufficient to tackle no matter new threats Elden Ring throws your approach.

Check out new sport plus

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New sport plus doesn’t have any apparent connection to Shadow of the Erdtree: the mode merely makes the sport more durable in trade for larger rewards, must you survive. However in case you’ve already finished all the pieces there’s to do in Elden Ring, it may not be a nasty concept to test NG+ out: if nothing else, it may provide help 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 may have a refresher. The excellent news is that you just’ll maintain a lot of your non-quest associated gadgets and runes, so that you received’t must search out your most popular gear once more.