You do not need a special item, level, or build to start Shadow of the Erdtree. To enter, you must own Elden Ring, defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, then touch the withered arm extending from the cocoon in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. Once inside, Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes are the most useful items to seek: their blessings strengthen you, your spirit summons, and Torrent in the Realm of Shadow.
What you need to enter the expansion
- The base game: Shadow of the Erdtree is DLC and requires Elden Ring. If you already own the base game, check your platform and edition before buying; the publisher also lists an edition containing both games. Bandai Namco’s product page describes the expansion and bundle.
- Two boss victories: defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. Bandai Namco’s access guide outlines the Radahn Festival route and two ways to reach Mohgwyn Palace: White Mask Varré’s quest or a Sending Gate in the Consecrated Snowfield.
After defeating Mohg, interact with the arm emerging from the cocoon in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum to enter the Realm of Shadow. Reach a Site of Grace there to unlock fast travel between the expansion area and the Lands Between. The official guidance does not set a required character level, Vigor target, or equipment checklist.
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Which items are worth finding in the Realm of Shadow?
The two blessing collectibles serve different purposes, so they complement rather than replace one another. Both are spent through the blessing option at a Site of Grace, and their effects apply in the Realm of Shadow—not the Lands Between.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Item | Who it helps | Effect in the Realm of Shadow |
|---|---|---|
| Scadutree Fragments | Your player character | Increase your attack power and damage negation. |
| Revered Spirit Ashes | Summoned spirits and Torrent | Improve their offensive and defensive capabilities. |
Bandai Namco explains both blessings in its DLC access guide and its Realm of Shadow tips.
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Scadutree Fragments
Look for these if you want your character to hit harder and withstand more damage in the expansion. One early location identified by Bandai Namco is the Church of Consolation near Gravesite Plain.
Revered Spirit Ashes
These strengthen your summoned spirits and Torrent, making them useful if you rely on spirit summons or mounted exploration. Bandai Namco points to a hornsent corpse at the edge of the Scorched Ruins as an early example.
Exploration is the practical way to build up both blessings: search notable locations and watch for drops from enemies. Spend the items at a Site of Grace when you have them; there is no need to treat one collectible as a substitute for the other.
How to get oriented in the opening area
Find the local map fragment at the bright point shown on the starting map, beneath an obelisk. PlayStation’s spoiler-free guide also cautions that the Realm of Shadow is highly vertical: areas can extend above or below what the map first suggests, so investigate routes that appear to leave its visible surface.
If you lose track of new loot, PlayStation notes that you can enable Mark New Items and Show Recent Items Tab in the Display settings. These are optional interface aids, not prerequisites for the expansion.
Quick Recap
A practical preparation checklist
- Confirm that you own Elden Ring and the expansion for the platform you intend to play.
- Defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood.
- At Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, interact with the cocoon’s withered arm to enter the Realm of Shadow.
- Reach a Site of Grace, then use it to spend any Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes you find.
- Locate the starting-area map fragment and explore above and below the mapped terrain for more routes and blessing items.
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