Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Lots of Elden Ring Players Aren’t Ready for Shadow of the Erdtree—Here’s How to Prepare

You do not need to meet an official character-level target to enter Shadow of the Erdtree. Defeat Radahn and Mohg, then use the expansion’s blessing items to strengthen yourself in the Realm of Shadow.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

There is no official character-level requirement for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. To enter, defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, then approach the arm hanging from Miquella’s cocoon in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. If the Realm of Shadow feels overwhelming, the expansion’s own progression system offers a concrete next step: explore for Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes.

What “ready” means in Shadow of the Erdtree

Bandai Namco’s official entry guide names two required boss victories, not a recommended character level: Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood. After defeating Mohg, approach the arm hanging from the cocoon to travel to the Realm of Shadow. The guide does not publish a mandatory or recommended level, so a specific number should not be treated as an official readiness threshold. Bandai Namco’s entry guide was published on 21 June 2024.

The actual access checklist

  • Defeat Starscourge Radahn.
  • Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood.
  • Approach the arm at Miquella’s cocoon in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum.

If you have reached the cocoon and cannot enter, check that both boss victories are complete. The publisher’s stated gate is those two bosses and the interaction with the cocoon—not a level check.

Why a level number is an incomplete readiness test

Character level is not the only progression measure that matters once you are in the expansion. Shadow of the Erdtree adds region-specific blessings that increase your effectiveness in the Realm of Shadow. A level target cannot account for whether you have collected or applied those blessings, and the official materials do not establish a single level as sufficient for every player.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

That makes “I’m a certain level, so I should be ready” a less useful test than asking whether you are exploring the region, collecting its upgrade items, and applying them at Sites of Grace.

How to get stronger in the Realm of Shadow

There are two blessing tracks. Scadutree Fragments strengthen your character’s Scadutree Blessing, improving attack power and damage negation. Revered Spirit Ashes strengthen the abilities of summoned spirits, improving their offense and defense. These effects apply in the Realm of Shadow and stop when you return to the Lands Between. Bandai Namco’s strengthening guide, published on 25 June 2024, describes the items and their use.

Item What it strengthens Where the effect applies Where to use it
Scadutree Fragment Your Scadutree Blessing: player attack power and damage negation Realm of Shadow At a Site of Grace
Revered Spirit Ash Your Revered Spirit Ash Blessing: summoned spirits’ offense and defense Realm of Shadow At a Site of Grace

If a fight is stopping your progress

  1. Leave the immediate area and explore nearby routes rather than assuming the only answer is more character levels.
  2. Look for Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes as you explore.
  3. Rest at a Site of Grace and use the blessing options to apply the items you have collected.
  4. Return to the difficult encounter and reassess how it goes.

Bandai Namco explicitly recommends exploration and collecting these items when players get stuck. That is a publisher-supported response to difficulty; it is not a promise that any particular number of fragments will make a specific boss easy.

Rank #2
RACEROCKET Elden Ring Dark Moon Greatsword Straight Knight's Sword Model 11.8-Inch Metal Craft Sword with Display Stand Martial Arts Swords Action Figure Collectible Desk Decor Party Supply Gift
  • High Quality Materials : This Dark Moon Greatsword model is crafted from high-quality zinc alloy, ensuring excellent durability and resistance to wear. The intricate craftsmanship and realistic detailing make it a perfect, authentic reproduction of the legendary sword from Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, making it an ideal collector's item for fans of the game
  • Ideal Size & Safety: Designed based on Game Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword, this 11.8-inch replica is eye-catching in any setting. Its smooth surface and absence of sharp edges ensure it's safe to handle and easy to carry, so you can enjoy it without worry
  • Realistic Details Reproduction: The detailed carving and texture design of the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword is exquisite, with the blade shimmering under the moonlight. This stunningly crafted sword brings you a visually immersive experience, which makes it a collector's item
  • Multipurpose Decoration: This beautiful Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword is not only suitable for collection, but also can be used to decorate your desktop, bookshelf, or game-themed party, adding a unique style to your space
  • Best Gift Choice: Whether it's for game fans, collectors, or as a birthday or holiday gift, this Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree Dark Moon Greatsword model is a personalized choice that will be warmly welcomed

What to change when combat still feels difficult

The official guidance establishes exploration and local blessings as ways to improve, but it does not prescribe a universally correct weapon, summon, build, or boss strategy. Treat those choices as experiments, not readiness rules. If an approach is failing, adjust one variable at a time—such as your weapon, equipment, summon use, or timing—so you can tell what actually helps. The key point supported by the publisher is to use the expansion’s exploration and blessing loop rather than treating a character-level number as the sole answer.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Do you need to buy anything to prepare?

For gameplay, the Collector Edition is not a requirement. The expansion requires the base Elden Ring game. Bandai Namco’s product information describes a physical Collector Edition with an expansion code, a 46 cm Messmer statue, an art book, and a soundtrack voucher; it does not include the base game. The publisher describes it as limited in quantity, and its current stock is not established here. Check the platform and code compatibility, and verify current availability with the seller before buying.

Bandai Namco announced the expansion’s release on 21 June 2024 for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PC via Steam. That historical release information does not establish present-day stock or pricing. See the publisher’s European product page and North American product page for product details; confirm current purchase terms and compatibility before ordering.

Rank #3
ELDEN RING - Shadow of the Erdtree - Xbox [Digital Code]
  • Playable on 21st June 2024.
  • Pre-order now and get the following bonus content for the expansion: ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Bonus Gesture
  • Winner of hundreds of accolades including The Game Awards Game of the Year and Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year, ELDEN RING is the acclaimed action RPG epic set in a vast, dark fantasy world. Players embark on an epic quest with the freedom to explore and adventure at their own pace.
  • The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion features an all-new story set in the Land of Shadow imbued with mystery, perilous dungeons, and new enemies, weapons and equipment.
  • Discover uncharted territories, face formidable adversaries, and revel in the satisfying triumph of victory. Dive into the riveting interplay of characters, where drama and intrigue intertwine, that create an immersive experience to savor and enjoy.

What the available evidence does—and does not—say about readiness

A May 15, 2026 article with this topic’s headline has an accessible search excerpt, but its full page could not be retrieved. The excerpt is not a basis for a player-completion percentage or a universal combat prescription. No verified readiness statistic is established here, and the publisher’s cited guides do not say that the expansion requires a particular level, faster weapons, or a specific approach to healing or summons.

The useful distinction is straightforward: access has a defined boss gate, while readiness is not reduced to a published level threshold. Once through the gate, the publisher’s guidance is to explore, collect the region’s two blessing items, and apply them at Sites of Grace.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.