How to Start Shadow of the Erdtree - Elden Ring Guide - IGN (2024)

Like other From Software games, simply buying the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring won't let you start its adventure right away. Instead, you'll have to defeat certain bosses and access the right area in Elden Ring. This page contains information on where and how to begin Shadow of the Erdtree and the requirements for doing so.

Story and Boss Requirements for Shadow of the Erdtree

There are only two main shardbearer bosses that must be defeated to access the DLC: Starscourge Radahn, and Mogh, Lord of Blood. While you're encouraged to take on other bosses (and starting a fresh character you'll be highly encouraged to take on much more bosses), only these two are absolutely required.

Defeating Radahn

Starscourge Radhan is the demigod shardbearer boss found in the Wailing Dunes of Caelid, a boss you must defeat as part of the Festival at Redmane Castle. This boss is a bit unorthodox, given to his massive size and sheer attack power, but you'll be able to continually summon other NPC participants of the festival.

• See our Complete Radhan Boss Guide Here!

If fighting him on a New Game character, it's highly recommended that you undertake Blaidd's Questline starting in East Limgrave (leading into Ranni's Questline in Liurnia) so that you can summon him during the fight. Undertaking Ranni's Questline will also cause Redmane Castle to empty of enemies, making the approach to Radahn that much easier.

Another potential warrior to add is Alexander the Iron Fist, who you can find in Limgrave by freeing him from a ditch. He can also appear in Gael Tunnel, but it's not necessary to find and speak to him here.

Defeating Mogh

Mogh, Lord of Blood, is a very late-game boss who resides in Moghwyn Palace, a secret underground area that is very tricky to get to. There are two methods you can approach Moghwyn Palace, depending on your character level and if you're playing New Game Plus or not.

• See our Complete Mogh Boss Guide Here!

The first method is to find Varre in Liurnia at the Rose Church, and undertake his quest to invade players three times in PvP (You do not have to win). Doing so will earn you an item that teleports you into Moghwyn Palace - but this is not recommended for low level characters.

The second method is to reach the Consecrated Snowfield far to the north of Leyndell the Capital, via a secret lift on the road to the Mountaintops of the Giants (you'll need two medallion halves - one from Albus the Albinauric hiding in a pot in Liurnia, and found at the end of Castle Sol in the Mountainops of the Giants.

Once in the snowfield region, you can find a secret Sending Gate teleporter along the central western border of the region that takes you to Moghwyn Palace.

As a high level boss, Mogh can be tricky to defeat for New Game characters, but there are a few tricks to help give you an edge. Like Margit, Mogh has a Shackle that can stun him for a short period, and it can be found in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds beneath Leyndell (via the sewers). Once in the underground area, fall to the bottom of a large room full of pipes to find it guarded by Giant Crayfish.

Another trick to surviving his "Nihil" blood loss attack is by using the Purifying Crystal Tear, held by Eleonora the Violet Bloody Finger. She will appear in the Altus Plateau's Second Church of Marika (which may require advancing the Bloody Finger Hunter Yura's questline).

Accessing Miquella's Cocoon

Once you are ready, head to the Cocoon of the Empyrean Site of Grace in the Mohgwyn Palace region of the underground. Here you will find a new character, Leda, who is a follower of the demigod Miquella. The child of Marika appears to have renounced their body and entered a Realm of Shadow, and his charmed followers are intent on following him. Leda will instruct you to touch Miquella’s arm to be taken to this new realm.