With the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring on the horizon, it is crucial that you are adequately prepared to face the obstacles in the Land of Shadow. To assist you, here is a comprehensive guide on what you should do before the release of the Elden Ring DLC.
The highly anticipated game, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdree, takes place in a completely different timeline from its predecessor and features a diverse range of enemies, bosses, weapons, and areas. In order to overcome the numerous upcoming challenges, it is crucial for players to ensure their character is well-equipped.
To ensure you are fully prepared to enter the Land of Shadow, there are a few essential steps to complete. Here is a comprehensive guide on what you need to do before playing Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
Preparing for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
To prepare for Shadow of the Erdtree, make sure to take note of these 6 important things:
Defeat Mohg and Radahn
Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed in an interview with Famitsu that in order to access Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, players must defeat both Mohg, Lord of Blood and Starscourge Radahn. Mohg can be encountered in Mohgwyn Palace, while Radahn is a mandatory
The cocoon will be Shadow of the Erdtree’s access point.
To initiate the expansion, the Tarnished must make contact with the withered arm protruding from the cocoon in Mohg’s boss arena at the Site of Grace’s Cocoon of the Empyrean. As the DLC revolves around Miquella the Kind, it is logical for the starting location to be the cocoon where he was held captive.
To come across Radahn, it is important to first initiate Ranni’s questline, which includes locating the hidden city of Nokron. When you have obtained the coordinates with the help of Blaidd, you will be tasked with defeating Radahn at the Redmane Castle’s festival.
Just like encountering Mogh, progressing through White Mask Varre’s questline (or taking the portal in the Consecrated Snowfield) is necessary. However, it is important to note that Mogh is a challenging boss fight, so it is recommended to level up before attempting to defeat him on your first run.
Upgrade at least to level 120
The ideal levels for Elden Ring’s endgame content are within the range of 120-150. It is important for your Tarnished to be within this range before beginning Shadow of the Erdree. If you are playing on an NG+ file, your character should already meet this requirement, but be sure to continuously level up whenever possible.
According to Miyazaki’s interview with Famitsu, Shadow of the Erdtree will feature a distinct leveling system and a significant increase in difficulty compared to the base game. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Regardless of the stat your build focuses on, it is recommended to have a minimum of 60 Vigor.
Collect the best Talismans
Talismans are an essential part of every build.
Talismans in Elden Ring offer various bonuses that complement your build and assist with weight management, among other things. While the DLC will introduce new Talismans for you to obtain, obtaining the most powerful ones at the start of your adventure in the Land of Shadow is crucial.
The top Talismans are also highly adaptable and seamlessly fit into your preferred method of gameplay. Our recommendations for the most crucial Talismans to possess consist of Great-Jar’s Arsenal, Crimson Amber Medallion +2, Erdtree’s Favor +2, Golden Scarab, and the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman.
Ensure that all four Talisman slots are unlocked by defeating both Margit and Godfrey.
Scale up your weapons
It is crucial to fully upgrade all of the weapons you utilize. By the time you are prepared to tackle Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, you will probably have established your preferred build and chosen weapons.
After completing the upgrades, it’s recommended to test the weapons in areas that are typically more challenging later in the game. If you’re able to easily defeat enemies, it’s a good indication that you are well-equipped for the DLC content.
When it comes to upgrade materials, be sure to acquire all the Smithing and Somberstone Bell Bearings available in the game. These will provide you with an unlimited supply of base weapon upgrade materials. Additionally, it is beneficial to obtain all the Whetstone Knives, as they allow you to alter your weapon’s affinity and enhance your build.
Top up your Flasks
To maximize your Flask supply, it is important to collect as many Golden Seeds as possible. In order to enhance the effectiveness of each Flask, it is necessary to gather Sacred Tears and upgrade them. These items can be obtained in various areas of the Lands Between. Keep in mind that each Flask can hold a maximum of 14 charges and can be upgraded to a potency of +12.
With just one sip from your Flask in Elden Ring, you can potentially turn the tides of battle. This consumable has the power to quickly restore your confidence as you strategically maneuver through a boss fight that has been plaguing you for hours. It can also provide a much-needed escape route when faced with a group of relentless enemies. Therefore, it is crucial to always have the maximum number of Flasks in your possession.
Try out different builds
It can be challenging to let go of the build you have finished Elden Ring with. However, it is also valuable to experiment with a new setup and different weapons in order to determine their effectiveness. With Shadow of the Erdree still weeks away, now is the perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and explore different playstyles.
If you typically focus on close-combat and invest in strength and dexterity, it may be worth considering switching to an intelligence and faith build to test whether utilizing Incantations and Spells can surpass the effectiveness of the Greatswords in your inventory.
The simplest method for altering your stats is to go to Rennala, located at the Raya Lucaria Grand Library, and utilizing a Larval Tear to re-spec your character.
Our suggestions for preparing for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree remain the same. As previously mentioned, it is crucial to prioritize builds and weapons before delving into the DLC. Be sure to thoroughly address these areas before moving forward.
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