Whether you’re a fan of FromSoftware games or just diving into the daunting yet beautiful worlds crafted by Hidetaka Miyazaki, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree must have caught your attention at some point. The DLC’s hype has been strong ever since the base game launched, and gamers are finally preparing for the much-awaited expansion.
While Shadow of the Erdtree will enter an entirely new realm, there are a few tips to get your character ready for all the challenges that lie in front of you. Here’s a list of all you can do now to make sure you’re ready to uncover further mysteries that lie in the Lands Between.
5. Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood
If you’ve watched the DLC’s trailer, you’ll notice how things start off at an extremely familiar place. This is Mohgwyn’s Palace, where you go against one of the toughest bosses in the game. Worry not, as I’ve covered a quick guide that can help you beat the boss easily.
Upon defeating him, you’ll gain access to the new area that’s to be explored in Shadow of the Erdtree. It’s interesting how FromSoftware wanted to make sure you’re competent enough to enter the expansion area, and defeating Mohg is just the right test for that.
4. Gear up!
Based on all the possible builds Elden Ring has to offer, choose and hone one that best suits your playstyle. In my last playthrough, I shuffled between the Grave Scythe and Rivers of Blood, leading to a bleed build that focused on stacking up some crazy damage potential.
Similarly, based on what stats (Dexterity, Strength, etc.) suit you best, craft up a build that has the ideal armor set, weapons, talismans, and so on. This way, the initial stages of exploration in Shadow of the Erdtree won’t feel overwhelming. Intimidating? Sure, but that’s what we signed up for, anyway.
3. Defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella
The infamous boss, Malenia, is easily one of the toughest characters to go against in any FromSoftware game. She’s quick, she’s deadly, and she’ll likely make you restart the fight many, many times. However, upon defeating her, you get some great weapons and armor, along with Malenia’s Great Rune.
Furthermore, exploring the area around her will also give you a sweet history lesson about Malenia and her brother Miquella, both essential personalities to the narrative of Elden Ring. I suggest checking out YouTuber V-Limit’s video on the lore behind the two.
2. Complete Elden Ring at Least Once
If it’s your first time playing the game, it’s understandable if you’re holding back from completing the base game in hopes of waiting for the DLC to arrive. Yes, Shadow of the Erdtree may continue off from a very different place that may not be interlinked with the game’s ending, but this shouldn’t stop you from completing the game.
Elden Ring has six different endings, and it’s great to see how events unfold based on your choices. It’s not at all a problem if you choose to complete the game before entering the DLC. In fact, this is what leads me to the most important point in this list.
1. Give New Game+ a Try
Now that you’ve completed the base game, starting your journey again gives you two options. Either you build a character from scratch or you continue playing as the same character in NG+. It’s recommended that you try out NG+ because this will give the game a new whirlwind of challenges suited to the build you already have.
Given how overpowered you may feel towards the end of the base game, NG+ changes this by scaling the difficulty up to your stats, and you can now do side quests you may have ignored before. Moreover, you’ll likely discover new items, areas, and ways of playing that you may have missed out on before.
The above list ensures that your playtime before Shadow of the Erdtree is a fruitful one. This will familiarise you with the world of Elden Ring and prepare your character for all that awaits them in Shadow of the Erdtree.
What are your thoughts on the things to do before the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree arrives? Let us know in the comments below.
