Elden Ring‘s enormously hyped and massively sized Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is nearing the end of its long wait, now that it’s just less than a month from release. The latest story trailer tells us a bit more about Messmer the Impaler, the supposed main villain of the expansion.
However, a growing theory among fans suggests that FromSoftware might be employing a clever bait-and-switch tactic, deliberately placing emphasis on Messmer to obscure the identity of a potential bigger antagonist.
Godrick’s Initial Perception By Fans Was Completely Wrong
Posted to the r/Eldenring community on Reddit, the theory draws parallels between the marketing campaigns for the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. The original Elden Ring trailer featured the gruesome mini boss Godrick the Grafted, leading players to believe he would be the big bad of the game.
Elden Ring Theory: Shadow of the Erdtree Trailer Confirms Messmer’s Army Was Marika’s Black Ops Team
As it turned out, Elden Ring unfolded with a far more intricate narrative that featured multiple demigods vying for power, and Godrick was simply a small part of the puzzle. This has led many to believe that FromSoftware might be repeating this approach for Shadow of the Erdtree.
Is FromSoftware Hiding Shadow of the Erdtree‘s Real Villain?
There’s significant evidence to support this theory. The Shadow of the Erdtree story trailer heavily focuses on Messmer the Impaler, showcasing his fiery army and the destruction they unleash upon Leyndell. This focus on Messmer is quite opposed to the original Elden Ring trailer, which showcased snippets of various demigods, not just Godrick.
Moreover, unlike Godrick, who turned out to be one of the first (and easiest) bosses in the base game, the marketing for Shadow of the Erdtree suggests Messmer will play a much more significant role. While the trailers and gameplay footage showcase him extensively, they do little to reveal his true motivations or ultimate goal.
This emphasis on Messmer, coupled with the lack of information on other potential antagonists, has led fans to believe he might not be the final boss, or even the true villain of the DLC. Some speculate that FromSoftware might be deliberately misdirecting players in order to preserve the narrative’s surprises.
This bait-and-switch tactic would be a fun way to play with the over-analyzing FromSoftware community, while also ensuring players approach the DLC with a sense of mystery and a healthy dose of skepticism regarding the characters presented.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is set to release on June 21 across PS4/PS5, PC, and Xbox One/Series X/S.
