Shadow of the Erdtree‘s grip on the Elden Ring fanbase remains unyielding. Ever since the reveal of the expansion last month, fans have been steeped in anticipation, wondering what horrors FromSoftware will unleash come 21st June.
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki recently confirmed that players will need to defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood and Starscourge Radahn in the base game before they can access the DLC. The inclusion of Radahn puzzled fans as he didn’t have any direct connection to the DLC’s trailer, but a new theory may explain it.
Could The Prodigal Horseman Return In Shadow Of The Erdtree?
A recent Reddit post on the Elden Ring subreddit by user Spare-Ad-4632 featured a screenshot from Shadow of the Erdtree‘s trailer, depicting a skeletal figure riding a pale horse, seemingly within a cavern. This image ignited a flurry of theories about the location of the expansion and more importantly, the identity of the mysterious rider.
Several comments believe that the rider is indeed Starscourge Radahn, reunited with his loyal steed, Leonard, in a spectral form. It would make sense to require players to beat Radahn in Elden Ring if they intend to bring him back in Shadow of the Erdtree. Moreover, it strengthens the case for another theory that claims the Land of Shadows is the afterlife in the game’s lore.
This perspective makes sense when you consider the expansion’s confirmed inclusion of the Fire Golem, who is touted to be a revamp of the Fire Giant boss in Elden Ring. It opens the door to the possibility of other familiar enemies returning in a new light.
Some Believe Radahn Isn’t Showing Up Again
However, the slightly flimsy foundation of the theory didn’t help it fare favorably with other commenters, who argued that it could simply be a generic skeleton riding the horse that isn’t necessarily linked to a specific character. One Redditor said it looks “like a failed mimic tear copy of [Radahn], at best.“
As for the location, the prevailing theory suggests the screenshot depicts an underground map, prompting discussion about potential subterranean exploration in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Starscourge Radahn’s requirement to access Shadow of the Erdtree still eludes fans. There have been many theories about his links to characters who will prominently feature in the expansion, such as Messmer, but it seems we’ll have to wait till June to properly find out how our favorite equestrian plays into all of this.
While these are purely fan theories, they highlight the fervent anticipation for Shadow of the Erdtree. With director Hidetaka Miyazaki recently confirming the absence of an Elden Ring sequel in FromSoftware’s immediate plans, this expansion may be our last official journey through The Lands Between.
