How to start Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Scott Baird
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree New Weapon Types

Elden Ring won’t let players access the DLC from the menu, so you’ll need to prepare before you can take on the challenges in Shadow of the Erdtree.

FromSoftware is known for hiding its DLC behind bosses and story progression, such as needing to beat Vicar Amelia in Bloodborne before you can start The Old Hunters storyline. Elden Ring is no exception, as the new content in Shadow of the Erdtree is gated behind bosses.

Shadow of the Edrtree launches on June 21, but players can prepare for their return to the Lands Between right now, as you need to complete specific tasks before you can start the DLC. This involves conquering some of the game’s trickiest bosses.

Mohg kissing Miquella's corpse's hand

How to start Shadow of the Erdtree

To start Shadow of the Erdtree, you must defeat two bosses and then touch a specific location. This information comes from an interview with Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki In an interview with Famitsu, where he outlined the starting criteria for the DLC.

Beat Starscourge Radahn in Caelid

The first boss is mandatory for story progression, and it’s something that all players need to beat before they can complete the game. You must defeat Starscourge Radahan, who can be found in Redmane Castle in the southeast of Caelid.

It’s recommended that you be above level 60 before taking on Radahn, but skilled players can attempt it earlier, as multiple NPCs can aid you during this battle.

For more information about defeating this mighty boss, check out our Starscourge Radahn guide.

Beat Mohg, Lord of Blood in Mohgwyn Palace

The second boss is optional, though many players likely encountered him during their journey. You must defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood, who can be found within the Mohgwyn Palace, a secret level within the underground Siofra River. This location can be accessed through a portal in the west of the Consecrated Snowfield. 

It’s recommended that you be above level 90 before taking on Radahn, but skilled players can attempt it earlier, as there are specific items & potions you can use to make the fight easier.

Check out our Mohg, Lord of Blood guide for more information about defeating this powerful boss.

Once these bosses are defeated, you can start the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC by interacting with the cocoon in Mohg’s boss arena, as it contains the body of Miquella, who is vitally important to the story of Shadow of the Erdtree.

That’s everything you need to know about starting Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Check out these guides to learn more about preparing for the new content.

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About The Author

Scott has been writing for Dexerto since 2023, having been a former contributor to websites like Cracked, Dorkly, Topless Robot, Screen Rant, The Gamer, and TopTenz. A graduate of Edge Hill University in the UK, Scott started as a film student before moving into journalism. Scott specializes in Pokemon, Nintendo, DnD, Final Fantasy, and MTG. He can be contacted on LinkedIn.