Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: What to know about the DLC release

Elden Ring followers will return to the Lands Between this summer season with the discharge of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. FromSoftware’s main new enlargement to its 2022 open-world action-role-playing recreation guarantees an all-new story, with new enemies to face and new weapons, armor, and spells to equip.

After greater than two years, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree will ship gamers someplace new, the Land of Shadow, for what guarantees to be a difficult journey. FromSoftware’s DLC sometimes incorporates the developer’s hardest bosses and enemies, so anticipate a serious take a look at of skills.

And whereas FromSoftware is conserving many particulars about Shadow of the Erdtree beneath wraps, right here’s what we all know concerning the DLC, primarily based on its reveal trailer.

When does Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree launch?

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco will launch Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree on June 21, 2024. The enlargement might be launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection X, and PC through Steam, similar to the unique Elden Ring.

The place is Shadow of the Erdtree set? How do you entry the DLC?

The occasions of Shadow of the Erdtree happen in a brand new area referred to as the Land of Shadow. In line with recreation director Hidetaka Miyazaki, that new land is an “fully separate, bodily separate map” that “technically occupies the identical area because the Lands Between.” In different phrases, anticipate an alternate actuality model of the world, much like Darkish Souls’ Artorias of the Abyss and Bloodborne’s The Previous Hunters add-ons.

Miyazaki additionally informed Eurogamer that the Land of Shadow is FromSoftware’s “largest enlargement so far when it comes to total quantity.”

Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

Miyazaki says that Elden Ring gamers can entry Shadow of the Erdtree’s Land of Shadow by visiting Miquella’s cocoon. In Elden Ring, that cocoon is just accessible after defeating Mohg, Lord of Blood, in Mohgwyn Palace.

Mohgwyn Palace might be accessed by a gateway teleporter within the Consecrated Snowfield or by utilizing the Pureblood Knight’s Medal given by White Masks Varré on the finish of his questline. In different phrases, Elden Ring gamers might want to have superior far into the sport to entry Shadow of the Erdtree.

What’s the story of Shadow of the Erdtree?

Gamers will observe within the footsteps of Empyrean Miquella and hint his journey to the Land of Shadow, which FromSoftware describes as “a spot obscured by the Erdtree the place the goddess Marika first set foot.” Gamers will encounter different characters who’re additionally following Miquella, however have “ulterior motives.” Miyazaki likens the participant’s journey of trailing Miquella to following the blessings from the Websites of Grace within the Lands Between.

What’s new in Shadow of the Erdtree?

Along with a brand new land, which Miyazaki says might be stuffed with large-scale legacy dungeons in addition to small- to medium-scale dungeons, gamers can anticipate new boss battles, new varieties of enemies, and new weapons, armor, and different tools. Shadow of the Erdtree will, after all, additionally function new story components and NPCs.

One of many largest and most vital new characters is Messmer the Impaler. He shares related options with Malenia, Miquella’s twin sister and certainly one of Elden Ring’s most fearsome enemies. Messmer the Impaler is revealed in Shadow of the Erdtree’s trailer sitting on a throne that appeared within the boss room the place gamers battled Morgott, the Omen King within the Royal Capital of Leyndell. Miyazaki says that Messmer “stands on equal footing to those different demigods and kids of Marika who sat round in these thrones and held the rooms of the Erdtree.” In different phrases, he’s a giant deal, and we’ll be taught why Messmer seems to have been banished to the Land of Shadow within the DLC.

Shadow of the Erdtree may also introduce different bosses, together with this imposing big strolling brazier. Total, gamers can anticipate 10 new bosses within the DLC.

Picture: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

The debut trailer additionally exhibits off new weapons and spells, together with a dueling protect and the participant character getting the flying wings of Crucible Knights. Gamers may also have a brand new hand-to-hand fight choice, as proven by the trailer’s flying kick assault that appears straight out of Sekiro. Miyazaki says eight new weapon classes have additionally been added.

The Land of Shadow may also introduce new pure threats, together with what seems to be a Dying Blight swamp. FromSoft does love its hellish swaps.

How will you pre-order Shadow of the Erdtree?

Shadow of the Erdtree is now accessible for pre-order, and might be accessible in a wide range of editions, together with:

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree ($39.99) – the usual model of the enlargement, accessible digitally on all platforms

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Version ($79.99) – a bundle that options Elden Ring on a bodily disc and a digital voucher for Shadow of the Erdtree; solely accessible bodily on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Premium Bundle ($49.99) – contains the Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement, a digital artwork ebook, and digital soundtrack bonus content material. It’ll be accessible digitally on all platforms

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Deluxe Version ($99.99) – contains the Elden Ring base recreation, the Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement, digital artwork books, and digital soundtracks for each the bottom recreation and the enlargement; accessible digitally on all platforms

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Collector’s Version ($249.99) – features a voucher code for the Shadow of the Erdtree enlargement, a 46 cm statue of Messmer the Impaler, a 40-page bodily artwork ebook, and the digital soundtrack

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is ready to launch on June 21, 2024, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection X, and PC through Steam.