Summary
FromSoftware’s expansions have always been notably harder than their base games, whether we talk aboutBloodborne: The Old Hunters,Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City, or that brilliantSekiro: Shadows Die Twiceexpansion that, for some reason, was never released.Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreeis no exception and is designed for high-level Tarnished with the best gear possible. However, even if you’re not one of them and feel underleveled to experience everything the Land of Shadow has to offer, don’t give up just yet.
Thanks to the new mechanics introduced inShadow of the Erdtree, developers at FromSoftware ensured that your character’s level isn’t the only factor needed to enjoy the expansion. Even high-level characters may struggle in the new lands if they play carelessly. Of course, a higher level generally means more combat build options with various weapons and stats, but even underleveled players can overcome the challenges ahead if they keep in mind the useful tips below. So Godspeed, fellow Tarnished.
1Collect Scadutree and Revered Spirit Ash Blessings
Make It Your Golden Rule, Your Mantra, Your Alpha-and-Omega
It can’t be stressed enough, but first and foremost, when you reach the Land of Shadow, make sure to collect Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes to level up your Blessings. Your character’s level isn’t as crucial inShadow of the Erdtree, so even if you’re a bit underleveled (anywhere above at least level 120) but have managed to defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood, in Mohgwyn Palace, you can survive all of the expansion’s challenges, provided you’ve collected enough Blessings. Each piece increases both theoverall attack power and the defensive statsof a character by a specific percentage. After the first patches, the effect is most notable during the first few levels, which youcan obtain fairly easily.
Your character’s base stats are also crucial for survivability, so you should have both Vigor and Endurance stats as high as you can afford at your level. Ideally, you need at least 40 Vigor (for more HP) and 30 Endurance (for more stamina and equip load to afford better armor) to clearShadow of the Erdtreerelatively comfortably.
2Use Rune Farming
If You’re Really Underleveled, There’s a Cure For That
One of the most straightforward pieces of advice forElden Ringplayers who feel severely underleveled forShadow of the Erdtreeis to start rune farming to quickly gain levels and enhance your character’s damage output, health pool, and defensive capabilities. Luckily, if you’ve already reached the Land of Shadow, you’ve unlocked the best farming spot in the game, where you canearn up to 15,000 runes every 15 seconds.
To farm runes efficiently, all you have to do is reach the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace, then hit the bird wandering below with a ranged weapon or spell to trigger its aggro and make it fall off the cliff. Rinse and repeat, and don’t forget toequip the Gold Scarab Talismanbefore you start.
3Start With Easier Areas
Some Areas In The Land Of Shadow Prove To Be More Manageable
Not every new area in the Land of Shadow is built equally, nor is there a straightforward way to progress from easier to harder locations naturally. With impressive verticality and navigation that can feel unpredictable and tangled at every step, players might need help determining where to go first when exploringShadow of the Erdtree.
One piece of advice is to stick to Central, West, and East Gravesite Plain and Belurat, Tower Settlement (on the left from Central Plain) during the first hours of gameplay, as players can collect many Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes there while facing manageable enemies (if skipping several optional bosses). Avoid rushing into the central part of the map too soon, as it is only accessible after youprogress through Castle Ensis, where you will face a tough boss you may be unprepared for in the early hours.
4Don’t Overestimate Your Strength
Don’t Engage With Tough Enemies Like Furnace Golems Right Off The Bat
Shadow of the Erdtreemakes a strong first impression by throwing some really tough enemies at you right from the start, including Curseblades,Furnace Golems, and even deadly Blackgaol Knights. The best strategy is to postpone fights against these formidable foes until you grow stronger and collect additional Scadutree Fragments. Since underleveled players can summon Torrent and escape easily, it’s wise to keep that in mind and not overestimate your combat potential.
It’s best to avoid the majority of the expansion’s early optional bosses at first (trust us — don’t run straight into theNameless Mausoleum), as you will likely get completely wrecked. Instead, focus on leveling up, collecting and using Blessings, and becoming more comfortable with the new level of difficulty in the Land of Shadow. Once you’re more prepared, you’re able to return to these challenging enemies and overcome them.
5Use Rune Arcs
Don’t Be Afraid To Waste Consumables — There Are Plenty
Many players tend to save theirRune Arcsor even forget about them, but since you can find and buy plenty, there’s no need to hoard them. Consuming Rune Arcs and playing carefully will give most underleveled characters a significant edge over the new threats. Even if you die and waste one, it’s not a big deal. Rune Arcs are relatively common in the base game, and by the time I started the expansion, I had about 50 in my inventory, so they’renot as rare as some players think. Additionally, you can buy at least 20 Rune Arcs from in-game merchants, so keep an eye out for them.
The most commonlyrecommended Great Runesto use are Godrick’s or Radahn’s Great Runes. Godrick’s Great Rune will boost all of your stats by 5, while Radahn’s Great Rune will grant an additional 15% to your health, mana, and stamina. Choose the one that best suits your needs and stick with it to gain an advantage inShadow of the Erdtree.
6Use Your Spirit Ashes Or Summon NPCs
Don’t Be Biased Against Some Of The Game’s Own Mechanics
Some soulslike players still have reservations about using summoning mechanics inElden Ringand prefer never to use Spirit Ashes or NPC summon signs when fighting bosses. While it is definitely up to you whether to use them or not,Spirit Ashes are invaluableagainst certain boss encounters inShadow of the Erdtree, given how fast and aggressive some of the new bosses, likeMessmer the ImpalerorBayle the Dread, are. It’s not that your summons can defeat bosses for you; rather, they’re useful for distracting bosses even for brief moments that can be used for healing or buffing your character. Simply put, you need to stop worrying about using Spirit Ashes if you think it’s cheating, as some of the new bosses were clearly designed with this mechanic in mind.
Another tip is to always summon an NPC if there’s a sign near or inside the boss arena inShadow of the Erdtree. Not only will you get aid in combat, but more often than not, this will progress NPCs' questlines (like Hornsent’s or Igon’s), potentially unlocking unique rewards.
7Use Ranged Weapons
Always Keep Your Bolts, Arrows, and Spells At Hand
Elden Ringplayers who primarily use melee builds might find it challenging to engage with the many deadly new enemies inShadow of the Erdtree. To make life easier, it is recommended to acquire at least one upgraded ranged weapon, such as a bow or crossbow with enhanced arrows or bolts, or to learn a ranged spell like Rock Sling to deal with enemies from a distance. In many cases, it is possible to “cheese” enemies this way and defeat them before they can even touch you. However, be aware that many new enemies have their own nasty tricks up their sleeves and possess powerful ranged attacks as well, so always be on your guard.
Additionally, ensure your primary weapons are upgraded to their max level (+25 for most weapons, +10 for rare weapons) to guarantee you are dealing the highest possible damage. If your weapons are not yet fully upgraded, consider gathering all Smithing and Somber Smithing Stone Bell Bearings toaccess an unlimited supplyof weapon upgrading materials.
