Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: Must-Have Items Before Playing?

Yes, you should pick up a few key items before starting Shadow of the Erdtree, but the most essential one is the Secret Rite Scroll—it is the literal key that unlocks the DLC. You also want to stock up on Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes once you’re inside, and it helps to have a strong build and a maxed-out weapon. This article explains exactly what you need, why it matters, and how to prepare without spoiling the story.

What the DLC Requires Before You Can Enter

FromSoftware designed the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion to be accessible only after you defeat two specific bosses in the base game: Radahn (in Caelid) and Mohg, Lord of Blood (in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum). Once both are dead, a withered arm will appear in Mohg’s boss arena. Interacting with it requires the Secret Rite Scroll, which you obtain by talking to Count Ymir at the Cathedral of Manus Celes after completing his questline. Without this scroll, the arm won’t respond, and you can’t travel to the Land of Shadow.

So the true “must-have” item is the Secret Rite Scroll. But that’s just the entry ticket—the DLC’s unique progression system means you’ll want to gather two other item types immediately after arriving.

Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes: The DLC’s Leveling System

Inside the Land of Shadow, your character’s level and weapon upgrades matter far less than they do in the base game. Instead, you collect Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes to power up your character and your Spirit Summons respectively. These items are found in fixed locations scattered across the map, often near churches, mausoleums, or after defeating certain enemies.

• Scadutree Fragments increase your damage dealt and reduce damage taken. You use them at a Site of Grace to “bless” yourself, and each blessing adds a stacking bonus. The effect is massive—at higher blessing levels, you can deal nearly double damage and take half as much.
• Revered Spirit Ashes similarly boost your Spirit Summons’ attack and defense. If you rely on summons, these are just as important as Scadutree Fragments.

Because these items are tied to exploration, you can’t farm them from enemies. You must find them in the world. That means the best preparation is to explore thoroughly and prioritize picking up every fragment you see, especially early on. A player who rushes the main path will struggle against even basic enemies, while someone who collects a handful of fragments will find the difficulty far more manageable.

How to Prepare Your Character Before the DLC

While the DLC’s new leveling system partially resets your power, you still need a solid foundation. Here’s what to check before you enter:

• Weapon upgrade level: Bring at least a +10 Somber or +25 regular weapon. The DLC enemies are tuned for end-game gear, and a weak weapon will make fights drag on.
• Vigor (HP): Aim for 50–60 Vigor. The DLC’s enemies hit hard, and even with Scadutree blessings, you’ll need the health buffer.
• Flask upgrades: Max out your Sacred Flask and Cerulean Flask charges using Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears from the base game. You’ll be using a lot of healing.
• Build viability: The DLC adds new weapons and skills, but your existing build should be fully functional. Respec if needed before entering, since you can’t access Rennala’s rebirth while inside the Land of Shadow.

Also consider stocking up on Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones—you’ll find new weapons in the DLC and will want to upgrade them immediately without having to backtrack.

Common Mistakes Players Make When Starting the DLC

The biggest mistake is ignoring Scadutree Fragments because you think your level is high enough. Your character level is nearly irrelevant in the Land of Shadow—the game explicitly scales you down. Even a level 200 player with a +25 weapon will take heavy damage and deal pitiful damage if they haven’t collected any fragments.

Another common error is trying to rush the main story. The DLC’s difficulty curve assumes you’ll explore and find fragments along the way. If you beeline to the first boss, you’ll likely be underpowered. Instead, take time to clear side areas and grab every fragment you can find.

Finally, players often forget that Revered Spirit Ashes are just as important as Scadutree Fragments if they use summons. A fully upgraded Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche is a huge help, but only if you’ve also collected Spirit Ashes to boost them.

How to Get the Secret Rite Scroll (Step-by-Step)

If you haven’t started Count Ymir’s questline, here’s the order of events:

1. Defeat Radahn and Mohg in the base game.
2. Travel to the Cathedral of Manus Celes (found in the Moonlight Altar region, accessible after Ranni’s questline).
3. Talk to Count Ymir at the cathedral. He’ll ask you to find a specific item.
4. Head to the Finger Ruins of Rhia (north of the cathedral) and retrieve the item.
5. Return to Ymir, then exhaust his dialogue until he gives you the Secret Rite Scroll.

If you’ve already progressed past certain story points, Ymir might be gone. In that case, you can still find the scroll in his chair at the cathedral, but it’s safer to do this before finishing the base game’s main story.

What If You Don’t Have the Scroll? (Alternatives and Workarounds)

There is no alternative to the Secret Rite Scroll—it’s the only way to enter the DLC. If you somehow missed it, you’ll need to reload the area or check Ymir’s location again. Some players have reported that the scroll appears in his chair even if he’s dead, so always check the cathedral.

If you haven’t defeated Radahn or Mohg, you must do that first. There’s no way to skip those bosses. However, you can use the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfield to reach Mohg’s arena early, but you still need to beat him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to finish the base game’s main story to play the DLC?

No. You only need to defeat Radahn and Mohg, which are optional bosses. You can enter the DLC before the final boss of the base game. However, it’s recommended to be at least level 120–150 and have a fully upgraded weapon.

Can I enter the DLC on New Game+?

Yes, the DLC is available on New Game+ as long as you’ve defeated Radahn and Mohg in that cycle. The difficulty scales with your NG+ level, so be prepared for tougher enemies.

Are Scadutree Fragments shared between characters?

No. Each character has their own set of Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes. You must collect them separately for each playthrough.

What happens if I miss a Scadutree Fragment?

You can revisit the Land of Shadow at any time after entering, so you can go back and collect missed fragments. There’s no time limit or lockout.

Do I need to upgrade my Spirit Summons before the DLC?

It helps, but the DLC’s Revered Spirit Ashes will boost them further. If you have a favorite summon, upgrade it to +10 before entering, then collect as many Spirit Ashes as possible.

Is there a level requirement for the DLC?

No, but the recommended level is around 120–150. Lower levels are possible if you’re skilled, but you’ll have a much harder time.

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