Beginner Tips for Shadow of the Erdtree
Welcome to the Land of Shadow! Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree introduces a wealth of new challenges, mechanics, and areas for both seasoned Tarnished and newcomers to the Lands Between. To ensure your journey is as rewarding as it is perilous, here are some essential beginner tips to help you navigate this treacherous new expansion. Focus on understanding the core mechanics, using new resources, and approaching combat with a strategic mindset. The Land of Shadow is unforgiving, but with the right preparation, you can thrive.
1. Embrace the Scadutree Fragments and Miquella's Lilies: These are the most crucial new progression mechanics. Scadutree Fragments are found throughout the Land of Shadow and are used at Scadutree Altars to permanently increase your attack power and defense within the DLC. Miquella's Lilies are used to upgrade your Spirit Ashes. Prioritize finding and using these items as soon as possible. They are vital for overcoming the increased difficulty of the expansion.
2. Explore Thoroughly, But Be Wary: The Land of Shadow is vast and filled with secrets. Always explore your surroundings, check behind ruins, and look for hidden paths. However, be aware that new enemies are often stronger than their counterparts in the base game. Don't be afraid to retreat if you're overwhelmed. The map is your friend; find map fragments to reveal the terrain.
3. Master the New Combat Mechanics: Shadow of the Erdtree introduces new combat options, including the Parry system (if you haven't mastered it already) and potentially new weapon skills or Ashes of War. Pay attention to enemy attack patterns and learn to dodge effectively. The new enemies often have unique movesets that require adaptation.
4. Upgrade Your Gear and Spirit Ashes: Just like in the base game, weapon and Spirit Ash upgrades are paramount. Collect Grave Glovewort and Ghost Glovewort for your Spirit Ashes, and Smithing Stones/Somber Smithing Stones for your weapons. Don't neglect your armor either; upgrading it can make a significant difference in survivability.
5. Talk to NPCs and Read Item Descriptions: The lore and questlines in Elden Ring are often delivered through cryptic dialogue and item descriptions. Engage with every NPC you meet, exhaust their dialogue, and pay attention to the details in item descriptions. This can provide vital clues about enemy weaknesses, hidden locations, and story progression.
6. Don't Be Afraid to Run: Sometimes, the best strategy is to avoid a fight. If you encounter an enemy or group of enemies that are too difficult, or if you're low on resources, it's perfectly acceptable to disengage and come back later when you're better prepared. This is especially true for optional encounters or areas that don't seem immediately critical to your main path.
7. Experiment with Builds: Shadow of the Erdtree introduces new weapons, spells, and Ashes of War. Don't be afraid to experiment with different builds to find what suits your playstyle best. If a particular strategy isn't working, consider respecing your stats or trying a different weapon.
8. use Your Mount (Torrent): Torrent is invaluable for traversing the large open areas of the Land of Shadow. Use him to quickly escape danger, cover long distances, or even engage certain enemies from a safer distance.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be well-equipped to face the challenges that await you in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Good luck, Tarnished!