Elden Ring DLC progression guide: area order for Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion is yet another huge addition to the base game, and it continues the trend of the main experience. You’re dropped into the world, directionless, and left to figure things out by yourself. For the most part, the game gently nudges you in the correct direction fairly well, but there’s an incredible amount of optional content to explore, too. In this guide, we’re breaking down the order you should tackle areas while playing Shadow of the Erdtree. Some of these areas are optional and can be discovered in a very different order, but follow our instructions while taking note of your map and you’ll be fine. You should probably make grab all of the map fragments on your way and don’t forget to check our Elden Ring boss order . Behind the first large gate you see in the Realm of Shadow, the Belurat Tower Settlement is an obvious first place to explore, just North of where you start at the Gravesite Plain. Castle Ensis is in the opposite direction to Belurat, over the br