Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expands the Lands Between with a vast new region, accessible almost entirely from the start. As you venture into this shadowed realm, gathering Scadutree Fragments becomes paramount to bolster your strength against the formidable challenges ahead. Among these challenges, Messmer the Impaler stands out as a central figure, heavily featured in the DLC’s promotional materials. His imposing presence at the summit of Shadow Keep, the DLC’s largest structure, might lead you to believe he is the final hurdle. However, defeating Messmer is far from the end of your journey, with much more to explore before you confront the true final boss of the DLC.
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Navigating Post-Messmer Content in Shadow of the Erdtree
Upon vanquishing Messmer the Impaler, you acquire a crucial item that allows you to ignite the Sealing Tree, thereby progressing along the main storyline of Shadow Of The Erdtree. To reach this pivotal location, retrace your steps to the Specimen Storehouse’s first level. Instead of proceeding forward, seek out the path to your left and descend via the elevator. This route will lead you to the lower levels of Shadow Keep and ultimately to the grand bridge extending towards the Rauh Ruins.
Venturing to the westernmost reaches of the Rauh Ruins will bring you face-to-face with Romina, Saint Of The Bud. Overcoming this boss enables you to burn the Sealing Tree and unlock the final, climactic dungeon of the DLC. While this direct path is available, Shadow of the Erdtree offers a wealth of optional areas and formidable bosses that you can explore to amass more Scadutree Fragments and further hone your skills. Engaging with this optional content is highly recommended to maximize your strength before facing the ultimate challenges that await.
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Exploring Optional Zones After Messmer in Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow Of The Erdtree is replete with significant hidden bosses that offer rewarding challenges before you commit to the final Legacy Dungeon. A readily accessible optional area from Messmer’s location is the Abyssal Woods. Journeying to the Abyssal Woods will lead you to Midra, Lord Of The Frenzied Flame. This encounter tests your mettle against frenzied flame attacks and offers valuable rewards upon victory, including additional Scadutree Fragments to increase your damage negation in the DLC areas.
Another major boss awaits in the Jagged Peak. By venturing to the Jagged Peak in the southeastern part of the map, you can challenge Bayle The Dread. This boss is known for its aggressive combat style and unique weapon drops. Defeating Bayle provides another significant boost in power and resources, preparing you further for the trials ahead.
Navigating to the back gate of Shadow Keep not only pits you against Commander Gaius but also unlocks access to the Finger Ruins of Dheo. Furthermore, by traveling to the Finger Ruins of Rhia in the southern region and activating the bells at both ruin locations, you will unveil the Finger Ruins of Miyr. This hidden location is home to Metyr, Mother Of Fingers, arguably the most secretly located and challenging optional boss in the DLC. Defeating Metyr grants substantial rewards and proves your mastery over the most obscure corners of the Shadow Realm.
On your path towards the Shadow Keep’s back gate, you can also discover the route to the Scadutree Avatar. Overcoming this avatar rewards you with the Great Rune Of Miquella, a highly advantageous item against the DLC’s final boss. This Great Rune offers significant buffs and is strongly recommended to ease the difficulty of the final encounter.
While none of these optional bosses are mandatory to complete Shadow of the Erdtree, engaging with them is highly advisable. They provide invaluable Scadutree Fragments, powerful items, and challenging combat experience, all of which contribute to a more robust character build and significantly increase your preparedness for the final boss and the ultimate conclusion of the DLC. Exploring these hidden areas ensures that you are as strong as possible, enhancing your overall experience and chance of success in the most demanding battles of Shadow of the Erdtree.
Explore the vast Shadow Realm in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment & FromSoftware, released June 21, 2024.
