FromSoftware's massively popular Elden Ring has received its first major expansion with the Shadow of the Erdtree downloadable content. Offering a new region to explore along with fresh bosses, weapons, armor and questlines, it promises to provide dozens of additional hours of content for dedicated Tarnished everywhere. However, simply purchasing the DLC is not enough - players must first meet certain in-game requirements before gaining access to the new content. Here is a detailed guide on everything you need to do to start your journey in the Shadow of the Erdtree.

Defeating Starscourge Radahn

• Starscourge Radahn is the major boss of Caelid, the Rot-infested region to the east of Limgrave. To activate his festival and fight him, players must reach any Altus Plateau Site of Grace, progress Ranni's questline, or talk to NPCs like Iji or Blaidd. Caelid is a late-game area so completing other regions first is recommended.

Defeating Mohg, Lord of Blood

• Mohg resides in Mohgwyn Palace, an underground area accessed via the teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfield or using White Mask Varré's quest item. His domain is another endgame challenge, so players may want to improve their build before facing him.

Interacting with the Withered Arm

• Upon defeating Mohg, a character named Needle Knight Leda will appear by the cocoon in his throne room. She instructs players to touch the pale arm protruding from within to be transported to the Land of Shadow, starting the DLC.

Preparing for the Shadow Lands

• With Mohg defeated, players should be a high enough level to explore the DLC. However, researching boss strategies and obtaining the best weapons available can further aid the journey. A list of preparation guides is provided below.

Exploring the Shadow of the Erdtree

• Once transported to the new region, adventure awaits among haunted forests, coastal cliffs and ancient ruins. New maps, npcs and their questlines provide dozens of hours of extra content. The DLC invites dedicated Tarnished to further uncover its myriad mysteries.

To learn how to access specific areas, fight bosses or obtain rare weapons and items within the Shadow of the Erdtree, a number of detailed guides are available:

Elden Ring: A Complete Guide to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

This lengthy guide from Polygon covers every aspect of the DLC, from maps and boss strategies to questlines and unique gear.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Walkthrough

IGN's thorough walkthrough provides area-by-area guidance on reaching every new destination and defeating all bosses.

13 Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Tips You Need to Know

An overview of vital knowledge for surviving the shadowy new region, from its enhanced difficulty to the best builds.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Quests Guide

A dedicated resource for experiencing all the new npc questlines like Leda, Thiollier and Moore.

The Shadow of the Erdtree provides a substantial expansion to Elden Ring's already immense world. By fulfilling the requirements outlined above and making use of in-depth community guides, any dedicated Tarnished can brave the new shadowy lands and uncover their hidden treasures. May the guidance here allow many more to start their journey into the fringes of the Lands Between.