We’ve learned that the Elden Ring DLC will be called Shadow of the Erdtree, and while details are slim currently, there is some information and worthwhile speculation about settings, lore, and platforms we can discuss.
Players have been looking forward to a potential Elden Ring DLC since rolling the credits for the first time and realising they want more of the acclaimed world and gameplay. if you want to know everytghing we know so far about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, we’ve got you covered below.
Is there an Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree release date?
There is currently no release date or release window for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, so we’re all left wondering when it will drop.
The official website indicated it would be a while back during its announcement in February, so we assume it will launch in late 2023 or early 2024. However, as the end of 2023 approaches with no more news on the DLC, it’s starting to look more likely it will come next year.
The next two major gaming events of the year are Opening Night Live on August 22, and The Game Awards on December 8, both of which may see a new trailer, or just more news on Shadow of the Erdtree.
Finally, you also have to consider the release of Armored Core 6 into the equation too. It is unlikely that the Elden Ring DLC and Armored Core release around the same time, and with the latter confirmed for 2023, we could see the former pushed into the next calendar year.
- If you’re wanting to boost your character’s level in preparation for some incredibly hard bosses in the DLC, make sure to check out this Elden Ring rune farm guide
Do we know the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree setting?
Click to enlargeConsidering we only have one piece of concept art to go off so far, we don’t know the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree setting, and we can only speculate about what it might be.
First of all, it looks like nothing we’ve seen so far in Elden Ring, and is far more akin to the visual landscape of something like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, or even Dark Souls III The Ringed City.
Considering the name and the state of the titular Erdtree in the picture, it is very likely that this DLC is set in the past. This is something that FromSoftware very much like doing with their expansions, as both Artorias of the Abyss for Dark Souls and The Old Hunters for Bloodborne had players returning to uncover past myths and legends.
It is said within the game that the souls of the dead rest at the base of the Erdtree, so this could very well be either in its infancy, or in the Erdtree’s waning years.
What do we know about Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree lore?
Click to enlargeOnce again, there is only so much that we can draw from a single picture, but there is a surprising amount of hints here if you look closely enough.
The first thing your eyes are likely drawn to is the person sat upon what is most likely Torrent – or at least an animal in close relation. However, the identity of the person riding it is very much up for speculation.
In terms of people that we ‘know’, it is most likely to be younger versions of Miquella or Marika. The connection to the Erdtree is obvious for a young Marika, but there is so much left in the air about Miquella, and a healthy amount of cut content that could make its way into the DLC.
Notable dataminer Sekiro Dubi revealed shortly after the release of Elden Ring that a significant amount of cut content surrounded ‘Dream Mist’ that sent you into the dreams of sleeping enemies. Furthermore, it is heavily implied and speculated that Miquella is St Trina – the god of slumber – so this DLC could involve you venturing into dreams via Miquella that hold the past, future, or even alternate realities.
One other aspect that is most intriguing is the state of the Erdtree itself. It is significantly smaller in scale to the one we see in the main game, which again could point to either the early or late stages of its life.
Additionally, it appears to be ensnared with what looks like Deathroot. We of course know that Godwyn’s body was laid at the base of the Erdtree and eventually corrupted it, so there could very well be an intervention from the Price of Death within this DLC before he became the monstrosity that we find within Deeproot Depths.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree platforms
Click to enlargeUnsurprisingly, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree has been confirmed to be releasing for all of the base game’s supported platforms, which are:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PC (via Steam)
This is great news for anyone who hasn’t managed to upgrade to the latest generation of consoles, and could also point to the DLC being released a bit sooner rather than later.
So, that’s everything we currently know about the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, going over the predicted release date and speculated setting and lore. For more Elden Ring content, stay on GGRecon.